The rules for interacting appropriately with people with disabilities are the same as for any other person. In other words, always treat a person with a disability just like you would want to be treated - with respect and courtesy. The "tips" suggested in this module address specific issues that may arise when interacting with people with different kinds of disabilities. Since everyone is different, these "tips" may not hold true for all individuals.

Keep in mind that knowing how to react appropriately in every situation requires time and practice. As with all other etiquette issues, when mistakes are made, apologize, correct the problem, learn from the mistake, move on–do not be discouraged, and above all, keep trying. 

Tools are available to help you make your center disability friendly. To obtain posters promoting access for people with disabilities visit http://www.adainfonet.org/Posters.htm.

• Any and all assistive devices (canes, wheelchairs, crutches, communication boards, etc.) should always be respected as personal property. Unless given specific and explicit permission, do not move, play with, or use them.

• When introduced to a person with a disability, it is appropriate to offer to shake hands. People with limited hand use or those who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands. Shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable greeting.

• Always direct your communication to the individual with a disability. If they are accompanied, do not direct your comments to the companion.

  

• Avoid portraying people with disabilities as non-sexual. People with disabilities are capable of establishing loving relationships and expressing the same sexual needs and desires as non-disabled people.

• Do not focus on the disability, but on the individual and the issue at hand.

• Be considerate of the extra time it may take for a person with a disability to move around or complete a task.

• If you are uncertain about what to do, ask. Most people would rather answer a question about protocol than be in an uncomfortable situation.

• Do not worry about what to call someone. All people with disabilities have names.

• Remember that people with disabilities are interested in the same topics of conversation as non-disabled people.

• Use a normal speaking tone and style. If someone needs you to speak in a louder voice, he/she will ask you to do so.

• Remember that people with disabilities, like all people, are experts on themselves. They know what they like, what they do not like, and what they can and cannot do.

• People with disabilities in Job Corps program are there because they want to become employable and independent. Ensure that your attitudes and the attitudes of other staff/students do not prevent this.

• Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use common expressions such as "see you later" that seem to relate to the person's disability.

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• Use clear language that is concise and to the point.

• Avoid cliches and idiomatic usages, unless someone is clearly familiar with the terms.

• Do not "talk down" to a person with mental retardation.

• "Walk through" the steps of a task or project. Let an individual perform each part of the task after you explain it.

• Assume that an adult with mental retardation has had the same experiences as any other adult.

• Use pictures or simple photographs to identify rooms, tasks, or directions.

• Treat the individual as you would anyone else. If engaging in a conversation with someone with mental retardation, bring up the same topics of conversation as you would with anyone else such as weekend activities, vacation plans, the weather, or recent events.

• Direct your comments, questions, and concerns regarding a person with mental retardation or a cognitive disability to that individual. Remember that persons with mental retardation or cognitive disabilities are legally competent. They can sign documents, vote, give consent to medical care, and sign contracts.

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Basic Etiquette/People with Mobility Impairments

• Remember that a wheelchair is part of an individual's "personal space." Do not lean on it, push it, or rest your feet on it without explicit permission.

• ALWAYS ASK if you can offer assistance BEFORE you provide assistance. If your offer of assistance is accepted, ask for instructions and follow those that are given to you.

• When given permission to push a wheelchair, push slowly at first. Wheelchairs can pick up momentum quickly.

• Personally check locations of events for accessibility. Use a checklist. Alert persons with mobility impairments of potential problems or barriers if they can't be removed before the event.

• Do not ask people how they acquired their disability, how they feel about it, or other personal questions unless it is clear that someone may want to discuss it. It is not their job to educate you.

• Do not pat an individual who uses a wheelchair on the back or on the head.

• If possible, sit down so that you are at eye level.

• Remember that, in general, persons with mobility impairments are not deaf, visually impaired, or cognitively impaired. The only accommodations that you need to make are those that relate to mobility impairment.

