Disability Etiquette

Information provided by the United Spinal Association

Marcus Simmons – Coordinator of Supportive ServicesItawamba Community College - Tupelo Campus

The National Organization on Disability (NOD) estimates that there are nearly 54 million Americans with disabilities. The information provided within this presentation is designed to promote an ease with communicating and interacting with those with different types of disabilities.

Introduction

Hopefully after this presentation you willfeel more comfortable and less awkward when dealing with individuals with disabili-ties. And if you are ever unsure how to Interact with a person with disabilities,JUST ASK!

People often are the most uncomfortable when it comes to referring to a person’s disability. What do I say? The first thing to remember is to “put the person first”.

Say, “person with a disability” rather than “disabled person”. Say, “person with cerebral palsy” when referring to a person with a specific disability.

Keep in mind, everyone is an individual and individual may prefer certain terms over others.

Terminology – A quick LookAvoid outdated terms like handicapped or crippled.

Be aware that most persons with disabilities to not like jargon, euphemistic terms like; “physically challenged” and “differently abled”.

Avoid negative references like; “Confined to a wheelchair”, “Victim of AIDS”, “Suffering from brain trauma”. Remember put the “person” first? A person in a wheelchair, a person with AIDS, etc.

A good example is that the term “hearing impaired” is offensive to some deaf people, because impaired implies there is something wrong with them.

People who use wheelchairs have different abilities and levels of disabilities. Some can use their arms and legs and some can not. Some may be able to walk short distances.

First and foremost remember that a person in a wheelchair is an individual and the wheelchair is not equipment to that person. The wheelchair is a part of their person.

People Who Use Wheelchairs or Other Mobility Devices

Don’t push or touch a person’s wheelchair – The chair is part of their personal space. Touching the chair or trying to help without instructions could cause the person to fall out of the chair, or parts to come loose.

Keep the ramps and wheelchair accessible doors unlocked and unblocked – According to ADA; signs should mark the entrances, objects should not be blocking aisles, and boxes and objects should never be kept or stored on ramps.

Be aware of the person’s reach limits – try to keep objects the person will need well within their reach. When talking to a person in a wheelchair, try to position yourself at their level whenever possible.

Be sure to mark hallways with signage marking accessible routes.

Always ask before helping – often time your help could be a hindrance. Holding the arm of a person with a cane or crutch can cause them to lose their balance. Opening a door from behind could also cause the person to lose their balance.

Arrange for appropriate seating.

Falls can be very dangerous. Take every precaution to warn of wet floors, or place matting down for security.

For persons with canes of crutches, wall railing would be a welcome addition.

Be prepared to offer a hand when needed, but ask, “can I help you”.

People who are blind generally have learned to maneuver in their everyday situations. There are often very independently mobile.

However; in a new surrounding or school, they may require a very specific walk-through of the facilities. They may use a guide cane or guide dog. It would be important to make sure they are provided with the safest routes to their classes

People Who are Blind

Always identify yourself when making contact with a person that is blind. Introduce yourself by name and by title. Do not forget to introduce an other people in the group.

Be sure to provide the person that is blind a tour of the facilities. If there are physical changes within the facility, be sure to notify

the person that is blind and offer another tour. People who are blind may need an arm for balance. – Never take

the blind person’s arm to lead them, allow them to take your arm. You can guide the person’s hand to a banister or back of a chair if needed.

If you are walking with a person with a guide dog, walk on the opposite of the dog. As you are walking describe the setting including all obstacles. Describe obstacles in detail. Remember to note any low hanging objects, or objects protruding from the walls or floors.

Give directions using non-visual cues. In other words; avoid saying, “Walk down the aisle and turn right at the wall mural”.

If you leave a person that is blind, inform them and ask if they need anything before you leave.

Never touch the person’s cane or guide dog. The guide dog is working and the cane is person space.

Offer to read anything the person might need to know, or menus, etc…

When serving a person who is blind, give clock directions. Using the term your meat is at 12 o’clock will help the person orient themselves to the plate and food.

A Person with Low Vision: Good lighting is vital. Keep walk-ways clear of obstacles

American Sign Language (ASL) is entirely a different language from English. Different countries have their own signs. ASL has its own syntax, very different from English. This is why many students who are deaf have a hard time with English courses and writing.

