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TIPS
FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUICATION
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When you meet a person with a VISUAL disability
- It is always appropriate to offer your help; just do not be surprised
if the individual would "rather do it himself/herself".
- If you are helping and not sure what to do, ask the person.
- A gentle touch on the elbow will indicate to a person with a visual
disability that you are speaking to him/her.
- If you are walking with a person who is blind do not take that
persons arm; rather let that person take your arm.
- Blind is not a hearing disability. Do not shout. Blind is not a
speech disability. If you have a question for the person with a visual
disability, ask him/her — not the companion.
- Never pet a guide dog, except during "off-duty" hours.
Even then you should ask the dog’s master first.
- Do not worry about substituting words for "see", "look",
or even "blind". Do not avoid them where these words fit.
You can talk about blindness itself, when you both feel comfortable
about it.
- When you meet a person with a visual disability you know, mention
your name. It is difficult to recognize voices unless you happen to
have a very distinctive one.
When you meet a person with a HEARING
disability
- Speak clearly and distinctly, but do not exaggerate. Use normal
speed unless asked to slow down.
- Provide a clear view of your mouth. Waving your hands or holding
something in front of your lips, thus hiding them, makes lip reading
impossible. Do not chew gum.
- Use a normal tone unless you are asked to raise your voice. Shouting
will be of no help.
- Speak directly to the person, instead of from the side or back of
the person.
- Speak expressively. Because persons who are deaf cannot hear subtle
changes in tone which, may indicate sarcasm or seriousness, many will
rely on your facial expressions, gestures and body language to understand
you.
- If you are having trouble understanding the speech of a person who
is deaf, feel free to ask him/her to repeat. If that does not work,
then use paper and pen.
- If a person who is deaf is with an interpreter, speak directly to
the person who is deaf — not the interpreter.
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Index
ACPA Task Force on Disability Issues
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