When talking to a person
with a disability, look at and speak directly to that person,
rather than through a companion or attendant.
When referring to a
person with a disability, make reference to the person first,
then the disability. Use terminology such as "a person with
a disability" rather than a "disabled person."
To accommodate individuals
with learning disabilities and vision impairments when using presentation
slides, be sure to explain what is on the slide. Highlight points
and convey enough information to describe pictures to someone
who has no vision. Also provide information in several types of
alternative formats (tapes, Braille, diskette). Watch for inadequate
lighting, which inhibits communication by persons who have hearing
and learning limitations.
Do not touch a service
animal, or the person the animal assists, without permission.
Noises may distract the animal from doing his/her job, and feeding
the service animal may disrupt the animal's schedule.
Listen attentively when
talking with a person who has a speech impairment. Keep your manner
encouraging rather than correcting. Exercising patience rather
than attempting to speak for a person may be helpful. When necessary,
ask short questions that require short answers or a nod or a shake
of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty
doing so.
To get the attention
of a person with a hearing impairment, tap the person on the shoulder
or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly,
naturally, and slowly to establish if the person can read lips.
Not all individuals with hearing impairments can lip-read. Those
who can will rely on facial expressions and other body language
to help in understanding. Show consideration by placing yourself
facing the light source and keeping your hands away from your
mouth when speaking. Shouting probably will not help but written
notes may. To facilitate conversation, be prepared to offer a
visual cue to a hearing impaired person or an audible cue to a
vision impaired person, especially when more than one person is
speaking.
When talking with a
person who uses a wheelchair or scooter for more than a few minutes,
use a chair whenever possible in order to place yourself at the
person's eye level; this facilitates conversation. Do not move
a wheelchair, crutches, or other mobility aid out of reach of
a person who uses them. Also, do not push a mobility aid without
first asking the occupant if you may do so, lean on a person's
mobility aid when talking, or pat a person who uses a wheelchair
or scooter on the head. Make sure that audiovisual equipment does
not block the view of people who use accessible seating; clearing
the aisles of excess debris for the use of mobility aids may be
useful. Be alert to the possible existence of architectural barriers.
