Did you know that 1 in 5 people have a disability? There are many types of disabilities that are both visible and invisible, so you may not be able to tell if someone has a disability just by looking at them. This is especially important to keep in mind when we're interacting and working with young people. To make sure that we're treating young people - and people in general - with the respect they deserve, we can't assume that we know what they need or what they can do. 

To help us be the most mentor-like in our interactions, we can look to Disability Etiquette guidance for tips and information! Check out this brochure from United Spinal Association.

When interacting with people and youth with disabilities here are a few basic tips from the brochure to keep in mind: 

• Ask before you help someone.
• Be sensitive about physical contact.
• Think before you speak and make sure you're talking to the person with a disability.
• Don't make assumptions.
• Respond graciously to requests.

Take some time to read through the resource above for more helpful, enlightening and thoughtful information. You can also watch this video for a fun introduction into disability etiquette and sensitivity!