Tips for Interacting with People with Disabilities

Disability Savvy Quiz

Test your disability-literacy. Take this quiz to check your awareness of preferred practices as you meet people who have disabilities.

Answers to the quiz are at the end of this article, “Tips for Interacting with People with Disabilities.” Read this article for more information and to better understand the answers to any questions you have answered incorrectly.

Please indicate whether each statement is true or false. If you are not sure, place a “?” next to your answer.

1. Disability is a very common characteristic and occurrence within the human condition.

2. People with disabilities include those with one or more activity limitations such as reduced or no ability to see, read, walk, speak, hear, learn, understand, remember, manipulate or reach controls, and/or respond quickly.

3. Most people, if they live long enough, will age into disability. As time alters our bodies, disability becomes a natural occurrence.

4. There is an 80 percent chance that you will experience a temporary or permanent disability at some point in your life.

5. People with disabilities have the same range of personality traits, interests, and desires as everyone else.

6. Do not assume that a person with a disability needs assistance. Ask before acting. If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted, then wait for or ask for instructions.

7. If you are addressed by someone with a disability who is accompanied by someone, respond directly to the person with the disability.

8. If service counters are too high for people of short stature and people using wheelchairs, stand on your toes or a stool to establish eye contact.

9. Know the location of accessible routes, parking spaces, rest rooms,

10. It is rude and embarrassing for children to be curious and ask questions about a person's disability.

When interacting with people with physical disabilities, which of the following are false?

11. Shake hands when it is appropriate. People with limited hand use or who use prostheses can usually shake hands.

12. Hanging on to a person's wheelchair communicates interest and friendliness.

13. When speaking to a person using a wheelchair or scooter for more than a few minutes, try to find a seat for yourself so the two of you are at the same eye level.

14. Ask for permission before moving someone’s cane, crutches, walker, or wheelchair.

15. All of the following are commonly overlooked barriers:

    1. Vehicles blocking ramps

    2. Housekeeping and cleaning carts blocking hallways and rest rooms.

    3. Potted plants, benches, ashtrays, trash cans and other items blocking access to ramps, railings, and elevator call buttons.

    4. Parking personnel using an accessible parking space as waiting areas.

    5. Snow and ice on walkways, ramps and parking areas.

When interacting with people who have intellectual disabilities, which of the following are false?

16. When presenting information, use a clear, concise, concrete, and simple manner. Sometimes added gestures, pictures, diagrams, or demonstrations are helpful.

17. If you are not being understood, change your way of communicating. For example, demonstrate how to use a key to open the door. When needed, repeat information using different words or a different communication approach. Allow time for the information to be fully understood.

18. When offering help, wait until your offer is accepted before assisting.

19. A slow or no response means the person is not aware of you or what you said. Keep asking the question until you get a response.

When communicating with people who have speech disabilities, which of the following are false?

20. Always help people who are struggling to finish their sentences.

21. If you have trouble understanding a person’s speech, do not be afraid to ask them to repeat, even three or four times, what they are saying.

22. It is better that people know that you do not understand rather than pretending to understand, making an error or doing the wrong thing.

23. Take time to understand how a message is being communicated to you when a person is using a communication device such as a letter or word board or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system.

24. Do not simplify your own speech or raise your voice. People with speech disabilities can hear and understand you.

When communicating with people with hearing disabilities, which of the following are false?

25. To get the attention of a person with a hearing loss, lightly touch the individual or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly, and expressively to establish if the person can read your lips.

26. Most people who are hard of hearing or deaf read lips.

27. When people lip-read, be sensitive to their needs by positioning yourself to face them and the light source. Keep your hands and food away from your mouth when speaking. Avoid chewing gum and smoking while speaking.

28. When speaking to a person with a hearing disability, use a louder tone of voice.

29. If a person who is deaf is using an interpreter, always speak directly to the interpreter.

30. Slow your speaking rate if you tend to be a rapid speaker.

31. If the person cannot lip-read, you can try writing notes. Be aware, however, that people who are deaf may not be proficient in written English as American Sign Language (ASL) may be their primary language.

When offering assistance to a person who is blind, which of the following are false?

32. Speak directly facing the person. Your voice will orient the person. Use your natural speaking tone.

33. When giving directions, be specific and describe obstacles in the path of travel.

34. The use of “clock clues” may be helpful: “the desk is at 2 o’clock.”

35. When offering assistance as a guide, take the person’s non-cane arm.

36. Directions should correspond to the way they are facing. The movements of your arm will let them know what to expect. Do not grab or pull people.

37. When leading a person through a narrow space or aisle, put your arm they are holding behind your back as a signal for them to walk directly behind you. Give verbal instructions as well, i.e.“We are going through a narrow space.”

38. When showing a person to a chair, place their hand on the back of the chair. They usually will not need any further help in seating.

39. If a person is using a service animal, the animal’s attention should not be sidetracked. Do not pet or talk to the animal.

40. When making change, count bills separately and identify each denomination as you hand them bills back to the person. Do the same with coins.

41. Offer to read written information like menus, labels, statements, etc., to the person if they are alone or with other people unable to read.

42. When reading information, read just the essential material to a person who is unable to read.

43. If Braille documents are available, such as menus, offer them, but do not be surprised if people prefer to have the information read to them.

44. Most people who are blind cannot read Braille.

For people with significant allergies, asthma, chemical and other environmental sensitivities, and respiratory-related disabilities, which of the following are false?

45. Up to 30% percent of the U.S. population report adverse reactions to particular chemical exposures such as pesticides, remodeling activities, new carpet, cleaning agents, air fresheners, deodorizers, tobacco smoke, and fragrances and fragranced products. This affects their ability to access public places.

46. Eliminate use of mechanical dispensers or fragrance delivery systems which may be affixed to walls or ceilings, or may be part of the building's ventilation system. These devices are used to disperse air fresheners, deodorizers, disinfectants, scents, or scented products.

47. Requesting that people refrain from using scented shampoo, hair spray, perfume, scented powder, cologne and after-shave reduces allergic reactions. Newly dry cleaned clothes and clothes washed in fabric softener, including the “dryer sheet” type, can also trigger reactions.

48. Use fragrance-free, low toxicity cleaning products including rug shampoo, dry carpet cleaners, dishwashing detergents, hand soaps, lotions, toilet paper, and cleaners.

49. Use odor-free pens for flip charts and white boards.

Regarding disability-specific language, the following are all acceptable terms, except (check all that are offensive):

50. Wheelchair bound and confined to a wheelchair.

51. He was afflicted with, victim of, stricken with, or suffers from polio.

52. Birth defect.

53. Dumb, deaf mute, dummy.

54. Mute.

55. Normal person, whole person, healthy person, able-bodied person as compared to a disabled person.

56. People with disabilities, Disability community.

57. Stroke patient, multiple sclerosis patient.

Regarding disability-related language, check those statements that are false:

58. Choose disability-related terms that describe diversity in accurate and respectful ways.

59. Disability-related language should be precise, objective, and neutral in order to avoid reinforcing negative values, biases, and stereotypes.

60. Avoid referring to people by their disability i.e.,“an epileptic.” A person is not a condition. Rather, they are “people with epilepsy” or people with disabilities.