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Disability Awareness: The Basics www.hillcroft.org

Our Goal Is To…… Leave you with a better understanding of the various types of disabilities Help us to appreciate the similarities we all have – able bodied and disabled Demonstrate that everyone has a role in valuing diversity Present effective ways of assisting people with disabilities Demonstrate that it’s a win-win situation when we effectively assist and interact with people with disabilities

Some Interesting Things to Consider: In an instant we could be a person with a disability. If we had a son or daughter with a disability how would we want them treated? Have you ever made an assumption about a person with a disability that you realized was incorrect? Attitudinal barriers are the worst kind. They create the most pain and hardship for people with disabilities. It’s about changing policies and structures, but it is mostly about changing hearts.

What is a Disability? A disability can include: Any degree of physical disability A condition of developmental disability A mental disorder A learning disability

Examples of Disability Groups: Learning Disabilities Mobility Impairment Deaf and Hard of Hearing Blind and Low Vision Medical Conditions ADD / ADHD Brain Injury Mental Health

Many Disabilities are Invisible: Brain Injuries Mental Health Medical Conditions Learning Disabilities Vision Hearing

Impact Can Be Varied: Moods Fatigue Memory Financial Housing Self-Esteem Medications

Behavior May Be Interpreted As: Rude Difficult Obnoxious Laziness

Terminology Tips: Put the person first – person with a disability. Avoid outdated terms such as handicapped and crippled. Be liberating not confining – wheelchair user vs. confined to a wheelchair. Avoid negatives like victim or sufferer – person with epilepsy not epilepsy sufferer.

There are 54 million Americans with disabilities There are 54 million Americans with disabilities. Think about these tips when you communicate and interact with people with disabilities who live, work, go to school, play, worship and volunteer in your community. Relax. It’s okay to ask questions when you’re unsure of what to do. And don’t be embarrassed if you use common phrases, such as “See you later” or “Did you hear about that?” that seem to relate to a person’s disability.

When introduced, offer to shake hands When introduced, offer to shake hands. People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands. Shaking hands with the left hand is also acceptable. When meeting a person who is blind, identify yourself and others who may be with you. When talking in a group, try to remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking. Use eye contact and speak directly to the person with a disability rather than through a companion.

If you offer help, wait until the offer is accepted If you offer help, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen for instructions. Treat adults as adults. Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to all others. Never patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulder. Wheelchairs and other assistive devices are part of the personal body space of the people who use them. Leaning on a wheelchair is similar to leaning on a person.

Listen attentively when talking with a person who has difficulty speaking. Be patient and wait for the person to finish rather than correcting or speaking for the person. When speaking with a person who uses a wheelchair, try to place yourself at eye level to facilitate the conversation. To get the attention of a person who is deaf, tap them on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at them and speak clearly and slowly to determine if they can read your lips.

Final Thoughts ….. Even though March is the month that Disability Awareness is recognized, it is a 24/7 reality for the 54 million Americans affected. It is in interacting with people who are different from us that we grow as humans. People who learn differently, people who see things differently, people whose values are different … help us to grow. We have an opportunity to go through life looking at every encounter as a chance to make a positive difference.

Hillcroft Services, Inc Hillcroft Services, Inc. provides innovative services and supports for People with disabilities and their families, resulting in extraordinary differences in People’s lives. www.hillcroft.org