 Signs, signs, everywhere are signs
My Chair, My Body
Myth Blasting
Etiquette
Words
Signs, signs, everywhere are signs
Almost everywhere you go now-a-days you can see
the international symbol of accessibility (the white wheelchair figure on a blue
background). You see it in parking areas, restrooms, and on the front of buildings.
However, increased awareness doesn't necessarily result in increased accessibility. These
signs can be very misleading.
While a few genuinely accessible facilities do
exist, a majority of facilities and services identified with an "accessible"
symbol are not. The white and blue symbol of accessibility doesn't assure that facilities
actually are accessible.
For example:
"Handicapped Parking"
Many "handicapped" parking spaces are
inaccessible. While they may be reserved for persons with disabilities, their size or
location can actually impair a person's ability to get in and out of their car.
Accessible parking spaces are supposed to be 13
feet wide. The additional width is necessary to get a car door open wide enough to get in
and out of the car or to use an electric lift for getting in and out of a van.
When was the last time you saw a
"handicapped" parking space that was a minimum of 13 feet wide?
"Access Ramps"
Ramps are supposed to have a slope no greater
than 1 inch of height for every 12 inches of length. Not all ramps meet this requirement
and therefore are not accessible. When a ramp with a slope steeper than the 1- to 12-inch
requirement is referred to as "accessible," it is very misleading and can be
potentially dangerous.
My Chair, My Body
A wheelchair or a walker may look like just
another piece of equipment. However, people who use a wheelchair, walker, or cane often
consider this technology as an extension of their body.
Wheelchairs are NOT footstools, stepladders, or
fire hazards. They are part of a person's person and should be treated with the same
dignity and respect.
Touching or handling someone's wheelchair or
other mobility tool may be seen as the same as touching or handling the person's body and
may be considered inappropriate without the permission of the individual.
Myth Blasting
The international symbol of accessibility does
nor assure that a building or activity is accessible.
Touching or handling a person's wheelchair,
walker, or other mobility device can be the same as touching their body.
People with paralysis can and do have children.
Having a mobility disability does NOT mean that
you have other disabilities.
Losing a wheelchair or other mobility device does
NOT constitute an inability to achieve a fulfilling life and a satisfying lifestyle.
Etiquette
1. Talk face to face
Be sure to face a person with a disability when
talking to them. Carrying on a conversation with someone from behind, especially if you're
standing over them, isn't very respectful of their dignity.
2. Look me in the eye when you say that
Quite often people who use wheelchairs have to
look up at the person who is talking to them. This puts a strain on the person who is
forced to look up at the person talking. This may also communicate an unequal status. Try
to establish level eye contact by getting a chair and sitting down. ..
3. Empathetic mumbo jumbo
Don't feel compelled to communicate your empathic
impressions of what it must be like to use a wheelchair.
Having had a temporary-disability, or having
known a relative who used a wheelchair, may give you an experience with using a wheelchair
or knowing someone who did; however, it does not tell you about someone else's experience.
Each person's experience is different. There are people who would say being in a
wheelchair is the best thing that ever happened to them. There are ocher people who
wouldn't agree.
If you're trying to bridge any social distance
you might feel, talk about something that you both have in common like work, recreation,
sports, etc.
Words
Words are very powerful. Think about these
typical phrases
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"Confined to a wheelchair"
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This author doesn't know of anyone who is
absolutely, totally confined to a wheelchair by ropes, chains or a court order.
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"Wheelchair bound"
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When the author hears this term, he is reminded
of an image where a person is crawling towards their chair singing "Hi, ho, hi, ho
it's off to chair I go...."
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"Wheelchair Person
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When the author hears this term, he thinks of a
wheelchair which has eyes, ears, a nose and a mouth. This term will dehumanize the person.
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Use words that promote the personhood and abilities of the individual
rather than a device they use or a physical limitation they have. For example
"A person with a mobility
disability"
or
"A person with a disability"
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