Disability Etiquette
People with disabilities are not conditions or diseases. They are individual human beings.
For example, a person is not an epileptic but rather a person who has epilepsy.
First and foremost they are people. Only secondarily do they have one or more disabling conditions. Hence, they prefer to be referred to in print or broadcast media as People with Disabilities.
In any story, article, announcement or advertisement, "people with disabilities" should be used either exclusively or, at a minimum, as the initial reference. Subsequent references can use the terms "person with a disability" or "individuals with disabilities" for grammatical or
narrative reasons. In conclusion, the appropriate and preferred initial reference is "people with disabilities."
Please refer to the Glossary of Acceptable Terms for a complete listing of acceptable terms and appropriate applications.
Distinction between Disability and Handicap
A Disability is a condition caused by an accident, trauma, genetics or disease which may limit a person's mobility, hearing, vision, speech or mental function. Some people with disabilities have one or more disabilities.
A Handicap is a physical or attitudinal constraint that is imposed upon a person, regardless of whether that person has a disability. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines handicap as to put at a disadvantage.
Example:
Some people with disabilities use wheelchairs. Stairs, narrow doorways and curbs are handicaps imposed upon people with disabilities who use wheelchairs.
People with disabilities have all manner of disabling conditions:
- mobility impairments
- blindness and vision impairments
- deafness and hearing impairments
- speech and language impairments
- mental and learning disabilities.
Tips
Many people do not know what say or how to act when they meet someone with a disability. People with disabilities have the same feelings as you. Many people with disabilities are professionals and have college degrees. Treat someone with a disability as you would like to be treated and you can't go wrong.
- Do not park in a disabled parking space unless you have the proper identification and have a disability that warrants you to park there. People need the bigger area to get out wheelchairs etc.
- Speak to the person who has the disability and not just someone with them. Be patient and ask questions if you can't understand them. Never pretend you can understand someone if you do not. Simply say what you think the person said and they will correct it if necessary. Be patient if someone uses a device to communicate with.
- Do not talk down to the person or like they are a child (unless they really are a child.)
- If you want to ask someone about their disability, then ask. Be polite and respectful.
- People with disabilities are just normal people with physical limitations. Please don't stare for long periods of time.
- Let your child talk to people with disabilities. It is really sad when parents do not let children ask questions or talk. Children are very accepting.
- Do not pat someone with a disability on the head. They are not pets or toys. They are people.
- If it looks like someone with a disability might need some help, just ask them. The worst they can do is say "No, thank you."
- Not everyone can shake hands. Try a nod or a smile instead. 10. Relax and just be yourself.
Speaking and Writing
- Please avoid these words/terms when referring to a person with a disability. Cripple, victim, defect, invalid, sick, diseased, wheelchair bound
- Please use terms such as physically disabled or "He/she uses a wheelchair..." Remember they are people first and disabled second.
When you are with someone in a wheelchair
- Do not push, drive, lean on, grab, hold or anything else to their wheelchair without permission. This is their personal space and property.
- Rearrange furniture if there is something blocking the way of their wheelchair.
- Try to get on eye level with the person if possible.
More General Disability Etiquette
"Live and learn." Yes, most of us have repeatedly heard that phrase. We all make mistakes. It's a fact of life that nobody is perfect. The beauty of making mistakes is that we can learn from them. we can always improve how we interact with others and so the following is more etiquette that can help you develop comfortable interactions with any person with a disability.
- Be careful not to patronize any person with a disability. Avoid making sympathetic comments such as "Oh isn't it terrible she can't see anything? It must be hard for her to get around. I bet she is deprived of a lot things." Such comments most likely are annoying to a person with a disability as well as to any companion who may be accompanying them. Most people with disabilities have accepted
their disabilities and their lifestyles. In fact, their lifestyles- particularly the alternative means by which they accomplish tasks- may very well be natural for them.
- Place the person before the disability out of respect for individual uniqueness and worth. Refer to an individual as a
"person with a disability" or an "individual who has a disability" rather than a "disabled person" or a "disabled individual."
- Avoid referring to an individual by the condition s/he has such as "a quadriplegic, a C.P., an L.D., an epileptic." Instead, refer him/her as a person who.. .."has a spinal cord injury, has cerebral palsy, has a learning disability, has epilepsy."
- Make the reference of "people with disabilities" rather than "the disabled." The word "disabled," as a noun, implies separateness or total disability. "The disabled" do not constitute a group apart from the rest of society.
- Emphasize the uniqueness and worth of all persons rather than the differences between people. Avoid referring to a person with a
disability as "one of them" rather than "one of us." Making such a distinction does not foster acceptance of persons with disabilities.
- When depicting persons with disabilities, emphasize their achievements, abilities, and individual qualities. Place individuals in the least restrictive environment. Portray them as parents, community leaders, employees, consumers, artists, athletes, professionals, etc.
- Do not exclude persons with disabilities from participating in any group -- work-related, academic, or social -- because you think it may be too difficult for them to participate.
Proper Etiquette to Use When Interacting With Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
- When approaching a person who is blind or visually impaired, identify yourself and anyone else who may be accompanying you.
State, for example, "Polly is standing on your left and Jack is on your right. Inform the person whenever you will be leaving the room.
- When giving directions to a person who is blind or visually impaired, be very specific and use words rather than gestures.
Explain any obstacles that may be in the person's way of travel such as steps, signs, trees, posts, curbs. Avoid using descriptions with numbers in them such as "ten feet to the door." * When handing more than one item to a person who is either blind or visually impaired, inform the person which item is on top, in the middle, and on the bottom.
- Do not pet guide dogs. If they lose their concentration, their owners may be in danger.
- Do not be hesitant to offer to lead a person. Let the person take your arm for guidance. The person most likely will follow slightly behind you in order to follow your body motions.
- When a person who is blind or visually impaired is in a group of people, have everyone identify themselves each time they speak. * Do not generalize that all people who are blind or visually impaired read Braille. They may rely on tape recordings or other equipment such as voice-activated scanners.
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