Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally

by Emily Ladau

There are also plenty of instances in which the best etiquette is to ask, rather than to avoid, disability-related questions. When you’re planning an event, meeting, or outing, it should be standard practice to ask about accessibility needs, even if you’re not sure whether other people involved identify as disabled. If you have a certain level of familiarity with the people you’re communicating with, the ask can be informal (“Hey, do you/does anyone have any accessibility needs to participate? Let me know how I can support you!”). If you’re engaging with someone you don’t really know or have a more formal relationship, it can help to add a little more context to what you’re asking (“I want to make sure what I’m planning works for you. Is there anything I can do or any accommodations you might need to make this accessible so you can fully participate?”).