| Growing up, we are taught that it is not polite to stare | | | | worry if you use a common expression such as |
| at someone with a disability. However, we are so | | | | saying to a person who is blind, "see you later" or to |
| paranoid that we will mess up and stare that we don't | | | | someone who is a wheelchair user, "let's go for a |
| dare even look at the person. As a result, our well | | | | walk". |
| intended politeness inadvertently renders people with | | | | Tell a person who is blind when you enter and exit a |
| disabilities invisible. It is a tale of two extremes. Either | | | | conversation. |
| people with disabilities are stared at or we don't look at | | | | Offer assistance but do not force help on anyone. |
| them at all. | | | | Think "assist" not "insist". |
| You have probably witnessed or experienced first | | | | Do not lean on or take control of a wheelchair without |
| hand a child pointing at someone with a disability and | | | | the owner's permission. |
| asking the adult they are with, "What's wrong with that | | | | CHANGING LANGUAGE |
| person?" Typically the adult responds by grabbing the | | | | One of the most important elements to keep in mind |
| child's hand as quickly as possible and then gives a | | | | with our use of words is always keep the person first. |
| powerful "shhhh". Now the kid is scared half to death | | | | In the list that follows you will notice that the person will |
| and we wonder where we get the message of how | | | | always come before the descriptor. It is also best if |
| we are to treat people with disabilities. | | | | you do not use the word "the" before descriptors, |
| So what could we do? Kids are curious so we should | | | | such as "the mentally ill or the deaf", etc... |
| provide them with information and not frighten them. | | | | You may wonder why it is so significant to place the |
| In as simple terms as possible, do your best to explain | | | | person first; after all, doesn't it convey the same |
| your perception of the situation. For example, you | | | | meaning? No, it does not. |
| might say that the person is using a wheelchair | | | | Outdated or Offensive |
| because their legs are too week or they have | | | | Acceptable and Appropriate |
| cerebral palsy and their legs don't work like ours. | | | | Disabled, Handicapped |
| CHANGING OUR BEHAVIORS | | | | Person with a disability |
| Many of us are so afraid of saying or doing the wrong | | | | Retarded, Mentally ill |
| thing that we make the biggest mistake of all and say | | | | People with a developmental or cognitive disability |
| or do nothing, thus furthering the isolation that many | | | | Hearing impaired |
| people with disabilities experience. Here are a few | | | | People who are deaf or hard of hearing |
| suggestions that may improve the quality of our | | | | Visually impaired |
| interactions. | | | | People who are blind or partially sighted |
| Greet the person as you would any other person. We | | | | Confined to a wheelchair, Crippled |
| commonly greet one another with a handshake and | | | | Wheelchair user or person who uses a wheelchair, |
| just because someone has a disability should not deter | | | | physically disabled |
| us. In the event someone holds their left hand out to | | | | Midget |
| shake, follow their lead, as they may not have full use | | | | Little people, LP, person of short stature |
| of their right hand. If the person is blind, wait for them | | | | Normal |
| to hold their hand out. If you are uncertain it is okay to | | | | People without a disability, non-disabled |
| wait and follow their lead. | | | | Approximately 19% of the U.S. population has a |
| Speak directly to the person with the disability. If the | | | | disability (US Census Bureau, 2008). However, most |
| person uses an interpreter or aide, direct all of your | | | | disabilities are not obvious so you may not be aware |
| conversation to the person, not to their interpreter or | | | | of just how many people may be impacted by your |
| aide. | | | | words and action. |
| Do not speak louder or slower. If someone is blind | | | | Most people are well intended and do not want to |
| there is no need to shout, remember, they are blind not | | | | cause harm to anyone. Yet sometimes unknowingly |
| deaf. This also applies to people with cognitive or | | | | our words and actions do just that. What we intend to |
| developmental disabilities. | | | | be polite may end up being insensitive. We end up |
| Refer to the disability only when it is relevant to the | | | | making lots of people invisible and the saddest part is |
| discussion. | | | | that we think we are being nice. |
| Use of Common expressions. There is no need to | | | | |