Medicaid Waivers for the Developmentally Disabled

First things first, and in this case it should be "people first". Starting with people first language.

This topic should be about "PEOPLE with developmental disabilities", NOT "the" "developmentally disabled". They are first and foremost people like everyone else, and should be referred to as such.

The further the move is away from categorizing people by only disability labels, then the closer others may be to seeing everyone as unique human beings, and perhaps there could be some greater understanding created.

Disability is "one" characteristic and it doesn't define a whole person. People have developmental disabilities. They are not simply the developmentally disabled.

Words affects actions and actions are reflected words, and the cycle goes round and round. If you see people as people first, then they should be referred to as such.
- by Colleen Tomko