Disability Statistics & Etiquette

Question 1

Why are disability statistics so variable?

Answer 1

• Differences in How “Disability” is Defined
  Many definitions of the concept of “disability” and not all surveys use same definition
• Differences in Data Collection Methods
  Some are self-report, some based on observation
• Political or Public Relations Biases
  Some countries, organizations are reluctant to report accurate numbers (for fear it will look unfavorable)

Question 2

What is an example of how we are all susceptible to disabilities?

Answer 2

• An able-bodied person can acquire a disability through an illness or accident

Question 3

What are some of the figures cited regarding worldwide disability incidences?

Answer 3

• The United Nations says 15%
• European Women’s Lobby says 10% (with women more susceptible to disability and discrimination than men)
• WHO says 15%

Question 4

What are some disability stats from around the world (as cited in DU)?

Answer 4

• US: 10-20%
• UK: 15-25%
• Canada: 12-14%
• EU: 15%
• Finland: 32%
• Phillipines: 1-8%
• Latin America and the Caribbean: 10%
• Japan: 6%
• China 5%

Question 5

What percentage of older adults have disabilities?

Answer 5

• Most estimates say 30%-60%

Additional info:
- Older people are more likely to have disabilities.
- We often acquire multiple disabilities as a natural part of the aging process.

Question 6

How do the percentages of people with disabilities compare between people of any age, vs. 70+ and 80+ years old?

Answer 6

• Any age: 10%
• 70+: 20%
• 85+: 50%

Question 7

What are some of the types and ranges of percentages of disabilities for people aged 65+ in the US?

Answer 7

• Vision: ~10-20%
• Hearing: ~15-40%
• Cognitive: ~10-30%
• Ambulatory: ~25-65%
• Self-Care: ~10-30%
• Independent Living: ~15-50%

Question 8

What is the connection between disabilities and lower levels of education?

Answer 8

• People with disabilities tend to be less educated than the general population
• In the case of severe disabilities, the individuals may not be capable of completing a traditional education through the school system.
• Sometimes a school or institution is not equipped to handle students with disabilities

Question 9

What are the consequences of lower education levels for people with disabilities?

Answer 9

• May not be as qualified for a job as other candidates - so less likely to get the job
• Leads to vicious cycle of poverty and lost opportunities that can be very difficult to overcome

Question 10

What is the connection between disabilities, workplace discrimination, and unemployment?

Answer 10

• Statistically speaking, people with disabilities as a group tend to be disproportionately represented among those who are unemployed or under-employed, even after taking their disability into account
• In most cases, people with disabilities are willing and able to perform when given a chance. In only a minority of cases does the disability itself and/or related health issues severely limit the individual’s ability to work, or prevent it entirely.
• Workplace discrimination often reduces employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Question 11

In what ways are disabilities expensive?

Answer 11

• Can be expensive for the person and the family members / care-givers
• Cost of daily tasks is often higher for a person with a disability, when compared to someone without
• Many people with disabilities who need these supports cannot afford them - a difficult cycle to break out of

Question 12

What percentage of people with disabilities live in poverty in the United States? How likely are they to live in poverty in the US, as compared to the general population?

Answer 12

• ~30% of people with disabilities live below the poverty line in the US.
• In the United States, people with disabilities are 2x as likely to live in poverty as the general population.

Question 13

What percentage of people with disabilities age 65 and older in the United States are living with ambulatory disabilities?

Answer 13

23%.

Question 14

According to the United Nations, what is the average number of years people spend living with a disability in a country where the life expectancy is 70 years or more?

Answer 14

8 years

Question 15

True or False: People with disabilities who are willing and able to work may face difficulty obtaining and/or retaining opportunities due to job discrimination and lack of reasonable job accommodations.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

How should you act around a person with a disability?

Answer 16

• Think of them as people and recognize them as individuals
• Act around them as you would other people and the rest will flow naturally (for the most part)

Question 17

What does it mean to use “people first” language?

Answer 17

If a person’s disability must be mentioned in conversation or writing, refer to the person first, then the disability.

