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Disability Etiquette

When You Meet a Person with a Disability

Points to Remember

• Remember that people with disabilities are people first.
• Explore your mutual interests in a friendly way. The person has many interests besides those concerned with the disability. Talk about the disability only if it comes up naturally.
• Offer assistance if asked, or if the need seems obvious, but don't overdo it or insist on it. Respect the person's right to indicate the kind of help needed.
• Remember that difficulties the person may face can stem more from society's attitudes and barriers than from the disability itself.
• Be considerate of the extra time it might take for the person with a disability to get things said or done. Let the person set the pace in walking or talking.
• Speak directly to a person who has a disability. Don't consider a companion to be a conversational go-between.
• Never start to push a wheelchair without asking the occupant if you may do so.
• Don't lean on a person's wheelchair when talking or in other settings.
• Don't remove a wheelchair or assistive device out of reach of the person using them.
• When pushing a person in a wheelchair up or down steps, ramps, curbs or other obstructions, ask the person how he or she wants you to proceed.
• Give whole, unhurried attention to the person who has difficulty speaking. Don't talk for the person, but give help when needed.
• Be alert to environmental barriers in places you may want to enter with a person who has a disability. In addition to parking, ramps, accessible restrooms and maneuvering space for wheelchairs, consider lighting adequacy for sign language interpreting and absence of head-height obstacles for people who are blind.