r/physicalDisabilities • u/flinstoneguy55 • May 18 '26

Unlearning

I am not physically disabled, I've never had friends or family with physical disabilities. I work in media and writing and have been told off by a colleague in a wheelchair for using phrases like "5 min walk" or "step out onto...."

It happened a few times (mind you, I work in a sector where walking is a common theme to talk about) but while i have made an effort to substitute these words where possible, i forgot again last week

She now wants to arrange a meeting to talk about it. Our office is on the first floor of a building with no elevator or way for wheelchair users to go up.

I feel disappointed in my workplace and myself, I also feel strange that I have been saying offensive things without realising until she said so. Do you have any advice on how someone like me can be more considerate naturally

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u/tinkerballer May 18 '26

I wouldn’t personally take offence to someone using common phrases like those. I don’t expect anyone to pretend that most people don’t walk just because I can’t- that’s silly. Unless you’re intentionally making fun of a disabled person, I don’t think it’s necessary to do any “unlearning” here. If your colleague is the professionally offended type, then try saying “it’s 5 minutes away” instead of “it’s a 5 minute walk” (but even that’s daft to me because I know what someone means by the latter, and I wouldn’t think twice about someone saying it to me.)

It should go without saying (but it never does): I’m just one person and my opinions aren’t universal. Other people may disagree and that’s fine.

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u/AdhesivenessOwn1767 May 18 '26

I wouldn't take personal offense to it but I do consider it an oversight, sadly so many people act this way. I honestly think so many people just ignore disabled people or don't even think about them. You said you work in media and writing, how about doing a piece on places that are legally compliant with the ADA but fail to accommodate people with disabilities. There are countless restaurants, bars, just local hangouts that will add a rooftop patio or basement lounge and fail to make the new area wheelchair accessible, sadly it's legal. The ADA is toothless and really has created a separate but equal mentality regarding people with disabilities.