Strategy 2: Communicating in ways that work for them

People communicate in different ways. Some people communicate by writing or typing, or use American Sign Language, or use a picture board.

People with disabilities have a right to ask for accommodations at work.

An accommodation is a change that is made so that a person with a disability is able to fully participate. Examples of communication accommodations are using a recording device or using extra time.

As a peer supporter, you can help your peer identify what works best for them. Then, you can help them ask for accommodations.

Here are some other things you can do as a peer supporter:

• Use the chat box during meetings to share links with team members.
• Change research materials so they are in plain language. Plain language means using words that are easy to understand.
• Add pictures to research materials so people who communicate using pictures can understand.
• Help your peer add words or pictures to their communication devices that are specific to the research.

More information about using this strategy

Examples of plain language and pictures about research Read more...

Here is an example of plain language and pictures to describe the things people do in research:

Research Activity	Plain Language Description	Picture
Research Skills Training	Learning how to do the different steps of a research project.
Thinking of a research question	Picking a research topic that is important to people with disabilities. The research topic could include: a question people want to answer; a need people have; a goal people want to achieve.
Data Collection	Getting information from people and places to answer the research question.
Analyzing data	Figuring out the meaning of the information the team got during data collection.
Dissemination	Telling other people what we learned from our research.

Go to the next page to learn about role modeling how to be a good communicator.

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