Disability Etiquette

Question 1

Use “People First” Language

Answer 1

If a person’s disability must be mentioned either in conversation or in writing, reference the person first, then his or her disability. Instead of referring to someone as an epileptic, say “a person with epilepsy” or “John, who has epilepsy…”.

Question 2

“People First” Language Examples - Avoid/Inappropriate:
The disabled, the handicapped

Answer 2

Use/Appropriate:
People with disabilities

Question 3

“People First” Language Examples - Avoid/Inappropriate:
Cripple, physically handicapped or wheelchair bound

Answer 3

Use/Appropriate:
A person with a physical disability/ impairment or wheelchair user

Question 4

“People First” Language Examples - Avoid/Inappropriate:
Disease or defect

Answer 4

Use/Appropriate:
Condition

Question 5

“People First” Language Examples - Avoid/Inappropriate:
The Blind

Answer 5

Use/Appropriate:
People who are blind, partially sighted, visually impaired

Question 6

“People First” Language Examples - Avoid/Inappropriate:
The Deaf, Hearing Impaired

Answer 6

Use/Appropriate:
People who are deaf, Hard of Hearing

Question 7

Address the Person Directly

Answer 7

If the person who has a disability has a companion or interpreter with him or her, the person should be acknowledged and addressed directly. Do not make direct statements intended for the person to his or her companion. For people who use wheelchairs, consider kneeling or sitting in a chair when engaged in a lengthy conversation. Kneeling or sitting helps the person in the wheelchair maintain eye contact without putting much stress on his or her neck.

Question 8

Addressing People with Disabilities - Avoid/Inappropriate:
Raising voice or talking as if speaking to a child

Answer 8

Use/Appropriate:
Maintain usual pitch volume and rhythm when speaking

Question 9

Addressing People with Disabilities - Avoid/Inappropriate:
Interrupting a person with speech impairments and trying to finish sentences for them

Answer 9

Use/Appropriate:
Listen patiently and, if needed, ask for clarification

Question 10

Addressing People with Disabilities - Avoid/Inappropriate:
Putting your hands near your mouth when communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing

Answer 10

Use/Appropriate:
Ensure that the person who is deaf or hard of hearing has a clear view of your face

Question 11

Addressing People with Disabilities - Avoid/Inappropriate:
Playing “guess who” games with people who are blind or visually impaired

Answer 11

Use/Appropriate:
Introduce yourself by name to a person who is blind

Question 12

Addressing People with Disabilities - Avoid/Inappropriate:
Speaking to the friend or support worker of a person with a disability when the conversation is directed at the person with a disability

Answer 12

Use/Appropriate:
Speak directly to the person who has the disability

Question 13

Phrases that Sound Potentially Offensive, but Aren’t

Answer 13

There is no need to avoid common sayings like “see you later” when talking to a blind person, or other sayings that seem to relate to the disability. People with disabilities understand that these kinds of phrases are common expressions.

Question 14

Don’t Assume People with Disabilities Need Help

Answer 14

If there is doubt, ask the person with a disability if he or she needs any assistance. Do not assume the person needs help or try to help the person without permission. If the person rejects the offer to help, do not take offense. The person may be trying to see if he or she can perform a task or technique, or the person may be trying to learn something new altogether. Helping a person without his or her permission may startle the person or may throw him or her off balance.

Question 15

Offer Help When it is Truly Needed

Answer 15

Of course, if it’s truly obvious that someone needs help—like a blind person who may have unknowingly dropped something—offer help! Don’t pretend nothing happened, and don’t make life more difficult for them just because you’re afraid of offending them.

Question 16

Say “Hello”

Answer 16

One thing you can do that won’t be considered offensive by anyone is to simply say “hello,” and perhaps ask them how they’re doing, or some other neutral question. If they don’t respond by asking for help, they probably don’t need help, and that’s ok. There’s nothing wrong with a friendly “hello” for no reason other than to acknowledge a person’s presence.

Question 17

Service Animals

Answer 17

Service animals (such as guide dogs) are doing a job. When they’re in work mode, do not pet them, play with them, feed them, or draw their attention in any way. These animals are in service of their owner. Distracting service animals from their job makes it harder for the owner to control the animal’s actions, which reduces the usefulness of the service animal, and can even lead to some dangerous situations for the owner, if the service animal is not paying attention to risky situations

When a service animal is not in work mode, the owner may allow you to pet it or interact with it, but be sure to ask the owner first. Do not interact with the animal without the owner’s knowledge and permission.

Question 18

Respect Personal Space

Answer 18

When in the company of people who use assistive devices such as wheelchair or a cane, it is important not to touch the assistive device. People with disabilities consider these assistive devices part of their personal space. Never touch, lean on, or pick up a person’s assistive device.

Question 19

When in Doubt, Consider Personal Preferences

Answer 19

The etiquette discussed here is the “preferred” behavior when interacting with people with disabilities, but it is important to note that what is considered appropriate differs from person to person. For example, some people with disabilities may find the term “handicapped” offensive, but others may not be bothered by the term. If there is any doubt in the language used towards a person with a disability, it is best to ask that person what he or she prefers. Try to remember his or her preferences while in their presence.