Disability Etiquette and Awareness

Tips for Speaking or Writing about People with Disabilities

When writing or speaking about people with disabilities, it is important to put the person first – to focus on the person, not the disability. Group designations, such as “the blind,” “the deaf” or “the disabled” are not empowering. It is important to use words that reflect individuality, equality or dignity – the person who is blind, the child who is deaf, the individual with a disability, for example. Examples of appropriate and inappropriate phrases to describe persons with disabilities.

Tips for Interacting with People with Disabilities

Appropriate etiquette when interacting with people with disabilities is based primarily on respect and courtesy. Tips to help you communicate effectively.

Disability Simulation

Disability organizations sometimes use "disability awareness days" to teach students, staff and volunteers about the disability experience. These disability awareness days may use simulations to convey what it's like to live with a disability. For example, participants are blindfolded, or put into a wheelchair and told not to use their legs. However, many disability advocates feel that simulations are the wrong way to go.

Paralympic sport organizations from the local level to the International Paralympic Committee conduct “Blaze” or “Paralympic Day” programs that offer people without disabilities the opportunity to try Paralympic sports like Goalball, Wheelchair Basketball, and Sitting Volleyball. These experiential sport activities are structured and teach skills that enable participants to enjoy the activity while learning about the sport.
See BlazeDays in the School. (link to BlazeDays page)