Disability Etiquette

When you’re interacting with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing:

• Get their attention by stepping into their line of vision, waving your hand, or tapping them on the shoulder.
• If the person uses a sign language interpreter, speak to and look at the person instead of the interpreter.
• If a person reads lips, converse in a well-lit, quiet area, and speak clearly at a normal volume with your mouth visible. There’s no need to yell or exaggerate your speech.
• Consider moving to a quieter area if it’s too noisy to communicate clearly.
• If the person doesn’t understand you, offer to repeat, rephrase, or write it.
• If you don’t understand something they said, ask them to repeat or write it.
• If you know any sign language, try using it.

When you’re interacting with someone who has physical / mobility disabilities:

• Offer to shake hands or bump fists when meeting.
• Be mindful of personal space but consider moving closer if you’re in a loud environment.
• Stand or place yourself at eye level if speaking for more than a few minutes.

Don't:

• Pat the person on the head.
• Grab or touch them without asking first.
• Lean on, touch, or move a person’s wheelchair, cane, crutches, walker, or other mobility device.

When you’re interacting with someone who is blind or has low vision:

Speaking:

• Enter the conversation by saying your name and tell them when you’re leaving.
• In a group, identify yourself and to whom you’re speaking each time you talk.
• Face the person and speak at a normal volume.

Walking:

• Stay on the opposite side of a guide dog or cane.
• Be specific when describing the environment, street signs, or obstacles.
• If asked to be a human guide, offer your elbow, wait until they take it, and walk steadily at their pace.
• If giving directions, be as specific as possible and use numbers on a clock as part of the description (e.g., “The door is at 4 o’clock”).

When you’re interacting with someone who has communication or speech disabilities:

When the person is speaking:

• Be patient, encouraging, and attentive.
• If you don’t understand something they said, repeat what you understood and ask for them to repeat or rephrase it, write it down, or tell you in a different way.
• Don’t interrupt, speak for them, or finish their sentences.
• When you’re speaking:
• Speak in a regular tone and don’t oversimplify.
• Ask a single question at a time and give enough time to answer.
• Try to ask short questions that prompt short answers or head nods in return.

When you're speaking:

• Speak in a regular tone and don’t oversimplify.
• Ask a single question at a time and give enough time to answer.
• Try to ask short questions that prompt short answers or head nods in return.

When you’re interacting with someone with mental health disabilities:

Do:

• Show compassion and listen without judgment.
• Validate and acknowledge their feelings.
• Keep in mind that it is rare for a person with mental illness to be violent.
• Remember that the person has hopes, wants, and needs.
• Ask how you can help.

Don’t:

• Give unsolicited advice.
• Blame the person or tell them to get over it.
• Assume they are less intelligent, have poor judgment, can’t handle stress, or need special treatment.

When you’re interacting with someone with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs):

• Be patient, flexible, and encouraging.
• Don’t talk down to the person.
• Consider and avoid situations that may overwhelm them.
• If they are easily distracted, gently redirect them.
• Remember that there is a wide range of IDDs, so the individual may have difficulty communicating, learning, or socializing.

When you’re speaking:

• Speak with them rather than about them.
• Speak in clear sentences using simple words and concepts.
• Break up information into parts.
• Rephrase or repeat as needed.
• Allow 5 or more seconds for the person to process and respond to you.
• Recap key points at the end of a conversation and ask questions to make sure the person understands them.