As you know, My wife Christy, is in a Wheelchair, and a lot of times we come across people who don't know how to interact with someone in a chair. While I was looking for something I came across the following from another website regarding what etiquette to us when meeting up with someone with a Wheel Chair. The URL of the site is http://www.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_TownHall/Docs/etiquette.html if you want to check it out yourself. (My comments in Italics
1. The key concept? Focus on the person, not on his or her disability.
The disability is part of the person, just like being bald, or having a blue eyes If you act towards them with this mindset, then both of you will be comfortable
2. It is appropriate to shake hands with a person who has a disability, even if they have limited use of their hands or wear an artificial limb.
Once again, this will make the two of your more comfortable to interact
3. Always ask the person who uses a wheelchair if he or she would like assistance before you jump in to help. Your help may not be needed or wanted.
Don't I know it..:).. In short even thought someone is in a wheelchair, the don't want to be dependent on everyone.. In my wife's case she is one of the most independent person I know. Just remember, the person in the wheelchair lives with it it everyday and is in the best position to judge their limits, and knows when to ask for help
4. Don't hang or lean on a person's wheelchair. A wheelchair is part of his or her own personal or body space, so don't lean on it, rock it, etc.
That and since a Wheelchair is a manfactored item, parts can bend or break when they have excessive forces on them
5. Speak directly to the person who uses the wheelchair, not to someone who is nearby as if the wheelchair user did not exist.
Anytime you aren't speaking directly to the person you are talking to, it drives them nuts.. In this case, it's the same way
6. If your conversation lasts more than a few minutes, consider sitting down, etc. to get yourself on the same eye-level as the person who uses the wheelchair. It will keep both of you from getting a stiff neck!
Otherwise the both of you will be looking for an Aspirin, or a tube of Ban-Gay
7. Don't demean or patronize the person who uses a wheelchair by patting him or her on the head.
Note to myself purchase sports cup
8. When giving directions, think abut things like travel distance, location of curbcuts and ramps, weather conditions and physical obstacles that may hinder their travel.
note: One step or curb without a curbcut or ramp is one to many..A quote my Wife received setting up a job interview
Wife: Is your place accessible by wheelchair?
Person on phone: Well yes we are, we only have a couple steps to get to the building
9. Don't discourage children from asking questions of a person who uses a wheelchair about their wheelchair. Open communication helps overcome fearful or misleading attitudes.
My wife has no problem explaining to children about the chair. They are naturally curious and my wife feels it help to educate them..It's typically their stupid parents that get in the way.
10. When a person who uses a wheelchair "transfers" out of the wheelchair to a chair, pew, car, toilet or bed, do not move the wheelchair out of reach. If you think it would be best to move it for some reason ask the person who uses the wheelchair about the best option for them.
So true..In my wife's case..If she transfers to a bed, or to another chair or couch, she will sometimes use her chair as a table or shelf
11. It is OK to use expressions like "running along" or "let's go for a walk" when speaking to person who uses a wheelchair. It is likely they express the idea of moving along in exactly the same way.
It's just a expression for normal every day speech. You don't need to fall into the political correct crowd of changing it. It most cases they will use the same expressions themselves
12. People who use wheelchairs have varying capabilities. Some person who use wheelchairs can walk with aid or for short distances. They use wheelchairs because they help them to conserve energy and to move about with greater efficiency.
In short..Don't assume they can or can't do something..ALWAYS ASK!"
13. Don't classify or think of people who use wheelchairs as "sick." Wheelchairs are used to help people adapt to or compensate for the mobility impairments that result from many non-contagious impairments. Some of these are, for example, spinal cord injury, stroke, amputation, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, post polio, heart disease, etc.
Just think of people in wheelchairs as anyone else and treat them as such. If you have any questions about the chair, always ask... In my wife's case she doesn't mind answering them
14. Check your assumptions! Don't assume that using a wheelchair is a tragedy. Wheelchairs when they are sell fitted and well chosen are actually a means of freedom that allows the user to move about independently and fully engage in life.
My wife has a tragic event that put her in the chair, but she doesn't view being in the chair as a tragedy.. As I said before the chair is just part of her, and that's how she approaches life
15. Don't pet guide dogs or other service animals...they are working.
I don't necessarily agree with this, Ask the owner before you pet them. We have 2 dogs, one of them is a black lab, which black labs are often used as a service dog. In our case he isn't a service dog, but my wife walks him, so it's easy to mistake him as a service dog. A lot service dogs will have a vest on him asking you not to pet the dog, but if you don't see a vest. Ask first, It may not be a service dog, or if it is, petting it is not that big of deal. If they say it's OK..then you can pet the dog. As a general dog rule. ALWAYS ASK before petting any dog.