Nearly all employers and human resource professionals are aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Yet Kyle Turris Youth Jersey , how often do you, your colleagues, or the average individual have contact with someone who is visually impairedblind, using a wheel chair, or profoundly deaf? When you do, how do you react? Interact? Ignore? Assist? Marvel at their ability to move through their environment living full and productive lives?
What can you do to put yourself and the person with a disability at ease? Well Dan Hamhuis Youth Jersey , this is our purpose here. It is not to attempt to answer all your questions. Rather, to discuss appropriate methods for interacting with individuals who are disabled while squelching many myths and misconceptions. You'll learn what to do and not do, techniques and technologies used for employment as well as in daily living.
How many times have you heard the preferred or proper method for interacting with someone with a disability? Probably never, if at all. In fact, the average individual rarely has any contact with someone who is blind, deaf Ryan Johansen Youth Jersey , or mobility impaired. Therefore, you will be exposed to common courtesy rules governing your interactions with these individuals.
How does someone who cannot see a computer monitor or manipulate the keyboard use this most valuable technological tool of the coming century? Techniques of daily living such as setting the alarm clock, cooking on the grill, and the simple task of matching your wardrobe are tasks most of us take for granted. Yet, how would you perform these simple jobs from a wheelchair, without your eyesight Pekka Rinne Youth Jersey , or hearing? You'll learn about specialized tools, adaptive electronic equipment, and techniques used to live a full and productive life.
Communicating ? Putting one another at ease
When you meet or come in contact with an individual who has a disability, don't be ill at ease. If you are uncertain how to assist or interact, always speak directly to the individual. After all, they are the experts! You can never go wrong by asking. The experience will be more pleasant for all by remembering and following some simple points of courtesy.
Mobility Impaired
When conversing with a person who is mobility impaired Filip Forsberg Youth Jersey , speak directly to the individual rather than to their companion. People who use wheelchairs are particularly sensitive to this type of treatment. If your conversation goes on for more than a few minutes or is expected to do so, consider sitting to be "eye-to-eye" while talking. It can be uncomfortable to look straight up for an extended period when seated.
Don't be reluctant to use words like ?Walk", "Run", or "Stand" when talking with a mobility-impaired person. Wheelchair users and people who are otherwise mobility impaired use these words, too.
BlindVisually impaired
As with all people with disabilities, don't ask their spouse or companion what they may want. Speak directly to the individual ? just as you would anyone else in a similar situation. It isn't necessary to raise your voice or address them in a child-like manner.
Many blind people have excellent voice recognition. However P.K Subban Youth Jersey , just as a sighted person may remember a face, yet forget a name, the same can occur with voices. Always introduce yourself by name? "Hi Mary! It's Fred!? This simple courtesy will avoid embarrassment for both parties. On a similar note, it's nice to know who's in the room with you. Please speak when you enter and exit. It's helpful if others with you are introduced. Additional information is also beneficial such as knowing if there are children, dogs, or cats in the room.
Hearing Impaired
Hearing Impairment is usually divided into two basic groups: the deaf and the hard of hearing. Individuals who are deaf fall into one of two categories - cultural or oral. Those persons who primarily rely on sign language for communicating are in the cultural category. In contrast Juuse Saros Womens Jersey , people whose preferred method of communicating is lip reading or speech reading are in the oral category.
You may have noticed that the speaking voices of people who are deaf can often sound different from the voice of someone who has normal hearing. Without the ability to hear their own voice as well as that of others, modulating tones are difficult for someone with a hearing impairment. If you cannot clearly understand a person's speaking voice, do not hide it. Admit that you are having difficulty and use pen and paper if necessary.
On the other hand, many hard of hearing people have trouble discriminating between words with similar sounds. Just as some words may sound alike, they can have very different meanings. For example, 'sale? and 'sail? have identical sounds Roman Josi Womens Jersey , but totally different meanings. While ?pen?, 'men?, and ?bend? are not close in meaning, they can sound the same to a hard of hearing individual. Thus, comprehending your message requires serious concentration.
If you are familiar with American Sign Language (ASL), by all means use it. Those you are communicating with will be most appreciative. Deafblind individuals can spell out words that do not have a given sign by using a technique known as ?Finger Spelling?.
Mobility ? Moving THROUGH YOUR environment safely
People with disabilities want to be treated the same as anyone else. Never rush up and startle someone with a disability by grabbing him or her. Your best approach is to assume he or she is independent. If the individual is in need of assistance Ryan Hartman Womens Jersey , they will ask for help. You will never go wrong by asking first, rather than making assumptions!
You are most likely familiar with dogs used as guides by blind individuals. However, a service dog assists some mobility-impaired people. Remember? interaction with the service animal is permissible only with the expressed permission of the handler.