Disability Awareness Quiz
Next to each statement, indicate if you believe that statement to be true or false.
1. Only people who can’t walk use wheelchairs.
2. You have a friend who has a speech impairment and sometimes you’re not sure what he
said. To make things easier, you should pretend that you understand.
3. When you meet someone who is blind or visually impaired, you should introduce
yourself to that person.
4. When communicating with people who are deaf or hard of hearing, it is necessary to
speak through an interpreter.
5. It’s safe to assume that people with disabilities usually need help.
6. It’s okay to gossip about people who are deaf hard or hearing because they can’t hear you
anyway.
7. People who use wheelchairs can’t go anyplace fun.
8. People with cerebral palsy usually have a cognitive disability, too.
9. People with disabilities want to be treated just like everyone else.
10. When you meet someone with a guide or companion dog, you should make friends with
the dog first so that the dog is comfortable with you being nearby.
11. Among other professions, people with disabilities work as stockbrokers, lawyers, doctors
and teachers.
12. People with disabilities prefer to hang out with others who have disabilities.
13. Most public places such as movie theaters, restaurants and ballparks are easy for people
who use wheelchairs to enjoy.
14. People with disabilities can’t dance.
15. It’s okay to ask people with disabilities about their disabilities.
16. People with disabilities can participate in competitive sports.
17. People with disabilities can’t live on their own when they grow up.
18. Disabilities are illnesses to be treated by medical professionals in the hope of a cure.
19. People can become disabled at any point in their lives.
20. Many people with disabilities feel their real disability involves problems with the
environment rather than problems with their bodies.
Answer Key
General Disability Awareness Quiz Answer Key
1. Only people who can’t walk use wheelchairs.
FALSE. While is it true that many people who use wheelchairs can’t walk, many can. People
with disabilities who can walk on their own or with the aid of braces or a walker
may tire easily and choose to use a wheelchair because it gives them more independence.
2. You have a friend who has a speech impairment and sometimes you’re not sure what
he said. To make things easier, you should pretend that you understand.
FALSE. Never pretend you understand what someone is saying if you don’t. Instead, ask your
friend to repeat himself. If you’re still having trouble, make your best guess about
what the person is saying and ask if you heard correctly. Occasionally, your friend
may need to write something down for clarity.
3. When you meet someone who is blind or visually impaired, you should introduce yourself
to that person.
TRUE. Introductions are always appropriate when meeting new people. When you have a friend
or acquaintance with vision loss, it is appropriate to simply state your name whenever
you meet them. “Hi Michael, it’s John Anderson.”
4. When communicating with people who are deaf or hard of hearing, it is necessary to
speak through an interpreter.
FALSE. Because some people who are deaf or hard of hearing use sign language, others read
lips and still others use a combination of both, you need to find out how you can
best communicate with them. If he or she has an interpreter, it’s perfectly fine
to use this person, but look at and speak directly to the person with the disability,
not to the interpreter. The interpreter with stand beside you and interpret as necessary.
5. It’s safe to assume that people with disabilities usually need help.
FALSE. Most people with disabilities prefer to be independent. When offering help to someone
with a disability, always ask first, wait for their response and then ask them about
the best way to provide the help they need. Don’t feel bad if your help is turned
down.
6. It’s okay to gossip about people who are deaf hard of hearing because they can’t
hear you anyway.
FALSE. People who are deaf or hard of hearing are just as likely to know they are being
talked about as other people would be. Even if they do not hear exactly what’s being
said, they will notice. Why be rude?
7. People who use wheelchairs can’t go any place fun.
FALSE. People who use wheelchairs may face some architectural barriers when going out into
the community. But this doesn’t mean they can’t go anywhere fun. Instead, it’s a
reason to check out the places you plan to go ahead of time to see if there are potential
problems. Decisions can then be made to work around barriers or to choose another
location. Knowing what to expect ahead of time will make planned activities more
enjoyable for everyone.
8. People with cerebral palsy usually have a cognitive disability, too.
FALSE. Cerebral palsy is a disability affecting movement. Although cerebral palsy affects
the motor control center of the brain, it does not affect one’s natural intelligence.
9. People with disabilities want very much to be treated just like everyone else.
TRUE. People with disabilities have said that this, more than anything, is what they want—to
be included and treated just like everyone else.
10. When you meet someone with a guide or companion dog, you should make friends with
the dog first so that the dog is comfortable with you being nearby.
FALSE. You should always meet the person before their dog! Guide and companion dogs are
working and should not be disturbed. As you’re getting to know the person, you can
ask about the dog, and ask to be introduced.
11. Among other professions, people with disabilities work as stockbrokers, lawyers,
doctors and teachers.
TRUE. People with disabilities are involved in a full range of professions.
12. People with disabilities prefer to hang out with others who have disabilities.
FALSE. Friendship is usually based on common interests and activities, not on whether or
not a person has a disability.
13. Public places such as movie theaters, restaurants and ballparks are easy for people
who use wheelchairs to enjoy.
FALSE. Although the Americans with Disabilities Act calls for public places to be accessible
to people who use wheelchairs, the fact is that there are still many places that
are difficult for people who use wheelchairs to navigate. When make plans with someone
with a disability, possible architectural barriers should be considered.
14. People with disabilities can’t dance.
FALSE. Most people have their own styles of dancing, and people with disabilities are no
different.
15. It’s okay to ask people with disabilities about their disabilities.
TRUE. What’s important is how you ask. Don’t ask, “What’s wrong with you?” Instead,
learning
more about a person’s disability should be a part of getting to know each other.
Even then, some people may be willing to answer questions, while others may choose
not to. Be sensitive to and respect their wishes.
16. People with disabilities can participate in competitive sports.
TRUE. Competitive sports are as important to people with disabilities as they are to those
without. Having a physical, sensory or cognitive disability does not necessarily
preclude involvement in individual or team sports. People with disabilities ski,
play tennis and racquetball, race in 10Ks and marathons and participate in dozens
of other sports. Keep in mind, though, that just like everyone else, some people
with disabilities love sports, while others just aren’t interested.
17. People with physical disabilities can’t live on their own when they grow up.
FALSE. With adapted housing, personal assistants, accessible transportation and available
employment, most people with physical disabilities can and do choose to live independently.
18. People can become disabled at any time in their lives.
TRUE. People can be born with a disability or the disability may come after birth, the
result of illness, age or an accident. Statistics show that during their lifetime,
50 % of people will experience a disability.
19. Disabilities are illnesses to be treated by medical professionals in the hope of
a cure.
FALSE. Disabilities are not the same as illnesses. People with disabilities are not sick,
and most are seeking acceptance and inclusion rather than a ‘cure’.
20. Many people with disabilities feel their real disability involves problems with the
environment rather than problems with their bodies.
TRUE. Architectural barriers limit participation, productivity, and independence. For instance,
if a person who uses a wheelchair is offered a job that they cannot accept because
it is located on the second floor of a building without an elevator, the real problem
the handicap is that there is no elevator.
