Etiquette Makes Headway For Workers With Disabilities

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Etiquette Makes Headway For Workers With Disabilities

By MILDRED CULP

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-

mildred1029.artoct29,0,4336960.story

The concept of etiquette particular to working with people who have

disabilities may come to you as a shock. Are there special rules?

The answer is both " yes " and " no. " Etiquette always comes down to

making people feel comfortable.

Consider the informative, entertaining " Disability Etiquette: Tips

On Interacting With People With Disabilities, " by Judy Cohen,

available in English and Spanish. It is published by the United

Spinal Association in Heights, N.Y., which was established

by World War II veterans to help people with spinal cord-related

conditions lead fulfilling lives. However, the brochure covers a

wider range of disabilities than you may know about. Its main

message is that you need not feel uncomfortable among people with

disabilities, but if you're " unsure about what to do or say ... just

ask! "

Here are some of its suggestions:

• " Ask before you help. " In other words, allow the person a chance to

be independent, just as you would anyone else.

• " Be sensitive about physical contact. " This, again, is true with

anyone, but it's particularly important among people with a

disability because contact could throw the person off-balance.

• " Think before you speak. " Don't strike up a conversation about a

person's disability. Although it may be visible to you, it's the

person's private matter. Again, the first thing you say to a person

you meet does not delve into his innermost thoughts, does it?

• " Don't make assumptions. " Give people with disabilities free rein

in deciding what they can and can't do, just as you would anyone

else.

• " Respond graciously to requests. " A request for an accommodation at

work indicates a degree of comfort that you'd want anyone to have.

Tucson-based Dan Barrett is global co-chairman of Raytheon Persons

with DisAbilities. Legally blind since birth, he prides himself on

improving processes as a method of showing that removing a barrier

for a person with a disability removes barriers for all.

He wants people to " acknowledge the value a person brings to the

team or the company, because sometimes [their disability allows them

to] bring a different set of tools, " he says. " For instance, in my

past job, I often had to modify screens and systems to be able to

enter data at a quicker rate. I'd set up a platform, and cut and

paste. [using this method] my co-workers became more efficient, too. "

The same inclusiveness he seeks in training Raytheon employees is

evident in conversation with Roman, a graphic designer. He

has muscular dystrophy, which requires him to use a motorized

wheelchair. Working since 1990, he recalls matter-of-factly that his

previous employer " asked me for my advice about [renovating] the

bathroom. " His spirit is such that it inspires you to think of him

only as a person, for whom his disability is a secondary fact. He

works today at United Spinal Association.

In countering stereotypes, Roman says, " We can produce just as much

as an able-bodied person, relative to the job. Don't judge us by our

wheelchairs or walking aids, or whatever we use to get around our

disability. A disability isn't irrelevant, but some people might

think it relevant to your level of production. In some cases, it is

relevant. I've been able to find jobs where I cannot be given

favors, as such, and am treated equally, relative to my production

and efficiency. "

Barrett concedes that he has worked himself to a comfortable

spot: " I don't deal with a lot of people who don't have a clue

because we've worked to increase awareness. "

" Disability Etiquette, " or " Reglas de Etiqueta frente a una Persona

con Discapacidad, " is available free at www.unitedspinal.org or 1-

800-444-0120 (single copy only). Multiple print copies, at $1.25

each, plus shipping and handling, may be ordered by calling 1-800-

444-0120.