Blogs

This section will provide blogs on different topics of disability which may be of use from different areas of the business,
click on the arrow to read more. If you would like to write a blog then please get in contact able2@next.co.uk.

Is It Ok To Ask About Someone's Disability?

One of the first things I get asked on a regular basis is 'am I ok to ask about someone's disability, I don't want to put my foot in it!' Let me start by saying that it's totally human to be curious about disability, especially if you haven't experienced disability yourself. Honestly it can be a minefield of a topic, complex and something which varies from person to person. It can be really tough to understand! 

Asking questions can be critical to understanding what we don't know. One of the greatest barriers disabled people face is when others start to make assumptions about needs, wants, and support which is quite a lot of the time wrong as a result of not asking. But we do know that there are just some questions that just don't need to be asked. The type of questions which can be intrusive, and not relevant at all!

Ultimately, learning more about people with disabilities is a great thing that can foster more support, empathy and understanding towards disabled folks. But you have to bear in mind how you approach this. Disabled people are often quite open and honest about their conditions and want to raise awareness and educate people on how to break the stigma of disability. Some may not want to talk about their conditions at all, and that is OK too. 

Below are a few tips to help you navigate questions around disability. 

Tip #1 Consider WHY you are asking the question??

People with visible disabilities are no strangers to receiving unsolicited questions about their conditions. These can include

'So then, what happened?' a typical question asked to anyone with a mobility aid

'When are you getting out of that chair?' a common question that wheelchair users hear quite often.

'How do you even get around?' one question that people have asked Blind or vision impaired people. 

Before you ask someone a question about something as personal as disability, consider the following:

If you have carefully evaluated the criteria and still feel comfortable asking your question, then great! Ask away!

Just be aware if your question pertains to a disabled person's bodily functions or interpersonal relationships then you shouldn't be asking. One of the most frustrating question I get asked is 'why do you use the disabled toilets when you are not in a wheelchair?' To be honest I am tired of justifying this with an answer. These types of questions are blatant invasions of privacy and you would never dream of asking them to a non disabled person. 

Tip #2 Ask the person before asking a question about their disability. 

Some people with disabilities are very open to answering questions about their disabilities— in fact, many encourage questions because thoughtful answers and dialogue can foster understanding! However as discussed, some people with disabilities are not open to answering questions about their personal disabilities — and that is completely valid. Don't push on the subject if someone is not open to a discussion. 

Tip #3 Don't be weird. Disabled people are just, after all, people.

“Don’t be weird” is a blanket statement for “don’t be condescending, rude, or invasive”. This behaviour includes but is not limited to:

All of these behaviours are considered ableist micro-aggressions. A lot of people with disabilities deal with these scenarios on a regular basis, which can be exhausting. Please just cut us a break and don’t be weird.

So remember...rather than make assumptions about disabled people, ask the question in the right way and start a conversation!! A great site which starts this is called Just Ask A Question JAAQ which can be found here. There are some great questions around Aspergers, ADHD and disability which can also help. 

'Work Harder, Walk Faster' What Do You Do When People Cannot See Your Disability?

For the last 22 years, I have talked to many disabled people to support them with things which help them thrive in the workplace. The majority of disabled people want to work. It gives them structure, purpose, and social interaction. But what happens when people perceive you as......the healthy and happy person....just like the picture above (I wish!). 

Actually the reality is that 9 times out of 10 it has taken you all of an hour to get out of bed....let alone remember where you put the car keys. When conditions are less obvious....when you don't have a cast on your leg....when you are not in a wheelchair....when one day you are walking fine but the next you are walking with a walking aid....people's perception of what its really like on a daily basis for a disabled person is based on their own experiences and biases. 

Only this week I have spoken to staff members who have hidden conditions such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and severe pain who have been told to work faster and harder. Let's put this in perspective...would someone ever ask another to walk faster if they had a walking aid?? Would someone ever ask another to work a bit harder when they are in a wheelchair. What does work harder actually mean.....disabled people work harder than non disabled people on a daily basis just to function. And work harder in accordance with what??? When you have a condition which is less obvious and especially if it fluctuates, the definition of work harder really becomes one of context. Should the question not be 'what can we do to support you?' 'Can we do something in a different way so that it makes the process better for you?' As a disabled person, we work hard every day to fit in, show that we are not to some extent a liability....therefore if you are going to have that discussion about performance.....take a step back, flip the question and look at what things can be done to support someone to be the very best they can be.