Tip of the week: Don't assume mental or cognitive impairments when someone has a physical disability
REASON: While there are those who have both physical and mental and/or cognitive abilities, it is definitely not a rule. Just because someone is in a wheelchair or wears braces or walks with a cane, doesn’t mean you must talk slow or use simple words. Imagine how that would feel if someone did that to you in an interview. When interacting with anyone with a physical disability, treat them like you would treat anyone else. If you discover they require you to speak slower or make other adjustments, great, otherwise, don’t – just like everyone else. Bonus tip: It is absolutely okay to offer someone assistance to accommodate for their physical disability – such as offering someone a chair or moving obstacles out of the way.
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