Interacting With a Wide Variety of People

                  

                   Interacting With a Wide Variety of People

All of us are responsible for treating every person with respect and compassion. You must

overcome your fears and prejudices, so they don’t have a negative effect on your interactions

with others.

People who are hard of hearing or Deaf

• Get the person’s attention before speaking. Make eye contact.

• Face the person while you are speaking and make sure they can see your mouth so

they can read your lips.

• Speak slowly and clearly. Do not shout.

• Use body language and gestures.

• Move to a quiet location if necessary.

• If the person doesn’t understand you, say your sentence again in a different way.

Don’t repeat the same words over and over.

• Use a pen and paper to communicate if necessary

.

People who are visually impaired or blind

• Greet the person using a normal tone of voice.

• Identify yourself and ask if they need help.

• Touch your hand to the back of their hand as a signal for them to take your arm

.

• Identify anyone else who is present.

• Let them tell you the best way to guide them.

• Let them know when you are coming to such things as a curb, a rough area in the

sidewalk or anything that is in the way.

• Describe their surroundings in detail, especially inside a building.

• Tell them when they are coming to a door and which way it opens.

• Tell them when they are coming to stairs and if they go up or down.

• Face the stairs directly and wait for the person to find the edge of the first step.

• Stay one step ahead, stop at the end of the stairway.

• Let the person know when you are leaving

.

People with mobility needs
These include people in wheelchairs and people who have difficulty walking:

• Always ask the person if they need help before acting.

• If you are helping someone walk, let them take your arm. Don’t rush.

• Advise someone in a wheelchair of difficult access areas at your site.

• Communicate with someone in a wheelchair at eye level when possible.

• If you are guiding a wheelchair, back down a ramp or curb.

• In elevators, pull the wheelchair in so that the person is facing the front.

People with physical problems that affect their behavior
Some people you meet will be physically sick, but it may seem like they are drunk or mentally ill. Here are some examples of physical problems:

• Diabetes – someone who is going into diabetic shock may stagger around or pass out

in a coma.

• Severe infections, the flu, pneumonia – may cause dizziness, confusion, forgetfulness.

• Concussion or brain injury – may cause confusion, memory loss, aggression.

What you do when you meet these people may save their lives. Here are some things to keep

in mind:

• Never assume you know what someone’s problem is just by what you see.

• Introduce yourself and ask how you can help.

• Try to get more information by calmly questioning the person or witnesses.

• Look for a Medical Alert bracelet or necklace. They contain

important information about over 200 different ailments, from

allergies to heart disease.

• If the person is conscious, always ask permission before you touch

them, and explain what you are doing.

• If a person is not breathing, begin CPR if you are comfortable doing so, and if you

have been trained. Make sure an ambulance is on the way before you try to help.

People whose first language is not 

 Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Show patience and respect

.

• Think about what you want to say before you speak.

• Speak loudly enough for them to hear you, but don’t yell.

• Speak slowly. You may need to ask them to speak more slowly also.

• Use short sentences. Avoid difficult words or slang expressions like “stay put” or

“hang in there,” etc.

• Ask them only one question at a time.

• Respect their personal space.

• Use gestures, writing and drawing to add to your words.

• Check for understanding. Ask them to repeat what you said. Don’t pretend you

understand them if you don’t. Ask questions if necessary.

• Smile. Friendly body language speaks clearly.

                                                                     THANK YOU