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Disability Etiquette Training

Disability Etiquette

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Presenter

Cynthia L. Crews

Business Relations Specialist-SW Ohio

Division of Employer & Innovation Services

www.ood.ohio.gov

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Common types of disabilities

Appropriate language

Respectful interactions

What Will Be Covered

www.ood.ohio.gov

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OOD Divisions

Division of Disability Determination (DDD)

Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI)

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR)

Employer and Innovation Services (EIS)

www.ood.ohio.gov

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Workforce Development Agency

Workforce

Development

Agency

Diverse talent

Employer partnerships

Supporting employers

Variety of tools

Second glance protocol

www.ood.ohio.gov

BRSs promote and establish OOD as a workforce development agency to employer partners. These partnerships encourage the competitive, integrated employment of IWDs

Promote and link Ohio’s largest pool of diverse talent to businesses and employment opportunities

Develop and maintain partnerships with employers committed to hiring qualified OOD job seekers
Support employers in the hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities

BRSs use a variety of tools and resources to identify and prioritize potential new Employer Partners such as the participant’s IPE goals, LMI, Ohio’s in-demand jobs, database reporting, employer inquiries, CoC, etc.

BRSs will request an EP take a second look at a candidate’s resume. VR candidates are still required to meet the EP’s minimum quals, etc. for the position.

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No-Cost Services to Employers

Candidate Referrals

Services to Keep Incumbent Workers on the Job

Disability Etiquette and Awareness Training

Job Fairs and Hiring Events

Tax Credits and Other Resources

Worksite Accessibility Services

Ohio College2Careers

Inclusive Employer Toolkit

www.ood.ohio.gov

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What is a Disability?

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Why is Disability Etiquette Important?

Largest Minority Group

Can Include Anyone

1 in 4 Americans

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Visible or Invisible Disabilities

Visible Disabilities

Invisible Disabilities

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How many people in this picture have a disability?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Unknown

Disability Etiquette3

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Physical Disabilities

Physical

Disabilities

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Simple Disability Etiquette Rules

Act in the same courteous and respectful manner with a person with a disability that you would with anyone

Concentrate on the person, not the disability

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Respectful Interactions

Handshakes

Eye Contact

Affect

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When you interact with someone who has a physical disability, it’s important to treat them as you would anyone else.
(1B) For example, if a person has an artificial limb, offering your hand is an acceptable greeting.

Use your left hand to shake hands with someone that does not have a right hand or has limited hand use. And, if someone is unable to shake hands, you can gently touch that individual on their arm during your introduction.

(2B) If a person has a cosmetic disfigurement, it’s important to maintain eye contact with that person. If this is an issue for you, you can focus on their forehead, which will still give the illusion of direct eye contact.
(3B) If a person doesn’t appear to show interest or excitement, it could be a result of a neurological condition, a developmental disability, or it may be a side effect of a prescription drug. A flat affect does not always mean that someone is not excited, motivated, or capable.

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Injury

Disease

Developmental Condition (Cerebral Palsy)

Causes of Physical Disabilities

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Coordination

Sensation

Movement

Impacts of Physical Disabilities

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Person Who Uses a Wheelchair2

Sit for longer conversations

Don’t lean �on wheelchair

Ask first

Respectful Interactions

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Person Who Uses a Wheelchair3

Don’t lean in

Use �everyday phrases

Keep Accessibility in mind

Respectful Interactions

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Language Best Practices

Person with a disability

Crippled, Deformed, Birth defect

Person without a disability

Able-bodied, Normal, Healthy

Person of short stature

Dwarf or Midget

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Language Best Practices cont’d

Language Best Practices

Person who uses a wheelchair

Confined/Bound to a wheelchair

Accessible seating

Special seating

Accessible parking

Handicapped parking

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Visual Disabilities

Blind

or �Low Vision

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Blind or Low Vision

Announce yourself coming & leaving

Use everyday phrases

Offer Assistance

Fully close or open doors

Don’t shout

Respectful Interactions

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Here are some additional tips when working with someone who is blind or has low vision:

(1B) When approaching the person, immediately identify yourself. You can say something like, “Hi, my name is Jacob. It’s nice to meet you.”
If you wish to shake hands, you can say something like, “May I shake your hand?” and this will let the person know to extend their hand for you to take.
Of course, you will also want to let the person know when you are stepping away as the person may not always have the visual cue that you have left their space.
(2B) And, finally, it is okay to use phrases like, “Do you see what I mean?” or “Did you watch the game last night?”

