Did you know nearly 1 in 3 Ohioans have a disability?
According to the CDC, a disability is any condition of the body or mind that makes it more difficult for the person with the condition to do certain activities and interact with the world around them.
There are many types of disabilities, including those that affect a person’s:
- Vision
- Movement
- Thinking
- Remembering
- Learning
- Communicating
- Hearing
- Mental health
- Social relationships
People with disabilities are an integral part of our society and culture; they’re folks we interact with at home, the office, the grocery store, or anywhere else around town. But we may not always know the best way to act around them.
So how should we offer our help while also being respectful of physical and mental health? Below are 10 simple tips that we’ve compiled along with our partners at the Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities and The Arc of Ohio that will help you be respectful, supportive and courteous when interacting with individuals with disabilities!
1. Never assume that someone with a disability needs your assistance.
You should always ask first before attempting to help. Use broad terms when offering assistance, such as “Let me know if you need anything.” This opens the door for being helpful without assuming the person is unable to help themselves.
2. The words you use matter.
No one wants to be called something that makes them feel inferior. When talking about individuals with certain disabilities, use positive language such as: “wheelchair user” as opposed to someone “confined to a wheelchair.” Another example of positive language is “a person with a disability” rather than “a disabled person.”
3. Respect personal space.
If you’re serving as a sighted guide, offer your arm or shoulder rather than grabbing or pushing the individual. As always, communicate beforehand how you’d like to help to ensure you’re respecting the person’s wishes.
4. Service animals are working!
Please resist the temptation to pet or talk to a guide or service animal. Service animals are trained to assist individuals with disabilities and should not be distracted or interacted with by others.
5. If someone is blind or has difficulty seeing, identify yourself when entering a conversation and announce when you leave.
Put yourself in the other person’s position; wouldn’t it be helpful to know who all is in a room when you’re speaking rather than having to guess? While individuals with visual impairments may develop heightened senses in other areas, they still rely on verbal communication and other forms of identification to recognize people.
6. If someone is using an interpreter, speak directly to the person and not the interpreter.
This one can be easy to forget, as many of us are used to looking at the person who is giving us information. However, remember that the interpreter is simply an extension of the individual and you’re communicating with them rather than the interpreter. It’s helpful to gain the person’s attention before starting a conversation and position yourself by facing the person.
7. Be patient. Don’t speak for the person or attempt to finish their sentences.
This is really important. If you don’t understand what the person is saying, ask them to repeat what they said and then repeat it back to ensure you understood. It’s important to convey that you understood some parts of what they said—it shows that you’re actively trying to communicate and understand them. Don’t just assume you understand them or rush them by trying to complete their thoughts.
8. Don’t ask someone about what happened to cause their disability.
In addition to not being relevant to your interaction, this is generally considered inappropriate as it is invasive and disrespectful. If the person offers up this information on their own, then it’s fine.
9. You can’t always tell when someone has a disability.
Be mindful that disabilities can be invisible or not immediately apparent, and individuals with disabilities can have a wide range of appearances. Therefore, don’t make assumptions about someone’s abilities or disabilities based solely on their appearance.
10. For individuals who have non-apparent disabilities, seek to understand their lived experience.
Engage in a dialogue to determine what the individual needs and support any needed accommodations. Recognize that disclosing their disability comes with a risk and honor confidentiality if requested.
We believe compatibility can be achieved when everyone can be as healthy as possible. Remember these helpful tips when interacting with individuals with disabilities to help make our community a more welcoming place!