Negative and patronizing language produces negative and patronizing images. Words are important, so make sure your words do not offend or reinforce negative stereotypes.

Language can be used to shape ideas, perceptions and attitudes. Words in popular use mirror prevailing attitudes in society. Those attitudes are often the most difficult barriers that persons with disabilities face. Positive attitudes can be shaped through careful presentation of information about people with disabilities.

Below are some guidelines:

• Describe the person, not the disability
• Refer to an individual's disability only when it is relevant
• Avoid images designed to evoke pity or guilt
• Examples of negative and positive use of words and expressions

• Do not focus on the disability unless it is crucial to a story
• Avoid tear-jerking human interest stories about incurable diseases, congenital impairments or severe injury
• Do not portray successful people with disabilities as superhuman
• Do not sensationalize disability
• Emphasize abilities, not limitations
• Avoid "tragic but brave" stereotypes. In fact, avoid stereotypes altogether
• Portray people with disabilities as active participants in society
• Label jars not people

• Speak directly to the person who has a disability, not through any companion who may be present
• If you offer help, wait until the offer is accepted, then listen to or ask for instructions. Don't be offended if the offer of assistance is turned down
• Consider the needs of people with disabilities when planning meetings or events

• Do not begin a conversation with a hearing-impaired person until he/she has noticed you and is prepared for it
• If a sign language or speech interpreter is present, speak to the person you are meeting rather than to the interpreter
• When you are speaking to a hearing-impaired person, do not shout or exaggerate your lip movements. Speak slowly and clearly and do not cover your mouth
• If the person you are speaking to is lip-reading, make sure you are facing the light. Look directly at the person and speak at your normal volume
• Give your whole attention to a person with a speech impairment. Do not correct or speak for the person. Wait quietly while the person talks, and resist the temptation to finish sentences
• Where possible ask questions that require short answers
• Do not pretend to understand if you do not. Repeat what you understood, and ask again

• When talking for longer than a few minutes to a person using a wheelchair, place yourself at that person’s eye level so that he or she will not get a stiff neck from looking up for a prolonged period
• Never lean against or decide to push a person's wheelchair. Always ask whether assistance is required or not
• Never pat someone using a wheelchair on the head
• When arranging to meet a person who uses a wheelchair, always give the person prior notice so that time is allowed for the arrangement of transportation
• When deciding where to meet, make sure that there is a ramped or step-free entrance, a lift (if necessary) and, of course, accessible toilet facilities

• Identify yourself clearly, and introduce anyone else who is present. Try to indicate where they are placed in the room
• When offering a handshake, say something like "shall we shake hands?"
• When help is needed in an unfamiliar place, say "Let me offer you an arm". This will enable you to guide rather than propel or lead the person
• When you come to a step, say whether it's a step up or a step down
• When offering a seat, place the person's hand on the back or arm of the chair
• When talking in a group which includes people with visual impairments, remember to say the name of the person to whom you are speaking
• Do not leave someone talking to an empty space. Tell that person when you wish to end a conversation or to move away

What to do when you meet a sighted person:

• People who use their eyes to receive information about the world are called sighted people or "people who are sighted." Legal "sight" means any visual acuity greater than 20/200 in the better eye without correction or an angle of vision wider than 20 degrees. Sighted people enjoy rich full lives, working, playing and raising families. They run businesses, hold public office and teach your children!

• People who are sighted may walk or ride public transportation, but most choose to travel long distances by operating their own motor vehicles. They have gone through many hours of training to learn the "rules of the road" in order to further their independence. Once that road to freedom has been mastered, sighted people earn a legal classification and a "Driver's License" which allows them to operate a private vehicle safely and independently

How to assist a sighted person:

• Sighted people are accustomed to viewing the world in visual terms. This means that in many situations, they will not be able to communicate orally and may resort to pointing or other gesturing. Subtle facial expressions may also be used to convey feelings in social situations. Calmly alert the sighted person to his surroundings by speaking slowly, in a normal tone of voice. Questions directed at the sighted person help focus attention back on the verbal rather than visual communication

• At times, sighted people may need help finding things, especially when operating a motor vehicle. Your advance knowledge of routes and landmarks, particularly bumps in the road, turns and traffic lights, will assist the "driver" in finding the way quickly and easily. Your knowledge of building layouts can also assist the sighted person in navigating complex shopping malls and offices. Sighted people tend to be very proud and will not ask directly for assistance. Be gentle yet firm

• The person who is sighted relies exclusively on visual information. His or her attention span fades quickly when reading long texts. Computer information is presented in a "Graphical User Interface" or GUI. Coordination of hands and eyes is often a problem for sighted people, so the computer mouse, a handy device that slides along the desk top, saves confusing keystrokes. With one button, the sighted person can move around his or her computer screen quickly and easily. People who are sighted are not accustomed to synthetic speech and may have great difficulty understanding even the clearest synthesizer. Be patient and prepared to explain many times how your computer equipment works

• Sighted people read through a system called "Print." this is a series of images drawn in a two-dimensional plane. People who are sighted generally have a poorly developed sense of touch. Braille is completely foreign to the sighted person and he or she will take longer to learn the code and be severely limited by his or her existing visual senses. Sighted people cannot function well in low lighting conditions and are generally completely helpless in total darkness. Their homes are usually very brightly lit at great expense, as are businesses that cater to the sighted consumer

• People who are sighted do not want your charity. They want to live, work and play along with you. The best thing you can do to support sighted people in your community is to open yourself to their world. These citizens are vital contributing members to society. Take a sighted person to lunch today!

Last modified on Friday, February 28, 2003