Disability Etiquette

Attitude

A person with a disability is just that- A PERSON with a disability

People with disabilities (PWDs) have special needs, may need extra assistance, or be unable to do some tasks;
however, the majority of PWDs are capable, contributing members of the community.
The vast majority of all people with a disability are engaged in full or part-time employment -paid or unpaid.

Some volunteers may be uneasy when meeting a person with a disability for the first time.
Treat a person with a disability just the same as you would treat any other person.

If you feel a person may require assistance, ask if you can help and then inquire how best to help.
It is important for people with a disability to maintain as much independence as possible.
However, it is also important for them to be given achievable tasks and be encouraged to progress at whatever rate they are comfortable with.
Don’t leave a person struggling with a task that is beyond their capabilities for too long, otherwise they may become frustrated and downhearted.

Sailability encourages members to take active roles in administration of our organization.
Members should be provided training and support to acquire new skills.

Sailability always refers to ability rather than disability.
One’s disability is not focused upon, one’s ability is acknowledged and nurtured.

Be observant, be respectful, be pleasant ? but most important be relaxed and enjoy the interaction.

Communication

Communication is the sending and receiving of messaged.

The main components of communication are:

People communicate by using a combination of spoken messages YES and NO.
Ask them to show “yes” and then “no”.
Having established this, communicating then becomes easier when you phrase questions requiring a YES or NO answer.

Sometime it may be necessary to be patient when a person has difficulty with verbal communication.
If you can’t work out what the person is trying to tell you, then try to get some help.
Don’t be embarrassed to say that you can’t understand. It is not going to be news to them.
Often it becomes easier to understand what a person says as you get to know them better.

Communication is a two-way process.
Relaying a message through speech or a communication aid must be combined with listening closely
for there to be effective communication.

Personal space/Touching

The use of personal space can be a type of non-verbal communication.
Personal space is defined as the area immediately surrounding an individual.
Personal space various from person to person and unwanted intrusion into space can lead to the person withdrawing.

Touching is one of the most important non-verbal signals.
Touching depends on the interaction between two people.
Touching can be very positive thing or it can be negative.
Touching is one way in which adults can demonstrate protection, support and caring for each other.
In its negative context, touching may signal superiority and dominance.
A person with a disability may not necessarily want to be touched but be unable to let people know.

Wheelchair Information

• When pushing a person in a wheelchair, do not regard yourself as simply a pusher. You are also a companion.

• A person’s wheelchair is part of their personal space so don’t drape yourself over their chair unless the person is comfortable with you doing so.

• Make sure a person in a wheelchair can hear you.

  It may be necessary to face the chair towards you and for you to sit down so you can talk to the person at the same level.

• Ensure that the person in the wheelchair feels safe at all times.

• Never leave the chair alone without putting on the brakes. After transferring the sailor into the boat, make sure their wheelchair is moved well away from the water’s edge.

Types of wheelchair

There are two basic groups of wheelchairs:
Manual and Electric.
Within each groups there are many different types.

Manual (self propelling) wheelchairs

• The person using the wheelchair may need to be strapped securely into it.
• If the chair is difficult to push the tyres may be flat.
• Try to avoid uneven ground, sand and large stones.
• Do not forget to put the brake on when the wheelchair us stationary.

Electric wheelchairs

• To move electric wheelchair manually there is a small wheel/knob inside the back wheels which can be unlocked. Remember that these chair are very heavy if unlocked in to manual mode.
• Electric wheelchairs should be turned off when stationary to stop the battery going flat.

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