Person-first language is defined as:

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Putting the person before the disability means referring to someone by their humanity first, not by their diagnosis. For example, saying “a person with a disability” rather than “a disabled person” emphasizes that the person is more than their condition. This wording respects the individual’s dignity and helps prevent defining someone solely by their disability, supporting inclusive and respectful communication.

Emphasizing abilities is related to a strengths-based view, but it doesn’t capture the specific practice of ordering language to keep the person first. Focusing on the disability or using medical labels reduces a person to their condition and conflicts with the goal of person-first phrasing.