Disability Awareness 2002

One of every five individuals has a disability. Chances are, the reality of living with a disability will touch every home in America. With 54 million "members", it is the only community that anyone may join--whether from birth or as a result illness, accident, or aging. Disability does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion or social standing.

My Administration is committed to tearing down the barriers to equality that face many of the 54 million Americans with disabilities...My New Freedom Initiative will help Americans with disabilities by increasing access to assistive technologies, expanding educational opportunities, increasing the ability of Americans with disabilities to integrate into the workforce, and promoting increased access into daily community life.
President George W. Bush in the Forward to the New Freedom Initiative

Ten Do's and Don'ts When Meeting a Person with Disabilities

1. Offer assistance as you would to anyone. The person will indicate whether or not the help is needed.
2. Noticing an obvious disability is not rude; asking personal questions about it is.
3. Always talk directly to a person who is disable rather than to the person who may be accompanying him or her.
4. Do not be concerned if you use words "walking" or "running" when talking to a person who uses a wheelchair, or "do you see" when talking to a person who is blind.
5. Do not avoid using words like "blind" or "deaf" when associating with people with these disabilities.
6. When talking with a person who uses a wheelchair for any length of time, it is better to sit down in order to be at the same eye level.
7. Be sensitive to architectural barriers in your facility.
8. Remember that if a person does not turn around in response to a call, it may be that he or she is deaf. A light tap on the shoulder to get the person's attention is appropriate.
9. Never gesture about a person who is bind to someone else who may be present. The person will sense these gestures and feel as if your are "talking behind his or her back."
10. Lip reading by persons who are deaf can be aided by being sure that the light is on your face and not behind you, and by taking gum out of your mouth.
Adapted from SERVING DISABLED PEOPLE by Ruth Velleman