Preferred Terminology and Disability Etiquette

Disability: As defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, "disability" is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Under this Act, a "person with a disability" has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits on or more of the individual's major life activities, has a record of this impairment, or is regarded as having this impairment.

Classifications of disabilities:
Examples are provided to illustrate the disability, but there are many types not listed for each classification. Many people fit more than one of these categories.
Developmental: autism, mental impairment, birth-related causes
Mental: psychiatric illness, such as schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder
Physical: blindness, deafness, and spinal, muscular or skeletal impairments
Severe disability: limits to functional activities, such as self-care or mobility, and possibly
requiring extensive rehabilitation or care

People First Language:
People with disabilities are everywhere in society, yet are regarded often as a quiet minority. Despite
leading productive, happy lives, many face discrimination, or simple questioning looks. Society as a
whole lacks awareness. People with disabilities are individuals with needs, desires and rights shared by the
(temporarily) able. Generalizing and "grouping" of the disabled is the result of unawareness; one
disability isn't synonymous with another. A person in a wheelchair often can hear fine, yet some people
tend to speak louder when addressing someone in a wheelchair; somehow, impaired leg strength is
considered related to impaired hearing. "People First Language" has a simple premise, based upon respect
and individualism. Phrases describing people with disabilities should put the person first, acknowledging and valuing the individual. For example, rather than saying "he suffers from deafness," it's appropriate to say "he's a person who is deaf." The individual person comes first.

Etiquette for communicating with people with disabilities:
Because many people are unfamiliar with people with disabilities, developing social and professional communication skills can seem difficult. There's no need to be unnaturally polite or reserved; just relax. The most courteous behavior is simply respecting that people with disabilities are people. The following list is "The Ten Commandments for Etiquette for Communicating with People with Disabilities." It's found on the "All Walks of Life" website, at http://www.awol-texas.org/definitions.html#5

"Ten Commandments of Etiquette for Communicating with People with Disabilities"

When talking with a person with a disability, speak directly to that person rather than
through a companion or sign language interpreter.

When introduced to a person with a disability, it is appropriate to offer to shake hands.
People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands.
(Shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable greeting.)

When meeting a person who is visually impaired, always identify yourself and others who
may be with you. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom
you are speaking.

If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen to or ask for instructions.

Treat adults as adults. Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when
extending the same familiarity to all others. (Never patronize people who use wheelchairs by
patting them on the head or shoulder.)

Leaning on or hanging on to a person's wheelchair is similar to leaning on hanging on to a
person and is generally considered annoying. The chair is part of the personal body space of
the person who uses it.

Listen attentively when you're talking with a person who has difficulty speaking. Be patient
and wait for the person to finish, rather than correcting or speaking for the person. If
necessary, ask short questions that require short answers, a nod or shake of the head.
Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Instead, repeat what you
have understood and allow the person to respond. The response will clue you in and guide
your understanding.

When speaking with a person who uses a wheelchair or a person who uses crutches, place
yourself at eye level in front of the person to facilitate the conversation.

To get the attention of a person who is deaf, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your
hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly, and expressively to determine if
the person can read your lips. Not all people who are deaf can read lips. For those who do
lip read, be sensitive to their needs by placing yourself so that you face the light source and
keep hands, cigarettes and food away from your mouth when speaking.

Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use accepted, common expressions such as
"See you later," or "Did you hear about that?" that seems to relate to a person's disability.
Don't be afraid to ask questions when you're unsure of what to do.