Thirteen Hints...
To help you feel more comfortable when you meet a person with a
disability
- Remember that people with disabilities are people. They are like everyone
else, except for the limitation of the disability.
- Don't make up your mind ahead of time about the person with a disability.
You may be surprised at how wrong you are in judging interests and abilities.
A disability need not be ignored or denied between friends. But until your
relationship is that of friends, show friendly interest in the person, not
the disability.
- Be yourself.
- Talk about the same things as you would with anyone else.
- Take care not to treat individuals with disabilities as if they are helpless.
Offer assistance only when a request is made. If assistance is declined,
do not be offended. This indicates that the person feels capable of handling
the situation.
- Be patient. Let people with disabilities set their own pace of walking
or talking.
- When interacting, don't be afraid to laugh or share a humorous moment.
Make sure, however, that you are laughing with the person, not at the person.
- Don't stop and stare at people with disabilities. They deserve the same
courtesy any person should receive.
- Don't be overprotective or over-solicitous.
- Don't shower a person with a disability with kindness.
- Don't offer pity or charity. Treat the person with a disability as an
equal.
- Don't separate the person with the disability from an aid, such as a wheelchair
or crutches, unless asked to do so. The aid may be wanted within reach.
- When dining with a person with a disability, don't offer help in cutting
food. If assistance is needed, it will be requested.
