Author name: irened69

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol (CRPD, 2006,A/RES/61/106) defines persons with disabilities to “include those who have long-term physical, mental,intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full andeffective participation in society on an equal basis with others”. A poor treatment and a negative comment can affect persons with disabilities’ self-esteem, confidence, performance atwork place and push them into further depression. ReadyAide seeks to negate these poor treatments and prevent them from being pushed into furtherdepression. ReadyAide seeks to address these few steps to make their lives much better Ask Before Offering Help: Don’t assume that people with disabilities would always require some assistance in leading their livesand the first step is to treat them as equals. Understand that they know more about their needs andhow to handle their day-today lives. In case, if you want to extend any support, ask first. Understandtheir needs and learn about specific details on how you can assist. Speak Clearly, And Listen: If you have a loved one or colleague with mental or developmental disabilities, always use simple words.Don’t use complex terms, explain your views in simple sentences and allow them to make their owndecisions. Practice restraint and patience while dealing with those with speech disability as they takesome time to finish their sentences. Do not try to interrupt the flow of speech by trying to completetheir sentences. Make Them Feel Confident: Few disabled people may suffer from lack of self-esteem and confidence. Remember, many of themdon’t like sympathy and don’t stare at them. Always make eye contact while talking and do not try tostrike up a conversation around their disabilities. If you are conversing with a person in a wheelchair sitdown and talk face-to-face, instead of talking down to them. Respect Personal Space: People with disabilities need their own space and may not like others touching their mobility aidswithout permission, as you may not know how to handle their equipment. If you want to move theirwheelchair, ask for permission. Always knock on the doors before you enter the room, like you do withothers. Do not discuss their disability with others. Make Changes: If you are expecting a visitor with certain disability at home or in office, try making few simple changesthat would make them feel comfortable. Place necessary items within their reach in restrooms,bedrooms, offer to help with items in shelves or cupboards. Also try and respect their daily routine andif there is a sudden change in the daily activities help them to cope up with the transition. Engage In Positive Conversations: While maintaining social distancing is the need of the hour to halt the further spread of coronavirusinfection, keep in mind to not completely isolate the disabled in your community. Meet with visuallychallenged or physically handicapped people and talk to them about constructive topics like work,family, music or discuss happy memories from the past. This helps persons with disabilities have a senseof belonging and uplifts their overall mood and mental health in these tough times. Offer Help with Medical Support: While it is quite simple for us to stock up on all our nutrition supplements and immunity boosters, go forhealth check-ups, consult a doctor online, besides buying any medications for other pre-existingconditions, it is not so easy for disabled people to acquire their healthcare needs amidst current partiallockdowns. Identify these people in your neighbourhood, sit down with them and help them order alltheir medicines online, set up doctor’s appointments virtually or take them to a nearby clinic for theirroutine medical check-ups. Ensure They Receive Day-To-Day Needs: In these times of widespread infectious disease, it is very important to eat healthily and take meals ontime. During the day, check up on your neighbours with disabilities, to make sure they have amplegroceries and foodstuffs stocked up in their homes, to avoid going out frequently. In case they find itdifficult to do so, go ahead and help them purchase their essential supplies online, ensure it getsdelivered to their homes and their caretakers, house help is present every day to cook meals andprovide them with nourishing food. Adjust Your Posture To Be At Eye-level: The general difference in height between people in wheelchairs and able-bodied individuals can createan unspoken assumed feeling of superiority and inferiority complex. To be on the safe side and not tomake someone feel inferior, ensure that you either sit or stand at eye level with the disabled personwhen it is appropriate and possible. Locating a table to sit together is an ideal option because it caneliminate any perceptible differences, such as a wheelchair. Be Mindful of Using Offensive Terms While Conversing: Words like ‘handicapped’ or ‘wheelchair bound’ are not satisfactory terms to use in recent times. Manydisabled people who need to use a wheelchair might not like the word “bound” because of its negativesense, which might imply that they’re tied down to the chair. Wheelchairs entitle freedom and mobilityto a person with a disability. Hence, the appropriate term to use would be ‘Wheelchair accessible’.Handicapped is an umbrella term that many people think indicates a sort of helplessness. The term‘Disabled’ is more appropriate to use in normal conversation. Don’t Presume That They See Their Disability as a Tragedy: Many individuals with disabilities have acted through the tough emotions and negative feelings to behappy and content with their lives as it is. A harmless statement like, “I’m so sorry that happened toyou,” or words articulated in that nature can make a person with a disability feel sad and sorry about hisor her situation and create negative feelings about themselves in their mind.