Transcript Document

Disability Etiquette
Interacting
with
People with Disabilities
Presented by
United Spinal Association
www.unitedspinal.org
Copyright 2010
Have You Ever Heard this…?
“I’m afraid I’ll make a mistake or say the wrong thing, so I just avoid the handicapped.”
“We never get wheelchairs in here, so I have nothing to worry about.”
“I welcome the physically & mentally challenged all the time.
Haven’t they suffered enough?!?”
“I know that it’s wrong, but I do get in on the latest gossip about the new office manager. I
heard he has ‘mental problems’.”
“Why does she need a Handicapped Parking space?!?
She’s walking just fine to me!”
Purpose of this Training
 To raise awareness and provide practical tips and
information for anyone who wants to interact more
effectively, and more comfortably, with people with
disabilities.
 To dispel myths about people with disabilities.
 To provide a level of comfort and ease for strengthening
the diversity in your environment, whether it’s business
or social.
Who Would You Pick?
 Applicant One
Has severe back problems that require him to seek medical attention
often and requires time off from work
 Applicant Two
Has paralysis and uses crutches, sometimes a wheelchair to get around.
Will require changes to the office space as an accommodation
 Applicant Three
Severe bouts of depression (mental illness) that may occur at any given
moment. Although a “hidden disability,” the individual requires
accommodations for medical purposes.
Applicant #1
President John F. Kennedy
Applicant #2
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Applicant #3
President Abraham Lincoln
GETTING STARTED!
It’s as Simple as Knowing the
BASICS!
What is a Disability?
Legal
Educational
Social Justice & Equality!
3 Important Numbers
54
1990
221
FACTS & STATS
54
More than 54 million Americans self-identify at least one disability
1990
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed into law in 1990 with
the goal of integrating people with disabilities into all aspects of
American life
221
People with disabilities command $221 Billion dollars in discretionary
spending (Diversity, Inc. 2001).
The Basics
 ALWAYS…Ask before you act!
 Be sensitive about physical contact
 Think before you speak
 Don’t make assumptions
 Respond graciously to requests
 A person with a disability is an individual FIRST - treat
him or her w/ same respect & dignity that you would
show any other individual
Terminology Tips
 Put the person first (person w/ MS)
 Avoid “confinement”
 “confined to …”
 Avoid negative, disempowering words
 Victim
 Sufferer
 Use idiomatic expressions
 “Let’s take a walk.”
 “See you later.”
STOP SAYING THAT…!
 Avoid outdated terms like:
Handicapped
Crippled
Retarded
 Avoid euphemisms
Differently-abled
Physically Challenged
OTHER TIPS…
Always speak to the person with a disability,
NOT to their companion or interpreter
Never Assume
No need to shout or speak loudly
Never touch or play with a Service Animal when one is being
used
Remember –
Common Courtesy is simply Common Sense!
Types of Disabilities
Physical / Mobility Impairments
Sensory Impairments
Blind / Low Vision / Deaf / Hearing Loss
Intellectual Disabilities
(Developmental Disabilities)
Speech Difficulties
Psychiatric / Mental Illness
“Hidden Disabilities”
Cancer; HIV/AIDS; Learning Disability; MCS
THE
FEAR
FACTOR!
Self-Identification
and the
“Fear Factor”
“People will think I’m a trouble-maker, so I won’t ask for any of the new Assistive
Technology that will help me do my job better.”
“I just got this promotion. If I told my supervisor that I have MS, I could lose it.”
“If I told people that I have a learning disability, they will think that I’m stupid,
so I won’t let anyone know.”
“If I ask for a sign language interpreter, people will think that I’m just spending
money that the organization does not have.”
Ways to Address
“Fear Factor”
 Accessibility should be Commonplace
 Incorporate accessibility into every aspect of activity/events
 Assign an individual to address access/disability related
requests & accommodations
 Focus on the individuals ‘Abilities’ rather than ‘dis-ability’
(hosting special events; inviting pecial guests)
So Why Practice
Disability
Etiquette?
Why Practice
Disability Etiquette?
 A man has worked w/ an organization/agency for 15 years
when he is diagnosed with MS
 A woman interviews for a position as a computer software
specialist. She is blind.
 A man introduces himself to a woman at a
government/community retreat social gathering. The
woman is deaf. The man is not.
 The location for the annual picnic is not accessible; An
invited, dignitary from out of town, brings his son who has
Spina Bifida & uses a wheelchair.
ACCOMMODATIONS?
What For!?!
Can you Read this?
(in 15 seconds or less!)
Ew dohl eesht hrtust Ot eb lfse tnedive ttah lla nme are detaerc
queal, that tyeh rea newdode yb trihe rCrtoea ithw rectian
nulaeianlbe irgths, hatt manog eesht rea fiel, bilytre, dna eth
rupiust fo shsaepnpi.
Now, Can you Read this?
“We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.”
Can you Read this?
We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
In order to receive the company-wide 25% pay increase, you MUST report to human resources by 5pm today!
A mandatory training will be held for all employees tomorrow at 10am. Those who do not attend will be reprimanded.
Now, Can you Read This?
We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, that
they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that
among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
In order to receive the company-wide 25% pay increase, you MUST
report to human resources by 5pm today!
A mandatory training will be held for all employees tomorrow at 10am.
Those who do not attend will be reprimanded.
What You Can Do
 Provide “Reasonable Accommodations” when necessary
(i.e. interview process; training)
 Develop a plan to remove physical barriers
 Tap into Community/ National Resources
- i.e. ILC’s or DBTAC
 Utilize Assistive Technology as an accommodation
What You Can Do (cont’d)
 Incorporate accessibility when developing programs & activities,
i.e. staff meetings, training classes, picnics/outings
 As a part of ongoing diversity & outreach efforts, develop an “inhouse” committee/task force which focuses on one’s “ability”
rather than “dis-ability”
Emergency Evacuation
Procedures
 Take people with disabilities into consideration when formulating an
emergency evacuation plan for your facility.
 Take into consideration people who may not consider themselves
“disabled.” (i.e. people with asthma or someone who has a chronic
heart condition)
 Compile a voluntary list and ask each individual what considerations
they might need in the event of an emergency evacuation. Develop
and practice an evacuation plan.
Publications…
Disability Etiquette
Canes toWheelchairs: Mobility Alternatives
Understanding the ADA
Understanding the Fair Housing Amendments Act
Taking Action: Guide to Self-Advocacy
Accessible Air Travel
Women’s Health Guide
No Excuse for Abuse & Neglect –Women
Parking for Just One-Minute Pads
Fire Safety forWheelchair Users
Plus much more!
Visit www.unitedspinal.org
For complete Publication Listing and Descriptions
“The American city should be a
collection of communities where
every member has a right to
belong”
President Lyndon B. Johnson
“Coming Together is
a Beginning.
Keeping Together is
Progress.
Working Together is
Success.”
Henry Ford
www.unitedspinal.org
1-800-404-2898
Thank You!
Copyright 2010