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. Then listen to or ask for instructions.
5. Treat adults as adults. Address people who have
disabilities by their names only when extending the same familiarity
to others. (Never patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting
them on the head or shoulder).
6. Leaning on or hanging to a person's wheelchair
is similar to leaning or hanging on to 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 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 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. The response will
clue you in and guide your understanding.
8. When speaking to a person who uses 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 persons 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 seem to relate to
a person's disability. Don't be afraid to ask question when you're
unsure of what to do.
