People with Communication Disabilities
Adapted from training materials developed by United Cerebral Palsy
Facts
- Communication disabilities do not indicate limited intelligence or limited hearing.
- Like wheelchairs, communication aids (such as communication boards and speech devices) are an extension of an individual's personal space and should be respected as such.
Interaction Tips
- Speak only when you are certain the person has finished speaking.
- Plan for conversations to take more time. Do not attempt to rush a conversation. Exercise patience rather than attempting to speak for a person.
- Give the conversation your full attention by facing the individual and maintaining eye contact.
- Address questions, comments, or concerns directly to the individual, not to a person in their presence.
- Be honest. If you do not understand what is being said, say so.
- Until you know an individual well, do not make assumptions based on facial expressions or vocal inflections. Some people with a speech disability have difficulty with these aspects of speech.
- When appropriate, ask closed-ended questions that require short answers or a nod of the head.
- Repeat what you understand, or incorporate the person's statements into what you are saying. Their reactions will clue you in and guide you to understanding.
Examples of Accommodations
- Use a computer or TTY (teletypewriter) to carry on a conversation.
- Hire someone familiar with the individual's speech to serve as an interpreter in an important meeting or when a great deal of information will be presented. If such a facilitator is present, be sure to address the individual directly.
©The National Service Inclusion Project is a cooperative agreement (#01CAM0016) between the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston in collaboration with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities.