New Ways of Thinking

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Yes, Disability is Natural—but what do apples have to do with disability?

One of the five apples is green. One American in five has a disability, making people with disabilities the largest minority group, and it's the only group that anyone can join at any time: at birth or through an accident, illness, or the aging process.

A green apple is more like red apples than different; a person with a disability is more like people without disabilities than different.

The U.S. Developmental Disabilities Act states, "Disability is a natural part of the human experience..."

This is your source for Kathie Snow's life-changing articles and products that can generate positive change. Visit the different "Explore" sections where you'll find a variety of thought-provoking, informative articles all about new ways of thinking!

People First Language

People First Language (PFL) represents more respectful, accurate ways of communicating. People with disabilities are not their diagnoses or disabilities; they are people, first.

PFL is not about "political correctness," it's about good manners and "the golden rule."

"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never hurt you," is a very harmful myth. Words do matter! They can raise or lower expectations; hurt or help; crush hopes or create dreams; and so much more.

When we adopt new ways of thinking and talking about people with disabilities, we'll not only exert a positive influence on their lives, but on our society as a whole. We've seen the power of language on other groups; we've made changes and no longer use ethnic slurs and other harmful descriptors. Now it's time to extend that courtesy to the boys, girls, men, and women in our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and communities who happen to have disabilities.

Click here to go to the Language-Communication section to see a variety of People First Language articles by Kathie Snow. Isn't it time for more respectful and accurate language for all?

Wow--The Life-Changing Power of Our Attitudes and Actions!

Kathie, I want you to know how much you have changed my life. I have three children with autism and have done everything under the sun to raise awareness and to have them included. It's been very difficult. However, your words inspire me (as in, "What will it take?"), so when I feel like giving up, I don't. Everything you write makes sense and allows me to feel that there IS someone that I can relate to and that there IS someone out there who "gets" it . . . that person is YOU!  I've been called a "dangerous radical" and a "wild crusader"—all because I believe that people with disabilities should never be defined by a diagnosis and should be in regular settings. Your articles give me so much strength. Whenever I feel like I'm fighting a lost cause, I read one and it reminds me that I'm doing the right thing. And I bought several of your iron-on t-shirt transfers so my kids can wear positive messages to school each day. Thank you!
Joy Tallerico

Kathie, I was a part of the Idaho Partners in Policymaking class in late August. I want to thank you for your presentations. I don't know if I can fully express how my perspective has been changed by your words.  When I arrived home, I was tired from the weekend and happy to see my family. The weather was warm and Emma and Justin began playing out in our front yard with some of the neighborhood kids. As I watched my young daughter play with her brother and their friends I began to cry! It seemed that I was seeing Emma for the first time!  All I could see was a beautiful 4-year-old girl running and playing with her friends. I wasn't "assessing" her gait or trying to figure out how I could make her play "more productive" or wondering if she could understand the games. She was carefree and beautiful and having a wonderful time. How can I thank you enough for opening my eyes to see the beautiful little girl and not the disability? It is truly like I am seeing things from a different perspective.

I had honestly not expected to come home and discontinue Emma's therapies, but as I sat with her this week in SLT, OT and PT, all I could see is her frustration when she was pushed so hard and our expectations were always that she do just a little more. We are always asking her to jump farther, draw better, speak more clearly and in general do more! I have previously joked with the therapists that as soon as Emma "gets" one thing they move on to the next. Now I can see how detrimental this can be to her spirit because she may never  feel like she's accomplished anything. I don't know that I can continue with things as they are, because I am no longer who I was. Even my husband gets it. I have shared a lot with him and he came to me this week and said that because of this information he feels like we have been given permission to treat Emma as a 4-year-old girl, i.e. normally!! We are moving ahead to replace PT with gymnastics and we're looking into swimming and dance. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Emma could look back when she was grown and say, "Yes, I have Down syndrome, but my life has been much the same as my brother's. We went to the same schools, we spent time in the same activities, Justin learned karate and I learned to dance. We had our differences, but we lived in the same world!" Thank you for walking the road ahead of us, and for sharing your opinions and your years of experience. We're reading your book, and I am confident we can navigate the waters ahead, and we will continue to search out resources that will help us on this new journey. Cheryl Roberts