Diversity Spotlight: Dealing With Strange People Who Are Not The Same As You (Page 3)
5.) Coworkers With Disabilities
Above: don't let this man's smile fool you. Instead, look at his head lump.
It's easy to be jealous of the disabled. They often receive assistance and pity that you would never get, as well as access to cool machines and devices not meant for you. Is this fair? No. Feel free to bring this up to your disabled coworkers, as long as you avoid the following:
"You don't need to date! You're better off without a woman/man causing you trouble."
Although you might think you're safe in assuming that the disabled could never have a meaningful relationship, you're forgetting that sometimes, disabled people find other disabled people, and form a type of disabled love. Instead, amend the statement to say, "...without a regular woman/man causing you trouble."
"You don't look disabled. Why do you have a handicapped sticker?"
If you feel the need to ask this, you've most likely stumbled on to something big: a secret counterfeit handicap sticker operation. Don't ruin it for everyone by asking a lot of stupid questions.
"Hey, retard!"
All right, this is ridiculous. Who came up with this one? I literally say this at least once a day, and everyone loves it -- even that retard who works in HR!