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Tips for Communicating with
People
with Disabilities
Sometimes it can be uncomfortable to interact
with someone who is different from us (e.g. someone who is blind, or deaf, or
uses a wheelchair or walker). Here are some general tips for communicating with
people who have disabilities.
- When talking with a person who is using an
interpreter or an aide, speak directly to the person, not to the interpreter or
aide.
- If you're introduced to someone with a
disability, it's okay 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.
- When meeting a person with 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.
- If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is
accepted. Then listen to or ask for instructions.
- Treat adults as adults. Address people who have
disabilities by their first names only when extending that same familiarity to
all others present. Don't pat a person in a wheelchair on the head.
- Listen attentively when talking with someone who
has difficulty speaking. Be patient and wait for them to finish. If necessary,
ask short questions that require short answers, a nod or a shake of the head.
Never pretend to have understood if you are having difficulty doing so.
Instead, repeat what you have understood and allow the person to
respond.
- When speaking with a person in a wheelchair,
place yourself at eye level in front of the person to facilitate the
conversation.
- To get the attention of a person who is hearing
impaired, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at
the person and speak clearly, slowly and expressively to establish if the
person can read your lips. Not all people with a hearing impairment can
speechread. For those who can, place yourself facing the light source and keep
hands and food away from your mouth when speaking.
- Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use
common expressions that seem to relate to the person's disability, such as "see
you later", or "did you hear about this?".
Return to Lane's Home Page |
Return to DS Main page | Contact
DS
Disability
Services : Student Services building (#1), room 218
(541) 463-5150 voice, (541) 463-3079 TTY only, (541) 463-4739
FAX
Direct any questions or comments about Disability Services to:
disabilityservices@lanecc.edu
Direct comments about this page,
http://www.lanecc.edu/disability/communicationtips.htm
to : Cathie Reschke reschkec@lanecc.edu or David Peaslee
peasleed@lanecc.edu
Revised: 08/30/04 (cr/dp)
©Lane Community College