Tennessee Tech will offer a new disability etiquette course this spring, helping students understand how to interact with people who have disabilities.
Tennessee Tech Professor Dr. Mark Warnick is a disabled veteran. He said he created the course after experiencing students who were not sure how to interact with him. Warnick said most people are afraid.
“The general citizen doesn’t want to do something wrong,” Warnick said. “They are afraid to say something as an example; they are afraid they might say, ‘See you later’, to a blind person. Well, there is nothing wrong with that.”
Warnick said these types of interactions are common for those who are disabled, leaving them often times feeling lonely. Warnick said the best way to interact with those with disabilities is to treat them like people and treat them with respect.
“The main thing is to treat them with respect, don’t ignore them,” Warnick said. “And you know, you will be amazed if you interact with disabled people because many of them are brilliant people.”
Warnick said the course will not only teach students how to interact with disabled people but also create a better society.
“Considering one and four people are disabled, according to the CDC, we need to create a community that is accepting and integrated, and we need to ensure that everyone knows what the best way to do that is,” Warnick said.
Disability Etiquette is a 15-week elective course. Warnick said he is thankful that the university is offering the course.