4. Ask first. Don’t touch a wheelchair user’s chair or grab a visually impaired person’s arm without first asking if they want assistance. Let a person who is visually impaired take your arm, not the other way around.
5. Give cues. Wave your hands to get the attention of a person who is deaf. You can also facilitate a conversation with a person who is blind by giving verbal cues and asking questions.
6. Be considerate. Sit down to meet a person who uses a wheelchair at eye level. Give someone with a speech impairment extra time to finish a sentence—don’t do it for them.
7. Don’t be shy. Offer your handshake to a person with a limb impairment; he or she may shake your hand in an different way. Or ask to take notes at a meeting for a person who is deaf.
8. Think logistically. Mobility impaired persons are prone to slips and falls, so keep floors clear of clutter. Make a note of accessible routes.
9. Get the facts first. Someone who may appear drunk or disorderly may in fact have a disability that causes involuntary body movements and slurred speech, such as cerebral palsy.
10. Encourage participation. Like anyone else, a person with a disability is more likely to succeed at work if he or she is socially involved. Most likely, he or she can tell you what accommodations will be necessary to make it work.
Follow these guidelines and you’ll be well on your way to making a positive difference in the life of a coworker with a disability. And you’ll never look at the daily grind in the same way again.
By Suzanne Robitaille writes on disability issues in the workplace and lifespace. She is also the founder of abledbody, a provider of expert information and know-how to inspire and maximize the ability in every body.
Originally published on BettyConfidential