People Who are Deaf or Have a Hearing Loss

When the information being communicated is specific and complex, and interpreter is best. For average communication needs, writing back and forth is fine.

Try to use the person’s preferred form of communication (sign, voice, writing). If you cannot understand the person who is deaf when they voice tell them.

When using an interpreter, look at the person who is deaf. It is more respectful to look at the person who is deaf.

Always include the person who is deaf in all decisions.

Before speaking to a person who is deaf, make sure to get their attention. Depending on what the student prefers you can wave your hand, tap their shoulder, etc…

Rephrase rather than repeat sentences if the person does not understand.

When taking face to face, a well lit and quiet room is best for communication. Be mindful that lip reading is important to many of these students. Having a window to your back or any backlighting, for example, may make it hard for the person to see your face or lips.

Speak clearly and so not hide your mouth.

There is never a need to shout or speak loudly.

Cerebral is caused by an injury to the central nervous system. It is a condition that originates from birth and often due to some type of complication during birth.

People with Cerebral Palsy have a lack of muscle control and the extent of their condition can vary greatly.

People with Cerebral Palsy (CP)

People with CP often have slurred speech and uncontrollable muscle movements. Interact with them as you would anyone else.

People with CP often function normally intellectually, do not pre-judge their abilities based on speech, mobility, or first impressions.

People with Tourette Syndrome may make vocalizations and gestures, such as tics which they cannot control. Unfortunately, some of these vocalizations and gestures may be offensive in nature.

There is a small percentage of persons with Tourette Syndrome cannot use medication to manage their condition. For the small percentage that do have or make offensive gestures and vocalizations, classroom cooperation should be obtained.

Tourette Syndrome

If a person with Tourette Syndrome has uncontrollable vocalizations, calmly wait for them to finish and continue the conversation.

Freedom to leave a meeting during these vocalizations might benefit the student. Often these urges build up and an opportunity to release in a private setting may be beneficial.

Epilepsy and other seizure disorders are a neurological condition characterized by seizures that occur as the electrical system in the brain malfunctions. Seizures can vary greatly from; convulsive, mild tremors, inability to speak, trance like appearance, or sleep walking appearance.

Follow general guidelines to seizure care, and be aware of what your business and school’s safety procedures include.

People with Epilepsy or Seizure Disorders

If a person has a seizure there is nothing you can do to stop it.

If the person having a seizure has fallen, make sure their head is protected and wait for the seizure to run its course.

When the seizure has ended, the person may feel tired, disoriented, and embarrassed. Try to calm the person and removing others from around the person is always best.

Be aware that beepers, strobe lights, blinking items can trigger a seizure in some people.

(At ICC) make sure the Supportive Services Coordinator is aware of the person with a seizure disorder and that he/she has forwarded you safety information for that student.

MCS is a sensitivity to chemicals that can cause respiratory distress. Respiratory disabilities include; asthma, emphysema, and other related conditions and diseases.

An incident of MCS or respiratory disabilities results in the individual not being able to breath or catch their breath.

People with Multiple-Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) & Respiratory Disabilities

Avoid cleaning products while the person with respiratory disabilities is in your presence.

If products must be used, spray or pour the products onto the cleaning cloth and not into the air.

Try to avoid or eliminate strong smelling perfumes, candles, and lotions.

Maintain good room ventilation.

People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have impaired immune systems, so their bodies have trouble fighting off infections and disease.

As a reminder, any health condition or disability should be kept in confidence – but because of the sensitive nature of HIV and AIDS it is vitally important.

People with HIV or AIDS

You cannot catch HIV from casual contact such as shaking hands.

A person with HIV is however in danger of being exposed to germs and virus from other people. Try to keep the environment healthy.

Because people with HIV or AIDS often feel stigmatized, try to be open and treat them as you would anyone else.

There is a wide range of disorders and illnesses that would be considered Psychiatric Disorders or Mental Illness; including, stress disorders, antisocial behavior, depression disorders, paranoid disorders, schizophrenic disorders, etc.

Individuals with psychiatric disabilities and mental illnesses may have very individual behaviors or characteristic behaviors based on their illness.

