General

Tips on How to Engage with People with Disabilities

<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">In the community&comma; the performance of <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;newsforpublic&period;com&sol;friendly-workplace&sol;">people with disabilities<&sol;a> is impacted due to the attitudes of their peers&period; Negative attitudes in social circles are the greatest barrier for people with disabilities&period; As such&comma; here are some effective ways on how you can help create an inclusive environment&colon;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<h2 style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Ask First<&sol;h2>&NewLine;<hr &sol;>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">It is not best to assume that people need your help&period; Always ask if they need anything to make the process easier for them&period; They know their needs and they will tell you how to best meet them&period; Meanwhile&comma; if they asked for your help&comma; ask for specific instructions on how you can help&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<h2 style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Face the Person<&sol;h2>&NewLine;<hr &sol;>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">If you are communicating with a person with a disability who is hard of hearing&comma; make sure that you face them so they can read your lips&period; Do not cover your mouth when you speak or turn your back against them&period; Do not shout&period; You can use big hand gestures&period; Speak slowly and clearly&period; Try to put yourself at eye level for people who use the wheelchair to access the <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;thesaltfoundation&period;org&period;au&sol;" target&equals;"&lowbar;blank" rel&equals;"noopener">disability support services<&sol;a>&period; Speak directly to them&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<h2 style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Treat Everyone Equally<&sol;h2>&NewLine;<hr &sol;>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Treat persons with disabilities the same way that you would treat anyone else&period; Do not assume what they can or cannot do&period; Make sure to focus on the person and not on the disability&period; It is also not right to bring it up unless it is relevant&period; Remember&comma; not all disability is visible&period; As such&comma; make sure to get to know the person first&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<h2 style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Use the Appropriate Language<&sol;h2>&NewLine;<hr &sol;>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;"><a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;www&period;forbes&period;com&sol;sites&sol;andrewpulrang&sol;2020&sol;07&sol;20&sol;5-things-everyone-should-know-about-people-with-disabilities&sol;" target&equals;"&lowbar;blank" rel&equals;"noopener">People with disabilities<&sol;a> are still people&period; The American with Disabilities Act has provided a model that emphasizes the person and not the disability&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">For example&comma; you can use the word disability when you refer to someone who has a physical&comma; emotional&comma; mental&comma; sensory&comma; or learning impairment&period; Meanwhile&comma; you must not use the word handicapped because it refers to a person with a disability that cannot do it&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">You must avoid labeling someone as disabled or victim&period; Avoid calling someone as wheelchair-bound&period; Wheelchairs provide access for individuals to get around easily&period; Refer to a person who uses a wheelchair with a mobility impairment&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Whenever appropriate to refer to the disability&comma; make sure to choose the correct terminology&period; Use a phrase such as hearing impairment&comma; speech impairment&comma; dwarfism&comma; or specific learning disability&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<h2 style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Be Courteous<&sol;h2>&NewLine;<hr &sol;>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">If you work in a place with disability support services and a person with a disability asks for your help&comma; make sure to be courteous&period; Be polite&comma; introduce yourself&comma; and ask how can you help&period; Wait until the person accepts your offer before assisting&period; If an interpreter&comma; help&comma; or friend accompanies them&comma; make sure to speak directly to the customer&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Be considerate for it may take some extra time for the customer to say or do some things&period; If you can’t understand what’s being said&comma; don’t fake it&period; Make sure to ask again&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Be flexible&period; Some may need written information such as electronic texts or large prints&period; It is also helpful to be ready for verbal instructions&period; If a blind person or someone with a low vision asks for your help&comma; consider describing the layout of the area for them&period; Make sure to include any obstacles like stairs or furniture&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;

Hardik Patel

Hardik Patel is a Digital Marketing Consultant and professional Blogger. He has 16+ years experience in SEO, SMO, SEM, Online reputation management, Affiliated Marketing and Content Marketing.

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