How to talk respectfully about people with disabilities

Language is a powerful tool for prejudice and discrimination. Historically, persons with disabilities have been labelled or called names to emphasize that they are different and do not conform to the societal norms of abilities and beauty.

In some cultures in South Sudan, as in many other parts of the world, individuals with disabilities are addressed by their impairments rather than by their given names.

• When meeting for the first time, introduce and describe yourself.
• Identify yourself so the person with the visual impairment knows who you are.
• If you get closer in your relationship, a blind person may want to feel your body features as part of getting to know you better.
• Inform the person if you are moving away. Do not leave without telling him or her that you are leaving.
• Describe the space you are in as well as any things you see to the person.
• Be specific in your descriptions. Say, “the table is in front of you”, NOT “the table is here”.
• Avoid comments like ‘over there’ when giving directions. Rather be specific to direct him to their right or left (and not your right or left).
• When you are in a group, tell them who is present, or let the group members introduce themselves.
• When conversing in a group setting, address persons by their names.
• When you are talking in a group, use the person’s name when you are directing the conversation to him or her.
• Always talk directly to the person. Do not use a third person to answer your questions.
• Do not move things, or leave things on the floor where someone can fall over them.
• Speak naturally and clearly. There is no need to shout.
• Avoid noisy places so that he or she can hear you clearly.

• Always ask first if the person wants help. Do not help someone without asking him or her first.
• For people with low vision use clear signs and documents. These can be in large letters or with letters that you can feel.
• For blind people who can read braille, you can give written information in braille.
• When preparing printed information for persons with low vision, ask the person his/her preferred formats for personal documents. General information is usually given in Arial 18 point bold.
• Do not provide email attachments or files to be read on a computer in PDF or PowerPoint formats. Use Word document or html. Presently, accessible PDF files are emerging but this is not common in Africa.
• Do not be surprised to hear or scared to use phrases like ‘I will see you’. People who cannot see use such phrases too.
• If you are at a table together for a meal, give a description of the food. If possible, describe where what is on the plate.
• Do not play with or remove the white cane of a person who is blind from where he or she places it. If it is unavoidable for you to place the white cane elsewhere, remember to inform the person. They need the white cane for mobility purposes.
• Do not play with a guide dog without the owner’s permission. It is a distraction. The dog is on duty.
• Avoid revolving doors. On stairs and escalators, assist by putting the person’s hand on the railing. Let the person know whether the stairs or escalators are going up or down. Allow them a choice between stairs, escalators or lifts.

• Walk alongside and slightly ahead of the person. Do not hold the person’s hand. Allow them to hold your arm.
• Bend your arm to your back when passing through a narrow space. S/he will get directly behind you to avoid obstacles.

• Put the person’s hand on the back of his/her chair. S/he will be able to sit.
• If the chair is backless, put his/her hand on the seat for him/her to be able to sit.