Disability Etiquette

The number of Americans with a disability is significant and growing. Today, more than 54 million people in this country have a disability and this number will continue to increase as the Baby Boom generation ages.

As people with wheelchairs or canes, people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and anyone with mobility or communication challenges gain access to public places, we want to learn how best to live and work with them. Sometimes just saying the right thing or making a small gesture that acknowledges their independence and value goes a long way toward reducing discrimination and improving daily life for all of us.

Resource

Disability Etiquette
Tips on Interacting with People with Disabilities

Excerpt: Terminology Tips
Put the person first. Say "person with a disability" rather than "disabled person." Say "people with disabilities" rather than "the disabled." For specific disabilities, saying "person with Tourette syndrome" or "person who has cerebral palsy" is usually a safe bet. Still, individuals do have their own preferences. If you are not sure what words to use, ask.

Avoid outdated terms like "handicapped" or "crippled." Be aware that many people with disabilities dislike jargony, euphemistic terms like "physically challenged" and "differently abled." Say "wheelchair user," rather than "confined to a wheelchair" or "wheelchair bound." The wheelchair is what enables the person to get around and participate in society; it’s liberating, not confining.