Time to evaluate our behaviour towards our colleagues who have disabilities. Some of us may react hesitantly due to shyness or worry when we meet them. We must overcome these negative and uneasy feelings by telling ourselves that people with disabilities are people just like you and I. Here are some hints and advice which may help them to feel more at ease when encountering a person with a disability. The following is a summary of my suggestions:
As a result of the recognition of the different abilities of persons with disabilities, employees with disabilities are becoming an integral part of most work environments within the government of Canada. Since we all are increasingly working with colleagues who have disabilities, it is appropriate to consider work practices which can enhance this relationship and facilitate full participation in the office.
Although not costly, a little forethought when planning or chairing a meeting, posting a notice, or doing any one of the myriad of tasks associated with day to day activities would prevent barriers for employees with disabilities. This article is intended to provide some ideas which can be put into practice by all employees, and which all will find rewarding.
When greeting an employee with a disability, be cordial and relax. Do not speak unnaturally loud and do not yell. Do not pat the head of a person in a wheelchair; rather, reach out shake her or his hand. Do not be offended if a blind person does not say “hello”, or accept your proffered hand: simply say “I would like to shake your hand”. Always speak clearly and look directly at the person with a disability. Always address the person with a disability by name, particularly when in a group. Never ask a companion, for example, “Would she like a coffee?” and never use expressions of pity or paternalism such as “You poor thing, let me help”. By all means, however, do offer to help. The person with a disability will respond indicating the nature of the help, if any, needed and appreciate the gesture. Never assume: there are as many disabilities as there are people with them. A disability is an individual experience and each person uses her or his uniquely different abilities to adapt to the disability.
Some have described the presence of a blind person as being similar to a ghost passing through the room: there, but not really there. What is meant by that analogy is that persons with a severe visual loss often feel isolated when they are not able to read signs, notices on boards, or see people passing by in the halls, things people who can see take for granted. Making an extra copy of a bulletin board notice and leaving it in the “in” basket of a colleague who is blind, for that person’s reader to read, is one good way to shoo those ghosts away. Similarly, of course, hearing impaired individuals would appreciate written copies of audio announcements and presentations.
When standing in an elevator next to a person who is blind, why not say “hello” and tell who you are. The person who is blind cannot always recognize you, especially if she or he does not come into contact with you every day. Yes, some persons who are blind or visually impaired can recognize people by the sound of their voice or their footfall. For those with a little residual vision you may be recognized by the colour of your outfit until, of course, you change it.
When organizing a meeting, plan with participants with disabilities in mind, just in case. If you know that a person with a visual impairment will be attending, send the notice in the alternate medium which that person uses, i.e. braille, audio tape, large print or computer disk. Some persons who are blind or visually impaired have message systems, so call their phone and read the notice as a message of up to five minutes. When the employee retrieves the message, the information is readily available. Do not forget, however, to send a hard copy too, as one may be needed for files or for circulation.
At the meeting, leave at least one place at the table near the door without a chair so that a person in a wheelchair can roll up to the table with dignity. At the very beginning of the meeting, ask participants to identify themselves. In addition to being an excellent ice breaker, this practice provides participants who are blind with an indication of who the other participants in the room are, something most people take for granted with a quick glance.
Overhead slides and visuals are fine as long as there is a good audio as well. If a document is being reviewed clause-by-clause it is a good idea to have copies available in formats which all participants can use. The same thing applies to bars, charts and minutes. If a hearing impaired person is participating, arrange for interpreter service.
Include a colleague with a disability in your invitation to the group for lunch or coffee: you never know, you may make a new friend.