From My View

It won’t be a surprise to many people about being treated differently what with all the ridicule and bullying going on these days.  But I get tired of having to explain to people that just because someone is in a wheelchair or has some type of other disability doesn’t mean they are stupid.  People, yes even people with disabilities, are just that, PEOPLE.  We are just like everyone else.  We go to school, we get jobs, we get married and have children, we buys cars, houses, clothes, food, and even go on vacations.  And yet, even in this day and age we still get treated like we are stupid and get no respect.  I am ABSOLUTELY positive the people reading this just want to live their lives with dignity and respect, like me. 

            There is no good reason not to treat people equally, like you want to be treated whether you are disabled or not.  One of my most memorable experiences on being stupid happened on a family vacation in a restaurant.  We were sitting at a round table and the waitress came to take our order.  My turn came last but before I could tell her what I wanted, the waitress kept looking at her pad and asked, “What does she (meaning me) want?”  While my mouth was hanging open in dismay, my wonderful mother replied, “I don’t know you have to ask her.”  Of course I promptly gave her my order.  The waitress never realized what she had done so there was no apology.

            So how should you act or treat people with disabilities?  Follow simple, common sense social behavior like:

1.  Treat people with disabilities with the same respect and consideration that you have for everyone else.  Make eye contact and speak directly to the person, not through their companion.

2.  Don't assume people with disabilities need your help. Ask before acting.

3.  Try sitting or crouching down to the same height of people in wheelchairs or scooters when you talk to them.

4.  Do not lean on a person's wheelchair unless you have their permission - it is their personal space.

5.  Avoid actions and words that suggest the person should be treated differently. It is alright to invite a person in a wheelchair to "go for a walk" or to ask a blind person if she "sees what you mean."

6.  You do not have to speak loudly to people with visual impairments. Most of them can hear perfectly well.

7.  Offer to read written information for a person with a visual impairment, when appropriate.

8.  If you are asked to guide a person with a visual impairment, offer your arm instead of grabbing theirs.

9.  Face people with hearing impairments when you talk to them so they can see your lips.

10.  Slow the rate at which you speak when talking to a person with a hearing impairment.  It’s ok to communicate in writing, if necessary.

            These tips and more can be found on the Department of Labor Office of Disability web site located at:  http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/comucate.htm

            Like the Bible says in Romans 12:9-10:  “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”  If we all treated others like we want to be treated, I wonder how great would our nation, our world be.