0 courses selected
39 ways to make sure your research and consultations include people with disabilities and impairments (03 Oct 13)
Follow these suggestions so you don’t exclude those who most need a voice from your research
We recently ran our course How To Ensure Your Research And Consultations Include Disabled People for the first time.
Graham Kelly the speaker prepared a handout which contained so much useful information that I thought I would share it with you.
If you have got something to add to any of the tips please feel free to use the comments facility at the bottom of the article on the website. You can go there now by clicking here.
Here are Graham’s tips:
What to do when interviewing somebody with autism
There are approximately 500,000 people in UK with autism so it’s quite common. Remember though that it is not a visibly recognizable disability.
Always:
- Allow time and information for people to prepare and understand what is expected in an interview situation
- Speak in a clear way, allowing time for them to think about what you are saying or asking
- Avoid idioms as their language interpretation can be quite literal
- Respect their routines and habits
- Understand that they may not have conventional approaches to social norms such as personal space
What to do when interviewing somebody with a learning disability
Remember:
- Some people may find it difficult to concentrate over long periods. Consider splitting an interview into sections, with breaks in between.
- Use everyday, straightforward language and avoid jargon
- Think carefully about the concepts in any questionnaire you are using. Think if they will be understood. Allow time for checking that concepts have been understood and be flexible in allowing the interviewer to explain things
- If concepts are really not understood, don't just carry on regardless asking questions
- Levels of conceptual understanding will differ between different people. Try to establish what is understood early on, and focus later questions accordingly.
- Use pictures to assist an understanding of questions and to elicit possible answers
- Use aide memoires to help associate issues with more salient aspects of the respondent's life
What to do when interviewing somebody with a hearing impairment
About 50,000 people in the UK use BSL as a first or preferred language.
- Ask if it would help the respondent to lip read. People with hearing aids may also be assisted by lip reading
- Speak clearly, but not too fast or too slow. Don’t speak too loudly and do not exaggerate lip movements
- Face the respondent and do not block their view of your mouth with say your hand
- Make sure the respondent can see you and is watching when you start speaking
- Supplement your speech with facial expressions, gestures and body language where it’s appropriate and commonly understood
- Be patient and allow time because it is likely that some things will not be understood first time. If necessary repeat questions, possibly varying the words slightly if they are not initially understood
- Do not use unfamiliar jargon or abbreviations
- Beards and moustaches do not help when speaking to somebody who is lip reading
Questionnaires can be shown to the respondent in most cases, and self completed if helpful, even if not intended for self completion
What to do when interviewing somebody with a with speech impairment
Like to read more or make a comment? Log in or register below
Comments
Comment by 1111 1111 — 14 May 12 at 19:36:25
csadcsadcdsacd
Why not join the discussion!
Or even better still offer your own advice and tell us about things that others can learn from.
We moderate comments lightly so bear with us and we'll get your thoughts listed as soon as we can.
You must be logged in to post comments.
Not registered yet? Simply fill in the box below.
