Tips for interacting with people with disabilities
The world is a big, densely populated place that’s home to roughly seven billion people. Some might be surprised that, roughly 15 per cent of the world’s population, or more than one billion people, including upwards of 100 million children, have some form of disability.
In1992, in an effort to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, the United Nations General Assembly designated December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Disabilities can run the gamut from the easily noticeable to the subtle. But regardless of which type of disability an individual has, its presence can affect any aspect of their lives.
Because no two disabilities are the same, people without a disability might be nervous about approaching and interacting with persons with disabilities. The Illinois Department of Human Services offers the following tips to interacting with people with disabilities that can make such interactions enjoyable for all involved.
• Treat people with dignity and respect. People with disabilities have the same needs and wants as everyone else, and everyone wants to be treated with dignity and respect. The IDHS recommends practicing the golden rule when interacting with people with disabilities, treating everyone as you would like to be treated.
• Emphasize abilities, not disabilities. People with disabilities are smart, engaging and talented. Such people make the world a more diverse place, and many have unique experiences that can prove invaluable in various situations. When interacting with people with disabilities, recognize their abilities and uniqueness rather than focusing on their disabilities.
• Ask before offering assistance. People with disabilities do not necessarily need or want assistance. No matter how well-intentioned you might be, ask before offering assistance.
• Be mindful of your language. Think before speaking. Terms that were once part of the vernacular may now be considered offensive, even if the person speaking is not intending to offend. When speaking, the IDHS recommends using positive, peoplefirst language that empowers rather than marginalizes people with disabilities. For example, instead of saying someone has a “birth defect,” say someone is a “person who is disabled since birth.”
• Avoid showing pity or being patronizing. People with disabilities do not want pity, nor do they want to be spoken to or treated in a patronizing manner. Treat and speak to people with disabilities just as you would anyone else, making sure to avoid speaking to them as if they were children or making unwanted physical contact, such as patting them on the head.
People with disabilities come from all walks of life and should always be treated with dignity and respect.