Some people find it extremely awkward to interact with people with disabilities. There are many reasons why this happens. People are often afraid that they will do or say something that might offend others. However, there are certain etiquettes of interacting with people with disabilities. For instance, certain questions should not be asked. One should not be patronizing in their conversations. And most importantly, people with disabilities should not be defined solely by their disabilities.
The following blog sheds more light on this topic and discusses how people can make their interactions with disabled individuals better and more thoughtful.
Stigmas About People with Disabilities
According to research conducted recently by the disability charity Scope, almost 67 percent of people find it uncomfortable talking with a disabled person about fear and ignorance. And the truth is that people need a lot of effort to change the way they interact with disabled individuals.
The word “disability” is itself a very broad term. However, there are various misconceptions and beliefs regarding the term worldwide. Here are some of the common stigmas regarding people with disabilities:
1. You cannot say “disabled” without offending others.
The use of terms and the overall language itself is critical when discussing disability. However, since many people believe that they can offend others solely from their choice of words, they don’t even bother to learn how they can improve. People can talk about disability by either using an individual’s first language or identity-first language without offending others.
Identity first language refers to saying “a disabled person.” On the other hand, people’s first language refers to the phrase “a person with a disability.” People have different preferences when it comes to using these terms. However, knowing what the other person prefers is crucial to avoid offending them. Apply this practice to other medical and non-medical terms that people with disabilities might use.
2. People who have a mobility-related disability can get a Blue Badge.
Pop culture and media have made this myth very prevalent. However, there are people with invisible disabilities who have a Blue Badge and are also allowed to use the amenities provided to disabled people. For instance, one might call out an individual for parking in a disabled space just because they don’t have a visible disability. But this can be quite damaging and can cause distress to the person on the receiving end.
Hence, people should not make assumptions about who can get a Blue Badge and who cannot. After all, various conditions make a person eligible for the Blue Badge, ranging from chronic fatigue syndrome to lung diseases.
3. Assistive technology is not effective.
Let’s look at an example. Some people who come across an individual wearing a hearing aid may try to speak unnecessarily loud despite seeing that the person is wearing an assistive device. This action is one of the most illogical reactions people with disabilities experience. And this goes for different kinds of assistive technologies.
An individual with a disability might wear or carry various assistive devices to help mitigate the difficulties they face in their everyday lives. People should educate themselves on the various types of assistive technologies available in the market and understand how disabled individuals use them. This will allow them not to question the credibility of assistive technology.
4. People with disabilities cannot work efficiently.
Many people also raise questions about the capabilities of individuals with disabilities to get an education and pursue professional careers. However, there are many industries in which these individuals can work, including manufacturing and packaging, education, food, and IT.
It is wrong to assume that people with disabilities have very limited chances in the future, and hence, one should avoid raising such questions, which can potentially put them down. Education and access to equal opportunities are basic rights for all humans. Various organizations around the country provide education to young kids with special needs with the help of adaptive technology. As they grow up, many organizations work with adults to support them in career placement.
Conclusion
It might seem awkward at first to interact with people with disabilities. However, there are various etiquettes to interact with disabled individuals and ensure effective conversations. Amplify also believes in educating people about disabilities and creating much-needed awareness. Amplify’s packaging and fulfillment services support adults with disabilities by providing employment opportunities while supporting external business operations. Contact Amplify today to get high-quality order completion services in Texas and nearby areas.