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The Ten Commandments of Etiquette

  1. When talking with a person with a disability, speak directly to the person rather than through a companion or a sign language interpreter who may be present.

  2. When introduced to a person with a disability, it is appropriate to offer to shake hands. People with limited hand use or who wear an artifical limb can usually shake hands. Shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable greeting.

  3. When meeting a person who is blind or [visually impaired], always identify yourself and others who may be with you. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking.

  4. If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen to or ask for instructions.

  5. Treat adults as adults. Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to all others present. Never patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulder.

  6. Leaning or hanging on a person's wheelchair is similar to leaning or hanging on a person and is generally considered annoying. The [wheel]chair is part of the personal body space of the person who uses it.

  7. Listen attentivley when you're talking with a person who has difficulty speaking. Be patient and wait for the person to finish, rather than correcting or speaking for the person. If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers, a nod or a shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Instead, repeat what you have understood and allow the person to respond. The response will clue you in and guide your understanding.

  8. When speaking with a person who uses a [wheel]chair or crutches, place yourself at eye level in front of the person to faciliate the conversation.

  9. To get the attention of a person who is deaf or [hearing impaired], tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look diretly at the person and speak clearly, slowly and expressively to establish if the person can read lips. Not all people with a hearing impairment can lip-read. For those who do lip-read, be sensitive to their needs by placing yourself facing the light source and keeping hands, cigarettes, and food away from your mouth when speaking.

  10. RELAX! Don't be embarassed if you happen to use accepted, common expressions such as "See you later," or, "Did you hear about this?" that seem to relate to the person's disability.

These ten commandments were adapted as a public service from many sources by




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