The Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
In Service to Portsmouth

WHEN YOU MEET A PERSON WlTH A DISABILITY

OFFERING ASSISTANCE TO SOMEONE IS ONLY POLITE BEHAVIOR. Giving help before it is accepted is rude. Ask how to help.
The person with a disability will instruct you.

OFFER HELP BUT WAlT UNTIL IT IS ACCEPTED BEFORE YOU GlVE IT.
It is appropriate to offer to shake hands. People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands (shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable greeting).

ACCEPT THE FACT THAT A DISABILITY EXIST.
Not acknowledging a disability is similar to ignoring someone's sex or height. But to ask personal questions would be inappropriate.

TALK DIRECTLY TO A PERSON WlTH A DISABILITY, NOT TO SOMEONE ACCOMPANYING THEM.
Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending that same familiarity to all others present. (Never patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulder.)
To ignore a person's existence in a group is insensitive, and it is rude for two people to discuss a third person who is also present.

DON'T PARK YOUR CAR IN A HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE.
These spaces are reserved out of necessity, not convenience. Some people with a disability cannot walk distances; others need extra space in order to get wheelchairs in and out of the car.

TREAT A PERSON WlTH A DISABILITY AS A HEALTHY PERSON.
A person with a functional limitation is not sick.

LISTEN ATTENTIVELY WHEN YOU'RE TALKING WlTH A PERSON WHO HAS A SPEECH IMPEDIMENT.
Be patient and wait for the person to finish, rather than correcting or speaking for the person. If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers, a nod, or a shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Instead, repeat what you have understood and allow the person to respond. The response will clue you in and guide your understanding.
Consider that the individual may have a disability which affects social or motor skills.

DON'T EXCLUDE OR EXCUSE A PERSON WlTH A DISABILITY FORM PARTICIPATING BECAUSE OF THE DISABILITY.
Let the individual make that decision.

PERSONS WlTH A DISABILITY ARE CONSUMERS AND CUSTOMERS.
They sometimes need assistance when making purchases and getting items to their cars.

(Top)

HEARING IMPAIRED

WHEN YOU MEET A HEARING IMPAIRED PERSON, SPEAK CLEARLY AND DISTINCTLY, DON'T EXAGGERATE.
Use normal speed unless asked to slow down. Speak directly to the person, not from the side or the back.

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.

LIP READING IS AT BEST AN EDUCATED GUESS.
Expect a person with a hearing impairment to ask to have information repeated. He/she will often repeat the information back to you for verification.

USE A NORMAL TONE UNLESS YOU ARE ASKED TO RAISE YOUR VOICE.
Shouting will be of no help and may distort the sound for persons wearing hearing aids.

SPEAK EXPRESSIVELY.
Hearing impaired persons cannot hear subtle changes in tone which indicate sarcasm or seriousness. They rely on your facial expression, gestures, and body movement to understand you.

THE INABILITY TO HEAR IMPLIES INABILITY TO SPEAK. NOT SO!
Persons who have lost their hearing as adults will speak normally, although their voices will be harsh. Persons who have been taught to speak without having heard their own voices may be difficult to understand. If you are having trouble understanding someone with a hearing impairment, ask him/her to repeat. If that doesn't help, use pen and paper. Communicating is your goal.

IF A HEARING IMPAIRED PERSON IS WlTH A INTERPRETER, SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE HEARING IMPAIRED PERSON, NOT THE INTERPRETER.

PERSONS WHO WERE BORN WlTH A HEARING IMPAIRMENT THINK IN PICTURES, NOT WORDS.
Speak in simple sentences, avoid abstract concepts.

(Top)

VISUALLY IMPAIRED

WHEN YOU MEET A VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSON, OFFER HELP, BUT WAlT UNTIL IT IS ACCEPTED BEFORE YOU GlVE IT.
Always identify yourself and other who may be with you. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking. If you are not sure exactly what to do, ask the person to instruct you.

TO GUIDE A VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSON, LET HlM/HER TAKE YOUR ARM.
Don't grab a visually impaired person's arm and try to steer him/her. The visually impaired person will walk about a half a step behind you, following your body motions. If you encounter steps, curbs, or other obstacles, identify them. In narrow places, bring your arms back and let the person follow you.

WHEN TALKING TO A VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSON, USE A NORMAL TONE AND SPEED OF VOICE.
Blindness does not affect hearing and intelligence. Speak directly to the visually impaired person.

WHEN YOU ARE LEAVING A VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSON, SAY SO.
Anyone would feel foolish talking to thin air. If you get someone to help the visually impaired person, introduce the helper so they can become acquainted.

DON'T AVOID USING WORDS LIKE BLIND, LOOK OR SEE.
Visually impaired people use them too.

WHEN GUIDING A VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSON TO A CHAIR, SIMPLY GUIDE THEIR HAND TO THE BACK OF THE CHAIR AND TELL HlM/HER IF IT HAS ARMS.

RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO PET A WORKING GUIDE DOG.
They have been trained to work with the visually impaired, the hearing impaired, and the mobility impaired. If a dog is distracted, its owner can be in danger.

IN A RESTAURANT, VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE USUALLY HAVE NO TROUBLE WlTH ORDINARY TABLE SKILLS.
They may need help with ordering from the menu and with placement of utensils and food.

NINETY PERCENT OF THE LEGALLY VISUALLY IMPAIRED HAVE SOME VISION.
They can see a great deal if you will help them locate the object you are discussing. They will need help with color, line, and fine details.

IN AN INTERPRETATION, IF ANYTHING IS TOUCHABLE, SAY SO.
Touching will enhance the visually impaired person's understanding of your interpretation.

(Top)

WHEN YOU MEET A WHEELCHAIR USER

DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY HOLD ON TO A PERSONS WHEELCHAIR.
It is part of a person's body space.

OFFER ASSISTANCE, BUT DO NOT INSIST.
If a person needs help, he/she will accept your offer and tell you what to do.

TALK DIRECTLY TO THE PERSON USING THE WHEELCHAIR.
Never talk to a third party. A wheelchair user is not helpless or unable to talk.

BE ALERT TO THE EXISTENCE OF ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS.
These would be steps, curbs, narrow or heavy doors, high counters or displays, and bathrooms not equipped for persons with disabilities.

IF THE CONVERSATION IS LENGTHY, SIT DOWN.
It is uncomfortable for a seated person to look upward for a long period of time.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LIFT A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR WITHOUT HlS/HER PERMISSION.
Tilt the front wheels up and roll the wheelchair backwards up the steps and forward down steps. Be sure to have someone in the front or in the back to steady the wheelchair.

(Top)

More Information
For more information about the Portsmouth Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities or if
you have a disability related concern, contact the Mayor's Office:

Office of the Mayor
801 Crawford St
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Phone: (757) 393-8639