dds

Department on Disability Services

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Interacting with People with Disabilities

Top 5 Things to Consider

Ask before you help
- People desire to be independent and treated with respect
Be sensitive about physical contact
- People depend on their arms for balance, consider equipment part of their personal space
Think before you speak
- Speak directly to the person
Don’t make assumptions
- People are the best judge of what they can or cannot do
Respond graciously to requests
- An accommodation is not a complaint

For more information and a copy of this brochure, find it on Disability Awareness Training from Disability Rights & Resources.

Person-Centered Thinking

Person-centered thinking is a philosophy behind service provision that supports positive control and self-direction of people’s own lives. DDS is working to implement this through training sessions and other agency wide initiatives.

Employment First Initiative

Two people clasping hand, one in wheelchair

Under the Employment First philosophy, competitive, integrated employment is the first and overwhelmingly preferred option for working-age youth and adults with disabilities.