Communicating With and About People with Disabilities

General Tips for Communicating with People with Disabilities

• When introduced to a person with a disability, it is appropriate to offer to shake hands. People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands. (Shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable greeting.)

• If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen to or ask for instructions.

• Treat adults as adults. Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to all others.

• Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use common expressions such as "See you later," or "Did you hear about that?" that seem to relate to a person's disability.

• Don't be afraid to ask questions when you're unsure of what to do.