Disabled Help: How Not to Offend Disabled People

In this article we will discuss about how an interaction can be initiated between a disabled and non-disabled person. How should a disabled person react when he meets a non-disabled person? Non-disabled people sometimes behave abnormally with disable person due to nervousness. Sometimes the reactions of the non-disabled can be considered inappropriate. If you see a person misbehaving with a disabled person, try to keep your head cool. All men make mistakes. You should take the first step to initiate interaction. Many non-disabled people don't know how much attention they should give to the disabled. People will ask question about your disability. Always answer in a non-aggressive manner. Never feel shy to ask for any kind of assistance from the non-disabled person. Just because a non-disabled person asked a wheelchair user to go for dancing, it does not necessarily mean that he was insensitive. May be he was trying to encourage you to take some new steps in your life. Always tell your needs to the non-disable persons, remember they won't know if you don't tell them; after all they are not mind-readers. It is always better to communicate freely.

Now let's see what you should do when you meet a wheelchair user.

Be normal. Say a 'hello' as you would say it to anybody. Being on a wheelchair does not mean that the person has lost his ability to speak. But never lean on the person's wheelchair. This can be considered as offensive as the wheelchair is considered as a body part of the disabled. And if you are a stranger, then it's a big NO. Never hesitate to use words like 'running' and 'walking' as the wheelchair user often uses the same term. If you are planning to talk for some time, sit down in front of the wheel chair user. It will help him to reach your eye level and make both of you feel comfortable. And if you think that the disabled person needs any sort of assistance, offer him. But never pressurize him to use your assistance.

But how would you react on meeting a deaf person?

Touch the person's arm to get the attention before speaking. Enquire whether he can read lip or understand sign languages. Always maintain eye contacts till the end of the conversation. If he is unable to read lip or understand sign languages, use a pen and paper for him. The communication matters, not the way of communication. If there is an interpreter present, still speak directly to the deaf person. Always try to communicate in your normal tone. You don't need to do anything special to grab their attention. While speaking, give them the chance to see you clearly. Moving your hands in front of your face completely break the process of communication. Speak with expression as most of the deaf persons rely on facial expressions. If you find any difficulty in understanding him; show your eagerness to communicate by asking him to repeat.