Skip to main content

Tips for Interacting with Individuals with Disabilities


Tips for Interacting with Individuals with Disabilities

Remember to see and talk to the person not the disability.
-          People are not defined by their disability. Talk to/ interact with them like you would anyone else.
-          If the person is age wise an adult talk to them as an adult. Please avoid “baby talk.”
-          If a person is with a staff please talk to the person not the staff. Staff might help clarify but they are there to support and not do for.
-          If you don’t understand just ask for the person to repeat themselves.
-          Just say “hi.” A conversation starts there. Be natural. Keep it simple.
-          Sometimes individuals know certain words but may not use them at the right times. Because a person says “potty” does not mean that they need to go to the bathroom. They’re doing the best they can to verbalize.
-          Talk to people at their level. If they’re in a chair lower yourself to them.
-          If you have a question, ask. Often people are happy to explain.
-          If you don’t know how to include someone ask them what they’d like to do. If a person receives support from an agency you can contact their agency to see what can be done to further support the person.

Touch is okay but ask first.
-          It is okay to touch a person with a disability but ask first. Some individuals are touch sensitive. If someone has a service animal please remember that the animal is there to work. Always ask before you engage the animal.
-          Treat the person’s wheelchair as part of the person. Please respect it like you would the person.
-          Please do not pat individuals on the head.

General Advice
-          Do not flicker the lights on or off to get people’s attention. This can cause a seizure. Turn the lights off, talk and then turn them back on or find another way to get people’s attention.
-          Be careful of strong smells. Lotions, perfumes/cologne and cleaning products with strong smells may trigger a reaction. Some people with asthma or allergies can also be affected. Offer scent free soaps in public restrooms and allow areas to air out after cleanings.
-          Be aware of making sudden noises – buzzers, whistles, cymbals, etc.
-          Many individuals with disabilities have dietary supports. Please offer healthy choices and please limit the amount of treats given to them
-          Be present. Sometimes silent presence is the best support you can offer a person. Listen actively to the person and try not to rush them.
-      Be aware of how fast you expect groups to say things together (Lord’s Prayer or Calls to Worship). Slow down to speak with the person. This is a good spiritual practice to slow down when you say things as a group so you can internalize these words yourself and not just read them.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Political vs. Partisan in Preaching

For years now, I have heard in preaching and clergy circles about being political in sermons; the good, the bad and those who state that church shouldn’t be political. There are workshops, books, and podcasts talking about politics in the church with a variety of opinions. What do people mean when they make the statement that the church shouldn’t be political? The IRS has the most say about the rules for the separation of church and state/politics. If your church wants to be tax exempt, there are rules: don’t endorse any candidate or party, if you allow one party to use your space, other political parties also must be allowed to use the space, etc. The UCC’s general counsel, Heather Kimmell, has a webinar on this topic if you’d like to hear a more detailed explanation which can be found on the UCC’s YouTube channel. Churches have gotten “creative” in how to get around this, often partnering with another non-profit group to give support to a particular group. The UCC is proud to claim...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Day in the Life: A Minister and Forgiveness

 I shared in one of my last blogs that I had complaints lodged against me by a small group in my congregation. Most seem to have moved on after our group meeting, where I apologized for a lot of things - probably more then I should have had too. But I'm the professional in those settings so I did it.  I'm not being told, second hand, that two of those in that meeting want a one on one apology from me because what I said in the meeting wasn't good enough. This is the couple who cursed in my church, have flat out lied about me and have repeatedly stated that the only outcome they're willing to accept is my termination.  Let me explain why I won't be having a one on one meeting with this couple and I won't be giving any more apologies. First, lets start with the apology part. I have apologized for my actions - maybe my misinterpretations is a better term. Based off of their actions and words, I communicated with the proper board/committee and asked for consensus ab...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Okayist Pastor - Weekly Reflection 6/13/25

The things - the things. As I try to think of how I want to start this post I'm stuck on the words "the things..." Yesterday I had a member come talk to me, who was talking to me on behalf of another member, who had apparently called the vice moderator of the congregation. That's a whole lot of triangulation that I'm not even going to touch on this blog because that's a whole other blog.  I was told that because I had set out the roses for the confirmands on Sunday (because I had to set out their certificates, stoles, robes, and other gifts from the congregation) and I had filled pitchers with water and put them in the refrigerator while I was waiting on people to drop off things to the church so we had cold water for a funeral reception, I was over stepping and had offended a member. This comes flying at me after I had people write formal letters of complaint to my denominations oversight group because I wrote thank you notes last fall to members who returned...
Post a Comment
Read more