There are many types and degrees of physical disabilities and not all require a wheelchair. For example, people who have arthritis, heart or lung conditions, or amputations may also have di铿僣ulty moving, standing or sitting. It may be di铿僣ult to identify a person with a physical disability.听
Here are some suggestions to help you interact with people with physical disabilities:听
- Speak normally and directly to the person rather than someone who is with them.听
- People with physical disabilities often have their own ways of doing things. Ask before you help.听
- Avoid referring to the disability or using phrases like 鈥渉andicapped鈥�.听
- Be patient and be sure you understand their needs.听
- Unless it is an emergency, refrain from touching any assistive devices, including wheelchairs.听
- Provide the person with information about accessible features of the immediate environment (automatic doors, accessible washrooms, etc.).听