What to Know About Serving Customers With Disabilities

Customers with disabilities are simply customers.

Here at MOBILESTYLES, we pride ourselves on making every single one of our clients feel safe, comfortable, and beautiful in their own skin. This is why we take special care when serving customers with disabilities, to ensure that every client has a great experience with their PRO.

1. Know their disability and dos and don’ts before starting the service.

Be sure to ask if there are any necessary accommodations before the start of the appointment. If they have a caregiver, find out if they want the caregiver to be with them for the duration of the appointment.

2. Use person-first language.

Rather than saying “disabled person,” say “person who has a disability.” This characterizes them as a human being, first and foremost. Their disability is simply an addition to who they are at their core. Also, be sure to never address the person’s disability as something they “suffer from.”

3. Ask their permission before assisting with anything.

Oftentimes, people will overstep to try to “help” a person with a disability, when the person is perfectly capable of doing something themselves. If you see a person with a disability who looks like they might need help, kindly offer your assistance. Most importantly, respect their answer!

4. Make eye contact and don’t alter the volume or speed of your voice.

Looking away or speaking loudly and slowly can seem condescending and make the person feel inferior. There is no need to act any differently than you would act around anyone else.

5. Address the person with a disability before you address their caregiver or companion.

Just because a person has a caregiver does not mean they are incapable of interacting with you. Also, don’t automatically assume that a person is their caregiver just because they are accompanying them—they could very well be a companion. Speak directly to your client and make sure their voice is heard before you bypass them.

6. Never touch their equipment.

Always consider a person’s equipment, such as a wheelchair or walker, as an extension of the person’s body. These should never be moved or touched without first asking for permission.

7. Treat them like you would treat anyone else.

Don’t make them feel different or excluded. People with disabilities are people, too, and they deserve to be treated with the utmost respect!

Hopefully, you are now more knowledgeable in serving customers with disabilities. To make the experience better for all of our customers, MOBILESTYLES is in the process of launching Version 2.0 of our app, on both iOS and Android stores, which will feature an accessibility icon so our PROs are aware of any accessibility needs before the start of your appointment. Be on the lookout for the new app drop, and don’t forget to schedule your appointment with one of our PROs in a city near you. We can’t wait to take care of you!