Able-bodied residents need to `open their eyes' to the plight of Bermuda's disabled, according to a campaigner for their rights.

Community and Cultural Affairs disabled persons co-ordinator Ann Lindroth said it was time for the Island to be aware of how difficult normal life is for the less-abled bodied.

She challenged the community to spend a day seeing Bermuda as a disabled person does - and threw down the gauntlet to Parliament to lead by example.

Speaking to Hamilton Lions, Ms Lindroth said that awareness of Bermuda's disabled is the first step to making the Island accessible for everyone.

Club members spent the luncheon using only one hand after accepting a challenge from Ms Lindroth to live with an impairment.

Members had to serve themselves from a buffet line and even applaud using only one hand.

"Spend a day walking around Bermuda with the eyes of a disabled person. Notice the uneven sidewalks and stair-only access to buildings," she said. "They live in a world of silence," she said about the hearing impaired, "Imagine never hearing the voices of your loved ones."

In addition to fighting for the same rights to buildings, transportation and opportunity that everyone else has, Ms Lindroth said disabled persons might have to face social tensions such as people staring at them and other's inability to make eye contact. She said people can assist the disabled by, "understanding the need for accessible parking, encouraging community events that disabled persons can access, understanding children's curiosity and speaking up when negative words or phrases are spoken (about the disabled)." And responding to a question from the audience, Ms Lindroth said if the House of Assembly becomes accessible to disabled persons, "that would be leading by example".

In closing her speech, Ms Lindroth read a list to Lions Club Mrs. Lindroth gave members what she called "The Ten Commandments of Etiquette for Communicating with People with Disabilities".

1. When talking with a person with a disability, speak directly to that person rather than through a companion or sign language interpreter.

2. When introduced to a person with a disability, it is appropriate to offer to shake hands. People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands. (Shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable greeting.)

3. When meeting a person who is visually impaired, always identify yourself and others who may be with you. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking.

4. If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted.

5. Treat adults as adults. Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to others. (Never patronise people in wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulders.)

6. Leaning on or hanging on to a person's wheelchair is similar to leaning on or hanging on a person and is generally considered annoying. The chair is part of the personal body space of the person who uses it.

7. Listen attentively when you're talking with a person who has difficulty speaking. Be patient and wait for the person to finish, rather than correcting or speaking for the person. If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers, a nod or a shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Instead, repeat what you have understood and allow the person to respond.

8. When speaking with a person in a wheelchair or a person who uses crutches, place yourself at eye level in front of the person to facilitate the conversation.

9. To get the attention of a person who is deaf, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly and expressively to determine if the person can read your lips. Not all people who are deaf can read lips. For those who do lip read, be sensitive to their needs by placing yourself so that you face the light source and keep hands, cigarettes and food away from your mouth when speaking.

10. Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use accepted, common expressions such as "See You later," or "Did you hear about that? " that seems to relate to a person's disability. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you're unsure of what to do.