When Ann walked into the office, I noticed that the other staff members either disappeared or buried their faces in their PCs. It was then I remembered Ann from when I worked at a different practice. She is a lovely, pleasant woman who happens to be hearing impaired. Ann remembered me from the previous practice too, and we enjoyed seeing each other again as we picked out a frame in the latest style with progressive lenses in her new prescription. Ann is an expert at reading lips and speaks well. She also spent nearly $1,000 on her new glasses, including photochromic, lightweight lenses and AR. Why did everyone try to avoid her?

After a lot of years in practice, I’ve learned that many people have misconceptions about people with disabilities. One of the worst is speaking very loudly and slowly, regardless of the disability. Even when someone has a hearing impairment, shouting won’t help them hear you. In fact, they can see by your face that you are shouting, and it can make them uncomfortable. Speak normally, and look directly at the patient. Smile! Avoid writing notes to the patient unless you haven’t been able to communicate otherwise, or the patient requests it.

Another misconception is that people who have difficulty communicating also lack understanding. A physical disability doesn’t make someone stupid. Speak to those patients as you would to anyone else. Smile! If a caregiver is present, address the patient first. Think about how insulting it is for someone to talk to a third party about you when you’re right there! You’ll know soon enough if the patient truly doesn’t understand, but continue to address the patient. The caregiver will intervene when needed.

Unless there are insurance parameters, don’t presume that a patient with a disability has no money. Many have well-paying jobs and want to be as stylish and have the same comfortable vision as everyone else. Take a moment to find out if they have a budget or insurance coverage before automatically steering them to the bare bones products.

For patients with mobility issues, first ask if you can bring the frames to them before presuming that they cannot manage on their own. Of course, take special care when fitting patients with facial or skull deformities or characteristics.

Every patient deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Focus on people’s abilities, not their disabilities and avoid presumptions. It also means a smile! For tips on working with patients with disabilities, go to our CE “Specialty Fitting Patients with Differences, Mastoid and Nose."

 

• Linda Conlin
[email protected]
2020mag.com/education