Autonomy & Respect
📋 What it is
Autonomy means people get to make their own choices about their own lives — respecting it is central to real inclusion.
🗣️ Coach says
A common mistake is "helping" without asking — deciding what someone needs FOR them. Real respect means asking first ("would you like help?") and honoring the answer, because people are the experts on their own lives. Autonomy — the right to make your own choices — is at the heart of dignity and inclusion.
🧠 Memory hook
Ask before helping; honor the answer. People are the experts on their OWN lives (autonomy).
😂 Giggle
I'm not a person, but I read every word on the screen out loud. What am I?
A screen reader!
😲 Whoa!
Disability advocates often say "help offered without asking isn’t always help" — a quick "would you like a hand?" is the respectful move.
✅ Quick check: Before helping someone with a disability, what’s the respectful first step?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
Ask if they’d like help — and honor their answer, since they know their own needs best.
Respecting autonomy means asking first, not deciding for someone.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
Practice asking "would you like help?" (instead of just doing it) the next time you want to assist anyone.