DISABILITY ETIQUETTE 101 Chris Muchata BACHA RA Conference Wheaton College November 15, 2014
Transcript
1. DISABILITY ETIQUETTE 101 Chris Muchata BACHA RA Conference
Wheaton College November 15, 2014
2. ABOUT ME Students with Disabilities Education &
Background Worked with students with disabilities while an RA.
Specifically visually and hearing-impaired students. Passion for
this work began when I saw the inequities these students faced.
Bachelors Degree in Communication Studies from Bridgewater State
University Masters Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs
from Salem State University Resident Assistant for four years
Currently Area Residence Director at Tufts University
3. STORY TIME! But first
4. LEARNING OUTCOMES By the end of this presentation you will
Have a basic understanding of different types of disabilities Have
a basic understanding of how to communicate with people with
disabilities Understand appropriate language to use when talking to
or about people with disabilities Understand ways to integrate
these students into your community better Learn how to host
inclusive programming in your community
5. DISCLAIMER This session is a broad overview of various
topics related to disability etiquette In 45 to 60 minutes, it is
not possible to cover everything in depth with regards to
disability This session is meant to introduce you to some basic
topics and communication tips to help you succeed on campus and
spark interest in learning more about disabilities
6. WHAT DO WE THINK OF WHEN WE HEAR DISABILITY? Before we
begin, lets ask ourselves
7. STEREOTYPES AND MISCONCEPTIONS Not as smart as abled persons
Need special jobs created just for them Socially awkward Brave or
inspirational for living with a disability Deserve special
attention Deserve pity Freaks Cant function in society Disabilities
are always visual People with disabilities cant find love People
with disabilities are non-sexual beings
8. ETIQUETTE: THE GOLDEN RULES Word Choice: People first
language The Disabled is no longer acceptable Let the individual
keep control
9. ETIQUETTE: THE DOS Speak directly to the person with a
disability Use age-appropriate language Ask if someone needs
assistance before acting
10. ETIQUETTE: THE DONTS Worry about common phrases like See
you later, or did you hear about Use phrases like suffers from is a
victim of Also avoid phrases like differently abled Speak loudly
without being asked Praise the person or treat them like a
hero
11. VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS Things to Remember Blind, not deaf. Dont
obsess over your word choicesee, look, and watch are everyday
words. Dont tip-toe around the word blind. Offer someone your arm
to guide themdo not push them.
12. VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS Tips to Communicate Identify yourself to
the blind person. Address the person by name. Let the person know
when youre leaving. Use descriptive language such as its in front
of you at 11 oclock instead of over there.
13. I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE: A SKIT! Two volunteers act out two
skits What was done wrong? What was done right?
14. HARD OF HEARING Things to Remember Hearing-impaired is no
longer seen as appropriate, and is now offensive. If someone is
using an interpreter, talk to the person, not the interpreter. Try
to avoid acronyms, they could be difficult for others to
understand.
15. HARD OF HEARING Tips to Communicate Face the person with a
hearing impairment and talk to them. If necessary, use drawings,
writing, and gestures to communicate. Include the person who is
deaf in the conversation by repeating questions or statements if
need be.
16. DISCUSSION! How can we communicate with someone who is deaf
or hard of hearing?
17. MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS Things to Remember Tips to Communicate
Offer to help with opening doors or carrying packages if it makes
sense. Would you want help in the same situation? A wheelchair or
walker is seen as an extension of someones bodyrespect their
personal space! Speak to a person with a mobility impairment in a
normal voice. Speak with the person at eye-level whenever possible.
Consider sitting if you can.
18. TALK TO ME PHYSICAL DISABILITY AWARENESS
19. TALK TO ME PHYSICAL DISABILITY AWARENESS Reactions to the
clip
20. SPEECH IMPAIRMENTS Things to Remember Tips to Communicate
Do not speak for someone or attempt to finish their sentences for
them! Concentrate on what the person is saying. Include the person
in conversations. If you do not understand what the person is
saying, ask them to repeat it and then repeat back to them. Be
patient! Ask questions with short answers if possible. Consider
technology or writing to communicate.
21. S#!@ PEOPLE SAY TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
22. S#!@ PEOPLE SAY TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Reactions to
the clip
23. PSYCHIATRIC IMPAIRMENTS Things to Remember Tips to
Communicate You are not a psychologist! If you cannot help the
student, you need to refer them to a professional. Hidden
disabilitiesthey exist, but you cannot see them. Promoting
acceptance is crucialthere is a lot of stigma people with
psychiatric disabilities face. Be aware of what you are saying to
others about mental health disorders like OCD, depression, and
bipolar.