People with Psychiatric Disabilities or Mental Illness

Stress can always aggravate any psychiatric condition, always try to minimalize the stress.

If the person with the mental illness or psychiatric disability tells you of their condition – research the condition and learn what you can about it.

Contact your Support Services Coordinator for assistance and advise in dealing with persons with psychiatric disabilities. (Keep in mind the person must give permission for the Coordinator to discuss their specific condition with you – in most cases the Coordinator has already obtained this permission from the student.)

In any crisis situation, stay calm, and send for help from the campus police or the Supportive Service Cooridnator.

The category of Learning Disabilities encompasses a large number of conditions and disorders. A student can have a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) in reading comp., reading recog., written expression, oral expression, math calculation, math reasoning, and educationally disabled.

There are specific methods that can be used in dealing with these students, but here are some general rules to follow.

People with Learning Disabilities

Be prepare to give oral instructions or explain written instructions when needed.

Realize that extra time may be needed for written assignments.

Be prepared to provide detailed written instructions if needed.

Be direct and precise with your communication.

Ask the person how they best learn or how they would prefer material presented to them; written or orally.

Allow assistive devices such as recorders or note-takers.

Understand that a quiet and distraction free environment may be required.

People with traumatic brain injury (TBI) have some type of damage to the brain due to an accident or stroke. This is a growing population due to car accidents.

The severity can vary greatly and often the process of recovery (which may never be fully recovered) is a long one.

People with Traumatic or Acquired Brain Injury

Many factors that affect people with learning disabilities also affect people with TBI

There may be mobility losses that are not obvious; for example, a person may can move their hand but not be able to write or correctly hold a pen or pencil.

A person with TBI may also have issues with impulse control. The person may make abrupt comments that are offensive and not realize they have offended someone.

The person with TBI may often seem pushy and demanding. They often get frustrating at not being able to fully get their point across and as a result appear demanding and pushy.

A person with TBI is also likely to have short term memory problems.

A person with TBI often has directional or orientation problems.

Be prepared to repeat instructions and commands several times; and ask often if the person understands.

The person with TBI is often easily distracted and may even become frustrated or angry at those distractions.

The person with TBI will most likely have issues with organization and may need assistance in arranging or organizing their materials.

Asperger’s is merely a syndrome within the autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Asperger’s is considered to be on the high functioning end of the spectrum.

Along with Asperger’s and other autism disorders, there are often associated issues such as; depression, learning disabilities, or language and speech problems. The range can be from completely non-verbal and socially non-functioning to very high level of functioning. Dealing with these students requires knowing what behaviors can be expected.

Asperger’s and Autism Disorders

A person with Asperger’s or ASD will like have very limited and/or inappropriate social interactions. Often time they will have memorized learned responses to frequently asked questions such as; “how are you today”.

A person with Asperger’s or ASD may appear to have a very robotic or repetitive speech style.

They may have rather high verbal skills and vocabulary, but will have problems with the subtlety of language.

They often have severe problems understand and interpreting facial expression, gestures, and other non-verbal communication.

Their conversations will most like be centered around themselves without an understanding of others around them.

Persons with Asperger’s or ASD have problems with non-literal expressions and communication.

They will often have problems understanding social and emotional issues.

They will most likely fail to make any eye contact during a conversation.

They will often become obsessed with a specific topic or subject matter and want to talk about and read about it constantly. They will try to bring the topic of conversation back to the subject or topic they are obsessed with like; cats, history, geography.

They may also have some noticeable ticks, mannerisms, and body movements that are repetitive by nature.

What should you know?

What or how much

should you know about

the illness, disorder, or

condition of your

students? As much as

possible – but only as

much as the student

wants to reveal.

Surprisingly, most

students are willing to

share a great

Deal of information

Concerning their

Conditions.

The Office of Supportive Services is here to assist you. Within the boundaries of privacy, OSS can often assist you with students in numerous ways.

Always check with OSS if you have problems.

Cathy McCarthy – Coordinator OSS Office BE 4 – Fulton Campus662.862.8173 – camccarthy@iccms.edu

Marcus Simmons – Coordinator OSSOffice Student Support Center E 123 – Tupelo Campus662.620.5314 – mgsimmons@iccms.edu

The Office of Supportive Services