Socially Acceptable Language

THE BASICS

Ask the person before you help.
Adults with disabilities want to be treated as independent people. When a person with a disability wants help, ask “How can I help?” before you act.

Don’t make assumptions.
People with disabilities are the best judges of what they can or cannot do.

Speak to the person.
Always speak directly to the person with a disability; not to the companion, aide or sign language interpreter.

Be sensitive about physical contact.
Avoid touching a person’s wheelchair or mobility device. People with disabilities consider their equipment part of their personal space.

Respond to requests.
When someone asks for an accommodation in the workplace, it is not a complaint. It shows that the person feels appreciated and has confidence in your understanding.

Disclaimer:

HIRE for TALENT has made every effort to use the most respectful words possible while writing these materials. We realize, however, that the most appropriate terminology may change over time. We developed these materials with the intent to respect the dignity and inherent rights of all individuals.

This document is provided for information purposes only. The content provided is not legal advice and should not be used or relied upon as such. Applicable law may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction; if you are seeking legal advice, you are advised to consult a lawyer in your province or territory.

FREE EMPLOYER TOOLKIT

The toolkit offers a variety of informative tools. Learn about the skills people with disabilities bring to the workplace and use our ‘how-to’ resources, that provide practical tips and strategies on successful recruitment, hiring, inclusion and retention of people with disabilities.

DISABILITY CONFIDENT PARTNERS CAN HELP YOU!

There is help to become an inclusive employer! HIRE for TALENT has a network of organizations offering services and programs designed to help your business recruit, hire, train and retain people with disabilities. After consulting the employer toolkit, call a HIRE for TALENT, Disability Confident PARTNER to find-out what services are available near you!

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By completing this short questionnaire, you can identify the best tools to hire and retain employees with disabilities, as well as increase your company’s performance.

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FACTS & STATS

Employers often find that workers who identify as having disabilities have unique abilities; they also tend to work harder to prove themselves.

According to employers, people with disabilities perform as well or better than other workers. These employers concluded that hiring people with disabilities did not negatively impact their businesses.

In a national survey of consumer attitudes towards various companies, 92% of the respondents gave favourable ratings to businesses that hire people with disabilities.

98% were satisfied or very satisfied with the service they received when dealing with an employee with a disability.

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

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