Etiquette for communication with persons with disabilities

DO’s

  • Speak to the person directly, not the interpreter or companion who may be present.
  • Use respectful and person-first language ie. Person/child/woman/boy with a disability, NOT disabled person, handicapped, lame, dumb, crazy etc.
  • Use multiple/various forms of communication to ensure persons with different impairments can access information, i.e.. posters, pictures, loudspeakers, large print, brail
  • Allow for additional time needed for communication, translation and movement that a person with a disability may require.

Don’t:

  • Touch, push, pull, lean or otherwise physically interact with an individual’s body or equipment unless you’re asked to do so. A wheelchair, guide cane, walker, crutch or assistance animal, is part of that person’s personal space.
  • Assume someone does or does not have a disability, not all disabilities are visible.
  • Create additional barriers to a person with a disability participating or accessing a service.

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