Presented by:
The National Business & Disability Council
at The Viscardi Center
We all want to do “the right thing”
Fear of doing something wrong may prevent us from fully engaging with
people with disabilities
Without awareness, you may feel:
 Apprehension
 Embarrassment
 Discomfort
 Ignoring people with disabilities
 Alienating important people from their life, such as:
 Colleagues
 Clients
 Customers
 A family member
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
2
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Etiquette Tips

Use hand signal to gain attention

Face person directly

Normal tone of voice

Do not obstruct your face (avoid chewing gum)

If in a meeting, one person should speak at a time

Speak directly to the individual, not the interpreter
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and should
not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
3
Amplification devices
TDD / TTY
Sign Language Interpreters
Written announcements
Captioning
Lip readers
Visual cues
Email
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be
and should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
4
Mobility Disability
Etiquette Tips

Do not lean

Do not rest on

Do not touch

Do not push

Pull up a chair

Never grab a person’s cane or crutches

Always ask before offering your assistance
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
5
Productivity Tools / Accommodations:
Provide parking close to the work site
Provide a workstation closer to the restroom
Offer items within reach
Discuss alternate accessible routes
Allow the use of a service animal
Allow extra time
Replace existing hardware, equipment
Structural changes
Install ramps
Widen doorways
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
6
Suggestions to assure participation at events:
◦ Accessible entrance
◦ Easy access or directional signage
◦ Working elevators
◦ Accessible restrooms
◦ Food and beverages offered at appropriate height and reach
ranges
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
7
When is it appropriate to shake hands with a person who uses prosthesis or has
a hand deformity?
Answer: ALWAYS!!
TIP: Watch the person’s body language:
 If a person has limited hand use or uses an artificial limb, he/she can usually
shake hands. It is appropriate to extend your hand. Shaking hands
with the left hand is also acceptable
 If the person uses a hook/claw, it is appropriate to extend your hand
 If the person has small hands extending from the shoulder, it is appropriate
to reach for his/her hand
 If the person has no arms, a nod is appropriate.
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be
and should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
8
Blind or Visually Impaired
Etiquette Tips

When entering a room, say so!

Address by name / introduce yourself

Speak directly to the person

Use a normal tone of voice

Never leave a person who is blind in an open area

Verbally offer your assistance /
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
9
Blind or Visually Impaired
Etiquette Tips
(cont…)

Offer your arm / elbow

Offer a description

Beware of obstacles

Give specific directions

Place their hand/arm on back of their chair if directing to seat

Guide Animals:
◦ Do not pet or distract a working guide dog
◦ Place yourself next to the person
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be
and should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
10
“Talking” computers, calculators
Labeling in Braille
Air radio announcements
Respond to questions orally
Avoid clutter in passageways
Optical Aids (Magnifiers)
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
11
Speech Disability
Etiquette Tips
Patience
Do

not pretend to

Full

attention
Encourage self-expression
Listen
Do
/ concentrate
not assist unless you
are asked


Do not finish the person’s
sentences
Acknowledge with a simple
nod
“Yes” or “No” responses
Do not interrupt or rush
their words
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
12
Tips when Interacting / Working with a Person
who has a Speech Disability
Avoid awkward situations
Encourage one-on-one communication
Ask to repeat or write it down
Relocate to quieter area
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
13
Tips for Interacting / Working with a Person who has
a Learning Disability

Ask the person what works best for them
RA’s may include:



For dyslexia or other reading difficulties:
◦ Provide verbal explanations and allow extra time for reading
For auditory processing disorders
◦ Demonstrate
◦ Write it down
Provide a quiet environment with little or no distraction
 NOTE: Remember to FOLLOW UP!
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be
and should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
14

Seek medical attention

While waiting...................
◦ Be sure the person’s head is protected
◦ Wait for seizure to end
◦ Privacy

Beepers and strobe lights can trigger seizures
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
15
Productivity
Tools
31% No Cost
19% $1 - $50
19% $51 - $500
19% $501 - $1000
11% $1001 - $5000
1% more than $5000
People with disabilities.....
NOT........... “The disabled”
Acknowledge people as being a “Person” first, NOT by there disability
Examples:
 My son has autism
 She has a cognitive disorder
 He has a learning disability
 She is of short stature
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
17
Words and Phrases Not to Use
Suggested verbiage:
Crippled
Handicapped
Victim
The Deaf
The Blind
Wheelchair bound
Confined to a wheelchair
• Hidden disabilities - “non-obvious” disabilities
• Cognitive disabilities - “intellectual” disabilities
• Reasonable accommodations - productivity tools, making
adjustments, necessary modifications
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be
and should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
18
Laura M. Francis
National Business & Disability Council
at The Viscardi Center
516.465.1519 / 212.785.7300, ext. 11
[email protected]
This presentation is intended solely for the information and use of The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is not intended to be and
should not be circulated to anyone other than The Federal Reserve Bank of New York
19