General Do's and Don'ts
This language focuses on the person and not on a disability.
What is “People first” or “Person first” language?
This term for the area around a person with a disability includes mobility devices and equipment, such as wheelchairs or canes.
What is personal space?
Using a phrase like “Hi Alicia, this is Bob. How are you today?” is referred to as
What is identifying yourself? (when entering a conversation)
Wave your hand to a person who is deaf or hard of hearing.
What is gaining the person’s attention before starting a conversation?
Do this if you do not understand what the person is saying.
What is ask the person to repeat what they said?
The ADA became a law in this year.
What is 1990?
Before assuming that someone with a disability needs assistance, you should first take this step.
What is Ask before you help?
This refers to being aware and considerate of possible pain, balance, or post-traumatic stress concerns during physical contact.
What is respect the person’s space?
Take this action instead of grabbing or pushing an individual. Do not grab or push the individual.
What is offer your arm or shoulder?
This is a respectful practice if an individual uses a sign language interpreter.
What is speak directly to the person, not to the interpreter?
Do this if you are not sure if you understood correctly.
What is repeat it back?
People using this type of language prefer to have the disability acknowledged upfront.
What is Identity-first or Disability-first language?
Do this when having a conversation with someone who has mobility disabilities.
What is select a comfortable location and reduce the distance between you?
This person describes the setting, environment, written material, and obstacles.
What is serving as a human guide?
Do this instead of looking away when talking.
What is face the person?
Do not do this if the person is struggling to finish what they’re saying.
What is interrupting or finishing someone’s sentences?
Say this when a person appears to need assistance.
What is “Let me know if you need anything?"
It’s ok to do this if mobility devices are blocking an area.
What is ask the person to move the device or ask if you can move it?
You should not do this to a guide or service animal.
What is petting or talking to a guide or service animal?
Unless you are asked to talk loud or over-enunciate words, you should do this instead.
What is talk or speak in normal tones?
Try this instead of repeating the same thing over and over.
What is say it a different way?
This term, abbreviated as “ADA”, is legislation that acknowledges and protects people with disabilities:
What is The Americans with Disabilities Act?
This term refers to making logical environment changes that convert existing facilities into readily accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
What is reasonable accommodation?
This is machine-readable text added to a picture to describe it.
What is Alt-Text?
This type of assistance is identified by using this symbol CC.
What is Closed Captioning?
Abbreviated as AAC, these devices help individuals with communication disabilities.
What is Augmentative and alternative communication?