Disability Etiquette: The Dos and Donts of Communicating with Persons with Disabilities

Things to remember

Individuals with disabilities are people! Individuals with disabilities are whole people! They expect to be treated with the same dignity and respect that you do. Just because someone has a disability does not mean he/she is disabled

Disability Etiquette: When meeting and talking with a person who has a disability.
Remember, he/she is a person, NOT a disability. Never patronize them by patting them on the head/ back or talk down to them. Offer to shake their hand, even if it appears as if they have limited use of their arms or have an artificial limb. Simply the gesture will help them feel accepted and create a warmer environment for communication. For those who cannot shake hands or if youre not sure, A smile along with a spoken greeting is always appropriate. If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen to or ask for instructions. Look at and speak directly to the person, not through a companion, care-taker, or interpreter or others that may accompanying him or her. Treat adults as adults.Don't patronize. Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to all others. Dont apologize if you use an expression such as I gotta run or See you later that relates to the persons disability. These expressions are part of everyday language and it is likely the apology will be more offensive than the expression. Dont pet or feed service animals or guide dogs as they are working. When giving directions, make sure you consider things such as the weather, locations of ramps/curb-cuts, and other physical obstacles that may hinder travel for individuals with disabilities. Don't mention the person's disability, unless he or she talks about it or it is relevant to the conversation. Be patient and give your undivided attention. especially with someone who speaks slowly or with great effort. Never pretend to understand what a person is saying. Ask the person to repeat or rephrase, or offer him or her a pen and paper. Relax. Anyone can make mistakes. Offer an apology if you forget some courtesy. Keep a sense of humor and a willingness to communicate.

From US Department of Labor- Office of Disability Employment Policy, University of Northern Iowa Office of Compliance and Equity Management , The Memphis Center for Independent Living

Disability Etiquette: The Dos and Donts of Communicating with Persons with Disabilities
Speech Disability Etiquette: When meeting a person with a disability that affects speech...
Never assume.many people mistakenly identify these individuals as being mentally retarded or mentally ill. Make sure to be patient in finding out which communication method works best for them. Be 100 percent attentive when conversing with an individual who has difficulty speaking. If you are in a noisy and/or crowded environment, dont panic. Just try and move to a quieter location to talk. Do not pretend to understand; instead, tell them what you do understand and allow them to respond and see if it is close to what he or she is saying. Do not be corrective, but rather, encouraging. When necessary, its OK to ask short questions that require short answers. Pay attention, be patient, and wait for the person to complete a word or thought. Do not finish it for the person. Be prepared for various devices or techniques used to enhance or augment speech. Don't be afraid to communicate with someone who uses an alphabet board or a computer with synthesized speech.

Wheelchair Etiquette: When you are with a person who uses a wheelchair...

Things to Remember Individual who use wheelchairs may require different degrees of assistance. Some who use wheelchairs may also use canes or other assistive devices and may not need his/her wheelchair all the time. Do not automatically assist the individual without permission. It is ok to offer assistance. However, if the offer is not accepted, respect his/her request! If you will be speaking with an individual in a wheelchair for more than a couple minutes, find a place where you can sit down to give the individual a more comfortable viewing angle. A persons wheelchair is part of his/her own personal space. Never move, lean on, rock, or touch his/her wheelchair without permission. In addition to being rude, it can be dangerous. Do not assume that having to use a wheelchair is a tragedy. Wheelchairs can be a means of freedom to fully engage in life. Rearrange furniture or objects to accommodate a wheelchair before the person arrives. Offer to tell where accessible rest rooms, telephones, and water fountains are located. When giving directions to a person in a wheelchair, consider distance, weather conditions, and physical obstacles (curbs, stairs, steep hills, etc.) Offer assistance if the individual appears to be having difficulty opening a door. If you telephone the individual, allow the phone to ring longer than usual to allow extra time for the person to reach the telephone.

From US Department of Labor- Office of Disability Employment Policy, University of Northern Iowa Office of Compliance and Equity Management , The Memphis Center for Independent Living

Disability Etiquette: The Dos and Donts of Communicating with Persons with Disabilities
Hearing Disability Etiquette: Talking with a person who is deaf or uses a hearing aid...
Do not shout at a hearing impaired person unless they request you to. Just speak in a normal tone but make sure your lips are visible. Keep conversations clear and find a quiet location to communicate. If you are asked to repeat yourself, answering nothing, its not important implies the person is not worth repeating yourself for. It is demeaning; be patient and comply. Show consideration by facing the light source and keeping things (such as cigarettes or your hands) away from you mouth while speaking. Let the person take the lead in establishing the communication mode, such as lipreading, sign language, or writing notes. Talk directly to the person, even when a sign language interpreter is present. If the person lip-reads, face him or her directly, speak clearly and with a moderate pace. With some people, it may help to simplify your sentences and use more facial expressions and body language. Gain the person's attention before starting a conversation (i.e., tap the person gently on the shoulder or arm). If you telephone an individual who is hard of hearing, let the phone ring longer than usual. Speak clearly and be prepared to repeat the reason for the call and who you are. If you do not have a Text Telephone (TTY), dial 711 to reach the national telecommunications relay service, which facilitates the call between you and an individual who uses a TTY.

Visual Disability Etiquette: Interacting with a person who is blind or has a disability that affects sight or vision...
When meeting someone with a visual disability, identify yourself and others with you (e.g. Jane is on my left and Jack is on my right.) Speak in a normal tone of voice.Continue to identify the person with whom you are speaking. If you go out to dinner with an acquaintance with a visual disability, ask if you can describe what is on the menu and what is on his/her plate. If you are offering a seat, gently place the individual's hand on the back or arm of the chair so that the person can locate the seat. When walking with someone with a visual impairment, offer them your arm for guidance. They will likely keep a half-step behind to anticipate curbs and steps. Never push or pull the person. Point out doors, stairs, or curbs, as you approach them. Don't leave the person without excusing yourself first. As you enter a room with the person, describe the layout and location of furniture, etc. Be specific when describing the location of objects. (Example: "There is a chair three feet from you at eleven o'clock.") Don't pet or distract a guide dog. The dog is responsible for its owner's safety and is always working. It is not a pet.

From US Department of Labor- Office of Disability Employment Policy, University of Northern Iowa Office of Compliance and Equity Management , The Memphis Center for Independent Living

Disability Etiquette: The Dos and Donts of Communicating with Persons with Disabilities
Cognitive Disability Etiquette: Tips for Communicating with Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities If you are in a public area with many distractions, consider moving to a quiet or private location. Be prepared to repeat what you say, orally or in writing. Offer assistance completing forms or understanding written instructions and provide extra time for decision-making. Wait for the individual to accept the offer of assistance; do not "over-assist" or be patronizing. Be patient, flexible and supportive. Take time to understand the individual and make sure the individual understands you.

From US Department of Labor- Office of Disability Employment Policy, University of Northern Iowa Office of Compliance and Equity Management , The Memphis Center for Independent Living