36 GLOBALGIVING BRAND GUIDE Words are powerful. The language we use influences our feelings and decisions, drives social policies and laws, and affects people’s everyday lives. We use People First language when describing individuals and their circumstances. People First language puts a person before a disability instead of labeling them based on it. Rather than describing a group of “disabled children,” for example, describe them as “children with disabilities,” or better yet, “children who use wheelchairs,” if that is accurate. We refer to the clients and community members that our nonprofit partners serve as “constituents” or as “the people we intend to help.” Labeling them as “beneficiaries” portrays them as simply accepting handouts rather than active drivers of their own development. Our Philosophy Around Language VOICE