This article shares person first terminology examples to create a positive work culture for everyone.
If you want to jump ahead to the person first terminology examples, click here.This article shares person first terminology examples to create a positive work culture for everyone.
If you want to jump ahead to the person first terminology examples, click here.Person First Terminology Examples: 80 Examples (2026)
Are you looking for person first terminology examples you can confidently use at work?
Many founders, business owners, HR leaders, and hiring managers want to build welcoming cultures, but they are unsure which words to use when talking about disability, health conditions, and lived experience.
Person first terminology helps. It centers the person, not a diagnosis or label, and signals that someone is valued for their skills, contributions, potential, and merit.
When leaders and teams consistently use person first terminology, it becomes easier to build trust, reduce stigma, and create a work environment where employees can perform at their best.
If you want clear person first terminology examples you can start using today, keep reading!
Table of Contents
Person First Terminology Examples
Person first terminology are words that put the person before any condition, disability, or experience. Instead of defining someone by a label, person first language recognizes that employees are whole people who may also navigate disabilities, chronic conditions, or mental health needs. This matters in the workplace. The language leaders choose shows employees what is acceptable, what is valued, and how seriously the organization values creating teams based on merit. When job descriptions, policies, performance reviews, and everyday conversations use person first terminology, all employees are more likely to feel respected and appreciated. When coworkers use person first terminology everyone has a work environment where they are seen for their abilities and where they can do their best work. Person first terminology examples are especially useful when you are:- Writing or revising job descriptions
- Creating policies or employee handbooks
- Training managers on inclusive merit based leadership
- Communicating accommodations or return-to-work plans
- Talking about team members in performance or talent reviews
Person First Terminology Examples (80 Examples)
- Person First Terminology Examples
- Employee with a disability
- Team member with a chronic health condition
- Candidate with a mobility impairment
- Person who uses a wheelchair
- Employee with low vision
- Person with a hearing impairment
- Applicant with a learning disability
- Person with a developmental disability
- Employee with autism
- Person with ADHD
- Team member with a mental health condition
- Employee experiencing anxiety
- Person with depression
- Candidate with PTSD
- Employee recovering from an injury
- Person with a speech difference
- Employee with a respiratory condition
- Person with a neurological condition
- Candidate with a temporary disability
- Employee with a long-term health condition
- Person with diabetes
- Team member with a heart condition
- Employee with a hearing difference
- Person with dyslexia
- Employee with a speech impairment
- Candidate with a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Person with a seizure disorder
- Employee with a cognitive disability
- Person experiencing long COVID symptoms
- Team member with chronic migraines
- Person with a visual processing difference
- Employee with an autoimmune condition
- Person with Crohn’s disease
- Team member with a gastrointestinal condition
- Person with a limb difference
- Employee with an intellectual disability
- Person with a rare health condition
- Team member with chronic fatigue syndrome
- Person with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Employee with a muscular condition
- Candidate with a hearing difference requiring accommodations
- Person with Tourette syndrome
- Team member with sensory processing needs
- Person with social anxiety disorder
- Employee with a vestibular condition
- Person with color blindness
- Team member with chronic back pain
- Employee with a mobility difference
- Person with a blood disorder
- Team member with a joint condition
- Person with a birth-related disability
- Employee with a genetic condition
- Person with asthma
- Team member with a communication difference
- Employee with an endocrine condition
- Person with a skin condition
- Team member with episodic health symptoms
- Employee with a temporary injury requiring modified duties
- Person with a balance disorder
- Employee with an intellectual developmental condition
- Person with a sleep disorder
- Team member with a neurological difference affecting focus
- Employee with a chronic immune condition
- Person with a blood sugar regulation condition
- Team member with a chronic musculoskeletal condition
- Employee with a progressive health condition
- Person with an attention regulation condition
- Team member with a visual tracking difference
- Employee with an anxiety-related condition
- Person with an eating disorder
- Team member with a chronic inflammatory condition
- Employee with a respiratory sensitivity
- Person with a condition that affects stamina
- Team member with an accommodation need related to light sensitivity
- Employee with a chronic neurological condition
- Person with a pain-related condition
- Team member with environmental allergies that affect work
- Employee with a condition that affects executive functioning
- Person with a chronic medical condition requiring flexible scheduling
Person First Language PDF (for Your Team)
Want a person first language PDF for your team? Look no further!
This person first terminology examples pdf gives teams a quick way to learn the right terms to use at work. It also makes it easier for managers and HR to stay consistent when writing job descriptions, policies, or accommodation notes.
When everyone follows the same language standards, communication becomes clearer and all team members feel respected.
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Person First Terminology Examples (FAQs)
10 Examples of People First Language
People first language places the person before any disability or condition. Ten workplace-ready examples include:
- Employee with a disability
- Person with a chronic health condition
- Candidate with a mobility impairment
- Person with a hearing impairment
- Employee with a visual impairment
- Person with autism
- Team member with ADHD
- Person with a mental health condition
- Employee with a learning disability
- Person with a neurological condition
These examples help teams speak respectfully and avoid reducing someone to a label.
What are examples of first person language?
First person language refers to pronouns people use to describe themselves. It is unrelated to person first language but commonly confused because the terms sound similar.
Examples of first person language include:
- I
- Me
- My
- We
- Our
Example sentences:
- “I need support with this task.”
- “We completed the project.”
- “My schedule changes next week.”
- “Our team meets on Mondays.”
Understanding the difference between first person language and person first terminology helps teams communicate more clearly.
Which is an example of person first terminology?
An example of person first terminology is:
“Employee with a disability.”
This phrasing:
- Puts the person before the condition
- Avoids defining someone by a disability
- Aligns with ADA-aligned communication standards
- Reinforces a respectful workplace culture
Other correct examples include “person with autism,” “employee with low vision,” and “team member with a chronic condition.”
Person first terminology examples adults
Person first terminology examples for adults in the workplace include:
- Employee with a mental health condition
- Person with a long-term health condition
- Team member with chronic migraines
- Employee with a neurological condition
- Person with a developmental disability
These examples help teams discuss health or accommodations without making employees feel singled out or less than.
Person first terminology examples autism
Workplace-ready person first terminology examples for autism include:
- Person with autism
- Employee with autism
- Candidate with autism
- Team member with autism
Note: Some people prefer identity-first language (e.g., “Autistic person”). In the workplace, it is respectful to ask the individual which wording they prefer.
Person first terminology examples mental health
Examples of person first terminology for mental health include:
- Employee with a mental health condition
- Person experiencing anxiety
- Team member with depression
- Employee recovering from a mental health episode
- Person with PTSD
These examples support a workplace culture where mental health needs are acknowledged respectfully.