This is our space Ageing with Disability Handbook

And now, a couple of myths about people without disabilities:

Myth
People who don’t have disabilities don’t want to be around those that do.

Reality
Not true. However, lack of experience in meeting people with disability sometimes makes those without uncomfortable. They’re often afraid of saying the wrong thing, and nervous about doing something offensive. People with disability and those without must get past this initial hesitation and discover ways to make interaction more comfortable for everyone involved.
Myth
People who offer to lend a hand to people with disability know how to provide the needed help.
Reality
The desire to help and the knowledge of how to do so do not necessarily go hand in hand. If a person with a disability accepts an offer for assistance, it’s helpful for him or her to give specific instructions on exactly what type of assistance is needed and the best way to carry it out.

people first, disability second

THE IMPORTANCE OF LANGUAGE

Language is vitally important in shaping our perceptions. Using “people first” (“person with a disability”, “person with a visual impairment”) language helps remind us and others that people with disability are people first, and are more than their disability. Also, words are often laden with historically negative meanings that make people feel demeaned and devalued.

It is important to actively avoid using terms that cause hurt and offence. The following guidelines for portraying people with disability were sourced from A way with words: guidelines for the portrayal of people with a disability, produced by the Department of Communities, The State of Queensland, 2010.

What to avoid	What’s acceptable
Abnormal, subnormal (these are negative terms that imply failure to reach perfection)	Specify the disability
Afflicted with (Most people with a disability do not see themselves as afflicted)	Person has (name of disability)
Birth defect, congenital defect, deformity	Person with a disability since birth, person with a congenital disability
The blind, the visually impaired	Person who is blind, person with a vision impairment
Confined to a wheelchair, wheelchair bound (A wheelchair provides mobility, not restriction)	Uses a wheelchair
Cripple, crippled (These terms convey a negative image of a twisted ugly body)	Has a physical disability, has a mobility disability
The deaf	Person is deaf (This refers to people who cannot hear but do not necessarily identify with the Deaf community) or The Deaf (This refers to people who identify themselves as part of the Deaf community and who use sign language Using ‘Deaf community’ is only appropriate when referring to this particular community)
Deaf and dumb (This is sometimes used to describe an inability to hear and speak, which does not imply any intellectual disability)	Person who is deaf and non-verbal or Deaf people (This refers to people who identify themselves as part of the Deaf community and who use sign language)
Defective, deformed (These are degrading terms)	Specify the disability
The disabled	People with a disability
Dwarf (Has negative connotations)	Short-statured person

What to avoid	What’s acceptable
Fit, attack, spell	Seizure
The handicapped	Person with a disability (If referring to an environmental or attitudinal barrier then ‘person who is handicapped by a disability’ is appropriate)
Insane, lunatic, maniac, mental patient, mentally diseased, neurotic, psycho, schizophrenic, unsound mind (These are derogatory terms)	Person with a psychiatric disability (or specify condition)
Invalid (The literal sense of the word is ‘not valid’)	Person with a disability
Mentally retarded, defective, feeble minded, imbecile, moron, retarded (These are offensive, inaccurate terms)	Person with an intellectual disability
Mongol (This term is outdated and derogatory)	Has Down syndrome
Patient (only use in context of doctor–patient relationship)	Person with a disability
Physically challenged, intellectually challenged, vertically challenged, differently abled (These are ridiculous euphemisms for disability)	Person with a disability
People with disabilities (Refers to people who have multiple disabilities)	Person with multiple disabilities, people with disability
Spastic (Usually refers to a person with cerebral palsy or who has uncontrollable spasms. This is a derogatory term and often used as a term of abuse Should never be used as a noun)	Person with a disability
Special (This term is overused, e.g. ‘special’ person)	Describe the person, event or achievement as you would normally
Vegetative (This is an offensive and degrading term)	In a coma, comatose, unconscious
Victim (People with a disability are not necessarily victims and prefer not to be seen as such)	Has a disability

how to make your website more accessible to older people
with disability

A web page is an additional tool that you can use to promote membership as well as achievements and activities of your group.

Web-based technologies have fundamentally changed how people access information, and this has particular relevance for older people with disability. The Web offers opportunities to source information on disability and associated health conditions, locating services, local community resources, and enables people to bridge isolation through social networking.

Applying the principles of accessible website design is key to enabling older people with disability to make the most of these resources, noting that universal access to computer technologies is far from realised in this population. This highlights the importance of having a variety of alternative, effective means of communicating information to older people with disability.
Sourced from Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training

Creating accessible web sites should be an integral part of the design philosophy of web developers with accessibility features incorporated in to all aspects of the design process. The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with disability and to maximise the use of assistance technologies such as screen readers and wireless pointing devices.

