TIPS FOR EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

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

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.)

When meeting a person with a visual impairment, always identify yourself and others who may by with you. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking.

If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen to or ask for instructions.

Treat adults as adults. Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to all others present. (Never patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulder.)

Leaning, hanging or propping your feet on a person’s wheelchair is similar to leaning 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.

Listen attentively when you are 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.

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.

To get the attention of a person who is hearing-impaired, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly and expressively to establish that the person can read your lips. Not all people with a hearing impairment can lip-read. For those who do lip-read, be sensitive to their needs by placing yourself facing the light source and keeping hands, cigarettes and food away from your mouth when speaking.

Relax; don’t be embarrassed if you happen to use accepted, common expressions such as “See you later”, or “Did you hear about this”, that seem to relate to the person’s disability.

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Last updated: July 15, 2005