The Core Principles of Disability Etiquette

To fully acknowledge, respect, and embrace people with disabilities, we must find the best ways to communicate and relate to one another. Remember, every person is unique, as is every disability. Two people with seemingly identical conditions may have vastly different personalities and experiences, may use different identity descriptors, and may want different degrees of assistance.

As you begin to practice disability etiquette, it’s common to feel uncomfortable or unsure. The important thing is to treat people with dignity and respect, even if you sometimes get the wording wrong. When you make a mistake, acknowledge it, apologize, and move on. In this playbook, we describe five core guidelines for disability etiquette that can ease interactions.