1. 1. DISABILITY ETIQUETTE 101 Chris Muchata BACHA RA Conference Wheaton College November 15, 2014
2. 2. ABOUT ME Students with Disabilities Education & Background Worked with students with disabilities while an RA. Specifically visually and hearing-impaired students. Passion for this work began when I saw the inequities these students faced. Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies from Bridgewater State University Masters Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Salem State University Resident Assistant for four years Currently Area Residence Director at Tufts University
3. 3. STORY TIME! But first
4. 4. LEARNING OUTCOMES By the end of this presentation you will Have a basic understanding of different types of disabilities Have a basic understanding of how to communicate with people with disabilities Understand appropriate language to use when talking to or about people with disabilities Understand ways to integrate these students into your community better Learn how to host inclusive programming in your community
5. 5. DISCLAIMER This session is a broad overview of various topics related to disability etiquette In 45 to 60 minutes, it is not possible to cover everything in depth with regards to disability This session is meant to introduce you to some basic topics and communication tips to help you succeed on campus and spark interest in learning more about disabilities
6. 6. WHAT DO WE THINK OF WHEN WE HEAR DISABILITY? Before we begin, lets ask ourselves
7. 7. STEREOTYPES AND MISCONCEPTIONS Not as smart as abled persons Need special jobs created just for them Socially awkward Brave or inspirational for living with a disability Deserve special attention Deserve pity Freaks Cant function in society Disabilities are always visual People with disabilities cant find love People with disabilities are non-sexual beings
8. 8. ETIQUETTE: THE GOLDEN RULES Word Choice: People first language The Disabled is no longer acceptable Let the individual keep control
9. 9. ETIQUETTE: THE DOS Speak directly to the person with a disability Use age-appropriate language Ask if someone needs assistance before acting
10. 10. ETIQUETTE: THE DONTS Worry about common phrases like See you later, or did you hear about Use phrases like suffers from is a victim of Also avoid phrases like differently abled Speak loudly without being asked Praise the person or treat them like a hero
11. 11. VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS Things to Remember Blind, not deaf. Dont obsess over your word choicesee, look, and watch are everyday words. Dont tip-toe around the word blind. Offer someone your arm to guide themdo not push them.
12. 12. VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS Tips to Communicate Identify yourself to the blind person. Address the person by name. Let the person know when youre leaving. Use descriptive language such as its in front of you at 11 oclock instead of over there.
13. 13. I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE: A SKIT! Two volunteers act out two skits What was done wrong? What was done right?
14. 14. HARD OF HEARING Things to Remember Hearing-impaired is no longer seen as appropriate, and is now offensive. If someone is using an interpreter, talk to the person, not the interpreter. Try to avoid acronyms, they could be difficult for others to understand.
15. 15. HARD OF HEARING Tips to Communicate Face the person with a hearing impairment and talk to them. If necessary, use drawings, writing, and gestures to communicate. Include the person who is deaf in the conversation by repeating questions or statements if need be.
16. 16. DISCUSSION! How can we communicate with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing?
17. 17. MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS Things to Remember Tips to Communicate Offer to help with opening doors or carrying packages if it makes sense. Would you want help in the same situation? A wheelchair or walker is seen as an extension of someones bodyrespect their personal space! Speak to a person with a mobility impairment in a normal voice. Speak with the person at eye-level whenever possible. Consider sitting if you can.
18. 18. TALK TO ME PHYSICAL DISABILITY AWARENESS
19. 19. TALK TO ME PHYSICAL DISABILITY AWARENESS Reactions to the clip
20. 20. SPEECH IMPAIRMENTS Things to Remember Tips to Communicate Do not speak for someone or attempt to finish their sentences for them! Concentrate on what the person is saying. Include the person in conversations. If you do not understand what the person is saying, ask them to repeat it and then repeat back to them. Be patient! Ask questions with short answers if possible. Consider technology or writing to communicate.
21. 21. S#!@ PEOPLE SAY TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
22. 22. S#!@ PEOPLE SAY TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Reactions to the clip
23. 23. PSYCHIATRIC IMPAIRMENTS Things to Remember Tips to Communicate You are not a psychologist! If you cannot help the student, you need to refer them to a professional. Hidden disabilitiesthey exist, but you cannot see them. Promoting acceptance is crucialthere is a lot of stigma people with psychiatric disabilities face. Be aware of what you are saying to others about mental health disorders like OCD, depression, and bipolar.
