The document discusses disability etiquette and appropriate terminology when referring to people with disabilities, emphasizing using "people-first" language. It also outlines the Americans with Disabilities Act and common types of disabilities, as well as tips for interacting with, hiring, and providing accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

1. Disability Etiquette
Beth Gray

2. What is a Disability?
A physical or mental impairment
that substantially limits one or
more of a person's major life
activities, a record of such
impairment, or being regarded
as having such an impairment.

3. Difference Between a Disability
and a Handicap
• A Disability is a condition caused by an
accident, trauma, genetics or disease which
may limit a person's
mobility, hearing, vision, speech or mental
function. Some people with disabilities have
one or more disabilities.
• A Handicap is a physical or attitudinal
constraint that is imposed upon a
person, regardless of whether that person
has a disability. Webster's Ninth New
Collegiate Dictionary defines handicap as to
put at a disadvantage.

4. Types of Disabilities
• mobility impairments
• blindness and vision impairments
• deafness and hearing impairments
• speech and language impairments
• Mental and learning disabilities.

5. The Americans With
Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Signed by President George Bush on July 26,
1990
PURPOSE
• Provide clear and comprehensive national mandate
to end discrimination against individuals with
disabilities.
• Provide enforceable standards addressing
discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
• Ensure that the federal government plays a central
role in enforcing these standards on behalf of
individuals with disabilities.

6. The ADA guarantees civil rights
protection and equal opportunity in
• Employment
• Public accommodations
• Transportation
• State and local government services
• Telecommunications.

7. PEOPLE FIRST!!!
The Language
When talking to or about
people with disabilities, use
PEOPLE-FIRST
LANGUAGE!!

8. Examples of PEOPLE FIRST
Language
• A PERSON WHO IS/PEOPLE WHO
ARE-
• Blind/visually impaired because
we’re
• Deaf/hearing impaired people, to
o!!
• Mentally impaired
• In a wheelchair
• disabled

9. REMEMBER that when talking to or
about people with disabilities, there are
certain phrases and terms that are
acceptable to use, and those that are
not!!

10. Acceptable Unacceptable
• Person with a Disability • Cripple, Crippled
• Handicapped, Handicap
ped person
• Victim
• Patient (unless in a
hospital)
• Person who is Deaf • Deaf and dumb
• Person who has a • Retard/Retarded, moron
mental or , imbecile, idiot
developmental
disability

11. Acceptable Unacceptable
• Person who uses a • Confined/restricted
wheelchair to a
wheelchair, wheelch
• People who are not air-bound
disabled • Healthy people
• A person who has • Normal
(name of disability) • Afflicted
• Born with, caused with/suffers from
by • Birth
defect, deformed/def
ormed by

12. Things to Remember!
If you don't make a habit of leaning or hanging on
people, don't lean or hang on someone's wheelchair.
Wheelchairs are an extension of personal space.
When you offer to assist someone with a vision
impairment, allow the person to take your arm. This
will help you to guide, rather than propel or lead, the
person.
Treat adults as adults. Call a person by his or her
first name only when you extend this familiarity to
everyone present. Don't patronize people who use
wheelchairs by patting them on the head. Reserve
this sign of affection for children.

13. Things to Remember!
When talking with someone who has a
disability, speak directly to him or her,
rather than through a companion who
may be along.
Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you
happen to use common expressions,
such as "See you later" or "I've got to
run", that seem to relate to the person's
disability.

14. Things to Remember!
To get the attention of a person who has a hearing
disability, tap the person on the shoulder or wave
your hand. Look directly at the person and speak
clearly, slowly and expressively to establish if the
person can read your lips. Not everyone with hearing
impairments can lip-read. Those who do will rely on
facial expressions and other body language to help
understand. Show consideration by facing a light
source and keeping your hands and food away from
your mouth when speaking. Keep mustaches well-
trimmed. Shouting won't help, but written notes will.

