How to Assist Disabled People

Disabled individuals are those who experience physical or mental impairments, which make daily activities more challenging. There are many ways you can offer support. The simplest method is to learn how to communicate with them, or by volunteering your time and offering free lessons to disabled people.

Learn Proper Terminology. It is important to use respectful language when talking with disabled individuals. Some terms that were once considered appropriate have now become outdated and can even be offensive. The first step is to learn to use language that respects the dignity of people with disabilities.

• When referring to people with disabilities, it is more polite to emphasize their personhood rather than their condition. For example, avoid saying "mentally ill person" and instead say "person with mental illness." Also, avoid saying "in a wheelchair." Instead, you can refer to someone as "person in a wheelchair" or "person using a wheelchair." Keep in mind that some individuals, such as those who are deaf, blind, or autistic, may prefer identity-first language, such as "autistic person" or "Deaf person" (note the capital letter in 'Deaf' as per their preferences).
• Some phrases that were once considered appropriate are now outdated and even offensive. The term "mute" was once used to describe someone unable to speak, but it is now better to use the term "non-verbal" or "person using a speech synthesizer." The word "paralyzed" used to describe those with limited mobility has been replaced by the more respectful term "physical disability."
• Terms like "retarded" and "slow development" are offensive and should no longer be used. Instead, terms such as "person with intellectual disabilities" or "person with developmental disabilities" are more respectful. The term "retarded" has been widely rejected due to its derogatory connotations.

Communicate Directly. Often, disabled individuals are assisted by interpreters, caregivers, or friends in their daily activities. When interacting with a disabled person, it’s important to communicate directly with them. Avoid indirect communication through someone else.

• Look directly at the person, not their interpreter or assistant. Deaf individuals typically focus on their interpreter when someone else is speaking to understand the conversation. However, you should still address the person directly, not the interpreter.
• If you're talking to someone in a wheelchair, make an effort to sit down so they don't have to strain their neck to look up at you. Avoid kneeling as you would when speaking to a child, as this can come across as awkward.

Ask for Permission Before Offering Help. If you see a disabled person struggling with something, your instinct might be to step in and help. However, without understanding their needs and intentions, your help may not be appropriate. Always ask for their permission first.

• Many times, a disabled person may seem like they’re struggling, but they may simply be taking longer to complete a task and don’t necessarily need assistance. If you think they might need help, it’s always best to ask directly.
• If you notice someone in need, simply ask, "Do you need any help?" or "Can I assist you with anything?" Avoid adding unnecessary comments.
• If they decline your help, don’t feel offended or rejected—continue as you would normally. They know their own needs better than anyone else, and insisting can come across as rude.
• Don’t offer medical advice unless you’re a professional. For example, suggesting yoga to someone with chronic pain might seem helpful, but they likely have a doctor who is familiar with their medical history and can provide advice accordingly.

Speak and Act Respectfully. When interacting with disabled individuals, always show respect through your words and actions.

• When introduced to a disabled person, always offer a handshake. Even individuals with limited hand mobility can manage this gesture. It’s polite and signals your attention.
• Speak in your normal tone of voice. Many people mistakenly speak louder and slower when talking to a deaf person, but this can come across as patronizing. Speak naturally.
• It’s common to make accommodations to facilitate communication. For example, when interacting with a person with hearing loss, try to face them so they can read your lips and understand you better. Sitting down to converse with someone in a wheelchair is also a polite gesture. For non-verbal individuals, instead of guessing what they might be trying to communicate, politely ask them to repeat themselves.
• Be yourself during conversations. If you accidentally use a common expression like "See you later" with a blind person, don’t panic or over-apologize. They understand that this is a friendly gesture and don’t take offense.

Ask Questions. We often worry about accidentally offending a disabled person and may feel awkward during conversations. This can create a distance between you and the individual. It’s important to be yourself and stay calm. If you have any questions, feel free to ask if it’s relevant to the situation at hand.

• Most disabled individuals appreciate it when you ask respectfully rather than awkwardly avoiding the question. For instance, you can ask a deaf person if they can read lips and if you should maintain eye contact while speaking. If you're planning an event and need to direct a person in a wheelchair to the back of the room, you can ask, "Are you aware of where the wheelchair accessible area is? It's a bit tricky to find, I just want to make sure you're aware of it."
• People often avoid asking questions because they don’t want to draw attention to the disability. However, avoiding obvious questions can sometimes be more noticeable than just asking directly. As long as the question relates to the current situation, it will not be perceived as rude or intrusive.

Find volunteer opportunities in your local community. You can discover opportunities within your community as many organizations are dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities.

