"End the Awkward" campaign
July 15, 2015
Today, I participated in the "End the Awkward" campaign in Washington D.C., USA, to promote social inclusion of people with disabilities. People sometimes hesitate to interact with people with disabilities because they fear making a mistake or creating an "awkward" situation. It's time to end the awkward!
End the Awkward: Focus on the Person, Not the Disability
Useful tips:
~Don't automatically assist someone with disability without asking first. It's okay to offer help, but respect when someone says, "no."
~Avoid saying "Good for you," "You're so brave" or other patronizing remarks toward people with disabilities. Remember, like you, people with disabilities are just trying to live their lives.
~Service animals are well-trained and look as though they want to be pet. However, they take their jobs very seriously when they are working. They do not like to be distracted or separated from their owner.
~Just because someone is blind, it does not mean they are deaf (or vice versa). Avoid speaking loudly in someone's face just because you notice they are blind or have low vision.
Watch the "Awkward" video here:
Disability Sensitivity Training Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv1aDEFlXq8
Partner agencies: Office of Human Right, District of Columbia & Government of the District of Columbia
#EndTheAwkwardDC
Today, I participated in the "End the Awkward" campaign in Washington D.C., USA, to promote social inclusion of people with disabilities. People sometimes hesitate to interact with people with disabilities because they fear making a mistake or creating an "awkward" situation. It's time to end the awkward!
End the Awkward: Focus on the Person, Not the Disability
Useful tips:
~Don't automatically assist someone with disability without asking first. It's okay to offer help, but respect when someone says, "no."
~Avoid saying "Good for you," "You're so brave" or other patronizing remarks toward people with disabilities. Remember, like you, people with disabilities are just trying to live their lives.
~Service animals are well-trained and look as though they want to be pet. However, they take their jobs very seriously when they are working. They do not like to be distracted or separated from their owner.
~Just because someone is blind, it does not mean they are deaf (or vice versa). Avoid speaking loudly in someone's face just because you notice they are blind or have low vision.
Watch the "Awkward" video here:
Disability Sensitivity Training Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv1aDEFlXq8
Partner agencies: Office of Human Right, District of Columbia & Government of the District of Columbia
#EndTheAwkwardDC