4 Tips for Helping Someone with Mobility Problems

In society, people with mobility problems usually have performance and self-esteem issues. Some of these issues arise depending on the attitude showcased by their peers and co-workers. A negative attitude usually hinders career advancement and inclusion for individuals with mobility issues.

Fortunately, the following tips guide us on how we can assist people with mobility issues.

1.    Be A Good Listener and Speak Clearly

For the people working with individuals with mobility problems and other cognitive issues, ensure you use simple words as you communicate with them. The sentences should also be clear, and the concepts being presented should be concrete. Ensure you have gauged their pace. The vocabulary and complexity of the speech are supposed to match with theirs. Keep in mind that these individuals can make some decisions independently, so there is no need to push them. People with impairments should be allowed to finish sentences on their own. Don’t try to speak on their behalf or even interrupt them.

2.    Ensure You’re Aware of Personal Space

Some individuals use mobility products, including walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. The aids should be seen as the personal space for people that have mobility issues. Also, you are not supposed to push the wheelchair of a person with mobility issues unless they have requested your assistance. Finally, you are not supposed to lean, touch, or move the mobility products. Such tips are specifically important for safety purposes.

3.    Ensure You’re Flexible to the Family Members of Individuals With Mobility Issues

Individuals with mobility issues have family members who are quite caring, and they also provide companionship. In most instances, the spouse of the person with disabilities can leave the workforce to cater to their partner’s needs. By being flexible, it means such individuals should be accorded employment opportunities while also reducing their impact on the entire household.

4.    You Should First Ask and Follow the Lead

You shouldn’t assume that people need help at all times. For starters, you should ask if there is anything that they need to ensure they can handle different processes effectively. If the person with mobility issues seeks assistance, ensure they have provided detailed instructions on how you will assist them.

Additional tips on how to assist people with mobility issues include:

1.    Speaking Directly

Face them and talk to them directly regardless of whether their interpreter or the person who attends to the individual with disability issues is around. If an interpreter accompanies the deaf person, they will interpret everything that you are saying. As this takes place, you are supposed to focus on the party you’re addressing. You can sit down for people in a wheelchair such that you won’t strain their necks as they follow the conversation.

2.    As You Set a Meeting, Consider Accessibility

Always confirm the meeting place before you can share the details regarding how accessible the venue is for people with mobility issues. You should ask them if there is anything that you are supposed to prepare before the meeting so that every party can participate accordingly.

If you were not knowledgeable on how to deal with individuals with mobility issues, the tips listed above would come in handy. You should adhere to each of these tips accordingly.

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