Respect and Inclusion: Interacting with People with Disabilities (Full Transcript)

Speaker 1: Good morning, Bob. Good morning there, big man.

Speaker 2: Good morning, Alice. There's no need to be awkward.

Speaker 3: Poor Bob. Like so many of us, he just doesn't know how to interact with people with disabilities. It's pretty easy, really. People with disabilities are people first.

Speaker 2: We need the same things that every person needs, like respect.

Speaker 1: Good morning, everyone.

Speaker 4: Attention. Uh, okay. Maybe we need to be more specific.

Speaker 3: The easiest way to show respect is to focus on the person, not the disability.

Speaker 4: It's okay. You'll get the hang of it.

Speaker 5: One easy way to focus on the person is to watch the person signing, and not their interpreter.

Speaker 4: Or their companion.

Speaker 6: It's really cool that you'd like to help, but do us both a favor and please ask me first. Would you think might be helping? I got you. Wait, wait, ah. Oh no, might actually not.

Speaker 2: If you'd like to offer me help, let me hold onto your elbow. Don't take mine.

Speaker 7: Hey, would you like to take mine? Sure.

Speaker 4: Assistive devices help us to live our lives. They're really important and really personal.

Speaker 6: Grabbing them only makes it weird for everyone. What?

Speaker 7: Please only touch our devices and service animals if we've given you permission. And don't take it personally if I ask you not to. Remember that my service animal helps me all the time. Neither of us would like it if we were separated.

Speaker 4: Remember, we make our own decisions. We sign documents, vote, volunteer, work, and pay taxes.

Speaker 1: We get married.

Speaker 4: So don't touch me just because I have a great smile.

Speaker 2: Just because I'm blind... May I help you? ...does not mean I'm deaf.

Speaker 5: I don't know, I think he said he was going to come, but... Just because I'm deaf... ...doesn't mean I'm blind.

Speaker 1: And just because I use a wheelchair... ...doesn't mean that I can't sweep you off your feet.

Speaker 5: So take a deep breath, relax, we don't bite. Unless we're really hungry.

Speaker 4: Hello ladies, how are you?

Speaker 2: Hello. And if you're not sure what to do, just ask.

Speaker 4: Hi, would you still like to see a menu?

Speaker 2: Uh, no thanks, but can you please read it to me?

Speaker 4: Sure, definitely.

Speaker 5: Just treat us the way you would want to be treated, and we'll all be okay.

Speaker 3: Good morning. Good morning. Good morning, Alice.

Speaker 2: Good morning.

Speaker 3: Awkward no more. Nice job, Bob. Go forth, and be... ...human.

Speaker 7: Good.