EL PASO, Tx., September 15, 2025: To build a more respectful and understanding community, residents of El Paso are encouraged to adopt best practices for interacting with individuals with disabilities. These simple, mindful approaches can significantly enhance communication and foster an environment of true inclusion.
At its core, interacting with a person with a disability should be approached with the same courtesy and consideration extended to anyone else. A few key principles form the foundation of positive interactions:
- Speak Directly to the Person: Always address the individual with a disability directly, not their companion or aide. They are the person you are communicating with.
- Offer, Don’t Assume: Before providing assistance, ask if help is needed and how to best offer it. Respect their response if they decline.
- Be Patient and Attentive: Allow ample time for responses, especially if someone has a speech impediment or uses an assistive device. Listen actively and be prepared to repeat yourself if necessary.
- Respect Personal Space and Equipment: A person’s wheelchair, guide dog, or other assistive devices are part of their personal space. Do not touch or move them without permission.
- Use People-First Language: This crucial practice emphasizes the individual, not their condition. For instance, say “a person with a disability” instead of “a disabled person,” and “a person who uses a wheelchair” instead of “a wheelchair-bound person.”
Specific Guidance for Different Interactions
Interacting with Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision:
- Identify Yourself: Announce your presence and name when approaching.
- Offer Your Arm for Guiding: If guiding is requested, offer your arm rather than taking theirs, allowing them to control the level of support.
- Give Clear Directions: Use specific directions, such as “ten feet ahead on your left,” instead of vague terms like “over there.”
- Announce Your Departure: Let them know when you are leaving the conversation.
- Respect Guide Dogs: Remember that a guide dog is a working animal. Do not distract it by petting or feeding it without the handler’s explicit permission.
Interacting with Individuals Who Use Wheelchairs:
- Get to Eye Level: For extended conversations, try to position yourself at eye level to foster a more natural interaction and prevent neck strain for the person in the wheelchair.
- Do Not Lean on the Wheelchair: A wheelchair is an extension of their personal space and should not be used as a prop.
- Respect Their Pace: If walking together, adjust your speed to match theirs.
- Never Push Unasked: Never push or move a person’s wheelchair without their explicit permission.
Interacting with Individuals with Other Disabilities:
- Hearing Impairments: Gain their attention before speaking (e.g., a light touch on the arm). Speak clearly and at a moderate pace and face them directly so they can read your lips if they choose to.
- Speech Impairments: Be patient and allow them to finish their thoughts without interruption. Politely ask them to repeat or rephrase if you don’t understand.
- Cognitive Disabilities: Use clear, simple language and short sentences. Be patient, repeat information if needed, and focus on one idea at a time. Always treat them with respect and avoid patronizing tones.
By implementing these best practices, residents and visitors alike can contribute to a more inclusive and welcoming El Paso. These guidelines are a steppingstone to building a community where understanding and respect are the cornerstones of accessibility for everyone…