Ask Yourself: Do I use people-first language and terminology when appropriate in my written materials and discussions, and remain open to change based on expressed preferences?
Probing Question: Am I considering the impact of terms used in my workspaces or daily practice?
Example: Person with diabetes rather than diabetic, person experiencing homelessness
Ask Yourself: Do I use appropriate and inclusive language and terminology?
Probing Questions: Do the words I use carry assumptions that may not apply? Am I asking patients how they prefer to be addressed and modeling the sharing of pronouns as a welcome practice?
Examples: Partner instead of husband/wife; living with diabetes instead of suffering from; volunteers instead of human subjects
Visit the DRIVE – Stoplight Terminology Guide and Glossary a living resource for improving our language to promote accurate, representative, and inclusive teaching materials and educational environments
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DRIVE Best Practice: Words matter, terminology changes -- Look for updates in your field before presenting, welcome learner input and respond respectfully to feedback.
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Want to reference this resource? Please consider using this suggested citation:
DRIVE Committee. DRIVE: Expanded Curriculum Appraisal Tool and Resources. Published 2022. Updated July 22, 2024. https://libraryguides.umassmed.edu/drive
