My last couple of blog posts have focused on disability and communication, specifically how people react to my speech impediment. I could tell you countless stories of how people have dismissed me because I have a speech impediment, caused by Cerebral Palsy. It’s both frustrating and hurtful but something I’ve become used to over the years. So for this blog post, I thought I’d write my top tips for communicating with disabled people – specifically those who have a speech impediment.

Family & Friends sometimes struggle to understand

I completely understand that it’s difficult and daunting, especially if you haven’t really interacted with disabled people before. It might be reassuring for you to know that even my closest family and friends occasionally have difficulty in understanding me.  My speech tends to deteriorate further when I’m tired or stressed.

My top tips for communication

However, I hope this blog will help to give you confidence when communicating with disabled people. More importantly, I hope it will help you avoid the mistakes that I’ve highlighted in my previous blogs!

  • Talk directly to the disabled person.  If they are in a wheelchair, come down to their level as this will be more comfortable for you both and make communication easier.
    
  • If you don’t understand what someone is saying, politely ask if they can repeat themselves. I would much rather repeat myself if needed than not be understood.
    
  • If after a few attempts, you’re still finding it hard to understand, then look for alternative ways to communicate. I have on occasions wrote things on my phone. I’ve also shown my cards when asked my name. At this point, if someone is accompanied by a friend/family member, you could ask if it’s OK for them to assist. But please, never ignore a disabled person by going directly to whoever is with them. This is rude and really not OK. Disabled people deserve respect and dignity like anyone else. Please don’t talk over them.
    
  • However tempting, don’t pretend that you’ve understood what someone is saying. Trust me when I tell you, I always know when someone is pretending to get what I’m saying. I can tell you, it’s just as frustrating! I’d rather say something ten times than have someone pretend to understand me.
    
  • My top tip! Just listen! Having spoken to many people about this subject, I find that the majority of people can understand me just fine if they listen carefully!  After all, when I get paid for delivering speeches to audiences of up to 500 people, I can’t be that difficult to understand!

If you’ve found this blog helpful, please let me know!

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Family & Friends sometimes struggle to understand

I completely understand that it’s difficult and daunting, especially if you haven’t really interacted with disabled people before. It might be reassuring for you to know that even my closest family and friends occasionally have difficulty in understanding me.  My speech tends to deteriorate further when I’m tired or stressed.

My top tips for communication

However, I hope this blog will help to give you confidence and avoid the mistakes that I’ve highlighted in my previous blogs!

  • Talk directly to the disabled person.  If they are in a wheelchair, come down to their level as this will be more comfortable for you both and make communication easier.
  • If you don’t understand what someone is saying, politely ask if they can repeat themselves. I would much rather repeat myself if needed than not be understood.
  • If after a few attempts, you’re still finding it hard to understand, then look for alternative ways to communicate. I have on occasions wrote things on my phone. I’ve also shown my cards when asked my name. At this point, if someone is accompanied by a friend/family member, you could ask if it’s OK for them to assist. But please, never ignore a disabled person by going directly to whoever is with them. This is rude and really not OK. Disabled people deserve respect and dignity like anyone else. Please don’t talk over them.
  • However tempting, don’t pretend that you’ve understood what someone is saying. Trust me when I tell you, I always know when someone is pretending to get what I’m saying. I can tell you, it’s just as frustrating! I’d rather say something ten times than have someone pretend to understand me.
  • My top tip! Just listen! Having spoken to many people about this subject, I find that the majority of people can understand me just fine if they listen carefully!  After all, when I get paid for delivering speeches to audiences of up to 500 people, I can’t be that difficult to understand!

If you’ve found this blog helpful, please let me know!