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Disability Etiquette
Disability is a fact of life for 57 million Americans. Oftentimes, persons without disabilities hesitate from interacting with persons with disabilities for fear of insulting the person or embarrassing themselves. The City of Indianapolis Mayor's Advisory Council on Disability and Indianapolis Office of Disability Affairs offer these helpful etiquette tips to encourage everyone to feel more comfortable when interacting with persons with all sorts of disabilities.
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Always remember that an individual with a disability is a person first. Use language that preserves the person's dignity and does not portray the individual as a "victim" or someone to be "pitied." Language such as "person with epilepsy" (not "epileptic") is appropriate because it places the focus on the person, and not upon his or her disability. A person who uses a wheelchair is not bound to the chair ("wheelchair-bound is inappropriate) but rather a "wheelchair user."
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When greeting a person with a disability, don't be afraid to offer a handshake. If the person is unable to shake hands, he or she will say so. Offering your left hand is acceptable.
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Always look at and speak directly to a person with a disability, not through an interpreter, helper, or companion that might be present. If you have trouble understanding what a person is saying, do not pretend that you understand. Rather, ask the person to repeat what has been said. If you still have difficulty understanding the person, move to a quieter location or ask simple yes-no questions.
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When addressing a person who uses a wheelchair, never lean on it. The chair is part of the person's private space. Place yourself at the person's eye level whenever possible to facilitate conversation.
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When greeting a person who is blind or who has low vision, always identify yourself and others who may be with you when entering or leaving the room. If you have met the person before, remind him or her of the context since the individual won't have visual cues to jog the memory. If the person needs assistance, offer to help guide him or her by bending your arm at the elbow, not by pulling the person by the arm.
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Always ask first if a person with a disability needs your help. If the answer is yes, ask how you can help, and then offer your assistance. If not, don't be embarrassed for asking.
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Many individuals with disabilities use animals for assistance with a variety of life activities. Service animals are allowed to accompany the individual everywhere, including restaurants. Do not pet, speak to, or feed the animal, as it will distract the animal from its task.
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Everyone has the right to use public transportation, including persons with disabilities who might need some extra time securing a wheelchair or stepping up onto the bus. Allow persons with disabilities to sit in the area marked "Priority Seating."
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You can call a person who is deaf on the telephone even if you do not have a TTY device. Just dial 711 anywhere in the country, and a relay operator will answer and assist in processing your call.
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Signal with a tap or a wave to get the attention of a person who is deaf. Not all persons who are deaf can read lips or know sign language, but you can use pencil and paper to ask if there is a preference. Face the person you are speaking with and speak clearly but naturally, don't exaggerate.
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If someone behaves in a way that is outside your personal experience or that does not make immediate sense to you, consider that the individual may have a hidden disability. For instance, a noisy or dark environment, or many people talking at the same time, might make it difficult for people with hidden disabilities to participate fully in a conversation. Hidden disabilities can include low vision, seizure disorders, hearing loss, learning disabilities, head injuries, mental illness, or health conditions such as arthritis.
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Staring at a person with a disability is inappropriate. If a child asks about a person with a disability, do not reprimand or "shush" the child. Rather, answer the question in a simple and factual manner that helps the child to understand that disability is a normal part of life that isn't necessarily negative. "Ruth uses a wheelchair to help her move around because she has trouble using her legs. She can run races using her chair like you do with your legs."
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Speak to a person with a disability as you would anyone else. It is perfectly fine to say "See you later" to a person who is blind or "Gotta run" to a person who uses crutches or a wheelchair.
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