Wheelchair Etiquette

Published: October 27, 2014

Are you currently familiar with how to properly communicate with someone who happens to be in a wheelchair? For your benefit, we’ve compiled a list of tips that can assist you with your wheelchair etiquette needs. Whether or not you’re currently in a wheelchair, you’ll still be able to find a use for the following guidelines.

Becoming Familiar with Wheelchair Etiquette Techniques

As stated, there are certain techniques that you should become familiar with to better assist you when interacting with a person who is in a wheelchair. These techniques can include the following:

Do Not Hold a Person’s Wheelchair

A person’s wheelchair is part of their personal space. Therefore, if you touch their wheelchair, you are invading their personal space. Don’t reach or touch for a person’s wheelchair unless you’re specifically asked to do so.

Don’t Insist on Assistance

Sure, it’s perfectly alright to offer someone in a wheelchair proper assistance. However, it’s important to not insist on help if the person in the wheelchair doesn’t want it. Mostly likely if the person needs or wants help, they will specifically ask for it.

Watch Your Parking

It’s very important to not take a parking spot from someone disabled or in a wheelchair. Most often, spaces that are reserved for a disabled person or person in a wheelchair are clearly marked. However, before parking your car, make sure you’re in an appropriate spot.

Make Eye Contact

If you’re having a conversation with a person in a wheelchair, then try and make eye contact. Of course, you may have to sit down to share eye level, but that’s perfectly fine. People, whether or not they happen to be in a wheelchair, will respond better when they are given eye contact. Also, looking a person in the eyes shows a great deal of respect.

Be Respectful

Above all else, when you meet and communicate with someone in a wheelchair, it’s important to be respectful. Following the wheelchair etiquette tips that have been listed above will help to ensure that you don’t offend someone who uses a wheelchair.