It's not uncommon to feel uncertain talking to someone who has a physical, sensory, or intellectual disability.Socializing with people with disabilities should be the same as any other socializing.If you're not familiar with a given disability, you might be hesitant to offer assistance.
Step 1: Don't be disrespectful.
Someone with a disability should be treated the same as everyone else.People are not impairments.The person at hand has their own personality.If you must put a "label" on the disability, it's best to ask what terminology they prefer and stick with the terms they choose.The golden rule is to treat others as you would like to be treated."People first" language is preferred by many people with disabilities.You would say his sister, who has Down's Syndrome, rather than his brother."Robert has cerebral palsy," "Leslie is partially sighted," or "Sarah uses a wheelchair" are examples of appropriate people-first language.It is possible to avoid these terms when referring to people.While some people find the word 'disabled' unpleasant, others use it to describe themselves because they feel erased by treating it like a bad word, and their disability is part of who they are.Take the lead from the person you are talking to.If they refer to themselves as "disabled", ask if they are comfortable being described that way.It will help you understand their perspective.There is a great deal of variability between people and groups.Many people who are blind, have rejected people-first language and prefer 'identify- first' language.It's common to see the terms deafness or hard of hearing used to describe their disability, but the term deafness (with an uppercase D) to refer to their culture or someone who is part of it.Ask the individual you're talking to what they prefer, if in doubt.
Step 2: Don't speak to someone with a disability.
No one wants to be treated like a child.If you are talking to someone with a disability, don't use pet names, or use a louder-than-average talking voice.Don't pat them on the back or head.These habits show you don't think a person with a disability is capable of understanding you and that you equate them to a child.If you want to talk to someone without a disability, use a regular speaking voice and vocabulary.It's a good idea to slow down your speech for someone who is hard of hearing or has a cognitive disability.It is possible to talk to people who have hearing loss in a louder than average voice so that they can hear you.If you are speaking quietly, someone will mention it to you.You can ask them to tell you if you need to slow down or speak more clearly.It is not necessary to reduce your vocabulary to the most basic words.If you are talking to someone with a severe intellectual or communication difficulty, you may be asked to simplify your language.Talking at someone who is unable to follow what you are talking about is not likely to be viewed as good mannered.If you're not sure, speak casually and ask about their language needs.
Step 3: In a casual way, don't use labels or offensive terms.
In conversation with someone who has a disability, labels and derogatory names are not appropriate.Identifying someone by their disability is offensive and disrespectful.If you must censor your language, always be careful with what you say.Don't use names like moron, retard, cripple, spastic, etc.Don't identify someone by their disability, instead of their name or role.You don't need to introduce the disability if you introduce someone with a disability.If you use a phrase like "I gotta run!" to someone in a wheelchair, don't apologize.By apologizing you will be drawing attention to your awareness of their disability.
Step 4: Speak directly to the person.
It is frustrating for a person with a disability to have to deal with people who are not directly talking to them.Talk to a person in a wheelchair instead of standing next to them.It doesn't mean their brains are not working.You should always speak to the person who is disabled if you have a nurse or sign language interpreter with you.The person may not have typical listening body language.Don't assume that a person with an intellectual disability cannot hear you.Speak to them.
Step 5: If you need to ask questions, be patient.
It's tempting to speed along a conversation or finish a sentence for someone with a disability, but doing so can be disrespectful.You should always allow them to speak and work at their own pace.If you don't understand something someone says because they're speaking too slowly or too quickly, ask questions.If you don't know what someone said, you should double-check.If you want someone with a speech impediment to repeat themselves, don't rush them to talk fast.Regardless of intellectual ability, some people need more time to process speech or turn their thoughts into words.If there are long pauses in the conversation, it's okay.
Step 6: Don't be afraid to ask about a person's disability.
