Saturdays News - Dining with Dignity (Disability Etiquette)

Disability Etiquette From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Disability etiquette is a term describing guidelines dealing specifically with how to approach people with disabilities.

There is no consensus on when this phrase first came into use, although it most likely grew out of the Disability Rights Movement that began in the early 1970s. The concept may have started as a cynical play on existing rule sheets, written for non-disabled audiences, that were seen as patronizing by civil rights activists.

Guidelines

Most disability etiquette guidelines seem to be predicated on a simple dictate: "Do not assume ..."  They are written to address real and perceived shortcomings in how society as a whole treats people with disabilities.

These guidelines can be broken down into the several broad categories. Do not assume ...:

• "... a person with a disability either wants or requires assistance."
• "... rejection of aid is meant as a personal affront."
• "... upon acceptance of your help, that you know, without being told, what service to perform."
• "... a person who appears to have one kind of disability also has others."
• "... a disabled person is dissatisfied with his/her quality of life, and is thus seeking pity."
• "... a person with a disability is easily offended."
• "... that a person who does not appear disabled, or who uses assistive devices intermittently instead of all of the time, is faking or imagining their disability." (see invisible disability)
• "... companions accompanying a person with a disability are there strictly to render service."
• "... a person with a disability will be receptive to personal questions, particularly in a public setting."
• "... that when a person with a disability is in a public place, that they are being escorted by a caretaker, instead of traveling alone."

Each category encompasses specific "rules." For example, the last two of these would include guidelines such as:

• "Ask questions of the person with a disability, and not of his/her companions."
• "Hand grocery or other receipts to the individual who is paying the bill."
• "Only ask questions about the person's disability if you know that person."

People writing on specific disabilities have given rise to their own unique guidelines. Wheelchair users may, for example, include the rule, "do not grab the push handles of a person's wheelchair without permission." Visually impaired people often list a request to, "identify yourself when you enter a room."

Language

Like many other minority groups, people with disabilities do not always agree on what constitutes politically correct language. However, see the List of disability-related terms with negative connotations and people-first language.

Conclusion

"Disability etiquette" exists to draw attention to common assumptions and misconceptions through the provision of guidelines that contradict them. More than that, however, these guidelines are evolving to approximate social etiquette among the non-disabled, in hope that people with disabilities will be treated with "common courtesy." (McGrattan, 2001)

See the full article Disability Etiquette From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Disability Etiquette

Dining with Dignity

Novel Utensils Allow Physically Challenged to Dine in Style - with Maura Graber, dining authority & Director of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette. Discussion of "The What-lery of Cutlery"

Disability Etiquette Training

An organization that offers lively and interactive disability etiquette training and blindness etiquette training programs to employers including the federal government, state agencies and private corporations. In addition, Blind Ambition also offers career development services for both disabled and non-disabled job seekers.

It is designed to educate employers about hiring and working with people with disabilities by dispelling the myths and misconceptions commonly held about disabilities.

Darlene O'Brien is also a motivational speaker who changes people's perspectives by inspring them through stories of her own life's challenges and experiences.

To find out more contact us here: darleneobrien@comcast.net (916) 899 4136

Communicating With People With Disabilities: Ask Me First

In this video, you will learn how to respect the boundaries of people with disabilities while communicating with them. This 2:30 min video was created by the National Service Inclusion Project and sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Talk (part 1 of 2)

The award-winning 'Talk' portrays a society in which non-disabled people are a pitied minority and disabled people lead full and active lives. Jonathan Kerrigan, of BBC's 'Casualty' fame, plays a business executive whose negative preconceptions of disability are dramatically shattered.

For the signed and subtitled version of part 1, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSG6LGutkHo

Talk (part 2 of 2)

The award-winning 'Talk' portrays a society in which non-disabled people are a pitied minority and disabled people lead full and active lives. Jonathan Kerrigan, of BBC's 'Casualty' fame, plays a business executive whose negative preconceptions of disability are dramatically shattered.

A few comments:

• Brilliantfilm. Completely and utterly fabulous. The message couldn't be stronger. Everyone should see this! Dakiti 2 years ago
• HA! That's right, throw "normal" people into the shoes of the "disabled". I'll tell you one disability that "normal" people have... It's the disability of not being able to treat everyone equally! KellyThundercloud 1 year ago
• Love it! This sends the perfect message across. I don't think people realize how condescending they can be... Twilightluvaz 1 year ago
• This is really a good way to educate people on how not to look down on disabled people! Disability is only an illusion created by the majority of able-bodied people. And we must learn that they don't like being called "brave" or "good on you mate!" which makes the disability seem awfully like a challenge that they overcome. infinitevitality 2 years ago