With what Kathy Jo said about people referring to her attendants as
"babysitters," I thought this might be helpful for those folks to read,
and we probably all know of people who could benefit from reading it.
My hope is that it could be used as a way to get people talking about
disability etiquette.  Thanks to the WIND Training division (Terri,
Lori, Paula, Sheri, and Janet) for this material. 

 

Basics of Disability Etiquette 

ASK BEFORE YOU HELP 
Don't assume a person with a disability needs help.  If you offer
assistance wait until the offer is accepted, then listen to or ask for
instructions on how best to assist. 

THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK 
Always speak directly to the person with a disability, not to his
companion, aide or sign language interpreter. 

DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS 
Let the person decide if and how the person will participate in an
activity.  

EXTEND SAME COURTESY 
When introduced to a person with a disability it is appropriate to offer
to shake hands. People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial
limb can usually shake hands.

TREAT ADULTS AS ADULTS 
Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when
extending that same familiarity to all others present.

RELAX
Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use accepted, common expressions,
such as, "See you later," or "Did you hear about this" that seem to
relate to the person's disability.

Pointers for Specific Disabilities
 
INTERACTIONS WITH A PERSON WHO IS BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
*        Identify yourself and anyone else who may be accompanying you.
Inform the person when other people join or leave the group.
*        Inform the person of potential obstacles and give specific
directions to avoid these obstacles - "look out" is not very helpful
here.
 
INTERACTIONS WITH A PERSON WHO USES A WHEELCHAIR
*        Sit eye level to the person or stand at a slight distance to
facilitate conversation.
*        Avoid leaning or hanging on the persons wheelchair, scooter or
cane. People with disabilities consider their equipment part of their
personal space.
*        Avoid patting the person on the head and other patronizing
behaviors that are usually only extended to children.
 
INTERACTIONS WITH A PERSON WHO IS DEAF
*        To gain the attention of a person with a hearing impairment,
tap them on the shoulder or wave your hand.
*        When talking, face the person and speak clearly and
expressively. Avoid chewing gum, smoking or obscuring your mouth with
your hands and other objects while speaking.  Many people who are hard
of hearing count on watching people's lips to help them understand.
 
INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPEECH DISABILITIES
*        Give the person your full attention. Don't interrupt or finish
the person's sentences. If you have trouble understanding, don't nod.
Just ask the person to repeat what they said. In most cases the person
will not mind and will appreciate your effort to hear what they had to
say.
*        If you are not sure whether you have understood, you can repeat
for verification
 
INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE COGNITIVE DISABILITIES
*        Speak to the person in clear sentences, using simple words and
concrete-rather than abstract-concepts. Help her understand a complex
idea by breaking it down into smaller parts.
*        Gauge the pace, complexity, and vocabulary of your speech
according to theirs.
*        Give information to people with learning disabilities in their
preferred format (written vs. verbal)
 
Person First Language

 

Acceptable Terms


Unacceptable Terms

Person with a disability - puts the person first

Disabled person - puts the disability before the person

Disability - a general term used for functional limitation that
interferes with a person's ability

Handicapped - this is a term to describe environmental barriers to a
person with a disability (stairs, narrow doorways, inaccessible parking
spaces - not a term used to describe a person

Person who has a mental, intellectual, or cognitive disability or
impairment.  

(There is no universal agreement on the proper terminology of this
disability)

Retarded, moron, imbecile, idiot - these are offensive.  The term mental
retardation is only acceptably used as a medical diagnostic category and
even controversial in this context.

A person who uses a wheelchair or crutches; walks with crutches

Confined/restricted to a wheelchair, wheelchair bound - Most people who
use a wheelchair or other mobility device do not regard them as
confining. They are viewed as liberating; a means of getting around

A person who has (name of disability.)

(Ex. Bill has multiple sclerosis)

Afflicted with, suffers from, victim of - most people with disabilities
do not regard themselves as victims or as afflicted or suffering
continually

A Person with epilepsy

Epileptic  (try to avoid -ic words)

Accessible Parking

Handicapped Parking

 

If you are unsure it is best to ask!  Also, people with disabilities
have different preferences for how to refer to their own disability.  Be
sensitive to their requests if they differ from the terminology you use.


 

 

Kendall 

 

An unreasonable man (but my wife says that's redundant!)

 

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one
persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all
progress depends on the unreasonable man.

 

-George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950

 


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