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Get ReportDisability Etiquette in Practice
This chapter covers the core principles of disability etiquette, including communication, assistance, and personal space. You’ll also learn inclusive language practices and how these principles guide accessibility work to create truly inclusive, accessible digital and physical environments.
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Some questions on the Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) exam focus on the practical application of disability etiquette. This involves understanding and using guidelines to interact with and communicate about people with disabilities in a respectful and inclusive manner. Disability etiquette includes both appropriate behavior and respectful language, whether in direct communication or when referring to people with disabilities.
Key Components of Disability Etiquette
The CPACC sources provide guidelines covering personal interactions and the use of inclusive language. We’ll cover those in more detail below.
Personal Interactions Guidelines
When interacting directly with a person who has a disability, the following etiquette examples are recommended:
Direct communication: Always speak to the person directly, rather than addressing the person accompanying them.
Avoid assumptions: Do not make assumptions about what a person can or cannot do.
Offer assistance respectfully: Provide assistance only if the person requests it or after you have asked their permission.
Respect decision-making: Acknowledge the person's ability to make decisions and judgments on their own behalf.
Respect personal space and equipment: Do not touch the person's wheelchair or other equipment without permission. Equipment is considered part of the person’s personal space and privacy.
Varying impact: Remember that the impact of a specific disability can vary widely from person to person.
Inclusive Language Guidelines
The choice of language is a crucial aspect of disability etiquette, primarily focusing on avoiding labeling and stigmatization. Below are best practices for inclusive language.
People First Language
Principle
The emphasis is placed on the person, not the disability, to prevent labeling and stigmatization.
Description
This is the most common recommendation and is the form of language used by G3ICT/IAAP, aligning with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Example
People First preferred phraseology is "a person with a disability," "a person who uses a wheelchair," and "a person who is blind."
Identity First Language
Principle
Disability is emphasized as a key part of the person's identity.
Description
Some people with disabilities and self-advocates within disability communities prefer to use identity-first language.
Example
Identity First preferred phraseology might include “a disabled person”, “Deaf people”, or “a wheelchair user.”
It is a best practice to ask the person themselves what language they prefer when in direct communication or when referring to a specific individual. These guidelines form the foundation of creating truly accessible and inclusive environments, both digital and physical.
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Examples of ableism. A man using a wheelchair in front of an elevator with a health message reading 'Today is the day we take the stairs.' A happy para-athlete runs a race, the message on the photo reading 'The only disability in life is a bad attitude.' A magazine cover shows a brain as a puzzle with a piece missing and the text reading 'Beautiful minds, wasted How to deal with autism'
The Core Principle
At the heart of disability etiquette is a simple but powerful idea: treat people with disabilities as you would treat anyone else, with respect, dignity, and without assumptions. Whether you're designing a website, writing documentation, or having a face-to-face conversation, this principle remains constant.
Remember that disability etiquette is an ongoing practice of awareness and respect. Here's what matters most:
Listen and learn from people with disabilities themselves
Ask rather than assume what someone needs or prefers
Respect individual choices about language, assistance, and accommodation
Stay flexible as preferences and norms continue to evolve within disability communities
Connecting to Your Work
As an accessibility professional, the etiquette principles you've learned here directly inform how you:
Write alternative text and content descriptions
Create user personas and conduct user research
Advocate for accessibility within your organization
Communicate about disability in reports, presentations, and training materials
Good disability etiquette is where accessibility begins. When you center the dignity, autonomy, and lived experiences of people with disabilities in everything you do, you create not just accessible products, but truly inclusive ones.
KEEP LEARNING
Move to The CPACC Roadmap Part 2:
Accessibility and Universal Design.
IAAP Suggested Study Resources
Ableism 101(opens in a new tab)
Access Living#Ableism(opens in a new tab)
Center for Disability RightsCustomer Service Guide(opens in a new tab)
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)