Serving People with Disabilities: Recognize and Respond

This screen provides information on a range of disabilities and specific tips on how to serve people with those disabilities.

Click on each disability for more information.

• Deaf/ Hard of Hearing
• Deafblind
• Intellectual/ Developmental
• Learning
• Mental Health
• Physical / Mobility
• Speech/ Language
• Vision Loss
• Other

Deaf/ Hard of Hearing

Recognize

• People with hearing loss may be deaf, oral deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing.
  • People with hearing loss may use assistive devices including hearing aids, special telephones, sign language interpreters, various amplifiers, or a pen and paper

Respond

• Attract the person’s attention before speaking by a gentle touch on the shoulder or a wave of your hand.
  • When addressing a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, make sure they can clearly see your face.
• Never shout to try to make yourself understood.
  • If the person uses a hearing aid, try to reduce background noise or move to a quieter area.

Deafblind

Recognize

• A person who is deafblind cannot see or hear to some degree.
  • A person may not necessarily be completely deaf and blind. Individuals who are deafblind may have some residual vision and/or hearing.

Respond

• Speak directly to the person.
  • A person who is deafblind will explain to you how to communicate with them.
  • People who are deafblind may be accompanied by an intervenor, a professional who helps with communicating. Identify yourself to the intervenor when you approach.

Intellectual/Developmental

Recognize

• Developmental or intellectual disabilities, ranging from mild to profound, can limit a person’s ability to learn, communicate, perform everyday activities, and live independently.
  • It may be difficult to recognize someone who has this disability unless you are told, or you notice the way the person acts, asks questions, or uses body language.

Respond

• Use plain language and make sure the person understands what you’ve said. You can be direct and ask: “Do you understand this?”
  • Provide one piece of information at a time. Break down the information into simpler concepts but avoid exaggerated speech or gestures.

Learning

Recognize

• A variety of disorders that affect how a person processes information.
  • Learning disabilities can be associated with language-based learning, mathematics, or fine motor skills.
  • The person may have difficulty reading material or processing information.

Respond

• Take your time – people with learning disabilities may require more time to understand and respond.
  • Provide information in a way that best suits the person. Even using a pen and paper may help them review and absorb the information. Explain the information clearly and be prepared to repeat it.

Mental Health

Recognize

• Includes several disorders ranging widely in severity, including; anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
  • Non-visible disabilities can be difficult to understand.

Respond

• Reassure the person and listen carefully. Focus on meeting the person’s needs. Remember, not all disabilities are visible.
  • Reassure the client that you are there to assist them.

Physical / Mobility

Recognize

• A wide range of disabilities that restrict body movement to varying degrees.
  • Physical disabilities may require people to use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or other assistive devices.

Respond

• People with physical disabilities often have their own way of doing things. Ask them how you can help. Remove items that are in the way.
  • Respect the person’s personal space. Don’t lean over them or on an assistive device. When speaking to a person in a wheelchair for more than a minute, sit or crouch down to their eye level.
  • Never move devices such as canes or walkers, out of the person’s reach.
  • If you are assisting a person in a wheelchair, make sure they are ready to be moved and describe what you are going to do before moving them.

Speech / Language

Recognize

• Difficulty in communicating verbally such as word-finding difficulties or stuttering.
  • A person with a severe speech or language disability may use a communication board or other assistive device.

Respond

• Be patient. Give the person the time they need to get their point across.
  • If possible, ask questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no”.
  • Don’t interrupt or finish sentences. Give them time to express themselves.

Vision Loss

Recognize

• Don’t assume people with this disability are blind. While most individuals with this disability have some residual vision, they may have trouble reading signs, locating landmarks, or seeing hazards.
  • Some people may use a guide dog or white cane while others may simply need to use a magnifier to view written materials.

Respond

• Identify yourself when you approach the person and speak directly to them.
  • Make written materials available in large print
  • Guide them to a chair or a comfortable location and don't walk away without saying good-bye.
  • Offer your elbow to guide the person and wait for permission before starting to move. If they accept, walk slowly.
  • Identify landmarks or other details to help orient the person

Other Disabilities

Recognize

• Other disabilities, which may be temporary or permanent, visible or non-visible, may include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, kidney disease, allergies, cardiovascular problems, seizure disorders, cancer, diabetes, and HIV infections.
  • These disabilities may affect a person’s cognitive and physical abilities.