It may not be appropriate to ask about someone's disability out of curiosity, but if you feel this might help you make a situation easier for them, like asking a person if they would prefer to take the elevator with you instead of the stairs, it is.They know how to explain their disability in a few sentences and have been asked about it many times.If the disability resulted from an accident or the person finds the information too personal, they will most likely answer that they prefer not to discuss it.Asking what their disability is can be offensive if you don't know what it is.
Step 7: Some disabilities are not visible.
If you see someone who is able-bodied parking in a handicapped spot, don't accuse them of lacking a disability; they may have one.Disabilities that can't be seen immediately are still disabilities.You can't know someone's situation if you just look at them.Someone who needed a wheelchair yesterday might only need a cane today.They have good days and bad days, just like everyone else.
Step 8: Put yourself in the shoes of a person with a disability.
It's easier to understand how to interact with people with disabilities if you have a disability of your own.Think about how you want people to treat you.It is possible that you wanted to be treated the same as you are now.You should talk to people with disabilities the same way you would anyone else.As you would anyone else new to your workplace, welcome a coworker with a disability.Don't stare at someone with a disability.Don't focus on the disability.You don't need to figure out the nature of someone's disability.If a new person enters into your life, it's important that you treat them equally, talk to them the same way you would any other person, and act like a normal person.
Step 9: Help is genuine.
Some people are hesitant to help someone with a disability because they are afraid of offending them.If you offer help because you think someone can't do it themselves, it could be offensive.Most people would not be offended by a specific offer of assistance.Many people with disabilities are hesitant to ask for help.If you go shopping with a friend who uses a wheelchair, you could ask if they need assistance carrying their bags or attaching them to their wheelchair.It's not offensive to offer to help a friend.If you don't know what to do, you can ask, "Is there anything that I can do to help you right now?"Ask if they need a push or if you can make it easier for them to navigate the terrain.
Step 10: Ignore the service animals.
Cute and well trained service animals are perfect for cuddling and playing.They are used to help the person with the disability, and are necessary for performing common tasks.If you don't ask for permission to play with the animal, you may distract it from an important task it needs to perform for its owner.If you see a service animal in action, don't pet it.If the animal isn't doing anything, you can ask the owner to let you pet it or play with it.You should not be upset or disappointed if you are turned down.Do not give a service animal food or treat without permission.If you do not actually pet or touch the service animal, don't call it pet names.
Step 11: Don't play with someone's wheelchair or walking device.
A wheelchair might seem like a good place to rest your arm, but doing so can be uncomfortable or annoying to the person sitting in it.Unless you are asked to help someone by pushing or moving their wheelchair, you should not touch or play with it.The same advice is given for walkers, scooters, crutches, or any other device someone might be using.If you ever want to move someone's wheelchair, you should ask for permission first.The person may feel uncomfortable if they are asked to play with someone's wheelchair.You wouldn't grab and move someone's hand or lean against their shoulder if you treated disability equipment like extensions of their body.They should have the same way towards their equipment.Unless you are told to do so, any tool or device a person might use to help with their disability, such as a hand-held translator or an oxygen tank, should never be touched.
Step 12: Most people with disabilities have been able to adapt.
There are some disabilities that come later in life due to development, accident, or illness.People with disabilities learn how to take care of themselves on their own.Most are independent and don't need help from others.It can be offensive or annoying to assume that someone with a disability can't do everything.This may be annoying if you help a lot and in a childish voice.The assumption is that the person can do whatever they want.A person who gets a disability as a result of an accident later in life may require more help than someone with a lifelong disability, but you should always wait until they ask for your help.If you worry that someone with a disability can't do the task, ask them to do it.Make the offer specific and genuine.You are less likely to offend if you are offering from a place of genuine kindness and not an assumption that the person cannot do something.
Step 13: Don't get in the way.
Stay out of the way of people with physical disabilities.If you see someone in a wheelchair, move to the side.Move your feet away from the path of a cane or walker.If you notice that someone is not strong on their feet, you can offer help.You would not invade anyone else's personal space.If someone asks you for help, be prepared to give it.Don't touch anyone's equipment or animal without asking.A wheelchair or other aid is a part of the person.Please respect that.