Tips for When You Meet a Person With a Physical Disability

If you offer to help a person with a physical disability, wait until the person says it's okay. Helping someone before getting an answer is rude and can sometimes be unsafe.
Don't push a person's wheelchair or grab someone's arm if they are having trouble walking or moving without asking them. Always ask if you can help a person with crutches, a wheelchair, or any other aid.
Don't tease a person with a disability about what they can and can't do.
Never move someone's wheelchair, crutches, cane or any other physical aid without asking.
When you are speaking to a person in a wheelchair, make sure you find a seat to sit in so the two of you are at eye level.
If someone is having trouble opening a door, ask if they want help.
Never lean against a physical aid (like a wheelchair or a cane).
Always speak directly to a person with a disability. Don't ask a question of the care taker, ask the person with the disability.
Treat a person with a disability like a healthy person. Speak with them as you would speak with anyone.

Many people with disabilities find it almost impossible to get a cab or have a clerk wait on them in stores. Keep in mind that they are people just like you so treat them with care and offer help only when needed.

Citations

Online Resources

"Communicating With and About People With Disabilities." U.S. Department of Labor; Office of Disability Employment Policy. 28 January 2005 <http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/comucate.htm>.

"Communicating With People With Disabilities." Access Office Disability Support Services; St. Louis Community College. 28 January 2005 <http://www.stlcc.edu/fp/access/Main/Communicating.html>.

"Communicating With People With Disabilities". Adaptive Environment Center. 28 January 2005 <http://www.dissvcs.uga.edu/com-peodis.htmlb>.

"Tips for People With Disabilities." ACPA Task Force on Disability Issues; University of Minnesota Crookston. 8 November 2004 <http://www.crk.umn.edu/people/services/DisabilServ/communication.htm>.

Images

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