Module One

Diversity in Employment: Disability Awareness

Disability Etiquette:

Many of us are uncomfortable interacting with people we perceive as different from us. This is true for many people without experience interacting with people with disabilities. You will now take several short quizzes to learn about disability etiquette. We hope that what you learn from these scenarios will help you feel more comfortable in your interactions with people with disabilities.

Scenario #1.

 

As you are meeting or being introduced to someone, you notice as they reach out to shake your hand that they have a prosthesis. You should: a. Withdraw your hand and continue to introduce yourself. b. Offer your right hand as you would with anyone. c. Offer your left hand.

Scenario #2. 

 

When meeting someone who is deaf and is accompanied by an interpreter you should: a. Maintain eye contact with the person who is deaf. b. Maintain eye contact with the interpreter. c. Look back and forth between them.

Scenario #3.

 

You see someone using a wheelchair or a cane who appears to be struggling. You should: a. Move on and leave them alone. b. Offer to assist the person. c. Assist the person without asking.

Scenario #4.

 

You are conversing with a person who has trouble speaking. You are only able to understand a few words and phrases. You should: a. Pretend you understand what was said. b. State what you understand and ask the person to repeat the rest of the information. c. Smile and walk away as fast as you can.

Scenario #5.

 

When conversing with a person who uses a wheelchair it is preferable to pull up a chair, if available, and converse at eye level. True False

 (The above scenarios were reproduced from Baum, et al., 2004)

 

The most important thing to remember is make attempts to get to know the individual as a person regardless of their disability and use your own instincts and judgment as you would with anyone else you meet.

 

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