Communication tips

Many trainers and other club members may be unfamiliar with techniques to communicate with people with various disabilities or functional limitations.

There are many tips to make you both feel at ease. Be guided by the person with the disability. After all, they have the everyday experience of interaction.

Here are links to assist you.

Mobility limitations arising from conditions such as arthritis, stroke, or a miriad other conditions including long-term disability such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, post-polio

Hearing impairment ranging from being hard of hearing through to long-term deafness. People with hearing impairment may rely on hearing aids, they may lip-read or they may use sign language, rather than English as their first language

Poor vision or lack of sight arising from conditions such as age related macular degeneration, cataracts, retinitis, from other diseases of the eye, from genetic conditions or traumatic injury.

Memory loss or confusion arising from conditions such as early stages of dementia, anxiety or other mental health conditions, or even inappropriate use of medication.

Speech difficulties arising from a myriad of conditions including strokes, cancer, cerebral palsy or life long hearing impairment.

Intellectual disability - generally a life long condition with many causes, and different rates of learning.