Face-to-face communication

Face-to-face communication is an opportunity to connect with people and communicate through gesture, body language, images and words.

Top tips

Be welcoming and friendly.
Listen, look and speak as you would to any adult.
Communicate with the person, not parents or carers if they are present.
Allow enough time to have a conversation.
Use plain language and communicate one idea at a time.
If you don’t understand—ask. Make sure you understand the person and are understood by them.
Be aware that background noise can be challenging for some people with disability.