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The Ten Commandments of Etiquette for Communicating with People with
Disabilities 1. When talking with a person with a disability,
speak directly to that person rather than through a companion or sign
language interpreter. 2. Extend common courtesies to people with
disabilities. 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 also an acceptable greeting. 3. When meeting a person who has a visual impairment,
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. Also
announce when you are leaving the conversation. When dining with a person who
has a visual impairment, ask if you can describe what is on her or his plate.
Don’t be afraid to use common expressions that refer to sight, such as, “See
you later.” 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 with disabilities
by their first name only when extending the same familiarity to all others.
Never patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head or
shoulder. 6. Leaning on or hanging on a person’s wheelchair is
similar to leaning on or hanging on to a person and is generally considered
inappropriate. Keep in mind that wheelchairs users treat their chairs as
extensions of their bodies and personal space. The same principle is true for
people who have service animals. Never distract a service animal from their
job without the owner’s permission. 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 or a nod 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. 8. When speaking with a person who uses a wheelchair,
place yourself at eye level in front of the person to facilitate
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 people 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. Never shout at a person; instead, speak in a normal tone of
voice. 10. Relax. Don’t be embarrassed if you happen to use
common expressions, such as, “See you later” or “Did you hear about this?”
that seem to relate to a person’s disability. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
when you are not sure of what to do. "Ten Commandments of
Etiquette for Communicating with People with Disabilities," October
1995, |
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