| Since Congress passed the Americans with | | | | ask for specific instructions on how you |
| Disabilities Act in 1990, people who | | | | can be helpful. |
| previously had limited or no access to | | | | Look directly at any person with a |
| public places now move about with a | | | | disability when talking even if the |
| degree of ease in the workplace. While | | | | person has an interpreter or companion |
| these people have their challenges with | | | | present. |
| sight, hearing or movement, those who | | | | Don't assume a speech impairment |
| work with them are often confused about | | | | indicates that a person also has a |
| how to interact them with sensitivity | | | | hearing impairment or intellectual |
| and understanding. | | | | limitations. |
| Here are some of the issues to keep in | | | | Allow people with speech impairments to |
| mind. | | | | finish their own sentences. Don't talk |
| When it is necessary to mention the | | | | for them or interrupt. Ask questions |
| disability, language should emphasize | | | | that permit short answers or a nod of |
| the person first, the disability second. | | | | the head. The other person always has |
| Rather than referring to someone as an | | | | the option of giving a longer response. |
| epileptic, say "person with epilepsy" or | | | | Speak calmly, slowly, and distinctly to |
| "John, who has epilepsy...." | | | | a person who has a hearing problem or |
| Avoid words that have a negative tone. | | | | other difficulty understanding. Stand in |
| People who use wheelchairs are not | | | | front of the person and use gestures to |
| "bound" or "confined" to their chairs. A | | | | aid communication. |
| person may have spastic muscles but | | | | When walking with a person who is |
| should not be described as spastic. | | | | visually impaired, allow that person to |
| Preferred language is simple. Instead of | | | | set the pace. If the person asks for or |
| saying that a person is "crippled with | | | | accepts your offer of help, don't grab |
| arthritis," "suffering from MS," | | | | his arm. It is easier for him to hold |
| "afflicted with ALS," say, "John has | | | | onto you. |
| epilepsy" or "Mary has MS." | | | | Never start to push someone's wheelchair |
| Use the following terms: | | | | without first asking the occupant's |
| "Congenital disability" rather than | | | | permission. |
| "birth defect." "Non-disabled" rather | | | | Leaning on a wheelchair when talking to |
| than "normal," "healthy" or | | | | the person is inconsiderate. |
| "able-bodied." "Condition" rather than | | | | If you will be having a long |
| "disease" or "defect." "Visually | | | | conversation with someone using a |
| impaired" rather than "blind" unless a | | | | wheelchair, get a chair and sit at eye |
| person is totally sightless. "Deaf" or | | | | level with the person. You will both |
| "hard of hearing" rather than "hearing | | | | feel more comfortable. |
| impaired." "Little person" or "dwarf" | | | | Keep in mind that people with |
| rather than "midget." Words or phrases | | | | disabilities are just like everyone else |
| like "victim," "cripple," "unfortunate," | | | | with the exception of certain physical |
| "dumb," "deaf mute," "deformed" and | | | | conditions. Treat them as the capable |
| "pitiful" are offensive. | | | | competent co-workers or colleagues they |
| Ask people with disabilities if they | | | | are. |
| need or want help before trying to | | | | (c) 2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in |
| assist them. If they want assistance, | | | | all media reserved. |