|  | If you are disabled, what care do you need? |
| What can we do for the disabled? |
| If you had a boy with disability, would you send him to an ordinary school or a special school? |

| A new student came into our school. She uses a wheelchair. I wanted to help her out and make friends, yet all my friends say that there’s no use and nothing I can do. I know that this is untrue and I want to make others aware of the fact that people with disabilities are equals and that we can help them just as they can find ways to help us. What should I do?
| We are so happy that there are people like you who realize this and want to help all people to live in harmony together. It is true that all people may not seem equal, we are all similar in some basic ways. People with disabilities sometimes need help, but so do we! A person in a wheelchair may need your help but you may need her's as well. To help raise awareness of this you might try inviting the girl to participate in activities with you and your friends. Make sure that the locations are accessible and the activities appropriate for her condition. Others will see she is more like themselves than they had thought. We have some other ideas for you if you want to get on the disabilities awareness bandwagon. Speak up when people say unkind things or use inappropriate language referring to those who are disabled. Write letters of thanks to TV shows or movies when they portray characters with disabilities and encourage other forms of media to do the same. Talk to younger children about people with disabilities and encourage them to openly discuss their questions and concerns. Also recommend that others read this newsletter which will help them to see that we are all equal, to understand different disorders and diseases and to know that there’s more than dis- to disability.
| I am in sixth grade and sit next to a boy who has difficulty with his speech. Many times I cannot understand what he is saying to me. Should I just nod as if I do understand or ask him to repeat himself?
| It is really much better to ask your classmate to repeat what he has said to you. While nodding may sometimes be okay, there will be many times when that response will confuse or frustrate your friend. Just be sure that you use a patient tone, the same tone you would use anytime you are unclear about what someone has said to you. Also, remember that by taking the time to ask your classmate to repeat what he has said you not only let him know that you are interested in his questions and ideas, but you also give him the opportunity to work on and improve his speech.
| Recently my father became paralyzed from the waist down in a riding accident. He now uses a wheelchair. I'm afraid to talk to him, fearing that I will say or do the wrong thing. Please give me some advice.
| Don't be afraid to talk to your father. We're sure he would want you to talk openly instead of ignoring him or imagining things as much worse than they actually are. Speak directly to him and make eye contact, don’t stare at your feet or mumble, this would obviously make him much more uncomfortable. Stand or sit at a reasonable distance, as you would with anyone else. Don’t be afraid of offending him by your usual slang (gotta run or jump on in there). Be yourself, he will respect that and feel more relaxed in your company. Just remember one important fact: your dad is the same guy in or out of the wheelchair. He loves you and wants you to feel as though you can always talk to him, about ANYTHING!
| What are some of the jobs that blind people can undertake?
| Little can prevent blind people from undertaking most jobs. Obviously, they are unable to chauffeur or drive a taxicab, yet there is a whole world full of other occupations. Braille has brought many people out of the darkness and allowed them to work as lawyers, teachers, secretaries, and so on. They can even work on computers, thanks to a new function in which the electronic device will "talk." Technology has helped the blind in many ways and will bring about even more job opportunities through the 21st century!
| Should you pet a seeing eye dog?
| You should always ask the owner. You may have noticed that most working dogs wear a tag saying "I am at work. Please do not pet me." Some people are more strict with their dogs than others. In many cases it depends on the situation. A dog is more apt to be friendly during play time than while he is caring for his owner. The best way to insure the safety of the dog, the owner, and you is to ask before you pet!

UNIT 20 DISABILITY
江苏省靖江高级中学
顾亚琴 张纯 制作