Section 6: Disability Hiring Do's and Don'ts

General Guidance for Communicating with People with Disabilities

• When introduced to a person with a disability, it is appropriate to offer to shake hands. People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands. (Shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable greeting.)
• If you offer assistance to the person, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen to or ask for instructions. 
• Treat adults (with cognitive or intellectual disabilities) as adults. Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to all others. 
• Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use common expressions such as "See you later," or "Did you hear about that?" that seem to relate to a person's disability. 
• Don't be afraid to ask questions when you're unsure of what to do.