May 2016

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~ Avoid outdated terms like “handicapped”, “mental retardation”, “crippled” or “retarded”.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. 

---

This months Driver of the Month is

Jim L

Thank you so much for all you do and being great at it!