Gayathri is Masters in Clinical Psychology, M. Phil in Social Work and trained in Special Education and has dedicated her life to empowering intellectually challenged individuals. Her NGO, SVK Shikshan Sanstha at Nagpur empowers and helps Intellectually Challenged Adults to lead a dignified life by creating an enabling environment and an inclusive society. This booklet by Gayathri is a wonderful introduction to understanding disability etiquette and when I read it I felt I should share it on the blog.
The line on the back cover - Abled does not mean enabled, Disabled does not mean less abled - says it all.
Disability etiquette refers to respectful interaction and communication with persons of Disability. One must understand that it is always a person first - a person with a disability (not a disabled person). Treat them as you would want to be treated.
Some things to remember:
- Never avoid making eye contact
- Behave in the same way that you would with anyone else
- Introduce yourself in the same manner as you would with a person without a disability with a shake hand, a Namaste or a simple Hello
- Speak directly to the person (not with the attendant or caregiver)
- Treat adults as adults
- Avoid intrusive questions. Do not ask questions about a person's disability unless it is brought up by the person.
- Focus on skills. Like with any other person your focus should be on their skills, talents, expertise and abilities
- Ask if he or she needs assistance before providing it
- Be cautious with words - don't use offensive terms as Handicapped, Vikalang, Wheelchair bound, Mental, Mute etc. Instead use words like Specially- Abled or Differently-abled.
- Avoid pity
Things to be aware of when dealing with Persons with
Visual Impairment
Those who have visual impairment have enhanced compensatory abilities such as heightened sense of hearing, smell and touch as cognitive functions
While interacting with a person with Visual Impairment - tell your name and extend your hand only if the other person extends his hand for a hand shake
If guiding that person to a new location, just offer your arm as a guide
Speech Impairment
A person with speech impairment has better observation skills and concentration levels than a person who can speak.
Ask questions that can be answered in a few words or with a nod of the head
Encourage him or her to write notes to express
Hearing Impairment
Persons with hearing impairment can process peripheral vision and motion better than hearing individuals.
To get attention, touch the person lightly or wave your hand
If the person is lip reading, look at the person directly and speak slowly and clearly
Don't exaggerate lip movements or shout
Use gestures to express and speak with expressions
Person using a wheel chair
A person's wheel chair is a part of his body space and should be treated with respect (don't hang or lean on it unless you have the person's permission, don't pat them on the head as it is a degrading gesture)
Adjust your posture to be eye- level with the person in a wheel chair to interact
Speak directly to the person in the wheel chair, and if conversation lasts more than a few minutes, sit down or kneel to get on the same level
Persons with Cognitive/Intellectual Disabilities
First of all, do not call them KIDS
See the person, not the disability
Develop good rapport first
Use clear, simplified language
Try speaking slower and not louder
Treat them as you would your peers
Be inclusive during the conversation, ask them their thoughts and allow them to answer
Like Gayathri says, have an open mind, be willing to learn, be sensitive and kind, make it about the other person. I guess all this also works with every person we meet - being sensitive, kind and thoughtful.
Thanks a ton Gayathri. I learned a lot from this booklet.
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