Awareness of persons with disabilities is key for professional and everyday interaction. Training classes and other material are available to provide the workplace with the necessary tools to interact with co-workers and visitors alike.

The following are some of the things to consider when interacting with individuals with disabilities:

• Always ask before you help
• People desire to be independent and treated with respect
• Be respectful about physical contact
• People depend on their arms for balance, consider equipment part of their personal space
• Think before you speak
• Speak directly to the person
• Don’t make assumptions
• People are the best judge of what they can or cannot do
• An accommodation is not a complaint