• Ability First is an organization that helps children and adults with disabilities through employment, recreation, and social programs. They have branches in multiple countries and always need volunteers. Depending on your chosen path, you may assist people with disabilities in office tasks or help ensure the smooth running of programs and events.
• The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) runs a program called Teaching Tolerance, where instructors and college or high school students teach young people how to interact with people with disabilities. You can visit SPLC's website to find out if they have a program in your area and contact the team leader to see if they need volunteers for organizing, promoting, or doing general tasks.
• The United Disability Services (UDS) is a non-profit organization working to help people with disabilities, including veterans and the elderly, live more independently. They offer housing assistance, medical equipment, custom wheelchairs, and service dogs. UDS recruits volunteers for various roles, from office work to community outreach and fundraising. Their headquarters are in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but they have branches nationwide.
• You can also look for opportunities through local organizations. Call your nearby hospital or nursing home to ask if they need volunteers, or reach out to caregivers who assist people with disabilities.
• Some organizations, such as Autism Speaks, may do more harm than good, so it's essential to research carefully before getting involved with any group.

Fundraising and donating money. Sometimes, raising funds can be extremely helpful. People with disabilities often need money for medical treatments, home repairs, etc.

• All the organizations mentioned above regularly conduct fundraising efforts. Donating money, even a small amount, can make a significant difference. Encourage your friends and family to contribute. If you receive gifts for events like birthdays or weddings, you could ask them to donate money instead of giving physical presents.
• If you know someone with a disability who requires financial assistance due to their condition, you can help them raise funds. You could host an event, such as a dinner or party, sell tickets, and donate the proceeds to cover their medical expenses. Online fundraising campaigns, such as those on GoFundMe, are also a great way to help. You can organize contests or raffles, charging entry fees or ticket prices. There are numerous ways to raise money to assist someone in need.
• If you're a student, look for organizations hiring students for fundraising roles during the summer. Apply to positions at organizations that support individuals with disabilities. This way, you can help while gaining valuable professional experience.

Help within your abilities. Often, people with disabilities need assistance on a daily basis. You can volunteer to provide support in this area.

• If someone with a disability is unable to drive, you can offer help by driving them or assisting them in using public transportation. Many volunteer organizations are constantly recruiting for this type of work.
• Numerous organizations are working to make the world more accessible to people with mobility challenges. They are building wheelchair-friendly paths in public areas. You can assist by writing letters to local government authorities, gathering signatures, and advocating for the construction of such paths to help people with disabilities move around more easily.

Volunteer to train service dogs. If you love dogs, volunteering to train service animals is a wonderful way to assist people with disabilities.

• Service dogs are specially trained to assist people with physical or mental disabilities. Before being placed with their owners, they undergo specialized training and live with volunteer handlers until they are 18 months old.
• If you volunteer to foster a service dog, you'll be required to regularly attend training sessions and continue the dog's training at home.
• Training service dogs can be both rewarding and challenging. It’s difficult to say goodbye to a dog you’ve bonded with after months of training. Be mentally prepared before taking on this responsibility.
• This is an ideal opportunity for college students. Many students want a pet but can't commit to long-term care. Additionally, universities are great environments for service dogs to socialize and interact with people, as there are often many activities on campus.

Utilize social media. Since many people use social networks like Facebook and Twitter, it's easy to raise awareness through these platforms.

• Share links to articles about people with disabilities, educating others on both physical and mental challenges. Don't just share factual information; also provide links to articles that guide how to communicate with people with disabilities and the benefits of helping and volunteering.
• If you're trying to raise funds or collect signatures, social media is an excellent tool. Posting a link to let people know where to donate or sign petitions is a quick and convenient method to spread the word.
• Choose content that is easily accessible on both computers and smartphones. People tend to prefer short posts with bullet points or lists when browsing the internet.

Speak up. If you hear someone making disrespectful remarks about people with disabilities, whether intentional or not, you should speak out.

• Often, people unknowingly use the wrong terms. In these cases, politely correct them. For instance, if you hear someone say, 'the girl has Down syndrome,' you could gently suggest, 'it's better to say 'the girl has Down syndrome.'
• Terms like 'mentally deficient' and 'retarded' are often used in the media as casual descriptors. People often excuse their language by claiming they didn't mean to offend, but you can explain that such words are hurtful, whether intended or not, and should not be used.
• If you witness discrimination against individuals with disabilities in the workplace or school, report the behavior to the appropriate authorities. If you're unsure who to contact, you can reach out to disability support organizations for guidance.

Guide others in the right direction. Many people don't intentionally offend or hurt others; they simply don't know how to interact with individuals with disabilities. If you notice someone is confused or unsure, direct them to relevant websites or organizations where they can learn how to engage with people with disabilities. Education is a powerful tool in fostering social progress and creating a more inclusive and friendly world.