People First: Disability Etiquette

Disability Etiquette

Some great E-manuals and articles on interacting with people who have disabilities

United Spinal Disability Etiquette

Yukn Council on disAbilitiy Four simple tips on how to write and speak affirmatively about people with disabilities.

Syracuse University Disability Cultural Center An Introductory Guide to Disability Language and Empowerment.

Disability Info Disability-Friendly Terminology

People First Language, I am not myWheelchair

Let's put the People First, not theDisability

Article- We’re All Disabled

Ten Things a Person with a DisabilityShould Hear

Why I chose to shatter the icon...

I think, while well intended, the current disability signage contributes to the misconception that society has about people who have disabilities.

The icon is the epitome of the "handicapped individual" in society's eyes. They see someone sitting idly in a wheelchair while life passes them by. They don't see a skier, a marathon runner, a rock climber, a doctor, a basketball player. They don't see a man in love with his girl who he pulls into his lap and whisks around the dance floor, they don't see a father or mother parenting their child. They envision that poor, vulnerable, dependent soul confined to a wheelchair who should be pitied for their lot in life.

I find it refreshing that many areas are adopting a new more active version of the accessible symbol and I love seeing artist's renderings of the symbol where the figure is doing something he loves... dancing, playing a sport, with flames coming off his wheels.

I think it's important to remember that the presence of a disability doesn't remove the desire nor the drive to live life to its fullest.

Disability Etiquette

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