(3B) Most people who are blind can hear fine. There is no need to raise your voice.
(4B) It’s okay to offer your assistance when moving to another location. If the person says they would like your help, let the person take YOUR arm, and alert them of any obstacles along the way. If taking the person to a seat, simply place their hand on the back of the chair and the person will take it from there.
(5B) Keeping doors and cabinets either fully open or closed is helpful as partially open doors and drawers can be a hazard. Click

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Person who is blind or has low vision

The Blind or The Sightless

Deaf or Hard of Hearing Person

Hearing Impaired; The Deaf

Language Best Practices

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Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Deaf or �Hard of Hearing

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Wide range

Some Causes:

Disease, injury, excessive noise

Can occur at birth or gradually

Hearing Disabilities

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Disability Etiquette3

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Disability Etiquette3

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Wave, flick a light switch or tap on a desk

Enunciate, keep mouth clear, ample lighting

Don’t shout

Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Respectful Interactions

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Disability Etiquette3

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Disability Etiquette3

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Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Don’t Assume. Ask.

Don’t Pretend to Understand

Respectful Interactions

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Interpreter Guidelines

Maintain eye contact with

individual

Talk directly to the

individual

Consult individual about

interpreter placement

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Language Best Practices

Person with a speech disability

Speech impaired

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Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

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Impact of Developmental Disabilities

Often lifelong disabilities

Intellectual, Physical, or Both

Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder

01

02

03

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Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities

Ask Direct Questions

Be patient

Use examples

Use pictures

Respectful Interactions

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Autism Spectrum Disorder

01

Can affect a person’s interactions and communication

02

Variance in functionality

03

Wide range of behaviors and symptoms

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Autism Spectrum Disorder

Presume competence

Don’t make assumptions

Overlook “repetitive” behaviors

Don’t take it personally

Respectful Interactions

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Language Best Practices

Person with a learning disability

Retarded, slow, stupid

Person with Down syndrome

Mentally Retarded or Retard

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Mental Health Disabilities

Mental Health

Disabilities

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Mental Health Disabilities 2

01

02

03

04

Often Invisible

Real Health Conditions

Wide

Range

Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety

Mental Health Disabilities

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Mental Health Disabilities4

01

02

03

04

Don’t condescend

Don’t make decisions for the person

Don’t assume

Never Disclose without permission

Respectful Interactions

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Person with a mental health disability

Mentally ill, disturbed, crazy, insane

Language Best Practices5

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Mental Health Disabilities

Each person is unique

Avoid blaming �the person

Focus on the person

Respectful Interactions

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People First vs Identity First

People First

Places the person first

Person with a disability vs disabled person

Disability doesn’t define the person

Identity First

Empowers

No shame in disability

Deaf person

Blind person

www.ood.ohio.gov

Using respectful language goes a long way in creating a welcoming environment. We’ll continue to pull at that thread, as we revisit what I had said earlier about people first, versus identify first language.
(1B) People First Language emphasizes the person, not the disability. So, for example, you would say Person with a disability vs. disabled person.
By placing the person first, the disability doesn’t define the person. In general, this is the accepted way to refer to a person who has a disability.
(2B) For people who prefer Identity First Language, the choice is really about empowerment. It says the disability isn’t something to be ashamed of. It is common for deaf people to use Identity First Language, but you may also meet people who are blind or have autism that also prefer Identity First Language. Examples of Identity First Language are Deaf Person, Blind Person, and Autistic Person.
If you’re not sure what language to use, just ask the person what he/she prefers. Or, avoid using the disability altogether. Instead of saying “my deaf coworker,” just say “my coworker.”

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Summary

Be respectful

Concentrate on the person, not the disability

Relax and

Be Natural!

www.ood.ohio.gov

We’re nearing the end of our time together, so I’d like to touch on a few closing thoughts. We’ve talked quite a bit about different types of disabilities, respectful interactions, and even heard directly from people with disabilities about their preferences and experiences.
I hope that the information shared today helps you overcome any fears or misconceptions you may have had about the best way to interact with people with disabilities.
(1B) In short, people with disabilities want to be treated with the same respect you would afford anyone else.
Remember, the person with the disability is your best resource. If you don’t know what to do, just ask.
(2B) Concentrate on the person’s technical and professional knowledge, skills, abilities, experiences, and interests.
(3B) And lastly, just relax and be natural.

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Contact Information

Thank you!

Cynthia L. Crews

Business Relations Specialist-SW Ohio

513-309-5140

Cynthia.Crews@ood.ohio.gov