The Power of Disability Awareness: How to Create a More Inclusive World

Did you know that nearly one billion people in the world have a disability? In the United States, 1 in 4 adults identify as having a disability. Every one of us knows someone with a disability and so this Disability Awareness Month, let’s all raise our awareness.

I know that we all get way too much information every day so we have created a simple list of the things you can do (and not do) to be a better ally to people with disabilities.

DO use the words “disability” or “disabled.” Those are acceptable terms to the disabled community.

DO see people with disabilities as people first, not just a person with a disability.

DO ask respectful questions; curiosity is human.

DO ask before helping a person with a disability. You should not enter their personal space without permission.

DO remember that this “marginalized” group is one that you or someone you know could join at any time.

DON’T use terms like “differently-abled” (that’s every human), “special needs” (they are human needs), “crazy” (shames people with mental health problems), or “lame” (a historical slur for people with disabilities).

DON’T underestimate a disabled person. They are regular people who can also be extraordinary, just like you.

DON’T treat disabled people like they have accomplished a miracle for doing normal daily tasks. They are not “overcoming their disability,” they are just doing what they must in a world that was not built for them.

DON’T assume that someone doesn’t have a disability just because you can’t see it.

DON’T be hard on yourself. If you make a mistake, simply apologize and learn.

These simple rules are a powerful way for all of us to transform our biases consciously and unconsciously and create a more inclusive company and world. And if you do, I think you will find that your next interaction with a person with a disability will be more comfortable and positive for everyone.

In addition to this being Disability Awareness Month, July 26 is National Disability Independence Day. This day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. The ADA provides protection from employment discrimination as well as better access to goods, services, and communications for people with disabilities.

And before I say goodbye, I want to recommend a wonderful book to those of you with children or who have young ones in your life: Check out What Happened to You? By James Catchpole (author), Karen George (illustrator). “A boy named Joe is trying to play pirates at the playground, but he keeps being asked what happened to his leg…” You will have to find the book to learn what happens next!

Ghostwritten for Laura Agharkar, former AVP of People Experience and Culture at Nasdaq.