| When you first meet someone who is blind, | | | | feeds and bathes himself. Instead, find out |
| deaf, or in a wheelchair, what is your | | | | what equipment or techniques he uses in his |
| initial reaction? Curiosity? Sympathy? | | | | job and at home, how he gets around town, how |
| Awkwardness? If you experience any of these | | | | does Braille work, etc.3. Offer assistance |
| emotions, you are not alone. Chances are you | | | | when necessary. You see a woman in a |
| don't regularly associate with someone who is | | | | wheelchair having trouble entering a building |
| disabled, so these feelings are quite | | | | or negotiating steps. You'd like to help, |
| common.Having been blind since birth, I have | | | | but don't want to embarrass her. What should |
| encountered a wide range of reactions, from | | | | you do?It's usually appropriate to lend a |
| curious stares when i walk down the street | | | | hand if someone is having obvious difficulty, |
| with a cane or holding someone's arm, to | | | | but keep in mind that not everyone will be |
| amazement at being able to feed and dress | | | | willing to accept your help. It's not much |
| myself. Most people don't intend to be rude | | | | different than pulling over and offering |
| or insensitive, but just aren't sure what to | | | | assistance to a motorist with a flat tire. |
| expect. Here are four points to keep in mind | | | | Unless the woman in the wheelchair is in |
| if you should happen to meet a disabled | | | | danger, it isn't necessary to press the issue |
| person.1. Disabled people can lead active | | | | if they refuse your help. You did your |
| lives. With few exceptions, a disability | | | | part.4. Remember that we all have obstacles |
| does not prevent someone from working, | | | | to overcome. No matter who we are, each of |
| raising a family, or taking part in social | | | | us has a weakness or challenge to face. How |
| activities. Many sports and recreation | | | | do you feel when you are treated differently |
| programs have been adapted to accommodate a | | | | for being bald, short, or heavyset? Like |
| person with a disability, including baseball, | | | | you, a disabled person would much rather be |
| golf, water skiing, biking, and swimming. | | | | accepted for who they are, rather than be |
| Instead of concentrating on the disability, | | | | pitied or shunned because of a disability. |
| look at the person the same way you would any | | | | Many friends and colleagues have said to me, |
| other acquaintance.2. It's all right to ask | | | | "I often forget that you are blind." To me, |
| questions. Many people are afraid of | | | | that is the ultimate compliment.Meeting |
| offending someone by asking about their | | | | someone with a disability doesn't have to be |
| disability. When meeting anyone for the | | | | an intimidating experience. Asking |
| first time, it's natural to be curious about | | | | questions, offering assistance, and putting |
| who they are, where they're from, and what | | | | yourself in their shoes can go a long way |
| they do for a living.The same is true for a | | | | toward recognizing them as people with normal |
| disabled person. Asking questions is usually | | | | thoughts and feelings who just happen to have |
| acceptable, as long as you use common sense. | | | | a disability. Who knows? You might make |
| Don't, for example, ask a blind person how he | | | | some new friends in the process. |