Treating the disabled with proper respect

From: "BlindNews Mailing List" <BlindNews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <BlindNews@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:10:09 -0400

The Houstonian, Sam Houstan State University, TX, USA
Thursday, October 25, 2007

By Jenny Swenson

Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: Campus News

Polite and precise Disabilities Services Coordinator Kelley Osborn speaks to a
group of Sam Houston State students at the "Disability Etiquette Seminar"
yesterday in the Lowman Student Center room 304.

The Office of Multicultural and International Student Services hosted its
"Disability Etiquette Seminar" yesterday. It was led by Kelley Osborn and
focused on the polite and politically correct treatment of persons with
disabilities.

Kelley Osborn L.P.C. is the Disabilities Services Coordinator for the
Counseling Center at Sam Houston.

The topic of disabilities is not only professionally a concern, but personally
as well, since he is legally blind due to Muscular Degeneration.

Osborn discussed different aspects of disabilities, including political
correctness relating to disabilities, communication, privacy and personal
space, and dignity and respect. He emphasized the importance of respect and
courtesy when communicating.

"Simply view the person as any other person," Osborn said. "React with them as
you would any other person."

He also discussed the pertinence of common collegiate disabilities. According
to Osborn, 75 percent of college students with disabilities fall into two
common categories: learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders.

"I think it's very important- there are more and more people with disabilities
and I think it's becoming more of an issue that needs to be addressed," said
attendee Jayna Campbell.

Osborn reiterated the uniqueness of everybody, especially when relating to
persons with disabilities. As with any other life experience, no two people
share exactly the same views, trials, or history.

"Respect the uniqueness of each person's experience. It's better to try to
avoid making comparisons and to respect the uniqueness of each person's
situation," Osborn said. "No two people, even with the same type of disability,
have the same experience."

Osborn also presented first hand anecdotes and described experiences with some
of the difficulties of a reality that many are not familiar with.

"I thought it was good- it's a different perspective. It's good to get first
hand experiences with people with disabilities and how [they react] to your
reactions and how they perceive your reactions," Campbell said.

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Treating the disabled with proper respect

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