Disability
Etiquette
- Always Use "Person First¨ Language. Examples:
"person with a disability" not"the disabled"
"person who is blind" not "a blind person"
For more examples, consult the piece entitled "Communicating
With and About People with Disabilities."
- "Disability" is the most generally accepted
term--not "handicap"
- Offering Assistance:
It is okay to offer assistanc.
Ask before providing assistance
Once the offer for assistance has been accepted, ask
for instructions and clarify what kind of assistance the
person wants.
- Respect all assistive devices (i.e., canes, wheelchairs,
crutches, communication boards, service dogs, etc.) as personal
property. Unless given specific and explicit permission,
do not move, play with, or use them.
- Always direct your communication to the individual with
a disability. If a person is accompanied, do not direct
your comments to the companion.
- Remember that people with disabilities are interested
in the same topics of conversations as people who do not
have disabilities.
- Use a normal speaking tone and style. If someone needs
you to speak in a louder voice, they will ask you to do
so.
- Remember that people with disabilities, like all people,
are experts on themselves. They know what they like, what
they do not like and what they can and cannot do.
- 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. (Shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable
greeting.)
- Treat adults as adults. Address people who have disabilities
by their first names only when extending the same familiarity
to all others.
Source: National Center on Workforce and
Disability/Adult at http://www.onestops.info/article.php?article_id=106&subcat_id=14 |
