Better communication
We communicate with people many times every day, either face to face, on the phone or in writing. When communicating with someone with disability, it is important to remember to treat each person as an individual. Also, treat people with respect and consideration and in the way that you would want to be treated.
Some general tips for successful communication:
- use a normal tone of voice—do not raise your voice unless asked to
- be polite and patient—do not rush the conversation
- speak directly to the person rather than the person with them
- ask the person what will help with communication—there are different ways to communicate
- don't pretend to understand—let the person know you are having difficulty; try asking yes or no questions
- be flexible—reword rather than repeat anything that is not understood
- only refer to the person's disability if necessary or relevant
- offer assistance if it appears necessary, but respect the person's wishes if they don't accept your offer
- avoid saying anything that implies the person with disability is superhuman, courageous or special
- relax—everyone makes mistakes; apologise if you believe you have embarrassed someone.
A Way with words
A Way with Words, an online booklet, provides guidelines for the portrayal of people with disability with the aim of promoting inclusiveness and the accurate and fair portrayal of people with disability. Topics covered include appropriate language, interviewing a person with disability, providing public information to people with disability and general guidelines on communicating with a person with disability.
Postcards for all
A series of postcards are available that provide some practical tips to help people feel more comfortable and confident interacting with people with disability.
- Relax. People with a disability are just people (PDF, 525KB)
- Don't make assumptions about people with a disability (PDF, 502KB)
- Just because a person has one disability, doesn't mean they have another (PDF, 480KB)
- People with a disability have their own way of doing things. Ask before you help (PDF, 540KB)
- Speak directly to the person with the disability-not to their carer or interpreter (PDF, 497KB)
- Take the time to listen you may learn a lot. If you can't understand what someone is saying-just ask again (PDF, 511KB)
You can order hard copies by contacting the Disability Information Service on 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or by sending an email to disability@disability.qld.gov.au.
