Disability Etiquette

This is a PowerPoint Presentation I created in 2008 to help people better understand proper etiquette when dealing with people with disabilities. I have givne this training to colleagues within the Department of Veterans Affairs as well as people in other organizations. This training is given from personal experience as I have been visually impaired since birth.

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

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

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 Person who is Deaf Person who has a mental or developmental disability Cripple, Crippled Handicapped, Handicapped person Victim Patient (unless in a hospital) Deaf and dumb Retard/Retarded, moron, imbecile, idiot

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

12. 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. Things to Remember!

13. 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. Things to Remember!

14. 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. Things to Remember!

15. 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. Things to Remember!

16. 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. Things to Remember!

17. 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 ". Common Courtesy

18. 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. Common Courtesy

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?pagename=ntl_etiquette – Another good etiquette site www.abledata.com – Click on Products. Great website to find products and supplies for people with disabilities.