Disability Awarness

[Aphrael]

Hi guys

As most of you know, I'm in a wheelchair, since I have brittle bones. Where I work, we're starting on a drive to get people to disclose their disabilities, so this is something that's been on my mind a lot over the last few days. If you don't mind, I would appreciate some input from you guys. Please note, I'm not asking you to disclose anything personal, but let's put it in "hypothetical" terms...

1. Would you disclose the nature of your disability, if you had one, to your employer. (Yes, or no and) Why?
2. What do you think of the word "Disability"? Would you use a different phrase? For example "Differently abled"?
3. What words referring to a disability do you find objectionable? For example, "Crippled" or "Retarded"?
4. Would you consider illnesses such as epilepsy to be a disability? What other illnesses would fall into this category?
5. How would you feel if you found out that someone you worked with was epileptic, had another type of illness that classified them as having a disability?
6. How would you encourage people around you to disclose the fact that they had a disability?
7. What would you change in your work environment to accommodate someone with a disability? This is rather a vague question, but besides the obvious - ramp for a wheelchair, lifts, braille for a blind person - what else can we do to accommodate someone?

Thanks in advance for all your help, guys ... your input is much appreciated. I'm sure I've forgotten a few questions, but that's enough to start off this discussion. Mods, if you feel this belongs in a different section of the forum, please move it.

Aphz

[Rockford]

1. Would you disclose the nature of your disability, if you had one, to your employer. (Yes, or no and) Why?
2. What do you think of the word "Disability"? Would you use a different phrase? For example "Differently abled"?
3. What words referring to a disability do you find objectionable? For example, "Crippled" or "Retarded"?
4. Would you consider illnesses such as epilepsy to be a disability? What other illnesses would fall into this category?
5. How would you feel if you found out that someone you worked with was epileptic, had another type of illness that classified them as having a disability?
6. How would you encourage people around you to disclose the fact that they had a disability?
7. What would you change in your work environment to accommodate someone with a disability? This is rather a vague question, but besides the obvious - ramp for a wheelchair, lifts, braille for a blind person - what else can we do to accommodate someone?

Apologies if I stand on any toes but I am sure you would want an honest answer.

1. No, if possible. There is still much prejudice, and any "disability" would be used as an excuse for low increases, lack of promotion etc. Employers will fool themselves into believing they are "doing you a favour" by employing you. Never underestimate the meanness of manki... er.. employers.
2. "Disabled" is fine. "Differently abled" is a bull**** euphemism.
3. "Retarded" is awful! I don't know many other words people use in this regard.
4. I have never regarded epilepsy as a disability. Diabetes - no. MS - mostly no.
5. What diseases are regarded as "disabilities"? I don't really care what another person has as long as they don't smell and do their job properly.
6. I would tell them to shut up. It's not quite the same thing, but I have a colleague who is "somewhat" past retirement date but needs to keep working ( lost his $$$ in Zim ) - he dyes his hair and is occasionally a bit slow, but he does a great job, and that's fine by me. But he does hide his true age.
7. Keep to working hours and don't push overtime - people with health-type issues can often cope with 8 hours but need to stop after that. Emphasise performance of job functions - that's all that really matters.

PS - I'm hiding a few health issues myself!

[chiskop]

1. Would you disclose the nature of your disability, if you had one, to your employer. (Yes, or no and) Why?
2. What do you think of the word "Disability"? Would you use a different phrase? For example "Differently abled"?
3. What words referring to a disability do you find objectionable? For example, "Crippled" or "Retarded"?
4. Would you consider illnesses such as epilepsy to be a disability? What other illnesses would fall into this category?
5. How would you feel if you found out that someone you worked with was epileptic, had another type of illness that classified them as having a disability?
6. How would you encourage people around you to disclose the fact that they had a disability?
7. What would you change in your work environment to accommodate someone with a disability? This is rather a vague question, but besides the obvious - ramp for a wheelchair, lifts, braille for a blind person - what else can we do to accommodate someone?

1. Yes, rather be honest and upfront about it.
2. Mmm, not sure. I would prefer the word disability than using some kind mealy-mouthed term.
3. Well, yeah those two are objectionable, and there're others too. Call it what it is.
4. Yes, definately. Also some chronic psychological illness, though I imagine people would be more reluctant to declare that.
5. How would I feel? I guess no different. I'd rather know before-hand than find out in a crisis and not know what's happening/what to do.
6. I work in a small company, I think it is different in this kind of environment where everybody knows everybody and their family.
7. Not sure.

