| We have all been in the situation before. You meet a | | | | speak to their helper or interpreter. Speak and look |
| person with a disability, and you just don’t know | | | | at them as if they could hear and understand |
| how to act. You try to act as if there is nothing | | | | everything you are saying. |
| different, but you can’t. You don’t mean to | | | | 4. Help other employees learn how to communicate |
| feel uncomfortable, but you do, and they can see it in | | | | with the person with hearing disabilities. Maybe offer |
| your eyes. They see it everyday. | | | | a sign-language course or teach them basic phrases in |
| But this situation becomes even more critical when | | | | sign-language. |
| you work with someone with a disability. So what | | | | 5. Give compliments as you normally would. |
| are some guidelines you should follow when working | | | | Don’t overdue it. People with disabilities are still |
| with people with disabilities? | | | | people - they will sense false praise and will not |
| 1. Shake hands with the person as you would a | | | | appreciate it. |
| normal person. Do this even if that person has hand | | | | 6. Don’t pet a guide dog. You don’t need to |
| deformities or artificial limbs. | | | | distract it. |
| 2. Ask the person if they need assistance before | | | | 7. Don’t be embarrassed to use common |
| you try to help. Some people can get along just fine | | | | expressions like “I’ve got to run” or “See |
| by themselves, and they don’t need you getting in | | | | you later.” People with disabilities use these |
| the way. | | | | phrases even if they can’t run or see. |
| 3. Speak to the person. Don’t ignore them or | | | | |