People who use wheelchairs have different disabilities and ties. Some can use their arms and hands. Some can get out of their wheelchairs and even walk for short distances. People who use wheelchairs are individuals, not equipment. Here are some tips for effectively interacting with people who use wheelchairs or other mobile devices, especially if you are a business owner.
* Don"t push or touch a person"s wheelchair without permission; it"s part of her personal space. If you help someone down a curb without waiting for instructions, you may dump her out of the chair. You may detach the chair"s parts if you lift it by the handles or footrest.
* Don"t lean over someone who uses a wheelchair Don"t lean on the chair. Again, the chair isn"t a piece of furniture.
* When talking to a person using a wheelchair , sit at their level.
* People who use canes or crutches need their arms to balance themselves, so never grab them. People who have limited mobility may lean on a door for support as they open it. Always ask before offering to open a door.
* Keep the ramps and wheelchair-accessible doors to a building unlocked and unblocked. Under the ADA, displays should not be in front of entrances, wastebaskets should not be in the middle of aisles, and boxes should not be stored on ramps.Use automatic doors or lighter-weight door.
* Be aware of a person"s reach limits.
People who are blind know how to orient themselves and get around on the street. They may be competent to travel unassisted or may need to use a cane or guide dog. A person may have a visual disability that is not obvious. Again, some are some tips for more effective interaction.
* Identify yourself before making physical contact with a person who is blind. People who have a visual impairment may need their arms for balance, so offer your arm-don"t take his- if he needs to be guided.
* If the person has a guide dog, walk on the side opposite the dog. Don"t touch the person"s cane or guide dog. The dog is working and needs to concentrate. The cane is part of an individual"s personal space
When interacting with people who are deaf or have a hearing loss...
* There is no need to shout. If a person uses a hearing aid it will be calibrated to normal voice levels; shouting will only distort the words.
& Before speaking to a person who is deaf or has hearing loss, make sure that you get his/her attention. Rephrase, rather than repeat, sentences that the person does not understand. When talking, face the person. A quiet, well-lit room is most conductive to effective communication..
* Speak clearly. Most people who have a hearing loss can also lip read. Avoid chewing gum, smoking or obscuring one"s mouth with one"s hand while speaking.
Finally, a person who has had a stroke, is deaf, uses a voice prosthesis or has a stammer or other type of speech impediment may be difficult to understand. So...
* Give your full attention. Don"t interrupt or finish sentences. If you have trouble understanding, don"t nod-ask him to repeat.
* Still can"t understand? Try written communication instead.
Most of all, use common sense and be sensitive to others. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
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