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How to interact with people with disabilities who require the assistance of a support person

Some people with disabilities may be accompanied by a support person, such as an intervenor. A support person can be a personal support worker, a volunteer, a family member or a friend. A support person might help your customer with a variety of things from communicating, to helping with mobility, personal care or medical needs.

According to the standard, a support person must be allowed to accompany an individual with a disability to any part of your premises that is open to the public or to third parties. If your organization charges admission, you are required to provide notice, in advance, about what admission fee will be charged for a support person.

Tips:

• If you’re not sure which person is the customer, take your lead from the person using or requesting your goods or services, or simply ask.
• Speak directly to your customer, not to their support person.