Langar@DU Accessibility Guidelines

We have worked hard to ensure this is an accessible event. Please read our volunteer accessibility guidelines before the event so we can ensure our event is accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all. Thank you!

 

  1. Focus on the person, not their disabilities 
  2. Do not infantilize a person with a disability. Treat them as you would anyone else
  3. Speak directly to the individual, not the interpreter, companion, or attendant 
  4. Listen carefully, wait to reply until you are certain the individual has finished speaking 
  5. Use person first language “people with disabilities” rather than disabled person. Ex: Reference specific disabilities when needed, like person with epilepsy or person who uses a wheelchair  
  6. Use the correct words: Say “disability.” Do not say “handicapped, special needs, or differently-abled.” 
  7. Do NOT use derogatory words such as “midget,” or “crippled” or terms like “victim of,” “suffers from” or “stricken with a certain diagnosis” 
  8. Do not touch or interact with a service animal without permission 
  9. Do not assume a person needs assistance. Wait to be asked before offering help. Ex: Do not start pushing a person’s wheelchair without permission as many consider it an extension of their physical being 
  10. Be sensitive about personal contact and space. Do not touch or move a person’s mobility or other devices without permission 
  11. Respect an individual’s privacy regarding their disability, unless they initiate a conversation. Do not ask intrusive and inappropriate questions such as “What is wrong with you?’ or “How do you use the restroom?” 
  12. If you’re unfamiliar with a disability, don’t make assumptions. It’s better to ask the person if necessary to explain their condition, or the barrier they are encountering 
  13. Introduce yourself and say when you are leaving if interacting with a person who is blind 
  14. Make sure there is a clear view of your face and mouth when communicating, especially for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing 
  15. Do not make a decision on behalf of a person with a disability regarding what they can or cannot do