LegendaryLife.com Blog

It’s no secret that people who are able have a tough time dealing with those who are not so much in public settings. How do you react to a request or begin a conversation? Who do you look at, the caretaker or the person with a disability? Well, thanks to wheelchairnet.org, a few of those questions where answered.

15 Points to Keep in Mind

1. only because a person is disabled, it doesn’t mean they aren’t a person, treat them with the same dignity and respect you would an able person
2. shaking hands, even an artificial or malformed one is acceptable
3. if you wish to help a person in a wheelchair, ask first
4. don’t screw around or play games with the persons wheelchair, it’s an extension of their body, treat it as such
5. speak directly to the person in a wheelchair
6. put yourself down to eye level by sitting somewhere if you wish to strike up a conversation
7. don’t pat a person in a wheelchair on the head or hand, they aren’t a dog
8. if you are giving directions, consider their disability as there may be routes that are longer but more accessible
9. let a child ask all the questions they want, they are great ice breakers
10. when a person goes from a wheelchair to a chair, don’t put the wheelchair out of reach
11. saying words like walk, run or expressions like running around isn’t an insult
12. only because somebody is in a wheelchair, it doesn’t mean they are disabled mentally or physically
13. wheelchair bound people are not sick nor contagious
14. only because somebody is in a wheelchair, it doesn’t mean they are bad, want your pity nor have tragic life, they are people just like the abled ones
15. guide dogs are on duty, don’t pet them unless you ask for permission first

The Bottom Line

Disabilities suck but for many, the only way of life they know, they deserve to be treated like anybody else. Look beyond the disability and into the person.

References
http://www.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_TownHall/Docs/etiquette.html