Last post Mon, May 19 2008 11:39 PM by ducky01. 39 replies.
I thought it might be useful to start a topic on how non-disables should interact with disables.
What do you think? What are your tips for interacting with people with disabilities?
I'll start: I think it's important that when you speak with someone who is disabled that you actually talk to them--not to their friend or caretaker, but to THEM.
Your turn...
non-disabled interacting with a wheelchair: move your toes...really hurts!
How about just treating people with disabilities like you treat everyone else?
In general that is a good rule of thumb, but I think it's appropriate to do things a little bit differently SOME of the time. For example, if you're interacting with someone who is blind it can be helpful to identify yourself at the beginning of the conversation and announce when you leave.
My experience is that this approach tends to result in treatment that is equal but fundimentally unfair.
I have difficulty with handwriting. Treating me like everyone else would be expecting me to write things. Treating me fairly would be allowing me to type.
I have difficulty climbing stairs. Treating me like everyone else would mean expecting me to climb the stairs. Treating me fairly would be allowing me to ride the elevator. Treating me kindly would be riding the elevator with me sometimes, even if it takes longer, or choosing to hold events in accessible locations.
And so on.
My usual suggestion is for people without disabities to treat those of us with disabilities with the same respect given to everyone else. This may or may not mean treating us in exactly the same way.
cripple,not stupid....
I think Nightengale has great advice here. There are tons of different sorts of disabilities and they affect people in different ways. For example, not everyone who is disabled is a cripple. Really, I agree--respect is the key, and the actual actions will probably be different in every case.
I couldn't have said it better
I agree that the most important thing is treating everyone, no matter who they are, with respect. Respect is key in any situation!
yes, respect people walking or not.
i also think that respect is the key to treat everyone, disabled or not
hugs, lola
I think it is important to get to know a person with a disability as you would anyone else. But not treat them like everyone else. I have a very hard to understand disability, so I don't expect people to know exactly how to interact with me right away, but I do expect them to take the time to learn.
The problem with specifics like, "Tell the blind person who you are or when you are leaving" and all of those other top ten do's and don'ts for interacting with disabled people is that they will work for some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.
For example, those lists always say something like, "If a hearing impaired person doesn't understand what you said, try saying it a different way." Well, this hearing impaired person wants you to repeat exactly what you just said. That way, if I just missed one or two words, I can pick them up without having to start all over trying to interpret a whole new sentence. Other people might want you to try to say it a different way. The point is to get to know the person and what they need, and they should get to know you and what you need also.
It is okay to make a goof as long as you keep trying and keep the person's individuality in mind.
great post, lisa!
i wish able bodied people would Speak clearly and normallyt to me I will ask them to repeat what they said if i don't get it .
I wish walkers would respect what I call my "restricted airspace" or "No fly zone"...you know that 2-3 foot space above my head that makes me shorter than grownup walkers....I HATE it in the cafeteria of the hospital I work in when people totter cups of soup of salads or whatever over my head, reaching for cups, etc.....Just because my body doesn't actually extend up that high I think my space should be respected.
