How can I help You?

Well today is the day after Christmas and hopefully you got everything on your wish list. For those who did not you'll be one of the many being asked, "How can I help You"? I have noticed that sales people can get a little flustered when they interact with a customer who has a disability.

My friend had went into Best Buy and was looking at hands free headset for home use and a sales person has approached my friend and started talking about all the features each set offered,which was great. I myself appreciate any knowledgeable insight before I purchase anything. The awkwardness was apparent when the sales man started to say, "alot of our uh, um, blind customers like this one."

It was clear that the sales person did not want to offend my friend(who used a wheelchair)by using the term blind. Although there was nothing wrong with his statement, he was not confident about the correct language to use when interacting with a person with a disability. Which brings me to the reason for this post. There is a growing need for sensitivity training.

Sensitivity training can dispel misconceptions that an individual may have about a person with a disability, it can also demonstrate "person first" language when addressing a person with a disability. It is always better to say,"person with a disability" than a "disabled person."

According to a recent study by Diversity,Inc. People with disabilities have $220 billion in discretionary spending power. 62% of people with disabilities say they are likely to do business with companies that have a commitment to diversity and equal treatment of employees.

Personally, I will not return to a store or restaurant that I feel has not treat me with the same dignity and respect as its other customers. I also know that "word of mouth" greatly influences where a spend my money. Personal attention and professionalism is they key to ANYONE being a repeat customer and stimulating the economy.

As always, your comments are appreciated.