Guidelines for Communicating with People with Disabilities

Attitude

Attitude

Your attitude matters! One of the greatest barriers people with disabilities face is negative attitudes and perceptions of those with disabilities.

Negative attitudes form an obstacle to acceptance and full participation in society for people with disabilities.

Disability

Most people think you are either disabled-or you’re not.The truth is that disability is a continuum.

At one end are perfect people, and there aren’t many of those around. On the other end are people with severe impairments.

Most of us fall somewhere in between, and all of us want to be treated with respect.

Assumptions

Don’t assume that a person with a disability needs your help. Ask before you try to help.

Make eye contact and talk directly to the person in a normal speaking voice.

Treat people with disabilities with the same respect and consideration you should show all people.

Visual Impairments

When communicating with someone who is blind or visually impaired, be descriptive.

If they are walking, tell them if they have to step up or step down, and let them know if the door is to their right or left.

You don’t have to talk loudly to people with visual impairments. They hear just fine.

Offer to read written information for a person with visual impairment

If you are asked to guide a person who is visually impaired, offer them your arm instead of grabbing theirs.

Speech Impairments

Don’t pretend you understand what a person with a speech disability says just to be polite. Listen patiently.

Don’ t complete a person’s sentence unless they look to you for help. Ask them to write a word if you’re not sure of what they are saying.

Hearing Impairment

Face people with hearing impairments when you talk to them so that they can see your lips.

Slow the rate at which you speak and increase the level of your voice when talking to someone who is hearing impaired.

Mobility Impairment

Sit or crouch down to the approximate height of a person in a wheelchair when you talk to them.

Don’t lean on someone’s wheelchair unless you have their permission, and only give a push when asked or if you have been granted permission.

Learning Disabilities

Don’t assume that you need to explain things to someone with a learning disability. They do not necessarily have a problem with general comprehension.

Offer to read written material if necessary.

Guide Dogs

Many people with visual or mobility impairments and some deaf people use guide dogs to help them compensate for their disabilities. These dogs are workers and not pets, and they have jobs to do.

Always ask permission before you interact with someone’s dog. Do not pet the dog or divert it from its work.

Test your gray matter

You notice a person in a wheelchair beginning to start up a ramp. You should: Push the person up the ramp, Watch the person carefully in case the wheelchair starts to roll backwards, Ask the person if they would like some help, or Place one hand on the arm rest of the wheelchair and walk beside the person.

When communicating with a person in a wheelchair: Talk through the person’s companion, Speak loudly and clearly, Crouch to the height of the person when you talk to them, or Treat them with more respect then you would if they were not in a wheelchair.

When trying to communicate with someone who has a speech or hearing impairment: Pretend you understand what the person has said, Complete their sentences for them, Do not look them directly in the eye, or Communicate by writing if necessary.

When speaking to someone who is learning to speak English: Raise your voice when you speak, Lower the pitch of your voice, Talk VERY slowly, or Pronounce the entire word.

One of the greatest barriers people with disabilities face is: Communication barriers, Social limitations, Negative attitudes and perceptions, or People aren’t willing to help them.

When working with someone who is visually impaired, you should NOT: Warn them to step up or step down, Offer your arm instead of grabbing theirs, Talk loudly, or Offer to read written information.

What should you do when working with someone with a guide dog? Assume that the person is blind, Ask permission before petting the dog, Talk to the dog in a playful voice, or Offer the dog some of your food.