Differences

• Everyone is different, but most people with disabilities don't mind talking about it.

Educating

• Educating people about disabilities helps reduce the stigma around them, which is why most people with disabilities don’t mind talking about it.
• By understanding disabilities, you are reducing your internal bias, and opening your heart and mind to be more accepting.

Respect

• Respect is the most important element.
• Being respectful is the most important part if you indulge in curiosity, and being respectful if they don’t want to talk about it.
• This would look something like “Do you mind telling me?” or “If you’re comfortable, can I know what/why/how/etc?” This way the open end allows them to accept or deny.
• People with disabilities do not owe you an explanation if they are not comfortable talking about it.

Understanding

• Understanding that some people may be limited in what they can do is also essential. 
•  This includes but is not limited to: 
  • Not getting mad or upset at them for things they can’t control
  • Having extra patience
  • Try to be inclusive without making yourself feel like you are uprooting your whole plan

Resources to look into:

• https://www.nln.org/education/teaching-resources/professional-development-programsteaching-resourcesace-all/ace-d/additional-resources/communicating-with-people-with-disabilities-e030c45c-7836-6c70-9642-ff00005f0421

• https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/materials/factsheets/fs-communicating-with-people.html

• https://www.ada.gov/topics/effective-communication/

• https://www.ndrn.org/resource/communicating-about-people-with-disabilities/