[Moederloos]

I find euphemisms of the PC type prevalent in society today, ludicrous.

"Handicapped" > "Handicapable" being the absolute worst.
Should I ever be unfortunate enough to become disabled in such a way that the term "handicapped" could be attributed to me, and some one said I was "handicapable" I would blow a vein.

[GavinMannion]

Would you disclose the nature of your disability, if you had one, to your employer. (Yes, or no and) Why?

No, not unless it was pertinent to my position. Why? Because people generally look down on disabled people.

What do you think of the word "Disability"? Would you use a different phrase? For example "Differently abled"?

It doesn't matter it gets called people will put the same negativity against it...

What words referring to a disability do you find objectionable? For example, "Crippled" or "Retarded"?

All the words depend very much on how they are used so I'm abstaining

Would you consider illnesses such as epilepsy to be a disability? What other illnesses would fall into this category?

epilepsy is not a disability unless it is uncontrolled. Same as asthma or any other psychological disease (not saying epilepsy or asthma is psychological)

How would you feel if you found out that someone you worked with was epileptic, had another type of illness that classified them as having a disability?

Wouldn't care

How would you encourage people around you to disclose the fact that they had a disability?

I wouldn't, its their business

What would you change in your work environment to accommodate someone with a disability? This is rather a vague question, but besides the obvious - ramp for a wheelchair, lifts, braille for a blind person - what else can we do to accommodate someone?

This may be contentious but I see no reason why a work place needs to change to accomodate a disabled person. If an asthmatic is struggling with the aircon then they must move, we mustn't turn the aircon off...

However this does not exclude common decency, I used to work with a blind programmer (incredible really) and we all had the common decency of not leaving anything lying in the passageways or between desks.

However that all being said I do feel that attitude to disabled people in society is shocking, whenever I am out with a disabled person the looks of loathing and fear I see from other people is disgusting. They are just as 'normal' as the rest of us and a bit of common decency and humanity would take a few people a long way.

[Merlin]

1. Would you disclose the nature of your disability, if you had one, to your employer. (Yes, or no and) Why?
2. What do you think of the word "Disability"? Would you use a different phrase? For example "Differently abled"?
3. What words referring to a disability do you find objectionable? For example, "Crippled" or "Retarded"?
4. Would you consider illnesses such as epilepsy to be a disability? What other illnesses would fall into this category?
5. How would you feel if you found out that someone you worked with was epileptic, had another type of illness that classified them as having a disability?
6. How would you encourage people around you to disclose the fact that they had a disability?
7. What would you change in your work environment to accommodate someone with a disability? This is rather a vague question, but besides the obvious - ramp for a wheelchair, lifts, braille for a blind person - what else can we do to accommodate someone?

I suffer greatly with Depression and Bipolar. I have not disclosed the information in the past other than to friends, and colleagues who became very good friends.

Now, I'm finally in a small company that I adore. Seeing as how my Bipolar has cost me jobs and friendships in the past - various reasons, and the fact that I really wanted to be accepted here and stay, I've had many friendly chats with everyone here, and I find that they've all accepted me, and work their way around me. Some days I just can't handle it and go outside for half an hour, or if needs be, leave a little early. They know when to leave me be, and when I'm happy, and all's well. We're somewhat like a family, and they've taken an active interest and time out to learn about it - which is very much appeciated.

I don't really wonder about terms for any of it. It's there, I struggle, we accept.

I won't comment on other afflictions, because I don't have first-hand experience, but acceptance of others helps them more than you'll ever know.

N.

[zeb]

I find euphemisms of the PC type prevalent in society today, ludicrous.

"Handicapped" > "Handicapable" being the absolute worst.
Should I ever be unfortunate enough to become disabled in such a way that the term "handicapped" could be attributed to me, and some one said I was "handicapable" I would blow a vein.

Have to agree. I'm so sick of political correctness. I have no problem with being called a cripple. It's a description and not an insult.
The term retard is different because it's mostly used as an insult.

[CathJ]

[LIST=1][*]Would you disclose the nature of your disability, if you had one, to your employer. (Yes, or no and) Why?

I think everyone else has covered my views on the other questions, but as for this one - I think I would only disclose it if it was directly relevant, or obvious, or I might need emergency medical treatment at work.

Not, as others have said, because of discrimination, but just because it's personal.