We should all use language that demonstrates our regard for persons with impairments when engaging with people with disabilities. While the words you use are essential, it’s also critical that you show respect for persons with disabilities by your actions.
When interacting with persons with impairments, the most important thing to remember is that they are humans. Their handicap is only one of their numerous traits. People with disabilities have the same basic requirements as the rest of us, the most basic of which is to be treated with decency and respect.
Focus on their strengths rather than their impairments while interacting with persons with disabilities. People with disabilities are one-of-a-kind individuals who bring a plethora of information, skills, talents, interests, and experiences to our society, bringing a great deal of variety, ingenuity, and creative energy.
Remember that people with impairments may perform tasks differently than people without disabilities, but they may obtain the same results.
The most crucial aspect of connecting with someone who has a handicap is to see them for who they are, not what impairment they have. It all comes down to a feeling of disability awareness and disability etiquette.
To aid in the spread of awareness, Empowered Liveability, the leading provider of Disability Housing Options in Newcastle has compiled a list of important reminders:
Prior To Considering Differences, Look For Commonality
All human ties are built on common ground; once you’ve identified something in common, you can deal with the differences. A wheelchair user, for example, might transport into a car and drive using a wheelchair lift and hand controls. Rather than focusing on the differences between you and this individual, consider the fact that you both drive. In this case, the distinction is irrelevant.
People With Disabilities Should Not Be Victimised
Someone’s authority is taken away when they are referred to as a “spinal cord injury victim” or a “cerebral palsy sufferer.” Because the focus is on what occurred to them rather than what they did about it, it depletes their power and capacity to overcome.
Do Not Underestimate A Person With A Disability’s Skills
Many disabled persons are capable of caring for themselves without assistance. They’ve spent a long time adjusting to a new way of life, whether it’s buying wheelchair-accessible cars for transit, contacting ahead to confirm that a restaurant is wheelchair accessible, or putting tiling in their houses to reduce wheelchair friction on the carpet.
Be More Understanding
Before expecting to be understood, try to comprehend the person and his or her impairment. It’s possible that your greatest efforts to be considerate of someone with a handicap backfire. You could be misunderstood, or you might accidentally insult someone. Before you become enraged and say to yourself, “They should realise I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful,” take a step back and consider that there might be a variety of reasons why that individual became unhappy.
Talk to the Disabled Person First
Before approaching the person’s caretaker, have a conversation with him or her. People sometimes overlook someone with a twisted figure or speech impediment as a result of a physical impairment, assuming he or she has a mental disability and won’t comprehend. Always speak to the disabled person before approaching the caregiver; it’s the polite thing to do.
Avoid Using Offensive Or Out-Of-Date Words
Words like “handicapped” and “wheelchair confined” are no longer appropriate. The phrase “bound” has a negative connotation for many wheelchair users, implying that they are tethered to the chair.
Empowered Liveability has been providing different services such as SDA Housing in Melbourne. delivering safe and secure housing plans. Please contact our 24/7 accessible support at admin@empoweredliveability.com.au or call now at 1300-974-912.
