Say Just as we follow cultural norms for polite behavior there are a few little tricks of the trade to help you communicate more effectively with people who have disabilities. stumble over your words. If you are speaking to someone Don’t who see and your comment starts with you see can’t “did that?” move on. The person who see gets it. They appreciate that can’t you are including them in the conversation. Sometimes it may be appropriate to follow up with very visual you see statements, “Did how the yellow and red blend together in the sunset over the sandy beach.” Keep your hands in sight not in your pockets. Hands in pockets build a distrusting relationship. What do you have to hide? Remove barriers between you and the person. If you are behind a counter or desk, move to the same side with the person talking to you. A wheelchair is an extension of the body. lean on person’s Don’t it. Do sit across from the person to help them avoid neck strain and to make them more comfortable. Be on an even playing field during communication. talk to them from the rear. That Don’t means they have to twist in the wheelchair to see you and sometimes to see your face to capture the meaning of the communication. Likewise, keep walkers and canes within easy reach when people sit down. If you must move it away to maintain a safe environment, come back frequently to check to see if the person needs it. Create a signal they can give you that they need their equipment. Smile. Body language and facial expressions are 80 % of communication. Context is important. Use visuals as needed. Tell jokes, share movies, laugh, cry and be empathetic but do not assume that everyone is miserable. They aren’t.
Say Just as we follow cultural norms for polite behavior there are a few little tricks of the trade to help you communicate more effectively with people who have disabilities. Don’t stumble over your words. If you are speaking to someone who can’t see and your comment starts with “did you see that?” move on. The person who can’t see gets it. They appreciate that you are including them in the conversation. Sometimes it may be appropriate to follow up with very visual statements, “Did you see how the yellow and red blend together in the sunset over the sandy beach.” Keep your hands in sight not in your pockets. Hands in pockets build a distrusting relationship. What do you have to hide? Remove barriers between you and the person. If you are behind a counter or desk, move to the same side with the person talking to you. A wheelchair is an extension of the person’s body. Don’t lean on it. Do sit across from the person to help them avoid neck strain and to make them more comfortable. Be on an even playing field during communication. Don’t talk to them from the rear. That means they have to twist in the wheelchair to see you and sometimes to see your face to capture the meaning of the communication. Likewise, keep walkers and canes within easy reach when people sit down. If you must move it away to maintain a safe environment, come back frequently to check to see if the person needs it. Create a signal they can give you that they need their equipment. Smile. Body language and facial expressions are 80 % of communication. Context is important. Use visuals as needed. Tell jokes, share movies, laugh, cry and be empathetic but do not assume that everyone is miserable. They aren’t.