General

• 
  provide a text equivalent for every non-text element. This includes: images, graphical representations of text (including symbols), image map regions, animations, applets and programmatic objects, ASCII art, frames, scripts, images used as list bullets, spacers, graphical buttons, sounds (played with or without user interaction), stand-alone audio files, audio tracks of video, and video
  
• 
  ensure that all information conveyed with colour is also available without colour, for example from context or mark-up
  
• 
  clearly identify changes in the natural language of a document's text and any text equivalents (e.g. captions)
  
• 
  organise documents so they may be read without style sheets. For example, when an HTML document is rendered without associated style sheets, it must still be possible to read the document
  
• 
  ensure that equivalents for dynamic content are updated when the dynamic content changes
  
• 
  avoid causing the screen to flicker
  
• 
  use the clearest and simplest language appropriate for a site's content.
  

Images and image maps

• 
  provide redundant text links for each active region of a server-side image map
  
• 
  provide client-side image maps instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape.
  

Tables

• 
  identify row and column headers with mark-up tags
  

• 
  for data tables with two or more logical levels of row or column headers, use mark-up to associate data cells and header cells.
  

Frames

• 
  title each frame to facilitate frame identification and navigation
  
• 
  provide a non-frame alternative for each page using frames.
  

Applets and scripts

• 
  ensure that pages are useable when scripts, applets, or other programmatic objects are turned off or not supported. If this is not possible, provide equivalent information on an alternative accessible page.
  

Multimedia

• 
  provide an auditory description of the important information for the visual track of a multimedia presentation
  
• 
  for any time-based multimedia presentation (e.g. a movie or animation), synchronise equivalent alternatives (e.g. captions or auditory descriptions of the visual track) with the presentation.
  

Testing Websites for Accessibility

• 
  there are many tools available to help Web authors check their web pages and identify changes needed to make them accessible to users with disabilities. Ideally, users should be involved in website testing
  
• 
  a range of free and share-ware evaluation tools for web content accessibility are available at the Web Accessibility Initiative website.
  

At a minimum, the following validation methods must be applied:

• 
  use automated tools to analyse web pages for accessibility and browser compatibility
  
• 
  use a text-only browser or emulator
  
• 
  use multiple graphic browsers, with graphics disabled, sound disabled, no mouse, frames, scripts, style sheets and applets disabled
  

The next step

Bringing older people with disability into your group

Community organisations and groups with a commitment to inclusion need to consider how they are going to promote their services and activities in order to reach older people with disability.

Here, partnerships with disability organisations are of key importance. These partnerships can further develop disability awareness and competencies, as well as provide a point of access to potential users or participants.

Some ways to start collaborations:

• 
  Set up short, informal meetings with the leadership of local disability organisations. Be prepared to explain your programs and the goals of your group
  
• 
  Invite staff and consumers of disability organisations to group events and meetings and make certain those meetings are accessible.
  
• 
  Coordinate a project with a disability organisation to either benefit the organisation or its consumers.
  
• 
  Invite disability organisations to conduct disability awareness training for your staff and participants.
  
• 
  Join the board or advisory committee of a disability organisation.
  
• 
  Write articles about your program for newsletters.
  
• 
  Link your website to theirs.
  
• 
  Many organisations have conferences and meetings. Present a workshop or exhibit at a booth.
  

References

ACT Government: Community Services. (2009). National Disability Agreement: ACT Government.

Aged Care Australia. (5 July 2012). Living Longer. Living Better. Aged care reform. Older people with disability. Retrieved 12 July 2012, 2012, from http://www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au/internet/agedcare/publishing.nsf/content/Older%20people%20with%20disabilities-1

Albrecht, D. (2006). Planning for Retirement: Improving Service Options for Aged South Australian People with disability: National Disability Services (ACROD), SA Division.

ARTD Consultants. (2012). Evaluation of the Australian Disability Enterprise Transition to Retirement Pilot: Final Report. Sydney.

Ashman, A. F., & Suttie, J. N. (1996). The social and community involvement of older Australians with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 40(2), 120-129.

Ashman, A. F., Suttie, J. N., & Bramley, J. (1995). Employment, retirement and elderly persons with an intellectual disability. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 39(2), 107-115.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of findings Australia. 4430.0. Canberra.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). Social Participation of People with a Disability 4439.0. Canberra.

Australian Human Rights Commission. A brief guide to the Disability Discrimination Act. Retrieved 9 August 2012, 2012, from http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/dda_guide/dda_guide.htm

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2000). Disability and ageing: Australian population patterns and implications. Canberra.

Berecki-Gisholf, J., Clay, F. J., Collie, A., & McClure, R. J. (2012). The impact of Aging on Work Disability and Return to Work: Insights from Worker's Compensation Claim Records. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 54(3), 318-327.

Bray, A., & Gates, S. (2003). Community participation for adults with an intellectual disability. Wellington: Donald Beasley Institute.

Buys, L., Boulton-Lewis, G. M., Tedman-Jones, I. S., Edwards, H. E., Knox, M. F., & Bigby, C. (2008). Issues of active ageing: perceptions of older people with lifelong intellectual disability. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 27(2), 67-71.

Clayton, S., Barr, B., Nylen, L., Burstrom, B., Thielen, K., Diderichsen, F., et al. (2011). Effectiveness of return-to-work interventions for disabled people: a systematic review of government initiatives focused on changing the behaviour of employees. European Journal of Public Health, Advance Access published August 4, 2011, 1-7.

