Communicating with people with mobility limitations
Here are some tips for easy communication with people who have physical disability or a mobility limitation.
Wheelchair users
- Sit at the same level
- Treat the wheelchair as part of the speaker's personal space (ie do not touch it without permission)
- Make eye contact
- Use non-patronising language and actions
- Speak to the person using the wheelchair, not their companion
- Use usual lip movements, voice tone and volume.
Other mobility limitations
Wheelchair users are actually a minority of people with mobility impairments, who can include people with difficulty:
- walking distances
- negotiating rough or slippery surfaces
- standing or sitting for any length of time
- standing up from a chair or sofa
- keeping balance.
Not all mobility limitations are noticeable. The same tips apply however.
Make sure you have chairs with armrests available, and at least one desk with adjustable height.
Check out software or hardware for assistive technology for people with poor hand function.
Encourage your friends with arthritis or other conditions which reduce their hand function to take up computing. They'll be amazed at the variety of simple assistive products available.