Your co-hosts Erin & Lily bring another “Just Between Us” conversation to Everything You Know About Disability Is Wrong. This time, they’re diving into disability language: why euphemisms like “differently abled” miss the mark, how identity-first vs. person-first language is used, and why words matter but shouldn’t overshadow the bigger fights for access, benefits, and equity.
They share stories from their own journeys—how language has shaped their identities, how it can affirm or erase, and why offering grace and education is often the most powerful tool. With humor, honesty, and a few reframes, Erin and Lily show how shared vocabulary can build connection and strengthen advocacy.
Timestamps
00:38 Just Between Us: why language matters
01:40 Creating a disability language guide for Easterseals
02:40 Why euphemisms like “differently abled” don’t work
03:09 Identity-first vs. person-first explained
04:25 The importance of respecting personal preference
05:41 Autistic identity and self-definition
07:12 Erin’s shift from person-first to identity-first
08:55 Why treatment matters more than terminology
10:15 Writing and marketing with respectful language
Connect with Lily Newton
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-newton-3b0b5b229
Website: https://www.easterseals.com/
Connect with Erin Hawley
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhawley2
Website: https://www.easterseals.com/