Understanding Disabilities

Basic Disability Etiquette

No one person is going to have the same exact experience as someone else. We can, however, find similarities between these experiences. Listed below are the general impacts of disabilities, that we will be addressing further in detail:

Mobility
Auditory difficulties or Auditory deficiency
Visually impaired/Visual difficulties
Communication
Neurodiverse
Chronic health conditions

How to be aware of disabilities:

Disability awareness is the practice of knowing, acknowledging, and accepting an individual’s experiences as they relate to disability. Knowing, being aware, and moving beyond your own level of comfort is key to greater understanding as well.

Hidden Vs. Visible Disabilities

It’s important to be aware of your own biases; this can be especially important when thinking of hidden and visible disabilities. Some individuals may have disabilities that cannot be seen.

Here are some tips for interacting with individuals no matter their disability:

Address the individual directly with whom you are speaking to. If someone with a disability has another person with them, it is NOT ok to respond to the other person instead of the person with the disability.
People with disabilities are capable of making their own decisions and allow them to do so.
People with disabilities will ask for help if needed.
No matter the situation, if you are unsure if someone needs assistance, ask.

Interacting With Someone With A Mobility disability:

Speak to the individual directly and when referring to the individual do not treat them as though they are equipment. Example: “There is only room for one wheelchair in this space.”
Treat the mobility device as an extension of that person- do not grab a walker, wheelchair, or other mobility device without permission.
When speaking with an individual in a seated position, do your best to kneel or sit beside them when speaking.
Interacting with an individual with hearing impairment or is hard of hearing.
Speak clearly and do your best to look directly at the person
Do not shout
Be aware of background noise and lighting around you.
If an individual is hearing impaired and you need to communicate, try writing on a piece of paper if the communication is quick such as offering directions.
Rather than repeating yourself exactly, try rephrasing what you have said.
Don’t say “Never mind, it's not important.”
Do not assume that all individuals who are hard of hearing or who are deaf use American Sign Language.

When interacting with someone with vision impairment:

Immediately identify yourself, including your role (when appropriate) before you attempt any physical contact.
Offer your arm to an individual rather than grabbing their arm, hand, etc.
If providing directions, be specific. It is more helpful to say “Move forward until you get to the wall and then turn right.” Rather than “Go straight and turn right.”
If opening a door for someone, announce what way the door is opening. For example, the door opens out and to the right.
If you are leaving the area be sure to announce you are leaving.
Do not move items without announcing that they might be in the way and allow the individual the opportunity to move the items themselves.
Do not assume all individuals who have a vision impairment read braille.

Interacting with someone with a communication disability:

Give the individual your full attention
Be aware of background noise as this may interfere with your interaction.
If you do not understand, ask the individual to repeat what they said.
Do not just smile and nod if you do not fully understand what the individual says. It is okay to say “I am still not understanding you, is there another way you can say it?”
Do not finish the individual’s sentences.
If someone is nonverbal, it may be best to ask “yes” and “no” questions. Continue to check in with the individual to ensure they understand.
When communicating with an individual who is neurodiverse
Be clear and direct. Limit the use of phrases or idioms such as “It is so quiet in here, I hear crickets.”
Be aware that some individuals may not understand certain cues in conversation. Some individuals may find it difficult to understand body language and facial expressions, so consider the most direct approach.
If it seems as though the individual does not understand what you are saying, ask "What is the best way to communicate?" For example, writing it down.
If someone’s memory is impacted you may have to repeat yourself more than once.
Do not use condescending language or use “baby talk”.
Interacting with an individual with a chronic health condition
Understand that the individual may be experiencing fatigue and will need to limit themselves, their movements, and/or sit down.
The individual may be experiencing pain/fatigue and not wish to communicate fully.
Understand that certain environmental factors may trigger pain, nausea, behavioral changes, etc.
Words Matter!

It is important to speak with an individual with a disability as though they are, in fact, just an individual. These are some correct and incorrect ways to address someone with a disability:

Do Say: Person with a Disability
Do Not Say: Handicapped or crippled
Do Say: Individual experiences with cerebral palsy
Do Not Say: Individual suffers from cerebral palsy
Do Say: Wheelchair user or individual in a wheelchair
Do Not Say: Wheelchair-bound or confined to a wheelchair.

SASC