1. Disability Etiquette Center on Community Living and Careers Indiana Institute on Disability and Community Indiana University

2. “I can’t believe I just said that!” Relax, you will screw up and say something stupid! Attitude is everything! Take your time. You’ll get it right!

3. Disability Facts 19.4% (1 in 5) or 48.9 million people have a disability 9.9% (1 in 10) have a disability that is not considered to be severe 9.6% (1 in 10) have a severe disability 80.6% (4 in 5) are not considered to have a disability

4. Disability & Employment Facts 82.1% of people without a disability are likely to have a job or business 26.1% of people with a severe disability are likely to have a job or business 79% of those not working want to work! (Harris, 1990)

5. Some basic lessons in etiquette Use “person” –person with –person who Focus on the PERSON not the condition

6. Disability Etiquette: Behavior and Language Speak directly to the person, not to a companion, staff person or family member.

7. It’s OK to offer assistance Just don’t “assume” a person needs help. Ask the individual if they want help.

8. Be “inclusive” in conversations

9. There’s no need to YELL!

10. Remember, they’re the “expert”

11. It’s OK to make mistakes. Old habits are hard to break!

12. Disability Language What’s in a name? Perceptions Attitudes Beliefs Actions

13. Hearing Disabilities Don’t Use “The” Deaf Deaf and Dumb Mute Deaf-Mute “Suffers” a hearing loss

14. Motor Coordination Disabilities Don’t use Cripple Crip Spastic Spaz Cerebral Palsied CP “victim”

15. Wheelchair Users Don’t Use “Confined” Wheelchair “Bound”

16. Cognitive Disabilities Retarded Moron Idiot Simple Mentally Defective Slow Mongoloid

17. Mental Illness Crazy Insane Psycho Maniac Nut Case

18. Other Disabilities Don’t use Midget Birth Defect Epileptic Freak Deformed

19. Avoid Specific Words Stricken Afflicted Suffers Impaired? “The”… Normal Victim Defect

20. Seriously though… It’s all about “people” “Person” with or “Person” who Best way: By their name

21. The point is... We all have abilities… Many of us have disabilities Focus on the PERSON, their Strengths and Abilities

22. Thank you!