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Tips for Interacting with People with Disabilities

When interacting with people with disabilities, it is important to extend them the same courtesies and respect that is shown to others.  However, there are some rules of etiquette that will help both you and the person with the disability feel more comfortable. 

General

• Relax.  Be yourself.  Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use accepted, common expressions such as "See you later" or "Got to be running along" that seem to relate to the person's disability.
• Offer assistance to a person with a disability if you feel like it, but wait until your offer is accepted BEFORE you help.  Listen to any instructions the person may want to give.
• Be considerate of the extra time it might take for a person with a disability to get things done or said.  Let the person set the pace in walking and talking.
• When talking with someone with a disability, speak directly to that person rather than through a companion who may be present.
• It is appropriate to shake hands when introduced to a person with a disability.  People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb do shake hands.

Hearing

• To get the attention of a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, tap the person on the shoulder, wave your hand, stamp your foot or flash the lights.
• Follow the person's cues to find out if he/she prefers sign language, gesturing, writing or speaking.
• Look directly at the person and speak clearly to establish if the person can read your lips.  Those who do will rely on facial expressions and other body language to help in understanding.  Remember, not all persons who are deaf or hard of hearing can lip read.
• Speak in a normal tone of voice.  Talking too loudly or with exaggerated speech can cause a distortion of normal lip movements.  Shouting won't help.
• Try to eliminate background noise.
• Written notes can often facilitate communication.
• Encourage feedback to assess clear understanding.
• If you have trouble understanding the speech of a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, let him/her know.

Vision

• When greeting a person with a severe loss of vision, always identify yourself and others who may be with you.
• When speaking in a group, remember to say the name of the person to whom you are speaking to give verbal cues.
• Speak directly to the vision impaired student and address him or her by name. 
• Speak in a normal tone of voice, indicate when you move from one place to another and let it be known when the conversation is at an end.
• When you offer to assist someone with vision impairment, allow the person to take your arm.  This will help you to guide rather than propel or lead the person.  When offering seating, place the person's hand on the back or arm of the seat.
• Use specifics such as "left a hundred feet" or "right two yards" when directing a person with a visual impairment.

Speech

• Give whole, unhurried attention when you're talking to a person who has difficulty speaking.  Allow extra time for communication.
• Keep your manner encouraging rather than correcting.  Be patient--don't speak for the person.
• If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers of a nod or shake of the head.
• Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so.  Repeat what you understand.  The person's reaction will clue you in and guide you to understanding.
• Use hand gestures and notes.

Cognitive

• Be patient.  Take the time necessary to assure clear understanding.  Give the person time to put his/her thoughts into words, especially when responding to a question.
• Use precise language incorporating simpler words.  When possible, use words that relate to things you both can see.  Avoid using directional terms like right, left, east, or west.
• Be prepared to give the person the same information more than once in different ways.
• When asking questions, phrase them to elicit accurate information.  People with cognitive disabilities may be eager to please and may tell you what they think you want to hear.  Verify responses by repeating each question in a different way.
• Give exact instructions.  For example, "Be back from lunch at 12:30," not "Be back in 30 minutes."
• Too many directions at one time may be confusing.
• Depending on the disability, the person may prefer information in written or verbal form.  Ask the person how you can best relay the information.

Mobility/Wheelchair Users

• Any aid or equipment a person may use, such as a wheelchair, guide cane, walker, crutch or assistance animal, is part of that person's personal space.  Don't touch, push, pull, or otherwise physically interact with an individual's body or equipment unless you're asked to.
• When speaking with someone in a wheelchair, talk directly to the person and try to be at his/her eye level, but do not kneel.  If you must stand, step back slightly so the person doesn't have to strain his/her neck to see you.
• When giving directions to people with mobility limitations, consider distance, weather conditions and physical obstacles such as stairs, curbs and steep hills.
• Always ask before you move a person in a wheelchair--out of courtesy, but also to prevent disturbing the person's balance.
• If a person transfers from a wheelchair to a car, barstool, etc., leave the wheelchair within easy reach.  Always make sure the chair is locked before helping a person transfer.

Service Animals

• Service animals should not be petted or otherwise distracted when in harness.
• If the animal is not in harness, permission from the animal's companion should be requested and received prior to any interaction with the animal. Guide dogs will need special consideration when you plan laboratory exercises and field trips.