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Terminology and etiquette evolve...what is acceptable today may change tomorrow. Please ensure that respectful terms are used and dignity of the Person with Disability is considered.
Terminology and etiquette evolve...what is acceptable today may change tomorrow. Please ensure that respectful terms are used and dignity of the Person with Disability is considered.
Note: We often find people from the community using terms that have been declared redundant by their spokespersons and advocates. We continue to follow what is polite and clear, and prescribed by the UN. Sometimes arguments ensue, "how can you say "disabled"?" It helps to know where the bias against the word lies. If the word is used to facilitate or discriminate. Intent also matters as much as tone and vocabulary.
We all want to be correct, polite and considerate. Here are a few tips that may help.
We all want to be correct, polite and considerate. Here are a few tips that may help.
Words like SPECIALLY ABLED & DIFFERENTLY ABLED have been rejected by the community of Persons with Disability because they undermine the challenges and attach stigma to disability which is unnecessary.
In order to access the rightful resources, disabilities have to be clearly mentioned. For a sign language interpreter to be provided, we must know a person is deaf / hearing impaired and uses sign language to communicate. If they read lips, that must be known.
Using a wheelchair is not a different or special ability. A wheelchair is used by people with mobility challenges.
Nor is using Braille a special ability. It is an ability developed by people who are visually impaired or blind.
Handicapped, Crippled, Retarded, etc. are considered redundant terms today.
Some terms that are mostly acceptable:
Some terms that are mostly acceptable:
> It is PERSON with a disability/disabilities not DISABLED PERSON. Put the person first
> It is PERSON with a disability/disabilities not DISABLED PERSON. Put the person first
> Please do not say ‘Deaf and Dumb’. Most people who are mute are also deaf. Deafness causes the speech impairment...so ‘DEAF' or 'HEARING IMPAIRED’ is OK. Infact, 'deaf' is a preferred term for many with hearing impairments.
> Please do not say ‘Deaf and Dumb’. Most people who are mute are also deaf. Deafness causes the speech impairment...so ‘DEAF' or 'HEARING IMPAIRED’ is OK. Infact, 'deaf' is a preferred term for many with hearing impairments.
For people who can hear but cannot speak for some reason, we say "person with speech impairment" or "Person who is mute / has mutism"
For people who can hear but cannot speak for some reason, we say "person with speech impairment" or "Person who is mute / has mutism"
Dumb - the term has multiple connotations and must be avoided.
> You can say ‘Blind – partially or fully blind or Visually Challenged’.
> You can say ‘Blind – partially or fully blind or Visually Challenged’.
> The term is ‘Wheelchair User’…not ‘Wheelchair Bound’. The wheelchair actually offers the user freedom of movement.
> The term is ‘Wheelchair User’…not ‘Wheelchair Bound’. The wheelchair actually offers the user freedom of movement.
> There are people WITH disabilities and people WITHOUT disabilities. There are no NORMAL and ABNORMAL people.
> There are people WITH disabilities and people WITHOUT disabilities. There are no NORMAL and ABNORMAL people.
> Remember, PwD often don't suffer so much from their disability as much as the apathy and ignorance of society.
> Remember, PwD often don't suffer so much from their disability as much as the apathy and ignorance of society.
People with disabilities are entitled to the same courtesies you would extend to anyone, including personal privacy. If you find it inappropriate to ask people about their sex lives, or their complexions, or their incomes, extend the courtesy to people with disabilities.
People with disabilities are entitled to the same courtesies you would extend to anyone, including personal privacy. If you find it inappropriate to ask people about their sex lives, or their complexions, or their incomes, extend the courtesy to people with disabilities.
If you don't make a habit of leaning or hanging on people, don't lean or hang on someone's wheelchair. Wheelchairs are an extension of personal space.
If you don't make a habit of leaning or hanging on people, don't lean or hang on someone's wheelchair. Wheelchairs are an extension of personal space.
When you offer to assist someone with a vision impairment, allow the person to take your arm. This will help you to guide, rather than propel or lead, the person.
When you offer to assist someone with a vision impairment, allow the person to take your arm. This will help you to guide, rather than propel or lead, the person.
Treat adults as adults. Call a person by his or her first name only when you extend this familiarity to everyone present. Don't patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head. Reserve this sign of affection for children.
Treat adults as adults. Call a person by his or her first name only when you extend this familiarity to everyone present. Don't patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head. Reserve this sign of affection for children.
In conversation...
In conversation...
When talking with someone who has a disability, speak directly to him or her, rather than through a companion who may be along.
When talking with someone who has a disability, speak directly to him or her, rather than through a companion who may be along.
Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use common expressions, such as "See you later" or "I've got to run", that seem to relate to the person's disability.
Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use common expressions, such as "See you later" or "I've got to run", that seem to relate to the person's disability.
To get the attention of a person who has a hearing disability, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly and expressively to establish if the person can read your lips. Not everyone with hearing impairments can lip-read. Those who do will rely on facial expressions and other body language to help understand. Show consideration by facing a light source and keeping your hands and food away from your mouth when speaking. Keep mustaches well-trimmed. Shouting won't help, but written notes will.
To get the attention of a person who has a hearing disability, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly and expressively to establish if the person can read your lips. Not everyone with hearing impairments can lip-read. Those who do will rely on facial expressions and other body language to help understand. Show consideration by facing a light source and keeping your hands and food away from your mouth when speaking. Keep mustaches well-trimmed. Shouting won't help, but written notes will.
When talking with a person in a wheelchair for more than a few minutes, place yourself at the wheelchair user's eye level to spare both of you a stiff neck.
When talking with a person in a wheelchair for more than a few minutes, place yourself at the wheelchair user's eye level to spare both of you a stiff neck.
When greeting a person with a severe loss of vision, always identify yourself and others who may be with you. Say, for example, "On my right is Andy Clark". When conversing in a group, remember to say the name of the person to whom you are speaking to give vocal cue. Speak in a normal tone of voice, indicate when you move from one place to another, and let it be known when the conversation is at an end.
When greeting a person with a severe loss of vision, always identify yourself and others who may be with you. Say, for example, "On my right is Andy Clark". When conversing in a group, remember to say the name of the person to whom you are speaking to give vocal cue. Speak in a normal tone of voice, indicate when you move from one place to another, and let it be known when the conversation is at an end.
Give whole, unhurried attention when you're talking to a person who has difficulty speaking. Keep your manner encouraging rather than correcting, and be patient rather than speak for the person. When necessary, ask questions that require short answers or a nod or shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Repeat what you understand. The person's reaction will guide you to understanding.
Give whole, unhurried attention when you're talking to a person who has difficulty speaking. Keep your manner encouraging rather than correcting, and be patient rather than speak for the person. When necessary, ask questions that require short answers or a nod or shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Repeat what you understand. The person's reaction will guide you to understanding.
Common courtesies...
Common courtesies...
If you would like to help someone with a disability, ask if he or she needs it before you act, and listen to any instructions the person may want to give.
If you would like to help someone with a disability, ask if he or she needs it before you act, and listen to any instructions the person may want to give.
When giving directions to a person in a wheelchair, consider distance, weather conditions and physical obstacles such as stairs, curbs and steep hills.
When giving directions to a person in a wheelchair, consider distance, weather conditions and physical obstacles such as stairs, curbs and steep hills.
When directing a person with a visual impairment, use specifics such as "left a hundred feet" or "right two yards".
When directing a person with a visual impairment, use specifics such as "left a hundred feet" or "right two yards".
Be considerate of the extra time it might take a person with a disability to get things done or said. Let the person set the pace in walking and talking.
Be considerate of the extra time it might take a person with a disability to get things done or said. Let the person set the pace in walking and talking.
When planning events involving persons with disabilities, consider their needs ahead of time. If an insurmountable barrier exists, let them know about it prior to the event
When planning events involving persons with disabilities, consider their needs ahead of time. If an insurmountable barrier exists, let them know about it prior to the event
Digital Etiquette:
Make sure that the photographs you post are verbally [audio or text ]described for those who are visually impaired.
Use camel case hashtags. CamelCaseHashtags #WordsMixUp if we don't.
Don't put a Jpeg on a document and expect the screen reader to read the text on the picture. It is usually impossible. Type out the text to be used.
Provide captioning for videos and also a transcript so it is easier for those with hearing impairments to understand, and to translate into any language [Including sign language] they can follow using different apps or programs.
DISCLAIMER: Kindly do not simply go by what we have said here, use google search to find out what many people from within and outside disability communities have to say. Often we think we are being polite, but we are exhibiting our own reservations towards disabilities instead. There are many disagreements on terminolgy. We consider it best to use what is recommended by the UN since they consult with the experts first.
DISCLAIMER: Kindly do not simply go by what we have said here, use google search to find out what many people from within and outside disability communities have to say. Often we think we are being polite, but we are exhibiting our own reservations towards disabilities instead. There are many disagreements on terminolgy. We consider it best to use what is recommended by the UN since they consult with the experts first.
....Anita Iyer Narayan.
We welcome your inputs. Kindly write to info@ekansh.org. Thank you.
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