How to be more Disability Aware in Everyday Life

When we talk of someone with a disability, what image comes to mind? Is it someone in a wheelchair? Disability comes in many guises, seen and unseen – and becoming more informed can help us to discern between what we think we know and what we should know about disability. 

As care professionals, we practice access and inclusion in our everyday lives. But is there more we can do to promote disability awareness? 

The answer is ‘yes’. But first, a very brief social theory lesson:

The Social Model of Disability suggests that a person is not disabled by their disability – but by society – in that it fails to meet their needs. This means that there are solutions out there – we can all do something to help improve how our society supports people with disabilities. 

But don’t get your picket board out of the cupboard just yet; think smaller, everyday things that we can all do easily. Here are some of them … 

Watch your language!

Of course, we all know the obvious things not to say – often bandied about in school playgrounds. But here are a few terms that you may not know about … 

• Disabled toilet – the toilet is not disabled! Use ‘accessible toilet’ 
• Disabled people – people are people first and foremost. Use ‘people with disabilities.
• Wheelchair-bound – this is disempowering and suggests the person is ‘caged in’ when the wheelchair actually provides the freedom to get around. Use ‘wheelchair user’.  
• Deaf – Deaf with a capital ‘D’ is often used by someone who identifies with the deaf community and may well use sign language, whilst ‘deaf’ may represent deafness and those with a hearing loss or who are hard-of-hearing. We tend to use ‘hearing impaired’, although this has problems too (see ‘impaired’) 
• Blind – ‘Visually impaired’ is the term we tend to use, but not really preferred by the Blind community for the same reason as above. 
• ‘Suffers from/afflicted with’ – again, disempowering. Simply say ‘has’ or ‘experiences’. 
• ‘Impaired’ – this is a term used in the ‘medical model’ of disability. Although it’s widely used (visually impaired, hearing impaired) it’s best to find out what the person prefers to use. 
• ‘Crazy/insane/mad/lunatic’ – Offensive. We never know what mental health issues someone we’re talking to may have; stay away from these words. 

Things to be aware of … 

Hidden Disabilities 

It’s common to hear tuts at accessible parking bays (again, not a disabled parking bay) and accessible toilets when someone who doesn’t ‘seem’ disabled uses them. But disability comes in many shapes and sizes, and are also the business of the person with the disability – no one else’s! Don’t judge without the correct information.  

Making Assumptions 

Stroke, epilepsy, diabetes and other conditions can sometimes make a person appear to be drunk without having had a drop of alcohol. Bear this in mind if you see someone struggling.

Someone with an amputation may have had a long time to work around everyday challenges. Ask or wait to be asked for help – don’t rush in with what you think they need – this can be disempowering and offensive, well-meaning as it may be. 

Someone who is deaf may have lost their hearing at an early age, recently – or simply never had it. Some may sign, some may lip-read and others may use a BAHA (bone-anchored hearing aid), have a combination of all – or none. Ask about their preferences – don’t launch into BSL or start speaking in slow motion!

Dos and Don’ts 

DON’T … 

…Over-e.n.u.n.c.i.a.t.e if someone is a lip-reader. Just speak normally and clearly. Also, be aware that beards can make things very difficult for a lip-reader – as can face masks!

…Finish the sentences of a person with a speech impairment. Wait patiently, and make them feel at ease whilst you do so. 
 

…Propel a person in a wheelchair (for example, across a street, over a curb) unless they ask you, or you have asked them if they need help.  
 

…Talk down to a wheelchair user; speak to them at eye level, if you can; crouch beside them, kneel or pull up a chair 
 

…’Manhandle’ someone with a disability who has asked to be guided. Hold them (if safe to do so) by the arm and elbow; this allows them to sense your own body movement and to be more confident in their steps.

DO … 

…Ask! Many people with disabilities want to make it easier on others who fear ‘getting things wrong’, and will tell you their preferences.  
 

…Educate others! This is the one thing we can easily do to help make long-lasting shifts in how we see disability. 
 

…Consult first with any friends with a disability if you’re organising a day/night out to ensure you meet their access/dietary needs, and to avoid embarrassment for the person if things need to be changed on their account later.  
 

…Always talk to a person in a wheelchair first if they have an assistant. NEVER talk over them. Sadly, this still happens a lot!

These are just little changes that we can make – but even small things can make a big difference for people with disabilities – and sharing your knowledge of disability awareness with others is a great start. 

Let’s make it happen!