Words To Know

Non-speaking

People who don’t talk with their mouths.

Nonverbal communication

Communication that doesn’t use language. Body language and eye contact are examples of nonverbal communication.

Olmstead

A court case about people with disabilities in institutions. It says people with disabilities have a right to live in the community.

Peer pressure

When people around you tell you to do something. You might do that thing even if you don’t want to.

People of color

People who are not white. For example, black people are people of color.

Person-first language

Putting the word “person” before the word for a disability. “People with autism” is person-first language. So is “People with disabilities”.

Processing

How your brain thinks about and reacts to things.

Protection & Advocacy Agencies (P&As)

Groups in each state that help people with disabilities fight for our rights. They make sure states follow disability laws.

Rehab Act

A law that makes rules for programs the government pays for.

Scripting

When people plan ahead of time what they want to say.