 DROWSY DRIVING is equal to DRUNK DRIVING ~ Get enough sleep the night before. ~ Don’t take medications that cause drowsiness. ~ If you are falling asleep at the wheel, pull over! This month is Passenger Assistance month at R and D. We train all of our drivers on how to assist all of our passengers in respect to their level of need. Here is just snip-it of what we teach: First Person Language: ~ First Person Language is defined as addressing the ‘person first’, not their disability. ~ Everyone you transport is a person. That person may use a wheelchair or other assistive devices. That person may have another type of disability. Those things do not classify who they are. ~ Say “person with disability” not “disabled person” or “person in/with a wheelchair” not “wheelchair bound” or “confined to a wheelchair”, etc. Also, most people with disabilities DON’T like euphemistic terms like “physically challenged” or “differently-abled”. ~ Avoid outdated terms like “handicapped”, “mental retardation”, “crippled” or “retarded”. ~ It’s OK to use idiomatic terms when talking to people with disabilities. Examples: “It was good to see you” to someone who is blind . “Want to go out for a walk?” to someone in a wheelchair. People with disabilities like being talked to just like everyone else. Communicating & Hearing Impairments: ~ Face the customer when listening and talking. ~ Speak clearly, with a normal tone and at a normal rate of speed, unless the customer asks otherwise. ~ If you’re asked to repeat yourself or write down what you said, do so calmly and pleasantly. ~ If you have trouble understanding, ask them to repeat. They’d appreciate you wanting to understand what they’re saying. ~ A quiet environment makes communication easier. ~ If, after trying, you still cannot understand the person, ask him to write it down or use some other form of communication like typing the information into a phone. Visual Impairment Assistance: ~ Identify yourself and any other passengers that may be on board. ~ People who are visually impaired may need their arms for balance so offer your arm to them – don’t take theirs unless they give it to you. ~ It is appropriate to guide the persons hand to a door handle, railing, chair back or other means of independent balance or guidance should they be searching for such a thing. ~ Describe the setting noting obstacles such as curbs, raised pavement, half open doors, etc. ~ OFFER to read any written information. Don’t assume they need you to. ~ Use short descriptive terms when assisting, such as: “Curb, step down in 3 feet” “An open car door to your right” or “Open car door at 2 o’clock” “Entrance door in 6 steps” Limited Mobility Assistance ~ Never grab the arm(s) of people who use canes or other hand held mobility devices. They need their arms to balance themselves. ~ People who have limited mobility may lean on a door for support as they open it. Pushing the door open from behind or unexpectedly opening the door may cause them to fall. ~ Always ASK before offering help. Some examples… “Can I get the door for you?” “Would you like help carrying that to the vehicle?” “Would you like my arm for balance/leverage?” “Do you need help getting in the vehicle?” Above all else, smile, be kind and courteous! Sometimes, it is worth much more then any help you can offer.
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