Respond

• Be patient when communicating.
  • Make sure equipment and supplies are close to the person.

Deaf/ Hard of Hearing (click here to close this box)

Recognize

• People with hearing loss may be deaf, oral deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing.
  • People with hearing loss may use assistive devices including hearing aids, special telephones, sign language interpreters, various amplifiers, or a pen and paper

Respond

• Attract the person's attention before speaking by a gentle touch on the shoulder or a wave of your hand.
  • When addressing a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, make sure they can clearly see your face.
• Never shout to try to make yourself understood.
  • If the person uses a hearing aid, try to reduce background noise or move to a quieter area.

Deafblind (click here to close this box)

Recognize

• A person who is deafblind cannot see or hear to some degree.
  • A person may not necessarily be completely deaf and blind. Individuals who are deafblind may have some residual vision and/or hearing.

Respond

• Speak directly to the person.
  • A person who is deafblind will explain to you how to communicate with them.
  • People who are deafblind may be accompanied by an intervenor, a professional who helps with communicating. Identify yourself to the intervenor when you approach.

Intellectual/Developmental (click here to close this box)

Recognize

• Developmental or intellectual disabilities, ranging from mild to profound, can limit a person’s ability to learn, communicate, perform everyday activities, and live independently.
  • It may be difficult to recognize someone who has this disability unless you are told, or you notice the way the person acts, asks questions, or uses body language.

Respond

• Use plain language and make sure the person understands what you've said. You can be direct and ask: “Do you understand this?”
  • Provide one piece of information at a time. Break down the information into simpler concepts but avoid exaggerated speech or gestures.

Learning (click here to close this box)

Recognize

• A variety of disorders that affect how a person processes information.
  • Learning disabilities can be associated with language-based learning, mathematics, or fine motor skills.
  • The person may have difficulty reading material or processing information.

Respond

• Take your time – people with learning disabilities may require more time to understand and respond.
  • Provide information in a way that best suits the person. Even using a pen and paper may help them review and absorb the information. Explain the information clearly and be prepared to repeat it.

Mental Health (click here to close this box)

Recognize

• Includes several disorders ranging widely in severity, including; anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
  • Non-visible disabilities can be difficult to understand.

Respond

• Reassure the person and listen carefully. Focus on meeting the person’s needs. Remember, not all disabilities are visible.
  • Reassure the client that you are there to assist them.

Physical / Mobility (click here to close this box)

Recognize

• A wide range of disabilities that restrict body movement to varying degrees.
  • Physical disabilities may require people to use wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or other assistive devices.

Respond

• People with physical disabilities often have their own way of doing things. Ask them how you can help. Remove items that are in the way.
  • Respect the person’s personal space. Don't lean over them or on an assistive device. When speaking to a person in a wheelchair for more than a minute, sit or crouch down to their eye level.
  • Never move devices such as canes or walkers, out of the person’s reach.
  • If you are assisting a person in a wheelchair, make sure they are ready to be moved and describe what you are going to do before moving them.

Speech / Language (click here to close this box)

Recognize

• Difficulty in communicating verbally such as word-finding difficulties or stuttering.
  • A person with a severe speech or language disability may use a communication board or other assistive device.

Respond

• Be patient. Give the person the time they need to get their point across.
  • If possible, ask questions that can be answered with a “yes” or “no”.
  • Don't interrupt or finish sentences. Give them time to express themselves.

Vision Loss (click here to close this box)

Recognize

• Don't assume people with this disability are blind. While most individuals with this disability have some residual vision, they may have trouble reading signs, locating landmarks, or seeing hazards.
  • Some people may use a guide dog or white cane while others may simply need to use a magnifier to view written materials.

Respond

• Identify yourself when you approach the person and speak directly to them.
  • Make written materials available in large print
  • Guide them to a chair or a comfortable location and don't walk away without saying good-bye.
  • Offer your elbow to guide the person and wait for permission before starting to move. If they accept, walk slowly.
  • Identify landmarks or other details to help orient the person.

Other Disabilities (click here to close this box)

Recognize

• Other disabilities, which may be temporary or permanent, visible or non-visible, may include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, kidney disease, allergies, cardiovascular problems, seizure disorders, cancer, diabetes, and HIV infections.
  • These disabilities may affect a person's cognitive and physical abilities.

Respond

• Be patient when communicating.
  • Make sure equipment and supplies are close to the person.