INDEPENDENT LIVING AND ADVOCACY BY, AND FOR, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

INDEPENDENT LIVING VALUES

"ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUAL"

• People with disabilities have common experiences in our society that can be the basis of mutual support and mutual enhancement of personal growth.
• People with disabilities need to work together as advocates for progressive change to the institutions and systems of our society in order to increase their ability to be contributing citizens.
• All people with disabilities deserve the opportunities and benefits of full integration with the local and global community.
• All people with disabilities are entitled to respect without prejudice or bias regardless of type or severity of the disability.
• People with disabilities understand best what they personally want and need to enable them to participate as equals within our society.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act and all other civil rights legislation should be fully implemented in the American society.
• All people with disabilities have the right to choose freely their lifestyle, profession, family composition, and level of community participation.
• All people with disabilities have the right to determine their personal level of safety related to their lifestyle, which may or may not be consistent with the recommendations of government or medical professionals.
• All people with disabilities are entitled to information, equipment and services that will reduce the barriers that cause them to be dependent and prevent their full integration into the community.

WHEN YOU MEET A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY.....

• First of all remember that the person with a disability is a person. He or she is like anyone else except for the special limitations of his/her disability.
• A disability need not be ignored or denied between friends. But, until your relationship is that, show friendly interest in him/her as a person.
• Be yourself when you meet a person with a disability.
• Talk about the same things as you would with anyone else.
• Help the person only when they request it. When a person with a disability falls, he/she may wish to get up by themselves, just as many pe-sons who are visually impaired prefer to get along without assistance. So offer help , but wait for the person to request it before giving it.
• Be patient. Let the person with a disability set his/her own pace in walking or talking.
• Don't be afraid to laugh with him/her.
• Don't stop and stare when you see a person with a disability you do not know. He/she deserves the same courtesy any person should receive.
• Don't be over-protective or over-solicitous. Don't shower the person with a disability with kindness.
• Don't ask embarrassing questions. If the person with a disability wants to tell you about their disability, they will bring up the subject themselves..
• Don't offer pity or charity. The person with a disability wants to be treated as an equal. They want a chance to prove themselves.
• Don't separate the person with a disability from his/her wheelchair or crutches unless he/she asks it. They may want them within reach.
• When dining with a person with a disability, don't offer help in cutting food. They will ask you or the waiter if they need it.
• Don't make up your mind ahead of time about the person with a disability. You may be surprised at how wrong you are in judging their interests ad abilities.
• Enjoy your friendship with the person with a disability. His/her philosophy and good humor will give you company.

WHEELCHAIR ETIQUETTE

• Always ask the wheelchair user if he or she would like assistance before you help. Your help may not be needed or wanted.
• Don't hang or lean on a person's wheelchair. It is part of the wheelchair user's personal body space.
• Speak directly to the person in the wheelchair, not to someone nearby as if the wheelchair user does not exist or has a mental impairment.
• If the conversation lasts more than a few minutes, consider sitting down or kneeling to get yourself on the same level as the wheelchair user.
• Don't demean or patronize the wheelchair user by patting him or her on the head or shoulder.
• Give clear directions, including distance, weather conditions, and physical obstacles that may hinder the wheelchair user's travel.
• Don't discourage children from asking questions about the wheelchair. Open communication helps overcome fear and misleading attitudes.
• When a wheelchair user transfers out of the wheelchair to a chair, toilet, car, or bed, do not move the wheelchair out of reaching distance unless the person knows what you are going to do.
• It is OK to use expressions like "running along" when speaking to the wheelchair user. It is likely the wheelchair user expresses things the same way.
• Be aware of the wheelchair user's capabilities. Some users can walk with assistance. They use wheelchairs to conserve energy and move about more quickly.
• Don't classify people who use wheelchairs as sick. Wheelchairs are used for a variety of disabilities.
• Don't assume that using a wheelchair is in itself a tragedy. It provides freedom and allow the user to move about independently.

EXCERPT FORM "WHAT DO I DO WHEN I MEET A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR?" (NATIONAL EASTER SEAL SOCIETY)

DISABILITY ETIQUETTE

When talking about or to people with disabilities, choose words that carry non-judgmental connotations and accurate descriptions. Avoid using words such as the following:

VICTIM: say "person who has/person who experienced/person with"

CRIPPLE/CRIPPLED/THE CRIPPLED: say "person with a disability" or "individual with a disability caused by" or "the result of

AFFLICTED BY OR WITH: say the person "has"

INVALID: (literally means "not valid'); say "a person who has a disability resulting from "

NORMAL : what most people, including those with disabilities, think they are

PATIENT: denotes sickness and a person waiting to be served; most people with disabilities are no sicker than others.

SYMPATHY: something most individuals with disabilities would trade instantly for acceptance and respect for their talents and abilities

WHEELCHAIR BOUND/CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR: " say uses a wheelchair"

HOMEBOUND EMPLOYMENT: say "employed in the home"

AFFLICTED: very negative and a definite downer; person "who has" or "is affected by" is much better

POOR: Physical disabilities have nothing to do with how wealthy someone is. Love and self-esteem are priceless qualities. A person's character determines the richness of his or her life.

SUFFERS FROM: If someone with a disability is independent and copes with life as well as most of us, then this phrase definitely does not apply.

UNFORTUNATE: What's unfortunate is that the word is often used to describe people with physical disabilities. Don't offend with this one!

PITIFUL, DEAF AND DUMB, CRIP, DEFORMED, BLIND AS A BAT, GIMP, AND NAY OTHER WORDS OR CLICHES THAT ARE JUDGMENTAL OR STEREOTYPING: Avoid these.

COURAGEOUS, BRAVE, INSPIRATIONAL: and similar words that are routinely used to describe a person with a disability; adapting to a disability does not necessarily mean acquiring these traits.

BIRTH DEFECT: say "disability from birth."