Examples
* a person with epilepsy
* John, who has epilepsy

Question 18

What is the “people first” way to refer to: “the disabled, the handicapped”?

Answer 18

People with disabilities

Question 19

What is the “people first” way to refer to: “crippled, physically handicapped or wheelchair bound”?

Answer 19

• A person with a physical disability/impairment
• wheelchair user

Question 20

What is the “people first” way to refer to: “a disease or defect”

Answer 20

A condition.

Question 21

What is the “people first” way to refer to: “the Blind”?

Answer 21

• People who are blind
• People who are partially sighted, or
• People who are visually impaired

Question 22

What is the “people first” way to refer to: “the deaf, or hearing impaired”?

Answer 22

• People who are deaf
• People who are hard of hearing.

Question 23

If a person with a disability has a companion or interpreter, what should you do?

Answer 23

• Acknowledge the person with the disability directly
• Do not make statements intended for the person to his/her companion

Question 24

How should you position yourself when speaking with a person who uses a wheelchair?

Answer 24

• Consider kneeling or sitting in a chair when engaged in a lengthy conversation - this helps to maintain eye contact without putting strain on their neck

Question 25

Instead of “raising voice or talking as if speaking to a child,” what should you do when addressing a person with a disability?

Answer 25

Maintain usual pitch volume and rhythm when speaking.

Question 26

Instead of “interrupting a person with speech impairments and trying to finish sentences for them,” what should you do when addressing a person with a disability?

Answer 26

• Listen patiently
• If needed, ask for clarification.

Question 27

Instead of “putting your hands near your mouth when communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing,” what should you do when addressing a person with a disability?

Answer 27

Ensure that the person who is deaf or hard of hearing has a clear view of your face.

Question 28

Instead of “playing ‘guess who’ games with people who are blind or visually impaired,” what should you do when addressing a person with a disability?

Answer 28

Introduce yourself by name to a person who is blind.

Question 29

Instead of “speaking to the friend or support worker of a person with a disability when the conversation is directed at the person with a disability,” what should you do when addressing a person with a disability?

Answer 29

Speak directly to the person who has the disability.

Question 30

Is it offensive to say “see you later” to a person who is blind?

Answer 30

No - there is no need to avoid common sayings. People with disabilities understand these are common.

Question 31

What are the DO’s and DON’T’s when talking to or helping someone with a disability?

Answer 31

DO’s
* * DO address the person directly.
* DO say “hello”.
* DO offer help when it is truly needed. - if in doubt, ask
* DO respect personal space.

DON’Ts
* DON’T assume people with disabilities need help.
* DON’T take offense if you offer to help a person with a disability and they reject your offer to help
* DON’T try to help someone without permission - may startle them or throw them off balance
* DON’T avoid phrases that sound potentially offensive, but aren’t actually, like “see you later.”

Question 32

What are service animals?

Answer 32

• Service animals (such as guide dogs) are doing a job.
• These animals are in service of their owner.

Question 33

What are the DON’T’s of service animals when in work mode?

Answer 33

DON’Ts:
* don’t pet them
* don’t play with them
* don’t feed them
* don’t draw their attention in any way

Distracting service animals from their job makes it harder for the owner to control the animal’s actions.
* Reduces the usefulness of the service animal
* Can even lead to some dangerous situations.

Question 34

What are the DO’s and DON’T’s of service animals when not in work mode?

Answer 34

• The owner may allow you to pet it or interact with it, but DO ask the owner first.
• DON’T interact with the animal without the owner’s knowledge and permission.

Question 35

How do you respect personal space of a person who uses an assistive device?

Answer 35

• Do not touch, lean on, or pick up the assistive device
• Many people with disabilities consider these devices part of their personal space

Question 36

What should you do when in doubt about how to interact with a person with a disability?

Answer 36

• Remember that everyone is different - what is considered appropriate differs from person to person
• Consider personal preference - if there is any doubt, ask the person what they prefer in terms of language, etiquette.
• Try your best to remember their preference when in their presence.