15. Things to Remember!
• When talking with a person in a wheelchair for more
than a few minutes, place yourself at the wheelchair
user's eye level to spare both of you a stiff neck.
• When greeting a person with a severe loss of
vision, always identify yourself and others who may
be with you. Say, for example, "On my right is Beth
Gray". When conversing in a group, remember to
say the name of the person to whom you are
speaking to give vocal cue. Speak in a normal tone
of voice, indicate when you move from one place to
another, and let it be known when the conversation
is at an end.

16. Things to Remember!
Give whole, unhurried attention when you're
talking to a person who has difficulty
speaking. Keep your manner encouraging
rather than correcting, and be patient rather
than speak for the person. When necessary,
ask questions that require short answers or a
nod or shake of the head. Never pretend to
understand if you are having difficulty doing
so. Repeat what you understand. The
person's reaction will guide you to
understanding.

17. Common Courtesy
• If you would like to help someone with a
disability, ask if he or she needs it before you
act, and listen to any instructions the person
may want to give.
• When giving directions to a person in a
wheelchair, consider distance, weather
conditions and physical obstacles such as
stairs, curbs and steep hills.
• When directing a person with a visual
impairment, use specifics such as "left a
hundred feet" or "right two yards".

18. Common Courtesy
• Be considerate of the extra time it
might take a person with a disability to
get things done or said. Let the person
set the pace in walking and talking.
• When planning events involving
persons with disabilities, consider their
needs ahead of time. If an
insurmountable barrier exists, let them
know about it prior to the event.

19. ON THE JOB
There are many important
things to know when
interviewing/hiring people
with disabilities.

20. Hiring Do’s and Don’ts
• DO learn where to find and
recruit people with disabilities.
• Don't assume that persons with
disabilities do not want to, or can’t
work.
GO! Stop!

21. Hiring Do’s and Don’ts
Do learn how to communicate with people
who have disabilities.
Don't ask if a person has a disability
during an employment interview.
Don't assume that certain jobs are more
suited to persons with disabilities.
GO! Stop!

22. Hiring Do’s and Don’ts
Do ensure that your applications and other company
forms do not ask disability-related questions and
that they are in formats that are accessible to all
persons with disabilities.
Don't hire a person with a disability if that person is
at significant risk of substantial harm to the health
and safety of the public and there is no reasonable
accommodation to reduce the risk or harm.
Don't hire a person with a disability who is not
qualified to perform the essential functions of the job
even with a reasonable accommodation.

23. Hiring Do’s and Don’ts
Do relax and make the applicant feel
comfortable.
Don't assume that the work environment
will be unsafe if an employee has a
disability.
Do provide reasonable accommodations
that the qualified applicant will need to
compete for the job.
Don't assume that reasonable
accommodations are expensive.

24. Hiring Do’s and Don’ts
Do understand that access includes not
only environmental access but also
making forms accessible to people with
visual or cognitive disabilities and
making alarms and signals accessible
to people with hearing disabilities.
Do train supervisors on making
reasonable accommodations.

25. Reception Etiquette
• Know where accessible restrooms,
drinking fountains, and telephones are.
• Speak in a normal tone of voice
• If an interpreter is present, speak to the
PERSON, NOT THE INTERPRETER.
• Offer assistance with dignity and
respect. If they decline, do not persist.

26. Common Technology and Aids for
People with Disabilities
• Magnifiers
• Monoculars
• Hearing Aids
• Walkers
• Reachers
• Prosthetic Legs and/or Arms
• TTY Modems

27. Other Disability Aids
• Alternative Keyboards
• Speech recognition devices
• Light-signal devices
• Audio signal devices
• Breathing machines
• Communication devices
• Service Animals

28. Helpful Websites
• http://www.crinet.org/education/Independent
%20Living/Etiquette – Helpful etiquette tips
• http://www.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pa
gename=ntl_etiquette – Another good
etiquette site
www.abledata.com – Click on Products. Great
website to find products and supplies for
people with disabilities.