Is it OK to pet a service dog? Will someone with a disability mind if I touch his or her wheelchair?
There is an etiquette to interacting with people with disabilities. Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation It's Just Respect program aims to educate people—whether it be in the workplace, a retail business or out in the community—about disability etiquette. It's about providing a more comfortable experience for people with disabilities. But it also makes good business sense for anyone who deals with customers with disabilities.
Developed with input from people with different types of disabilities combined with the vast experience of our staff, our program is rich with information and tips about communicating with and about people with disabilities.
View our Disability Etiquette Gone Wrong videos for some sample tips
Who Can Benefit
Anyone can benefit from disability etiquette training, which helps in interacting with colleagues, family, friends and people met out in the community. We have trained health insurance executives, special education teachers, high school students and teachers, clinicians, museum staff and more.
Typical organizations that may benefit from trainings include restaurants, faith-based groups, retail stores, schools, grocery stores, hospitals and professional businesses. Organizations and companies where we have provided training include:
- Mental Health Partnerships
- Wildwood Beach Patrol
- Archbishop Ryan High School
- The Barnes Foundation
- Philadelphia Corp. for the Aging
- Arcadia University
- Holy Family University
- Waterworks Interpretive Center
- Cigna Healthcare
- The U.S. Mint
- Respectability USA
- The Capital Grille
- Philadelphia Public Relations Association
- Philly Chit Chat
- ChatterBlast
- Parx Casino
- Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce
- Gwynedd Mercy University Nursing Students
- American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA)
- Achilles International- The Philadelphia based chapter
- Jewish Funders Network
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Annual Diversity Conference
- Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association
It’s Just Respect: Disability Etiquette Training "was eye-opening, enlightening, and effective in introducing concepts of inclusion. We thank Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation for opening the door for this important topic of conversation."
Lynn Berkowitz, Family and Community Programs Manager, The Barnes Foundation
Host a Training Session
If you or your organization are interested in hosting a training session, just fill out this application. We will contact you about arrangements. Programs can be tailored to the needs and interests of your organization or company. Training sessions can be located in a variety of settings and locations.
Did you know two-thirds of people in the workforce never participate in disability etiquette training? Let's improve this statistic together.