24. WHAT CAN I DO AS AN RA? But what does this all mean?
25. WHAT CAN YOU DO? Find alternative advertising methods What
do you do now? Can everyone receive the same information? Find
alternative programming spaces Reach out to these students What
kind of programming would you like to see? Empower these students
to get involved on campus Educate yourself Disability Services The
internet
26. UNIVERSALLY DESIGNED PROGRAMS The idea behind universal
design is creating programs, services, events, and more that have
people with disabilities in mind. Appeals to more people and
everyone wins! Directions for activities can be printed or written
out, which benefits everyone Activities can be interpreted or
completed as broadly as possible
27. POSSIBLE PROGRAMS: SENSES OLYMPICS / JEOPARDY The Program
It Appeals to Various single sense-based activities that teams
compete to win Taste Test Texture Test Guess That Song Test Scent
Test Blindfolded Activities Visually impaired Hearing impaired
Mobility impaired Speech impaired Psychiatric impaired
28. POSSIBLE PROGRAM: SPA DAY The Program It Appeals to Rely on
various senses- focused relaxation ideas that appeal to a variety
of people Aromatherapy DIY stress balls Calming music or meditation
Nail decorating supplies Visually impaired Hearing impaired
Mobility impaired Speech impaired Psychiatric impaired
29. POSSIBLE PROGRAMS: DIY TRAIL MIX The Program It Appeals to
Create trail-mix bags for everyone to enjoy! Bowls of various foods
Bags and gloves Recipes written out Visually impaired (with
assistance) Hearing impaired Mobility impaired Speech impaired
Psychiatric impaired
30. POSSIBLE PROGRAMS: THE ROOMMATE GAME The Program It Appeals
to Contestants compete to win prizes and glory! Easily to modify
depending on group Answers must be written out Answers must be
spoken Visually impaired Hearing impaired Mobility impaired Speech
impaired Psychiatric impaired
31. POSSIBLE PROGRAM: SEX IN THE DARK The Program It Appeals to
Everyone in the room is given a glow stick and the lights are
turned out. Cover all windows. By raising their glow sticks in the
air, the moderator of the program calls on people to ask and answer
questions anonymously Visually impaired Mobility impaired Speech
impaired Psychiatric impaired
32. POSSIBLE PROGRAM: COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS The Program It
Appeals to Create cards for children in hospitals, veterans, or
others Make peanut butter and fluff sandwiches to deliver to
homeless shelters Create toiletry bags for local homeless shelters
Hearing impaired Mobility impaired Speech impaired Psychiatric
impaired
33. POSSIBLE PROGRAMS: TAKE A WALK IN MY SHOES The Program Who
It Appeals To Create an obstacle course of activities that people
with disabilities face regularly Debrief with participants after
Abled persons Disclaimer: This is a tricky program to run because
someone who participates can leave the room and walk away. Those
with disabilities cannot. Well-informed and prepared follow-up and
debrief is critical to this programs success.
34. FINAL THOUGHTS People first language is important Do not
ask the person with a disability what happened to them allow them
to tell you their story on their own volition. Dont take the
control away from the person. Remember that people with
disabilities are completely capable of functioning, they just
complete tasks a little differently. If you are unsure of how to
interact with or help a student, consider doing research on the
internet or talking to a representative from Disability
Services.
37. REFERENCES Perkins Scout. (n.d.). Etiquette Retrieved from
http://www.perkins.org/resources/scout/etiquette/#Social_and_Professional_
Settings Chicago Lighthouse. (n.d.). How to communicate with
someone who is blind. Retrieved from
http://chicagolighthouse.org/programs-and-services/working-
someone-who-blind-or-visually-impaired/how-communicate-someone-who-bli
University of Washington. (n.d.). Strategies for working with
people who have disabilities. Retrieved from
http://www.washington.edu/doit/CareerN/strat_work.html 7steammedia.
(2013). Talk to me: Physical disability awareness. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CL8GMxRW_5Y Standfordpushproject.
(2012). Shit people say to people with disabilities. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNoVSusaAVE
http://www.togetherwerock.com/sites/default/files/Draper_MythsMisc_Nov1.p
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