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Etiquette: Interacting with PWD (Persons With Disability) Introduction: This document is aimed to educate fellow employees on basic ethicate on the correct way to interact with people with disabilities. For many people, meeting someone in a wheelchair or with a significant disability creates an awkward moment when they are unsure how to behave. All content here has been compiled from various sources on the internet. A special mention and thanks to Richard C. Senelick, MD, neurologist, author, blogger and international speaker. Greeting Ethicate: What would you do when faced with someone with a paralyzed or missing right arm? Most people, even those with a prosthetic arm or hand, can shake hands. It is appropriate to use your left hand if the person cannot respond with their right hand. The disabled person will usually give you a cue by extending an arm or hand as best they can. It is best not to just go ahead and grab an arm that may turn out to be a painful experience for the person. The "good old buddy" pat on the back or shoulder is never appropriate behavior. Have you ever noticed that when you speak to someone who doesn't understand English that you tend to raise your voice, thinking that somehow shouting the words will rattle their brain into understanding? We do the same thing when we address people with disabilities. There is usually no need to raise your voice. However, when someone has a cognitive impairment it can help to slow down and speak clearly. Use their first name only if everyone else is being referred to by their first name. Better yet, ask for their preference. Treat the person as an adult. Don't patronize the individual because they have a physical or mental disability. Don't pat people in wheelchairs on the head or shoulder in place of a proper greeting. Sit down and make eye contact. This is critical! When you are seated in your office and someone enters, don't you usually stand up to greet them? Some people want help, others do not. It is acceptable to ask if you can get the door, pick up their canes or push their wheelchair. But don't feel hurt if your offer is declined and the person wishes to be independent. If you make contact with someone who is visually impaired, introduce yourself with your first & last name. A name like Tom and Kevin is easy for one to remember but for a person who has no visual cue it's challenging for them to remember or recall which Tom or which Kevin. Also try and associate your name with the department you work in, your designation or office location. For example, "Hi this is Jennifer Douglas, from the Health & Safety department on the 3rd floor. Do you need any assistance with the stairs?" If you have made contact with the visually impaired person more than once and probably you work in the same office or department you are not obligated to keep introducing yourself to the person. He/ She could guess who you are by your voice. And if there is any doubt be ready to be asked without being embarrassed "Sorry, who is this?" Conversational Etiquette: Always speak to the disabled individual directly and not through someone else. We will speak to family members and friends instead of addressing the person directly. Even if the person has a cognitive disability, their presence must be recognized and respected. People are individuals who happen to have disabilities and should not be addressed as third parties or objects in the room. When having a conversation with a person with a physical disability, use normal everyday language and relax. We can slip into an unpleasant and demeaning habit of speaking to the disabled person as if they were a child. You may have to make a physical accommodation, such as sitting down. Remember, the individual is otherwise no different than you. Most of us are poor listeners. When someone has a speech impairment, take your time and listen. Don't try to always finish their sentence. That can be difficult when you are in a hurry, but never to pretend to understand if you do not -- it is acceptable to say so. If the person has a visual impairment, identify yourself and let them know where you are what you intend to do. Do not use derogatory statements or phrases in your conversation with the individual. Even if they have a pun or humor to them. Don't apologize if you use an expression such as "I gotta run" or "See you later" that relates to the person's disability. These expressions are part of everyday language and it is likely the apology will be more offensive than the expression. Things to remember: Individuals with disabilities are people! Remember, he/she is a person, NOT a disability. They expect to be treated with the same dignity and respect that you do. Just because someone has a disability does not mean he/she is disabled. Look at and speak directly to the person, not through a companion, care-taker, or interpreter. Treat adults as adults. Physical disability does not mean that a persone by default has mental disability. present a respectful, positive view of individuals as active participants of society, in regular social, work and home environments. Additional Resource: http://dawn.thot.net/Etiquette.html#analysis<https://knome.ultimatix.net/r?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdawn.thot.net%2FEtiquette.html%23analysis> ________________________________ Caution: The Reserve Bank of India never sends mails, smses or makes calls asking for personal information like your bank account details, passwords, etc. It never keeps or offers funds to anyone. Please do not respond in any manner to such offers, however official or attractive they may look. Notice: This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. 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