How to respond to a disclosure of a disability situation?

By: Lucie Boudreault

Living with a disability is the reality for 16.1% of the population. These individuals face barriers to integration into employment or education, such as unconscious bias and social stigma, and their employment rate is less than 30%. It is important to remember that these individuals have interests, goals, and dreams; they enrich their work or study environment and aspire to respect and integration despite their differences.

Here are four ideal steps to take when someone discloses their disability to you.

1. Thank the person and indicate that you will support them. It can sometimes be threatening for the person to share this information for fear of negative perceptions and repercussions.

   
   

2. Listen actively without asking intrusive questions (e.g., about diagnosis). The person doesn't expect you to understand everything about their situation.

   
   

3. Make sure you understand the person's needs. Are they simply sharing information with you or do they need accommodations ?

   
   

4. Help implement accommodation measures , if necessary, by being creative.

In some situations, you may need to support the person in their development of social autonomy. In this case, you will be called upon to identify the obstacles the person faces and identify how to provide support.

In any case, involve the person in their process!

To find out more

• Responding to a Disclosure of Disability, Mental Health Issue, and/or Chronic Illness. Available online 🔗

  
  

• Supporting members of the university community with disabilities . Available online 🔗

  
  

• [video] Why is it important to talk about disability? Available online 🔗

Photo by SHVETS production