24. 24. WHAT CAN I DO AS AN RA? But what does this all mean?
25. 25. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Find alternative advertising methods What do you do now? Can everyone receive the same information? Find alternative programming spaces Reach out to these students What kind of programming would you like to see? Empower these students to get involved on campus Educate yourself Disability Services The internet
26. 26. UNIVERSALLY DESIGNED PROGRAMS The idea behind universal design is creating programs, services, events, and more that have people with disabilities in mind. Appeals to more people and everyone wins! Directions for activities can be printed or written out, which benefits everyone Activities can be interpreted or completed as broadly as possible
27. 27. POSSIBLE PROGRAMS: SENSES OLYMPICS / JEOPARDY The Program It Appeals to Various single sense-based activities that teams compete to win Taste Test Texture Test Guess That Song Test Scent Test Blindfolded Activities Visually impaired Hearing impaired Mobility impaired Speech impaired Psychiatric impaired
28. 28. POSSIBLE PROGRAM: SPA DAY The Program It Appeals to Rely on various senses- focused relaxation ideas that appeal to a variety of people Aromatherapy DIY stress balls Calming music or meditation Nail decorating supplies Visually impaired Hearing impaired Mobility impaired Speech impaired Psychiatric impaired
29. 29. POSSIBLE PROGRAMS: DIY TRAIL MIX The Program It Appeals to Create trail-mix bags for everyone to enjoy! Bowls of various foods Bags and gloves Recipes written out Visually impaired (with assistance) Hearing impaired Mobility impaired Speech impaired Psychiatric impaired
30. 30. POSSIBLE PROGRAMS: THE ROOMMATE GAME The Program It Appeals to Contestants compete to win prizes and glory! Easily to modify depending on group Answers must be written out Answers must be spoken Visually impaired Hearing impaired Mobility impaired Speech impaired Psychiatric impaired
31. 31. POSSIBLE PROGRAM: SEX IN THE DARK The Program It Appeals to Everyone in the room is given a glow stick and the lights are turned out. Cover all windows. By raising their glow sticks in the air, the moderator of the program calls on people to ask and answer questions anonymously Visually impaired Mobility impaired Speech impaired Psychiatric impaired
32. 32. POSSIBLE PROGRAM: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS The Program It Appeals to Create cards for children in hospitals, veterans, or others Make peanut butter and fluff sandwiches to deliver to homeless shelters Create toiletry bags for local homeless shelters Hearing impaired Mobility impaired Speech impaired Psychiatric impaired
33. 33. POSSIBLE PROGRAMS: TAKE A WALK IN MY SHOES The Program Who It Appeals To Create an obstacle course of activities that people with disabilities face regularly Debrief with participants after Abled persons Disclaimer: This is a tricky program to run because someone who participates can leave the room and walk away. Those with disabilities cannot. Well-informed and prepared follow-up and debrief is critical to this programs success.
34. 34. FINAL THOUGHTS People first language is important Do not ask the person with a disability what happened to them allow them to tell you their story on their own volition. Dont take the control away from the person. Remember that people with disabilities are completely capable of functioning, they just complete tasks a little differently. If you are unsure of how to interact with or help a student, consider doing research on the internet or talking to a representative from Disability Services.
35. 35. QUESTIONS?
36. 36. THANK YOU! Chris Muchata christopher.muchata@tufts.edu
37. 37. REFERENCES Perkins Scout. (n.d.). Etiquette Retrieved from http://www.perkins.org/resources/scout/etiquette/#Social_and_Professional_ Settings Chicago Lighthouse. (n.d.). How to communicate with someone who is blind. Retrieved from http://chicagolighthouse.org/programs-and-services/working- someone-who-blind-or-visually-impaired/how-communicate-someone-who-bli University of Washington. (n.d.). Strategies for working with people who have disabilities. Retrieved from http://www.washington.edu/doit/CareerN/strat_work.html 7steammedia. (2013). Talk to me: Physical disability awareness. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL8GMxRW_5Y Standfordpushproject. (2012). Shit people say to people with disabilities. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNoVSusaAVE http://www.togetherwerock.com/sites/default/files/Draper_MythsMisc_Nov1.p df