How to Support People with Disability?

Living in the world today, it is common to be in the same environment and possibly live or work in the same environment with disabled people. Disability comes in different forms; visual, hearing, mental health, intellectual, and learning disabilities.

People living with disabilities need to be treated like normal human beings, so many of them tend to have low self-esteem probably because of the way people treat them. Disability support services help people with disability who provides the love and support they need. This will go a long way in helping them deal with the disability. How then can one deal with people with disability issues?

Always talk to them

When one comes in contact with someone with a disability, it is quite normal to feel the urge to help but that may not always be the case. Hence, it is important too, first of all, ask if they need any help and if they do, try to ask for directives on how they want it done, this will greatly contribute to their safety.

Be clear when speaking to them and listen attentively

If one happens to be working or studying with a person that has a developmental disability or any cognitive issues, it is important to use very short, clear, and simple words when communicating with them. 

Try to break down the language and make it less complex so they can be at the same pace and let them make their own decisions and you can offer some corrections when you need the help. This counts for people with speech impairments like allowing them to finish their sentences when they are talking – do not interrupt them when they are speaking.

Make eye and physical contact

There are times when people with a disability tend to move around with their personal care assistant or their interpreters especially for those with hearing or visual disabilities. Try to make a lot of eye contact with the disabled patient and their assistant as much as possible.

Again, if the disabled person is in the wheelchair and the discussion has to be extremely, sit down so they will not have to strain their necks trying to look up and maintain physical contact.

Be conscious of personal space

Some people who make use of disability support services and mobility aids like; wheelchair, walker, or cane can have these aids as their private and personal space. This means that; do not try pushing a disabled person in their wheelchair without seeking their opinion. It is just part of their safety routine.

Always check the accessibility of areas they are invited to

Confirm the place of meeting before time and try to schedule the meeting on time so everyone can find detailed information about the venue’s accessibility. Offer to help them by asking if they need help.

Know that they will always make mistakes

People with disabilities may be slower than usual and most importantly bear in mind that mistakes are common and will always happen. The essential thing here is to try and ask questions while taking the person’s leads.

Conclusion 

Following some of these steps may feel a little bit awkward the very first time especially with a stranger but not to worry about that, it is just a feeling that will pass when there is fulfillment. 

It is normal to feel awkward the very first time but frequent interaction makes it easier and less awkward, hence make it a habit to get closer to them rather than avoid them. This will also help to make them feel normal. It does not hurt to show love, so always learn to show love to people with disability issues, it will go a long way to help them more than one can even imagine.