1. “Which is my Good Leg?”
Cultural Communication of Person‟s with Disabilities
A SUMMARY
BY: AMY REINICHE

2. Study Objective
 This study was done to help individuals understand
the way communication can be held between
nondisabled and disabled people.
 Often times, people are put into a situation when
they don‟t know how to communicate with those who
are disabled. This study allows the audience to
understand the culture of those who are
disabled, and how to be effective communicators
between the culture of those disabled, and those who
are not.

3. Method and Process
 Braithwaite, the author, begins the study with
identifying that there are different cultures between
those disabled and those who are not.
 The author proceeds to recall different situations by
having done interviews, furthering his research
about the lack of effective communication between
the different cultures.
 Finally, Braithwaite proceeds with the study to help
find solutions to help make communication more
effective, using students and fellow scholars on the
subject.

4. Findings…
 One key part of the research was what Braithwaite
defined as “redefinition”. This was an important
“find” because it gave more meaning to the rest of
the study.
“A central theme emerging from the interviews is what we call
redefinition; that is, people who are disabled critique the prevailing
stereotypes about being disabled, they create new ways of perceiving
themselves and their disability, and they develop ways of
communicating as a result. We were able to see three types of
redefinition: (a) redefining the self as part of a “new” culture, (b)
redefining the concept of disability, and (c) redefining disability for the
dominant culture” (Braithwaite 212).

5. Findings…
 30% of the interviewers received disability-related
communicating training (Braithwaite 216).
 People with disabilities refer to themselves as their
own culture, offering to help others learn to
communicate with those that are not disabled
(Braithwaite 216).
 Based on earlier research, people with disabilities
would focus on the goal of “unfreezing old attitudes
about disability, and refreezing new ones”
(Braithwaite 216).

6. Significance
 These multiple findings come with great significance
because they each offer ways to understand the culture of
those who are disabled.
 It is important to understand how to communicate with
disabled people because we need to let go of stereotypes
that tell a different story of disabled people.
 “For example, they often perceive them as dependent, socially
introverted, emotionally unstable, depressed, hypersensitive, and easily
offended, especially with regard to their disability. In addition, disabled
people are often presumed to differ from nondisabled people in moral
character, social skills, and political orientation (Braithwaite 210).”

7. Significance…
 Once we understand that stereotypes are not the
right perception, we can begin to learn how to
communicate, and realize that those with disabilities
are just like those without disabilities.
 “They want the nondisabled person to treat them as
a „person like anyone else‟ rather than focus solely on
their disability” (Braithwaite 211).

8. Approach
 There were two different approaches used in this study:
 Interpretive Approach
 The researcher used this approach by interacting with those who
interviewed. The author/researcher also participated heavily in this
study, portraying a form of truth that often gets overlooked: anyone
can communicate with disabled people– they are no different than
the rest of us when it comes to effective communication.
 Critical Approach
 This approach was used because the researcher was really stressing
the importance of learning to communicate with the disabled culture.
The researcher also wanted to try and find as many solutions as
possible to help make this effort a stronger approach.

9. Quotes
 Braithwaite wrote on page 213, “When taking a cultural
view, it is important to recognize that not everyone
comes to the culture the same way. Some people are born
with disabilities, and others acquire them later”.
 This quote was a wake-up call for me. I never really put
much thought to the fact that people with disabilities
refer to themselves as a culture. But with this quote, it
makes me think about how I am going to interact with
that culture. Just because we may not be a disabled
person doesn‟t mean that those who are disabled are any
different than myself. There is no reason for me to feel
any different, or better enough, to not effectively
communicate with them.

10. -Just a Side Note-
 One of my best friends is Albino and legally blind. She looks different
than the rest of us, and she can only see if she wears her glasses. She
has Rapid Eye Movement, so her eyes constantly move. I have
never, ever looked at her any different than me. In all honesty, she
does more than I ever do. She does not let her disabilities hinder her
from doing her own thing. She is super trendy, very independent, and
will travel around the country via public transportation. She does it to
“see” the country. On top of that, she is an event planner for a casino in
her current hometown.
 She does not let anything about her disability hinder her, and I admire
her greatly. I use to be super defensive if people made fun of her
“weirdness”, but she would just laugh. I remember her saying, “Don‟t
worry about them… One day they will be working for me.” The thing
is, they probably will!! She had a great attitude, and she taught me
things about her disabilities. I very much admire my best friend!

11. Quotes
 “Most people with disabilities we have encountered view themselves as
public educators on disability issues. People told stories about taking
time to educate children and adults on what it means to be disabled.
They are actively working to change the view of themselves as
helpless, ill, or as victims, and the ensuing treatment such a view
brings” (Braithwaite 215).
 This quote is so meaningful to me because there is no better way to
educate oneself than to learn from the “masters” themselves. If those
who are disabled are willing to teach others about the disability and
how to communicate, then that is a class worth taking. I think it is so
important to understand that people with disabilities are not
helpless, ill, or even victims. Just like the last quote says, some people
are born with disabilities, and others acquire them in life. It is best to
be prepared and educated. It will be worth it.

12. Food for Thought
 Do you know anyone with disabilities? If so, do you ever
think of them as a part of a different culture, or not give
any thought about it? If not, do you think communicating
with them would be difficult for you?
 With this kind of study, do you believe that those with
disabilities are the best educators, or would it be better to
learn from scholars and medical experts, who have done
scientific research on the matter?
 How can we make a difference to the people around
us, and communicate that interaction is important for
learning?

13. Reference
 Braithwaite, Dawn & Braithwaite, Charles.(2009).
"Which is My Good Leg (pp. 207- 217).