This study examined communication between disabled and non-disabled people. Experimental methods were used that did not accurately represent conversations with disabled individuals. The most important finding was that disabled people felt ignored - they were spoken at rather than to, and companions of disabled people were asked questions instead. There is a social stigma that non-disabled people see disabled people primarily as their disability rather than as people. Reflection questions asked about the lack of surveys directly with disabled people and if those surveys could help establish better communication.

1. "Which is My Good
Leg?"
By: Michael Blue

2. What is studied?
The Communication between the Disabled
and Nondisabled is the primary focus of the
study.
Objective of the Study

3. Method and Process
Experimental processes were used. These
scenarios usually did not provide an
accurate idea.
◦ Example, People were chosen to “Play” the part
of a disabled person. Usually other people could
tell that they were not really disabled.
• Rarely were conversations or surveys with
the disabled represented. Researches
tended to talk about people with
disabilities rather than talk with them

4. Findings
Probably the most important revelation from
the studies, was the simple fact that people
with disabilities were ignored. Here's how;
1.People with disabilities seemed to be spoken
at rather than spoken to.
1. From examples in the reading if it so happens the
disabled person had a companion with them the
companion was asked about decisions rather than
the person with disabilities
There is a social stigma that pops up in the
study that toys with the idea the people without
disabilities see people with them as first a
person with a disability and secondly simply a
person.

5. I think the approach of study was
Interpretive because it filled the following
criteria:
◦ Describes behavior
◦ Subjective
◦ Observed by participants
◦ Belief that the culture was created and
maintained through communication
Type of approach to study

6. Significant quotes
Jeff’s remark
“I wasn’t thinking and I said to the group, ‘Let’s run over to the
student union and get some coffee. 'I was mortified when I looked
over at Helen and remembered that she can’t walk. I felt like a real
jerk.”
Helen’s later remark
“I’ve got to be running along now.”
Importance. The initial quote came from Jeff who
immediately felt guilt and embarrassment at saying this
with Helen, whom is disabled, in the group. Helen noticed
his awkwardness after his comment also, and later
responded with her remark. Doing this she hoped to
relieve some of Jeff’s stress over his comment. This was
Helen trying to show Jeff that this comment did not bother
her. In fact it bothered him much more than her.
I picked this specific quote because I feel it perfectly
represents the stigma around the disabled. It shows that
they might not be as affected by some things as the

7. “I don’t know why people who push my chair
feel compelled to make car sounds as they do
it.”
I chose this quote to really confirm how people
really see people with disabilities. From this
article it seems people relate people with
disabilities to children. Also these people don’t
seem to be treated any different depending on
the type of disability they have. People seem
to think that any disability is a mental
disability.
Quotes cont.

8. 1.What do you think about the lack of
surveys done by people who actually have
a disability?
2. Do you think it would be more
informational and helpful in establishing
better communication if we used these
surveys more?
Reflection Questions

9. Martin, J., & Nakayama, T. (2010).
Intercultural communication in contexts.
(5th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill.
Braithwaite. , & Braithwaite, "which is my
good leg?" cultural communication of
persons with disabilities.
Citations (APA)