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Oct 2009  |  By Liz Logan  |  Comments

10 Tips for Positive Interaction with People with Disabilities

These tips were provided by JJ's List, the non-profit that was founded to help people with disabilities live independent, self-directed lives and use the Internet to self-advocate.

JJ’s List is the “Angie’s List” for people with disabilities, and is the brainchild of JJ Hanley, an Wilmette mom of a teenager with learning disabilities.

These are the tips Hanley provides to businesses, but they certainly apply to everyone.

1. Talk directly to the customer with the disability, even if there is a companion with him or her.
2. Ask the customer if he or she wants help, then let him or her guide you if the person does want help.
3. Talk in a normal voice—don’t shout or talk down.
4. Slow down and be patient. Your customer with a disability may need more time to answer you or to think about choices.
5. If you don’t understand the customer’s response, ask him or her to repeat or write it down.
6. Use hand gestures, pointing and body language to help communicate when needed. They really help!
7. Hire people with disabilities to work in your business.
8. If your customer uses a service animal, don’t pet or try to play with it. If your customer uses a wheelchair, cane or other physical support, don’t touch the supports. Don’t try to move them without permission.
9. If you need extra time to serve a customer with a disability, acknowledge his or her presence, and let that person know. This is helpful when you are busy.
10. Check that your business is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and, if it isn’t, make changes to comply. It’s the law.