The holiday travel season is here and many people will be traveling to be with their loved ones to celebrate and share in festivities. You may find yourself interacting with an individual with a disability. Here few common-sense rules of etiquette for communicating effectively with people with disabilities. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to review these tips.
- Talk to the person—not his or her companion. Regardless of the person’s disability, always give that person your full attention. Even if the person is deaf and uses an interpreter, stay focused on the person with the disability. The same is true for an individual in a wheelchair, a person who is visually impaired, or someone who has a cognitive impairment.
- Converse at eye level, if possible. This is especially true when communicating with a person in a wheelchair. At the same time, never lean on or touch a person’s wheelchair or other assistive device. This is their personal space, so respect it.
- It’s okay to offer to help when a person with a disability appears to need assistance. But wait for the okay to proceed.
- Don’t touch or distract a service dog. These animals are working, and it’s important that they’re not distracted while on the job.
- Identify yourself to a blind person. And when it’s time to leave, announce it.
- Tap a deaf person gently on the shoulder or arm. Then look directly at the person when speaking in a normal tone of voice. If the person is using an interpreter, speak directly to the person—not the interpreter.
- Extend the same common courtesies that you would to any person. Shaking hands and exchanging business cards are widely accepted ways to interact in the business world. If the individual is not able to shake your hand or grasp the card, he or she will communicate that, along with directions as to where you can place the card.
