Rights and Responsibilities
Rules of Etiquette (As Emily Post might say!)
The etiquette for interacting with people with disabilities is not complicated. Simply treat adults in a manner befitting adults!!
- With sensitivity and respect, offer assistance. However, be prepared to have the offer declined. In other words, wait for a response before you take any action.
- When conversing 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.
- Remember to push your chair in when leaving a table so a person in a wheelchair has ample room to move by.
- Use normal voice and diction, unless requested to do otherwise.
- Address the person, rather than a companion or aide. For instance, never say: “Would Mrs. Smith like butter on her toast?” or “Does Mrs. Smith like cream in her coffee?” Ask Mrs. Smith!
- When introduced to a person with a disability, shake hands as you would with any adult. 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.
- When greeting a person who is blind or visually impaired, do not assume that the person can identify you by your voice (especially if you’ve never met!). Introduce yourself.
- When speaking with a person with a speech difficulty, exercise patience rather than presuming to speak for the person, or finishing his or her train of thought. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so; instead, ask them to repeat or rephrase what they said. The person, like any person without a disability, deserves to be heard.
- Be aware that some disabilities are “hidden” or “invisible.” A person who appears disoriented or confused, for instance, may have a learning disability or emotional or intellectual disability.
- Relax about common expressions, like “I’ll be seeing you!” to people who are visually impaired or “Gotta be running along!” to people in wheelchairs or with mobility impairments.
- In fact, just relax, period! If you use common sense and respect, you are not likely to cause discomfort or insult.
