Media & Disability

• Home page
• Presentation
• Partners
• Guide on media & disability
  • Who Created this Guide?
  • Disabled People as Programme Participants
  • Employing Disabled People
  • Access to Broadcast Services
  • Communicating with Disabled People
    • Disability Etiquette
    • Meeting People who are Blind or Visually Impaired
    • Meeting People who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired
    • Meeting People with Speech Difficulties
    • Meeting People with Mobility Impairments
    • Interviews
  • Adjustments and Aids for People Specific Disabilities
  • Glossary of Terms
• Project Development
• Legislation
• Resources
• Interesting Links
• News

Guide on media & disability

Meeting People with Mobility Impairments

• Do not lean on a wheelchair. A wheelchair is a user’s personal space.
• If you are talking for more than a few moments to someone in a wheelchair, try to position yourself so you are at the same level, or at least ask the person if they would like you to sit down.
• Be aware of your manner when you kneel or crouch to speak with the person. Do not alter your treatment of the individual. Treat adults like adults.
• If there is a high desk or counter, move to the front.
• Never touch or move crutches, canes, or push a wheelchair without the user’s consent.
• Offer a seat to as someone who does not bring their own.
• Speak directly to a wheelchair user, not to their companion.
• Unless you know it is easy to move around your building in a wheelchair, offer to help. Heavy doors or deep-pile carpets are just some of the hazards to watch for. Do not assume ramps solve everything; they may be too steep or slippery.
• Do not be offended if your offer of help is refused. Many wheelchair users prefer to travel independently whenever possible.

Meeting People with Learning Difficulties

Many people born with learning difficulties, those in the early stages or dementia or people who acquire a brain injury, live full and independent lives in the community. Most can make their own choices, with varying levels of support. The following may apply to any of these individuals:

• Begin by assuming the person will understand you.
• Speak to the person as you would anyone else. Do not assume you can predict from your initial impression what the person will or will not understand.
• Keep all communication simple. Avoid jargon.
• Consider putting information in writing, including your name and phone number.
• Provide straightforward summaries of written information.
• You could offer the person an appropriate record of a conversation (for example, an electronic version, or “easy to read” notes) so they can consider it again later and keep a record.

Meeting People with Mental Health Problems

Someone experiencing the emotional distress and confusion associated with mental health problems may find everyday activities very hard. Often the most significant disability people with mental health problems experience is created by the attitudes of others.

• Be patient and non-judgmental.
• Give the person time to make decisions.
• Provide clear and timely information with the aim of ensuring people arrive at a meeting as unstressed as possible.
• Remove any sources of stress and confusion, for example, noise, flashing lights.
• A person may require an advocate to help access information, or attend meetings or interviews.

Meeting People with a Facial Disfigurement

Some people are born with a disfigurement and others acquire it through accident or illness. Disfigurement is usually only skin deep, but it can be associated with facial paralysis and other impairments such as speech difficulties. Like any disability, it does not mean the person is any different and certainly does not affect his or her intelligence. Most of the difficulties, indeed discrimination, people with facial disfigurement experience, stem from other people’s behaviour.

• Make eye contact, as you would with anyone else. Do not stare. Smile if you would for someone else.
• Listen carefully, and do not let the person’s appearance distract you.