1. Disability Awareness History
1990 Americans with Disabilities Act passed in Congress
Ensures equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination
People First
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For persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities and transportation

2. What is a disability?
A body function that operates differently than expected
Caused by an accident, trauma, heredity, or disease
May limit mobility, hearing, vision, speech, cognitive or mental function
May have more than one

3. What is a handicap?
Attitudinal or physical constraint imposed upon a person with or without a disability
e.g Stairs are a handicap to a person who needs to use a wheelchair

4. People First Language
Process puts the person before the disability
Describes what a person has , not what a person is
Describes what a person with a disability needs instead of focusing on their problem
Eliminates derogatory terms

5. Points to Remember!
Look at and speak directly to an individual with a disability, not their companion
Call a person with a disability by his/her first name only when extending that familiarity to all others present
Place yourself at eye level in front of the person, when speaking with a person who uses a wheelchair or crutches

6. More Points to Remember!
Offer assistance to an individual with a disability in a respectful and sensitive manner
When assisting a person with a disability, listen and accept instructions on how to help
Acknowledge the person first, and not the disability