Film Review: the Ten Commandments of Communicating with People with Disabilities

Tim Harrington, a successful businessman was born with cerebral palsy is the host of this funny and entertaining educational film about how to communication with people with disabilities. All large corporations should include this video as mandatory viewing by their employees. It would be good for educational institutions, churches and anyone who is in customer service to watch it as well. "The Ten Commandments of Communicating with People with Disabilities" gives easy to understand advice that is also easy to do on how to communicate with people with different types of disabilities. There are several scenes of people interacting well and not interacting well with people with disabilities. It is an eye opener when you realized that you probably have committed some of the no-nos that Mr. Harrington covers while trying to be extra careful to be helpful. I watch this video once a year to refresh my memory and I demand that my staff watch it also.

Basically, Mr. Harrington asks us to treat people with disabilities with respect. That's really not too much to ask, is it? Many of the actors in the film are disabled and are portrayed as competent, hardworking employees. Most of the scenarios cover common workplace issues. I've listed the 10 commandments below, but I wanted to tell you the first one is one that got me. I work in a multi-media library and have we have visually impaired patrons use our audio books. Some of the patrons come in with a guide and it is so easy to talk to the guide instead of the patron. So, I've worked extra hard on speaking only the patron and not to their guide.

Here are the 10 Commandments used in the film:
1. Speak directly rather than through a companion or sign language interpreter who may be present.
2. Always offer to shake hands when introduced.
3. Always identify yourself and others who may be with you when meeting some one who is blind.
4. If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted, then listen, wait or ask for instructions.
5. Treat adults as adults.
6. Do not lean against or hang on someone's wheelchair or cart. Bear in mind that people with disabilities treat their chairs as extensions of their bodies.
7. Listen attentively when talking with people who have difficulty speaking and wait for them to finish.
8. Place yourself at eye level when speaking with someone in a wheelchair or on crutches.
9. Tap a person who is deaf on the shoulder or wave your hand to get his or her attention.
10. Relax, don't be embarrassed if you happened to use common expressions that seem to relate to a person's disability.

Bottom line: I highly recommend this video. If you can not afford to buy it, look to see if your local library has it and if they do not see if they can get it for you through inter-library loan.