Disability Etiquettes
ORDA is an inclusive organization that works with people with disabilities. All staff- members, volunteers and partners should know the following things concerning with persons with disability
- Ask before you help; before you provide services ask their permission. don’t assume people with disabilities always need support or assistance.
- Be sensitive about physical contact; some people with disabilities depend on their armsbalance. Grabbing them, even to assist them could knock them off balance. Avoid touching wheelchair, scooter or white cane.
- Think before you speak; remember always speak directly to the person with a disability to her/his assistant.
- Don’t make assumptions; people with disabilities are the best judge of what they can or cannot do. Don’t make decisions for them about participating in any activity, except children.
- Listen attentively; when speaking impairments guys speak, listen attentively until they finish their ideas instead of interrupting or avoid correcting them.
- Feel free to ask a person who has a speech difficulty to repeat themselves; they will appreciate and feel that you value their ideas.
- Speak clearly and in short sentences when communicating with a person with learning difficulty.
- Socializing; do not leave a person with a disability out of a conversation or activity because you feel uncomfortable or fear that he/she will feel uncomfortable.
- Hidden Disabilities; The person may have a hidden disability such as low vision, a hearing or learning disability, traumatic brain injury, mental retardation, or mental illness. Don't make assumptions about the person or his/her disability. Be open-minded.
- Learning more: - Learning more about the disability may alleviate your fears and pave the way for you to see the person for who he or she is.
Source: - From Gender, Disability, and Culture Unit of ORDA, and it is compiled and translated to Amharic by CIT service of ORDA