Introduction

Access to services is all about providing clear information, suitable routes and sufficient space to allow people to reach and use facilities. It is a human need not exclusive to disabled people.

Myth 
Disability is a devastating personal tragedy

Truth  
The lives of disabled people are not tragic. What often disables people is the attitudes they encounter and the environment in which they live and work

Myth    
Most deaf people can lip read

Truth   
For clear and efficient communication many deaf people will need services such as sign language interpreters, lip readers, lip speakers and speech to text

Myth    
Most disabled people are unable to have relationships

Truth   
Many disabled people, like non-disabled people, make choices about marriage, long-term relationships and having children

Myth    
Disabled people are dependant on others

Truth   
Some people may need help with some things – too often because of an inadequately designed environment. Nonetheless disabled people strive to be independent

Myth    
Blind people have a sixth sense

Truth   
Some people use and refine their other senses to compensate

Myth    
Disabled people are courageous

Truth   
Disabled people, like non-disabled people, cope with life in their own individual way

Myth   
Wheelchair users are not mobile

Truth  
Wheelchair users do get out and about. Some use wheelchairs generally, others only when necessary

Myth    
There are disabled people who are 'uneducable'

Truth   
Disabled people reflect the same range of academic ability as non-disabled people, with some achieving high qualifications and undertaking high level jobs
(DFEE: Employing Disabled People. A Good Practice Guide for Managers and Employers)

Facts and Statistics:

• There are approximately 201,000 Disabled Adults in Northern Ireland.
  
  
• 83,000 are Men.
  
  
• 118,000 are Women.
  
  
• 154,800 are of working age.
  
  
• 14,600 are disabled children.
  
  
• 33,000 people have a learning disability.
  
  
• Disability is not always immediately obvious.
  
  
• Disabled Persons equal 17.4% of the population in Northern Ireland as compared to 13.8% in Britain.
  
  
• 95% of disabled people do not use wheelchairs.
  
  
• It is often physical and attitudinal barriers which disadvantage the person more than their physical or mental impairment.
  
  
• Very few (3%) disabled people are born with a disability.
  
  
• Most disabled people become disabled during their working lives. 33% of over 55's have a disability.
  
  
• 33% of people with disabilities are in employment compared to 75% of non - disabled people.
  
  
• People with a disability are more than twice as likely to have no formal qualifications as people without disabilities.
  

• the opportunity to develop their abilities and interest.
  
  
• a place to live of their own choice.
  
  
• access to good care appropriate to their needs.
  
  
• Support for everyday living including adequate income;
  
  
• Participation in a wide variety of relationships.
  
  
• Employers of disabled people have consistently found that :
  
  
• Disabled people work as hard and are as reliable as any other employee.
  
  
• Disabled people in work tend to have better attendance records, stay with employers longer and have fewer accidents than their non-disabled colleagues. Most disabled employees do not require adjustments at work. When required, adjustments usually cost very little.
  
  
• People with a disability have the same rights as every-one else. These rights are protected by law in The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 and by The Human Rights Act 1998.
  
  
• The position of disabled people is changing, with improved technology and a more sophisticated understanding of disability, a greater number of disabled people can enjoy a full life – they can follow careers that are appropriate to their talents, and use services and buildings which are gradually becoming accessible to everyone.

Many disabled people find the word 'handicapped' offensive as it carries connotations of 'cap in hand'. Instead say 'person with a disability' or 'disabled person'.

DO SAY	DO NOT SAY
Disabled Person	Invalid (this can be construed as 'not valid')
Person with a disability	cripple
	spastic
	handicapped
	Do not use any words or phrases which invite pity, or reinforce impressions of frailty or dependence.

Many people dislike the term mental handicap, which is both stigmatising and imprecise. People with an intellectual disability are voicing their preferences through the growing self-advocacy movement, and they prefer to be described as 'people with learning difficulties'

  
(Source: Focus Consultancy Service “Focusing on Best Practice” Disability Awareness in the Customer Care Context. Focus Project – Disability Action)

See Link to Dependants.