NWBA Disability Awareness

Table of Contents Slide 3: “The truth about growing up disabled,” Dylan Alcott, TedxYouth @Sydney Slide 4: “The Dos and Don’ts of Disability” Slide 5: Words to use and avoid Slide 6: Some key tips Slide 7: Children with disabilities Slide 8: “General Disability Awareness” Slide 9: How can you help gain awareness?

“The truth about growing up disabled,” Dylan Alcott, TedxYouth @Sydney

“The Dos and Don’ts of Disability”

Words to use and avoid: AVOID: USE: The handicapped, the disabled Afflicted by, victim of, suffers from Confined to a wheelchair, wheelchair bound Crippled, invalid Able-bodied Mentally handicapped, mentally defective, retarded, subnormal USE: Disabled person/people Has (name of condition or impairment) Wheelchair user Disabled person Non-disabled With a learning disability/with learning disabilities

Some key tips: Do not assume that the person with a wheelchair needs your help or that you already know how to help. Do not lean on their wheelchair—that would be the equivalent of someone leaning on your shoulder. If your conversation lasts a few minutes, consider sitting down with them so they won’t strain their neck looking up for an extended period of time.

Children with disabilities It is especially important to use these “dos and don’ts” with children with disabilities. They should be provided with all the support and encouragement any other child would as they develop. Do not pretend they don’t have a disability—help them accept and embrace their disability. Positive and competitive sports programs, like the NWBA, provide disabled youth with a community in which they are understood, accepted, motivated, and inspired.

“General Disability Awareness”

How can you help gain awareness? Thinking that ‘since you don’t interact with people with disabilities on a regular basis you don’t need the knowledge on how to do so’ is the worst attitude to have. The best way to gain awareness is to promote it in your daily life. Use the correct language and treat everyone with a disability with respect— like you would treat everyone else. You can also actively promote awareness at your workplace, in schools, at conferences and other public events, etc. by simply introducing and facilitating positive discussion.