Uni is a great place to meet new people, make connections and expand your social circle. So it’d be a shame to let a little thing like awkwardness get in the way. If you’re worried about saying or doing the wrong thing when meeting someone who lives with a disability, this resource is for you! We’ve addressed five of the most common (and cringe-worthy) reactions to disability to help you approach all social situations with confidence. If you’d like to know more about disability etiquette and what you can do to dispel the myths, stigma and stereotypes that unfortunately still exist, check out our Disability Myth Buster or get in touch with the friendly team at USQ Student Services.

1. U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H E R N Q U E E N S L A N D
5
to people with
a disability
totally
awkward reactions

2. Universityprovidesagreatchance
toreinventyourself,getoutofyour
comfortzoneandmeetnewpeople.
It’d be a real shame to let a little
thing like awkwardness get in
the way of new friendships.
We know it’s not always easy to chat to someone new
and that when it comes to disability, people tend to feel a
little apprehensive, usually because they don’t want to say
the wrong thing and accidentally offend anyone.
The term ‘disability’ encompasses a wide range of illnesses,
conditions, physical impairments and disorders, many of
which are not visible to the naked eye.*
It’s actually highly
unlikely that you’ll even be able to recognise a disability
in another person. But to help you be cool, calm and
collected in any social situation, we’ve made a list of five
common and cringe-worthy reactions people have when
meeting someone with a disability and simple tips to tone
down the awkward.
*Australian Network on Disability, 2016.

3. 1
The
avoiderYouknowthosereally,
unbelievably interesting spots on the USQ ceilings?
Neither do we. Instead of taking an interest in the
lighting fixtures when you see someone with a disability,
why not smile as you walk past and say hello? You might
feel hesitant about striking up a conversation with someone
who has a disability, maybe you think you’ll say something
unintentionally offensive, but don’t let awkwardness get in the
way of meeting some truly awesome people around campus! It’s
important to remember that people living with disabilities are just that:
people, like you and I, who happen to be living with a disability.
Acttowardstheminthewayyouwouldwantotherstoapproachyou.

4. It’sgreatthatyouwanttolearn
and understand your new friend’s disability, but
quizzing them about how they get dressed and go to
the toilet is uncool. Get to know them as a person first
and let them talk to you about their disability if and when
they want to. It’s also important to understand what is and
is not appropriate to ask.
AndNEVERsuggestthatapersonisfaking,exaggeratingor
inventingadisability…#RUDE
2
The
investigator

5. 3
The
spaceinvaderWhileyoumightmeanwell,
there’s really no need to get up in the grill
of someone with a hearing disability and use
your outside voice. Always start by using a normal,
friendly tone of voice and make sure you’re facing
them when you’re speaking. Adjust your communication
style as you go and, if need be, use pen and paper to get
your message across.
There’snoneedtobeawkward,allittakesisalittletimeto
figureoutwhatwillworkandyou’llbeoffandrunningwitha
greatconversation.

6. ‘Butdon’tpeoplewithtourettes
swearallthetime?’
Many people mistakenly assume that all people
with the same disability will present in the same way.
Television and the media play a big part in shaping people’s
assumptions about disability and it’s easy to stereotype. But it’s
important to understand that disabilities present differently in each
and every person they affect. Regardless of the type of disability, it’s
important not to make assumptions about how a person should behave
or what their symptoms should be.
Notwopeoplearethesame,eveniftheyhappentohavethesamedisability.
4
The
assumer

7. Wonderinghowonearth
that guy in the wheelchair will ever make it
into his car without your help? We really hate to
break it to you, but chances are he manages just fine
whenever you’re not around. Try not to assume that
people with disabilities always need help. There’s nothing
wrong with asking someone if they need a hand, but never
take hold of a person’s wheelchair, body or mobility aide
without asking first.
Peoplewithdisabilitieshavepersonalspacebubblestoo!
5
The
over-helper

8. These are
just a few
of the many
tips and tricks
that can help you
end the awkwardness
when it comes to socialising
on-campus. If in doubt, the
easiest approach to take is always
to treat others the way you’d like
to be treated. If you’d like to know
more about disability etiquette and what
you can do to dispel the myths, stigma and
stereotypes that unfortunately still exist around
disability, check out our Disability myth buster!
–Areyouastudentwithadisabilitywho’shadsomeawkward
encountersyou’dliketoshare?
–Wanttosettherecordstraightaboutdisabilityetiquette?
–We’dlovetohearfromyou!
CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 9.1.A 01.2017 Photos © USQ Online Marketing
social.usq.edu.au

9. These are
just a few
of the many
tips and tricks
that can help you
end the awkwardness
when it comes to socialising
on-campus. If in doubt, the
easiest approach to take is always
to treat others the way you’d like
to be treated. If you’d like to know
more about disability etiquette and what
you can do to dispel the myths, stigma and
stereotypes that unfortunately still exist around
disability, check out our Disability myth buster!
–Areyouastudentwithadisabilitywho’shadsomeawkward
encountersyou’dliketoshare?
–Wanttosettherecordstraightaboutdisabilityetiquette?
–We’dlovetohearfromyou!
CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 9.1.A 01.2017 Photos © USQ Online Marketing
social.usq.edu.au