Real-Time Communication Etiquette for Communicating with Customers with Disabilities

Fine Motor Impairments

People with fine motor impairments may have limited use of one or both hands or no use of the hands and fingers. When communicating over the telephone with people who have fine motor impairments:

• Be prepared to allow extra time for the person to write notes or to use alternative input devices to document notes, numbers, and additional information.
• Be aware that if the person uses speech recognition software for computer keyboard functions in place of handwriting, the individual must speak directly to the computer and may need additional time away from the conversation to inactivate the telephone receiver and perform computer functions by speech.