Person-Centered Language is often misunderstood as a list of preferred
terms or a moral code for how we speak. In practice, it reflects a deeper
shift in how services are designed and delivered, especially within a
Technology First approach.

Technology First service models rely on partnership, shared
problem-solving, and the expectation that people can direct their own lives
with the right tools and supports. Language plays a critical role in that shift.
The words we choose can either reinforce dependency and caregiver roles,
or support coaching, autonomy, and informed decision-making.

This presentation examines how person-centered support language differs from
patient-centered care language, and why that distinction matters outside
clinical settings. Participants will explore how language shapes power,
expectations, and risk-taking in technology-enabled supports, and how to
use language intentionally to promote dignity, contribution, and
independence while mitigating health and safety risks.