Mélange Accessibility for All Magazine October 2020 | Page 52

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Fred ’ s suggestions for interacting with someone who has a disability .

You may have heard this a million times , but it ’ s true , we ’ re all “ people ” first , so you should use “ people first ” language . This is an acknowledgement that a person ’ s disability does not define them , but their humanity does . For example , instead of saying , “ a disabled person ” you should say , “ a person with a disability .”

Always speak directly to the person with a disability . If they use a wheelchair or if they are a little person , you should kneel down on one knee , or for extended conversations , you should sit in a chair . It ’ s always best to have level eye contact with the person who has the disability .