Tips: Interacting with People with Disabilities

THE BASICS

Ask before you help.

Just because someone has a disability, don't assume he/she needs help. If the setting is accessible, people with disabilities can usually get around fine. Adults with disabilities want to be treated as independent people. Offer assistance only if the person appears to need it. And if they want help, ask how before you act.

Be sensitive about physical contact.

Some people with disabilities depend on their arms for balance. Grabbing them, even if your intention is to assist, could knock them off balance. Avoid patting a person on the head or touching their wheelchair, scooter or cane. People with disabilities consider their equipment part of their personal space.

Think before you speak.

Always speak directly to the person with the disability, not to the companion, aide, or sign language interpreter. Making small talk with a person who has a disability is great; just speak as you would to anyone else. Respect his/her privacy.

TALKING TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

There are no rules about what you can and cannot say when you're talking with a person with a disability. Nevertheless, it is possible offend and that often has less to do with words than with attitude.

Make eye contact. If the person has a speech impairment, listen carefully and patiently. If you don't understand them, ask them to repeat themselves. Don't let people think communication with them is not worthwhile. If someone is deaf or hard of hearing follow his/her lead: use gestures or write. If someone is in a wheelchair, sit down and converse with him/her at their eye level.

LANGUAGE

Put the person first. It is more appropriate to say "person with a disability" rather than "disabled person." Try to avoid outdated terms like "handicapped" or "crippled." Use "wheelchair user" rather than "wheelchair bound." Use "hard of hearing" when referring to someone who has hearing loss but communicates in spoken language. With any disability, avoid negative words like "victim" or "sufferer."

Modified from Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association pamphlet.