Tips for supporting people with developmental disabilities
If you are a co-worker or supervisor of a person who has a developmental disability, it can be easy to forget that we are all more alike than we are different. Like any other employee in your organization, each person brings a unique skill set and abilities to their job. As a co-worker or supervisor, you greatly impact the day-to-day job success of a person with disabilities by the work environment you create.
Consider the following tips when interacting with people with developmental disabilities to create a more inclusive and team-oriented work environment.
- Speak directly to people and focus on their abilities rather than their disability.
- Use direct and clear communication to ensure job expectations are clearly set. Being direct helps eliminate any potential misunderstandings resulting from convoluted language or jargon.
- If a person appears to be struggling with a task, they might be, so ask them if, and how, you can assist them.
- When conversing, talk about things you would normally discuss with other employees, such as entertainment, sports or what you did over the weekend. People with disabilities have the same range of likes and dislikes as those who do not.
- Avoid exhibiting dramatic responses to their disability such as, "Wow, if I had ________ I wouldn't be able to _______.” Most often, people with a disability lead a full life and have learned to meet the challenges posed by the disability positively.
And if you ever feel uncomfortable about a work situation with a person who has a disability, it is best to let them know. Everyone appreciates honesty and vulnerability. A respectful and direct conversation can lead to a better understanding of each other and create a more inclusive work environment.
**Note: If you are a manager with an employee that has a disability or are a co-worker looking to create a more inclusive work environment for individuals with disabilities, be sure to check out UCLA’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion’s Disability Accommodations opens a new window page. Managers and supervisors can also refer to Campus Human Resources’ Disability Management page, which features the Employee Disability Management Services (EDMS) resource, available to their departments.
