Those with disabilities are people first

I applaud your article about Jordan Schubert and his campaign to stamp out the use of the “R” word. However, I would like to point out that your reference to him in your article title as an “Autistic Neuqua Valley student” ignores the fact that he is an individual first. He should not be seen as an autistic person, but rather an individual who happens to have autism. It is apparent that Jordan has many strengths and he should not be defined strictly by his autism.

I believe that people who have disabilities are individuals first and should always be referred to as such. So a suggestion for future articles about people with disabilities would be to say “Jordan is an individual with autism,” or “Mary is an individual with a cognitive impairment,” or “Joe is a person with a disability.” This places more emphasis on the person and less on the disability.

Jeff Gallichio

Special education teacher

Des Plaines