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Basic Etiquette/People with Visual Impairments

• Offer the use of your arm. Do not clutch the person's arm or steer the individual. Walk as you normally would.

• Do not be offended if your offer to assist a visually impaired person is declined.

• Give a person with visual impairment a brief description of the surroundings.

• Use descriptive phrases that relate to sound, smell, and distance when guiding a visually impaired person.

• Guide dogs are working animals and should not be treated as pets. Do not give the dog instructions, play with, or touch him/her.

• Do not grab or try to steer the cane of a person with visual impairments.

• Always ask, do not assume which format a person with visual impairments prefers information (e.g., braille, large print, or audiotape).

• Direct your comments, questions or concerns to the person with a visual impairment, not to his/her interpreter or companion.

• If you are reading for a person with visual impairment, first describe the information to be read. Use a normal speaking voice. Do not skip information unless requested to do so.

• Always identify yourself by name.

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Basic Etiquette/People Who Are Deaf/Hard of Hearing

• Always look directly at a person with hearing loss.

• Do not obscure you face and mouth.

• There is a wide range of hearing losses and communication methods. ASK, if you do not know the individual's preferred communication method.

• To get the attention of a person with a hearing loss, call his/her name. If there is no response, you can lightly touch him/her on the arm or shoulder.

• Speak clearly and evenly. Do not exaggerate your speech.

• If you are asked to repeat yourself several times, try rephrasing your sentence.

• When providing information that involves a number or an address, consider alternative ways to provide it; writing, faxing, or e-mailing are great ways to ensure accuracy and decrease frustration.

• If you are experiencing extreme difficulty communicating orally, ask if you can write. Never say, "Oh, forget it, it is not important." Keep messages simple and direct.

• Be aware of the environment. Large and crowded rooms and hallways can be very difficult for deaf/hard of hearing persons. Bright sunlight and shadows also present barriers. Do not change the topic of conversation without warning. Use transitional phrases such as "Okay, now we need to discuss..."

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Basic Etiquette/People with Speech Impairments

• Do not ignore persons with speech impairments because of your concerns that you will not understand them.

• Do not interrupt a person with a speech impairment. Speak only when you are certain that he or she has finished speaking.

• Do not attempt to rush a conversation. Plan for a conversation with a person with impaired speech to take longer.

• Face the individual and maintain eye contact. Give the conversation your full attention.

• If the individual is accompanied by another individual, do not address questions, comments, or concerns to the companion.

• Do not pretend you understand what is being said if you do not.

• Do not assume that a person with a speech impairment is incapable of understanding you.

• Some people with speech impairments have difficulty with inflections. Do not make assumptions based on facial expressions or vocal inflections unless you know the individual very well.

• Do not play with or try to use someone's communication device. Such communication aids are considered an extension of an individual's "personal space" and should be respected as such.

• If you are having trouble communicating, ask if an individual can use a computer or TDD.

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Basic Etiquette/People with Psychiatric Disabilities

• Do not assume that people with psychiatric disabilities necessarily need any extra assistance or different treatment.

• Treat people with psychiatric disabilities as individuals. Do not make assumptions based on experiences you have had with other people with psychiatric disabilities.

• Do not assume that people with psychiatric disabilities are more likely to be violent than people without psychiatric disabilities; this is a myth.

• Do not assume that all people with psychiatric disabilities take medication or should take medication.

• Do not assume that all people with psychiatric disabilities are not capable of signing contracts or giving consent for medical treatment. Many are legally competent.

• Do not assume that people with psychiatric disabilities also have cognitive disabilities or are less intelligent than the general population.

• Do not assume that people with psychiatric disabilities are not capable of working in a wide variety of jobs which require a wide range of skills and abilities.

• Do not assume that people with psychiatric disabilities do not know what is best for them, or have poor judgment.

• If someone with a psychiatric disability gets upset, ask calmly if there is anything you can do to help and then respect their wishes.

• Do not assume that a person with a psychiatric disability is unable to cope with stress.

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