DISABILITY ETIQUETTE

Ministry for Women, Youth, Children and Persons with Disability:

Often people wonder how they should react when they meet a person who has a disability.

People with disabilities are active members of society and have identities beyond their disability.

They should be included in all aspects of daily life and have common courtesies extended to them when interacting with them.

INTRODUCTION

Disability Etiquette

A limited understanding of a person's situation may lead to an embarrassing situation that may have been avoided. Here are some things for you to keep in mind:. It is appropriate to shake hands with a person

who has a disability, even if they have limited use of their hands or wear an artificial limb.

 Speak directly to the person with disability, not to someone nearby as if the person with disability does not exist.

There's no need to shout or speak in a patronising manner.

Disability Etiquette

If you are unsure about something, ask the person. A person with disability will best be able to answer any questions you may have about special needs or assistive techniques.

They, more than anyone, have a vested interest in seeing that things go as smoothly as possible.

Ask a person with disability if he or she would like assistance before you offer help. It may not be needed. If your assistance is needed, then listen or ask for instructions.

Disability Etiquette

If a conversation lasts more than a few minutes, consider sitting down or kneeling to get yourself on the same level as the wheelchair user.

Don't use, "I have a friend/family with some kind of disability..." as a conversations starter. Think about how many times a person with disability hears this every day.

A wheelchair user will see the wheelchair as being a part of their own personal body space, so don't lean on it, rock it, etc. There is a sense of security there because it allows a person to be mobile and independent.

Disability Etiquette

Don't assume that using a wheelchair or white cane is in itself a tragedy. It's a means of freedom that allows the user to move about.

It is OK to use expressions like "running along" when speaking to the wheelchair user or look when speaking to a blind person. It is likely that they will use similar expressions.

Do not discourage children from asking questions about the disability. Open communication helps overcome fearful or negative attitudes.

When a wheelchair user transfers out of the wheelchair to a chair, toilet, car or bed, do not move the wheelchair out of reaching distance. In a case of somebody who is blind inform him when things have been moved from the original place.

Conclusion Every individual is a minute away from disability. You could be involved in an accident that leaves you

with a physical disability of any form. You could be traumatized to an extent that you have a

mental breakdown that leads you to have a mental disability.

Should any of these things happen to you, how would you like to be incorporated back into the community? How would you like to be treated by people around you?