Recently I have seen an increase of activity regarding poor use of words when discussing disabilities in the workplace.  For your conveinence I have created a Do’s and Don’ts comparison list for you to use when training employees on disabilities in the workplace.

Do’s                                                                                                                                                  Don’ts

  1. person with an intellectual,                                                                                  retarded; mentally
    cognitive or developmental                                                                                 defective
    disability
  2. person who is blind; person                                                                                  the blind
    who is visually impaired
  3. person with a disability                                                                                          the disabled;
                                                                                                                                              handicapped
  4. person who is deaf or                                                                                              the deaf; deaf and
    hearing impaired                                                                                                      dumb
  5. person who has multiple                                                                                      afflicted by MS
    sclerosis
  6. person with epilepsy; person                                                                             Epileptic
    with a seizure disorder
  7. person who uses a wheel-                                                                                    confined or
    chair                                                                                                                             restricted to a wheelchair
  8. person with a physical                                                                                         crippled; lame;
    disability; physically                                                                                            deformed
    disabled
  9. unable to speak; uses                                                                                            dumb; mute
    synthetic speech

  10. person with a psychiatric                                                                                    crazy; nuts
    disability

  11. person who is successful,                                                                                    has overcome his
    productive                                                                                                                or her disability; is
                                                                                                                                           courageous (when it

                                                                                                                                           implies the person has

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) offers the following advice for communicating with individuals with a disability:
 
-  When introduced to a person with a disability, it is appropriate to offer to shake hands.  People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands.  (Shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable greeting).
 
-  If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted.  Then listen to or ask for instructions.
 
-  Relax.  Don’t be embarassed if you happen to use common expressions such as “See you later”, or “Did you hear about that?” that seem to relate to a person’s disability.
 
-  Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re unsure of what to do.

                                           courage because of

                                           having a disability)
If you have any questions on this topic, please send me an email.