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Disability Information
There are an estimated 54 million Americans with disabilities. We see
them at work, on the street, in our neighborhoods. They may be sitting
next to you right now, but if the disability is not obvious, you may
not even know it. There are hundreds of disabilities - congenital, late-onset,
progressive (cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy), and some are episodic
(seizure conditions.) Some are static, such as loss of a limb, and others
occur and then go into remission, such as cancer. Some are invisible,
such as deafness and diabetes, and all have differing degrees of severity.
The
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) were established to provide people
with
disabilities equal access to employment and other aspects of
American life. As a Federal agency, the Department of Energy is
mandated to
provide employment opportunities and workplace accommodations
for people with disabilities, but the things laws can't mandate
are attitude and
perception.
When you are interacting with people with disabilities, please follow
these easy tips:
- Think
of the person first, and not the disability.
- Do not assume they need your help. If you'd like to offer assistance,
ask first, then ask them how you can best assist them.
- Speak to them just as you would anyone else. Speak directly to them
and not their aide, companion, or sign language interpreter.
- Be aware of physical contact. Some people with disabilities are sensitive
to touch, or have problems with balance.
- Don't make assumptions about what they can or cannot do. The
person with a disability is the best judge of his/her abilities.
Let them decide for themselves.
Remember… People
with disabilities are co-workers who have families, friends and
interests just like you. While their disability is an
integral part of who they are, it does not define them. Focus
on the ability
of the individual, not the disability, and your workplace will
be a safe and welcome environment for everyone.
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