COAG Reform Council. (2012). Disability 2010-11: Comparing performance across Australia. Sydney.

Council of Australian Governments (COAG). (2009). National Disability Strategy 2010-2020 - and initiative of the Council of Australian Governments. Commonwealth of Australia.

Council of Australian Governments (COAG). (2011). 2010 - 2020 National Disability Strategy: Commonwealth of Australia.

David Kelly and Associates. (2008). Final Report for the Evaluation of the Interlink North Project.

Department for Communities and Social Inclusion. (2011). Promoting Independence: Breaking down the barriers. Adelaide: Government of South Australia.

Department of Communities Queensland Government. (2007). Engaging Queenslanders: A guide to engaging people with a disability. Queensland.

Dierks, K., Kelly, R., Matsubara, L., Romero, J. R., & Takahashi, K. (2007). Disability Awareness Toolkit. Manoa, Hawaii: Center on Disability Studies.

Disability ACT. (2010). A Community Development Plan for inclusion of people with a disability in the Canberra Community. Canberra.

Disability Investment Group. (2009). The Way Forward - A New Disability Policy Framework for Australia: Commonweatlh of Australia.

Freedman, V. A., Stafford, F., Schwarz, N., Conrad, F., & Cornman, J. C. (2012). Disability, participation and subjective wellbeing among older couples. Social Science & Medicine, 74, 588-596.

Futures Alliance. Futures Alliance - Seeking Better Futures for People with disability who are Ageing. Retrieved 12 July 2012, from http://futuresalliance.blogspot.com.au/

Hesla, B., and Kennedy, M.K. (2008). We Have Human Rights - A human rights handbook for people with developmental disabilities: The President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Johnson, N. (Year not provided)). Community Participation: A resource to support the inclusion of people with disability in performing groups. Darebin, NSW.

Leveratt, M., Bowers, B., & Webber, R. (2005). Intellectual Disability and Ageing: Canvassing the issues. Melbourne: Catholic Social Services Victoria.

McDermott, S., Edwards, R., Abelló, D., and Katz, I. (2010). Ageing and Australian Disability Enterprises Occasional Paper No. 27: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Commonwealth of Australia.

National Disability Authority and National Council on Ageing and Older People. (2006). Ageing & Disability: A Discussion Paper. Sydney.

National Industry Association for Disability Services (ACROD), Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA), Carers Australia, COTA National Seniors, & Australian Federation of Disability Organisations. (2005). Working Together - Policy on Ageing and Disability.

National People with Disability and Carer Council. (2009). Shut out: The Experience of People with disability and their Families in Australia - National Disability Strategy Consultation Report. Commonwealth of Australia.

NSW Department of Education and Training (DET). (2006). Ageing in Place for People with disability: Introduction to the Program. Sydney.

NSW Industry Group on People Ageing with Disability. (2003). Cross-Sector Position Paper: People with disability Who Are Ageing (Draft).

Productivity Commission. (2011). Caring for Older Australians. Canberra.

Senate Community Affairs Committee Secretariat. (2011). Disability and Ageing: lifelong planning for a better future Sydney.

Simpson, M. (2001). Involvement of people with disability: Myth versus reality. Australian Journal on volunteering, 6(2), 70-72.

Social Inclusion Board. (2012). Strong Voices. A Blueprint to Enhance Life and Claim the Rights of People with disability in South Australia (2012-2020). Adelaide: Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Government of South Australia.

Stephens, K., Hammond, M., & Sheen, J. (2009). Inclusion Toolkit: a guide to including and engaging people with disability in service and conservation. Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah Conservation Corp & Center for Persons with Disabilities, Utah State University.

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Glossary of disability terms

Access: Provision of a barrier-free environment, accommodations, or changes in policies, procedures, or the built environment to ensure that all individuals can benefit from, and participate in, all activities and events of a program.

Accessibility Survey: Survey of programs and policies, and the architectural, communication, and technological environment as it relates to the participation of individuals with a range of disabilities.

Accommodations: Any device, technology, service, or change in programs, policies, or the built environment that are provided to an individual with a disability to support them in their service or participation.

Alternate Formats: Different ways of providing information other than standard print documents. Some examples of alternate formats are: text files on a computer disk, large print, books on tape, Braille.

Architectural Access: Refers to the “built” or physical environment and the ability of persons with a range of disabilities to get to, from, and around that built environment.

Assistive Listening Device: A device that makes sound clearer and louder, and in many cases, blocks out environmental sound and interference. Most often persons with hearing loss will use assistive listening devices.

Assistive Technology Device: Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capacities of individuals with disabilities (as defined in the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988).

Assistive Technology Service: Any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Service includes evaluation of need; selection; purchase; coordination of related services; training and technical assistance.

Attitudinal Barriers: Attitudes, fears, and assumptions that prevent people with and without disabilities from meaningfully interacting with one another.

Augmentative Communication: Alternative means of communication used by an individual with a disability who has a severe speech or cognitive impairment. An augmentative communication device may have a keyboard that the individual types on a computerized-voice output that relays the message. It might also be a sheet of paper with photos or pictures that a person would point to.