Another recent thread mentioned wheelchairs and it reminded of questions I have.

When I am talking with someone in a wheelchair, is it polite for me kneel down and meet the person eye to eye? It would seem so to me, but I'm not sure.

When I am exiting or entering near a person in a wheelchair, I will hold the door open. Is this the right thing to do, or am I just embarrassing the person by doing something she could do for herself?

Hmmm, I've never felt the need to squat down, as I would if I were talking with a small child. I think that might be too much, but holding a door open for anyone, wheelchair or no is always polite. The fact that it truly makes it easier for them I'm sure it is really appreciated. I always try to hold a door open for people

*shrugs*

That you're thinking of the person in the wheelchair is the best sign. My step-mother who has been in a wheelchair for 50 yrs, is always amazed at the variety of responses to the same action by people who are in wheelchairs. She's fine with people holding the door, or offering assistance if she's lifting something up to a high place etc. She figures it is the same thing you'd do if you saw someone holding a stack of books or (as often in my case) struggling with a toddler. But she worked with a man who would get very frustrated if anyone opened a door for him etc. For most things, she has taught me to do what I would do if the same situation was caused by another reason. i.e. if someone is short because they are sitting a wheelchair, would you bend down if that person was just very short? But maybe find a place to sit beside them if it is available. It's a hard call I think and you can't always be right.

Here is how I handle it.. I look the person in the eye, I don't squat down or 'hunker' or slouch, to me that's being condesending (that is only my opinion folks). As for the door, since I hold the door for others ... just simple manners... I wouldn't think twice about holding the door for someone using a wheelchair.

Granted you may run across someone who is still having emotional issues with whatever "fate" caused them to have to use that wheelchair and you might get attitude.. but you know what, if you notice, you get attitude from amblatory folks too.. it's not the chair its the person using it.

If you always remember that it is a person USING a mobility device ... not a wheelchair with a face, and act accordingly.....you'll do fine.

Hopefully, this won't offend anyone who uses a wheelchair. Many of my close friends use wheelchairs and/or have family members who do, so they know my "heart". :D

I've used a wheelchair, pushed a wheelchair while someone was sitting in it, and I've pushed my stroller while my children used it. These experiences are very similar! People ignore strollers and wheelchairs (and the people in them) and find them to be a nuisance or an inconvenience. It never ceases to amaze me how much disrespect people in wheelchairs get.

I've had to wait for elevators to return because no one bothered to hold it open while we boarded- and the doors closed on us. I've had to try to hold a door open with my tushie while pulling a double length stroller through it because the people who walked through it and saw me coming, didn't bother to hold it for me- or else someone waiting in line at the post office decided to stand there and watch how I would do it rather than step over and help me out.

I always appreciate someone holding the door for me. I think it's actually kind of rude to look at someone and not think they would appreciate the thoughtfullness of that. When all else fails, IMO, it's appropriate to say, "Hey, can I get that for you?" and if they say, "no, that's ok," then don't.

Personally, I always say, "Thank you very much!"

Adrienne

It's more of a generic question, but I've moved it to the Theme-Park Access Guide.

Originally posted by MammaSilva

If you always remember that it is a person USING a mobility device ... not a wheelchair with a face, and act accordingly.....you'll do fine.

Perfect! Couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you Margaret :) I use a cane; I sometimes use a wheelchair-one is not defined by either.

The guests w/disabilities video they show new-hire CMs suggests standing a couple feet away, so that the guest doesn't have to crane their neck to look at you. But it does say to stay standing. I find that to work quite well, and goodness knows it's more comfortable than kneeling.

Thanks for the advice. I hate being a rude troglodyte without knowing it. :)