Many blind people have excellent voice recognition. However, just as a sighted person may remember a face, yet forget a name, the same can occur with voices. Always introduce yourself by name??"Hi Mary! It?™s Fred!??This simple courtesy will avoid embarrassment for both parties. On a similar note, it?™s nice to know who's in the room with you. Please speak when you enter and exit. It?™s helpful if others with you are introduced. Additional information is also beneficial such as knowing if there are children, dogs, or cats in the room.

Hearing Impaired

Hearing Impairment is usually divided into two basic groups: the deaf and the hard of hearing. Individuals who are deaf fall into one of two categories - cultural or oral. Those persons who primarily rely on sign language for communicating are in the cultural category. In contrast, people whose preferred method of communicating is lip reading or speech reading are in the oral category.

You may have noticed that the speaking voices of people who are deaf can often sound different from the voice of someone who has normal hearing. Without the ability to hear their own voice as well as that of others, modulating tones are difficult for someone with a hearing impairment. If you cannot clearly understand a person's speaking voice, do not hide it. Admit that you are having difficulty and use pen and paper if necessary.

On the other hand, many hard of hearing people have trouble discriminating between words with similar sounds. Just as some words may sound alike, they can have very different meanings. For example, ?œsale??and ?œsail??have identical sounds, but totally different meanings. While ?œpen?? ?œmen?? and ?œbend??are not close in meaning, they can sound the same to a hard of hearing individual. Thus, comprehending your message requires serious concentration.

If you are familiar with American Sign Language (ASL), by all means use it. Those you are communicating with will be most appreciative. Deaf/blind individuals can spell out words that do not have a given sign by using a technique known as ?œFinger Spelling??

Mobility ??Moving THROUGH YOUR environment safely

People with disabilities want to be treated the same as anyone else. Never rush up and startle someone with a disability by grabbing him or her. Your best approach is to assume he or she is independent. If the individual is in need of assistance, they will ask for help. You will never go wrong by asking first, rather than making assumptions!

You are most likely familiar with dogs used as guides by blind individuals. However, a service dog assists some mobility-impaired people. Remember??interaction with the service animal is permissible only with the expressed permission of the handler.

Mobility Impaired

There are many people who use a wheelchair or motorized scooter to get from point A to point B; many other mobility-impaired people use crutches, canes, leg braces and/or walkers. If you should observe someone using one of these devices approach an entrance to a building, you may wish to offer assistance. DO NOT automatically rush to open the door at the instant you see someone approaching in a wheelchair, using crutches or a walker. Rather, calmly walk to the door and offer assistance allowing the individual to accept or reject the offer. DO NOT be insistent, and DO NOT wait until the person is about to fall before offering your help.