By Sudeep Stauble

The room seems to spin around you as you sit alone in the dining hall. Figures flit about in your periphery, their voices seeming to meld into a cacophonous kaleidoscope of confusing sounds. A few tables from you is another student who is visually impaired. Elsewhere is a person who is wearing earphones, seemingly feeling just as out of place as you.

Scenes like this are common, familiar to some of us. Whether we want to admit or not, at some point in our lives we have encountered situations where we feel out of place, as if we don’t belong. We all have dealt with some form of loneliness. Yet many of us ignore feelings like this and, as a result, ignore those who are marginalized by default — individuals such as those with mental and physical disabilities, immigrants, or simply those who appear “different” from the rest of us.

Ironically, as I’ve observed and interacted with people on campus, some of those individuals in the aforementioned communities have told me they are perfectly content. However, I have sensed a divide, albeit subtle. This division takes the form of cliques. These factions reflect the types of people with whom we choose to interact. In turn, we tend to exclude others from one clique or the other.

So, we are aware of the issue. The question to consider is not how to find the solution, but how to improve social interaction among students; in particular, for minority groups isolated or excluded. Submitted here is a set of guidelines on appropriate ways to interact with those with disabilities.

Guidelines for Inclusion and Interactions

General Dos and Don’ts

Don’t:

• Assume the person with a disability needs help; rather, let them figure it out for themselves; help only if they ask.
• Assume that because they’re different, they are incapable of holding a conversation.
• Be afraid to ask questions. In fact, it’s offensive if you are afraid of offending by asking questions.
• Give special treatment to those with disabilities.

Do:

• Talk to disabled individual as if you would anyone else who is not disabled. (Do not treat them with kid gloves or as if they’re fragile.) They’re just as intelligent as you or someone else.
• When working together, whether in the classroom or otherwise, give them the opportunity to contribute. they’re just as capable of the work as you.

Blindness:

• Describe in detail; give specific directions.
• If you are acting as a sighted guide to a blind person, rather than touching the person, let them take your arm, preferably elbow.
• Explain what’s going on (funny expressions, etc.)
• Tell a blind person when you’re walking away, so that they’re not left talking to themselves.
• Always identify yourself. (“Hi Sudeep, it’s John.”)
• Do not play memory/guess who games with a blind person. (“Guess who I am. Remember me?”)
• Do not disguise your voice and pretend you’re someone else.
• If you’re joking, give hints that you are indeed kidding. They can’t tell if you’re smiling, and may take what you’re saying literally or seriously. So laugh after you say something that is meant to be humorous.
• Do not nod or shake your head when responding to a question. I don’t need to spell out why, I hope.
• Do not point or say, “It’s over there.” Again, be specific: “The bathroom is straight ahead, next to the water fountain which is on your right.”
• Do not pet a service dog when it’s on duty. You can tell when they’re working if they are wearing a harness.
• Do not purposefully step on or kick a service animal. In fact, the U.S. Department of Justice classifies this as a felony. Violators are subject to criminal prosecution.

I acknowledge that we as humans seek out what we are comfortable with. After all, this is why we choose to exclude those who appear “different” from us. Deep inside we are afraid of them, so we stick with those who pose less of a threat. However, we as humans are innately social, intelligent beings. All any of us want is a friend, and a place to call home, a place to belong. So bear that in mind as you interact with those around you. I implore you to challenge your fears of those who are different from you. Be a friend to the ones who are in need of that connection.