| Much of the discrimination against the disabled stems from the uncertainty
that the non-disabled feel when they first meet someone with a disability. Many
organizations, like the National Easter Seal Society, offer brochures with tips
on proper etiquette for interacting with people with disabilities. Language
should emphasize the person first, the disability second. For example, rather
than refer to someone as an epileptic, say "person with epilepsy" or
"John. who has epilepsy...." Avoid language that is negative and inaccurate.
For example, people who use wheelchairs are not "bound" or "confined"
to their chairs. And, while a person may have spastic muscles, he or she is not
spastic. Preferred language includes the use of: - "Has"
or "with" instead of "crippled with," "suffering from,"
"afflicted with." For example, say "John has epilepsy" rather
than "John is suffering from epilepsy."
- Congenital disability
rather than "birth defect."
- Non-disabled rather than
"normal," "healthy" or "able-bodied."
- "Condition"
rather than "disease" or "defect."
- "Visually
impaired" rather than "blind" if a person is not totally impaired.
- "Deaf"
or "hard of hearing" rather than "hearing impaired" if a person is not totally
impaired.
- "Little person" or "dwarf" rather than
"midget." - Other offensive terms and phrases include "victim,"
"cripple," "crippling," "unfortunate," "dumb,"
"deaf mute,". "mute," "deformed," "blind as
a bat," "invalid," "pitiful," "poor," "deaf
and moron" and "feeble-minded."
Stereotypes of individuals
with disabilities as "courageous," "brave," "inspiration"
or as "sensitive," "bitter" and "full of self-pity"
also are offensive. Other etiquette tips that might help interviewers, supervisors
or co-workers are: - Never help a person with a disability until
you have asked if he or she needs or wants help and have received an affirmative
reply. If the person does want assistance, ask for specific instructions on how
you can be most helpful.
- Look directly at any person with a disability
when talking to him or her, even if the person has an interpreter present.
-
A speech impairment does not indicate that the person also has a hearing Impairment
or intellectual limitations. Someone with a speech impairment should be allowed
to finish his or her own sentences. But the non-disabled person might consider
asking questions in a form that allows for short answers or a nod of the head.
- For extended conversation with someone using a wheelchair, get
a chair and sit at eye level with the person.
- Keep hands, cigarettes
and food away from your mouth while talking to a person who is lip reading. Use
gestures and speak clearly, but don't exaggerate lip movements or shout. An interpreter
may be helpful for group meetings, even if the deaf person reads lips.
-
Avoid any tendency to shout while speaking to someone who is visually impaired.
There is no need to avoid the use of verbs like "see". When walking
with a person who is visually impaired, allow that person to set the pace. If
the person asks for or accepts your offer of help, don't grab his or her arm.
It is easier for him or her to hold onto your arm.
Taken
from Business Insurance, July 13, 1992, p. 16, "Etiquette Tips Fight Discrimination",
by Sara J Harty. Distributed by the Center for Human
Rights Direct your questions and comments to: Shirley
J. O'Brien, Forbes Building, Room 301, Tucson, AZ 85721. Phone: (520) 621-7145
FAX: (520) 621-1314 E-Mail: sobrien@cals.arizona.edu
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