Disability Etiquette

I started working in a disabled person’s organization a few months ago, when I came in I was loaded with almost every negative opinion that the society has regarding persons with disabilities. To me, disabled persons were very unfortunate fellows whom I pitied very much, they were angry all the time and what they needed was a few coins dropped in their begging bowls. Thanks to ANDY, they have managed to transform my skewed opinions to accept facts about persons with disabilities.
I can strongly affirm that persons with disabilities are first of all people with human rights just like everybody else. They have different skills and capabilities and they should be appreciated as productive members of the society.
During my learning period, I made a few mistakes in how I handled persons with disability regarding my disability etiquette. Out of these mistakes I learnt People with disabilities expect equal treatment, not special treatment. However one must be respectful and considerate of them.
Below are basic do’s and don’ts of disability etiquette
Do’s
-When talking with a person with a disability address the person directly
-If an interpreter is present, speak to the person who has scheduled the appointment, not to the interpreter.
-Use a normal tone of voice when extending a verbal welcome.
-Tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand to get the attention of a person with a hearing impairment. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, naturally and slowly to establish if the person can read lips. Not all persons with hearing impairments can lip-read. Those who can will rely on facial expression and other body language to help in understanding. Show consideration by placing yourself facing the light source and keeping your hands, cigarettes and food away from your mouth when speaking
-When greeting a person with a severe loss of vision, always identify yourself and others who may be with you. For Example: on my left is Rita
-Listen attentively when you're talking to a person who has speech impairment. Keep your manner encouraging rather than correcting.
-When you have met with a person with disability, it is polite and appropriate to shake hands. This is because people with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands. Shaking hands with the left hand is acceptable. For those who cannot shake hands, touch the person on the shoulder or arm to welcome and acknowledge their presence. Treat adults in a manner befitting adults:
-Call a person by his or her first name only when extending that familiarity to all others present.
-Respect everyone’s personal space
-Offer assistance in a dignified manner with sensitivity and respect. Be prepared to have the offer declined. Do not proceed to assist if your offer to assist is declined. If the offer is accepted, listen to or accept instructions.
-Allow a person with a visual impairment to take your arm (at or about the elbow.) This will enable you to guide rather than propel or lead the person.
-Offer to hold or carry packages in a welcoming manner. Example: "May I help you with your package?"
-Make sure the place where you plan to hold meetings or just do some catching up or make social visits are accessible by checking the following:
-Are there handicap parking spaces available and nearby?
-Is there a ramp or step-free entrance?
-Are there accessible restrooms?
-Does the building have an elevator if you are not meeting ground floor?
-Are there any water fountains and telephones at the proper height for a person in a wheelchair to use?
If your hands are tied in regard to accessibility of the area, inform the person about the barrier prior to the meeting and offer to make arrangements for an alternative venue.


Don’ts
-Do not address him through his/her guide or companion
-Always maintain eye contact with the person, not the interpreter.
-Do not raise your voice unless requestedTap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand to get the attention of a person with a hearing impairment. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, naturally and slowly to establish if the person can read lips. Not all persons with hearing impairments can lip-read. Those who can will rely on facial expression and other body language to help in understanding. Show consideration by placing yourself facing the light source and keeping your hands, cigarettes and food away from your mouth when speaking
-Shouting won't help. Written notes may.
-When talking with a person in a wheelchair for more than a few minutes, use a chair, whenever possible, in order to place yourself at the person's eye level to facilitate conversation.
-Exercise patience rather than attempting to speak for a person with speech difficulty. 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. Repeat what you understand, or incorporate the interviewee's statements into each of the following questions. The person's reactions will clue you in and guide you to understanding.
-Do not shout at a hearing impaired person. Shouting distorts sounds accepted through hearing aids and inhibits lip reading. Do not shout at a person who is blind or visually impaired -- he or she can hear you!
-Never patronize people using wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulder
-When addressing a person who uses a wheelchair, never lean on the person's wheelchair. The chair is part of his/her personal space just like you would feel offended if someone came up to your face.
-When offering to hand a coat or umbrella, do not offer to hand a cane or crutches unless the individual requests otherwise.

Caroline Chencha,Project Officer Health & Fitness