1. Disability Sensitivity Training
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.” –Helen Keller
Created and Presented by Ray Hackett www.RayIs.Me
2. Defining Disability
The term "disability" means: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities, for example, walking, thinking, seeing, speaking or hearing.
3. Defining Disability
Approximately 54 million people in the United States have some type of disability*. Whether a disability comes about from birth or by accident not all disabilities can be seen with the naked eye. Some people may feel uneasy being around a person with a disability, however people with disabilities are simply people and need to be treated as such.
4. Visible vs. Invisible Disabilities
Visible: People who are paralyzed and need some type of aid to move around Severe developmental disability. A physical difference. Missing limbs. Motor impairments.
Invisible: People with hearing disorders. Speech impediments may not be immediately apparent. People who are blind can appear to be sighted, if you do not notice the aid they require to move around. A learning disability may be misinterpreted as lack of intelligence or carelessness
5. Learning Disabilities
A learning disability has to do with the way the brain is wired. People who are LD have normal or above normal intelligence, cannot be cured, but use different ways to learn and function.
Dyslexia – trouble understanding written words. Dyscalculia – difficulty solving math problems and grasping concepts. Dysgraphia – difficulty forming letters or writing within a defined space.
Auditory and Visual Processing Disorder – difficulty understanding language. despite normal hearing and vision, short term memory problems. Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities – a neurological disorder causing problems with visual-spatial, intuitive, organizational, evaluative and holistic processing functions.
ADHD – Difficulty concentrating, cannot tolerate noise or commotion.
6. All People Are Different
What is important to remember is that we are all different and need to be recognized for that which we are capable of doing, not for what we may require aid to accomplish.“The best way to help everyone, is for people to learn, understand and respect all people, whether they are the
same or different.”*
7. Unfortunately, and inaccurately, people with disabilities are often viewed as: Victims, or objects of pity. Burdens, either on society or on their families and careers. A threat to the comfort and safety of others. Unable, or assumed to be unable, to do things. Having multiple disabilities (such as assuming that a person who uses a wheelchair also has an intellectual disability) Childlike. "Special" . Such misconceptions are based on insufficient or inaccurate
information about people with disabilities and can perpetuate inappropriate interactions.
8. We may fear what we do not know
Employers and fellow employees may be afraid of the unfamiliar. People who have never had
contact with a person with a disability may have numerous questions. Curiosity is natural, however, you may be afraidto ask those questions for fear of violating the provisions of the ADA, or being rude.
9. Overcoming those fears
Remember that people with disabilities are people first, who happen to have a disability. We are all just temporarily abled. You could think, ‘I might face a disability someday, and here’s a person who could help me live with it!’
10. The Law
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), PL101-336 states, "No covered entity shall discriminate against a qualified individual with a disability because of the disability of such individual in regard to job application procedures; the hiring, advancement, or discharge of employees; employee compensation; job training; and other terms,
conditions, and privileges of employment."
11.Reasonable Accommodations in the Work Place
According to the Department of Justice government-wide regulations, section 41.53, Reasonable Accommodation: "A recipient shall make reasonable accommodation to
the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified handicapped applicant or employee unless the recipient can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of its program."
12. Enforcement
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Federal agency that regulates and enforces other employment discrimination laws, and is responsible for enforcing ADA
employment provisions.
13. Education
As with all areas of life education is the key to helping people understand each other.
Equal treatment is essential to the integration of people with disabilities into the workplace.
In order to maintain a proper work environment all coworkers need to be treated with the respect they deserve.
14. Awareness & Etiquette
Focus on the person, not on his or her disability.
15. People Who Use Aids To Move
Always ask the person who uses a wheelchair if he or she would like assistance before you jump in to help. Your help may not be needed or wanted.* Don’t hang or lean on a person’s wheelchair.*
Take steps to insure that all office materials that may be needed are within the reach of someone that utilizes a wheelchair. If your conversation lasts more than a few minutes, consider sitting down, to get yourself on the same eyelevel.*
16. Persons Who Are Hearing Impaired
Always make eye contact with the person you are speaking to. A gentle tap on the shoulder will help you announce your presence. Face the person you are speaking to and speak slowly and clearly, do not raise your voice unless asked to do so. If there is a breakdown in communication put pencil to paper and write down what you are attempting to convey. Speak to the person not their interpreter if there is one present.
17. People With Cognitive Disabilities
If the person who you are working with is having trouble understanding you, repeat yourself, using different words, without getting frustrated. Patience is a virtue. Break up your ideas into small manageable bits that can be easily remembered. “Keep it simple.” Be considerate without be patronizing. Keep all conversations at an adult to adult level.
18. People With Vision Impairments
Always make your presents known. Greet the person who may not know you are there. Don’t pet guide dogs or other service animals while they are working. Ask before interacting with the dog.; Talk directly to a person who is blind, not through their companion. Use the person’s name to whom you are speaking so they are aware you are speaking to them. Pulling or steering a person is awkward and confusing. Avoid grabbing their arm or their dog’s harness unless asked.
19. People With Speech Impediments
Do not finish their sentences for them. Allow them the time to say everything they wish to say. Once again, patience is a virtue. Do not mimic them or mock them for their speech. Never pretend to know what a person is saying. Ask the person to repeat or rephrase, or offer him or her a pen and paper.
20. People with Learning Disabilities
Put instructions and important information in writing if the person has auditory and/or short term memory difficulties Use hands on training Break down complicated tasks into line items with check boxes Supply notebooks, file cabinet and other organizing and note taking aids Provide a quiet work environment Text to speech software if needed Remember that this person has normal or above normal intelligence.
Mahalo
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Clifford "RAY" Hackett www.rayis.me RESUME: www.rayis.me/resume
I founded www.adapt.org in 1980 it now has over 50 million members.
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