Massage Therapy Journal Fall 2024

36 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

disabilities. Please contact [name, phone number and email] to make specific requests.” • Make allowances for clients arriving late for reasons beyond their control. For example, a client may be unable to find a close parking space or may encounter a physical barrier when they arrive at a building’s entrance. Allow clients to change the length of their services without penalty. • Address the person directly when speaking. If a client with an impairment or disability has another person with them, do not ignore the person with the impairment or disability by responding only to the other person. Using respectful language is also important (person-first or identity-first language) during all interactions. • Adults with impairments and disabilities can make their own decisions. This includes consenting for massage services before the session. Minors or individuals declared incompetent by a judge must have a parent or

legal guardian consenting on their behalf (you can ask a client their age when seeking consent for age-dependent services). Even though the parent or legal guardian is present, interact directly with the minor client or individual declared incompetent. Allow the client on the table to withdraw consent at any time. People with impairments or disabilities are experts in their own needs and will ask for help if needed. • Allow the client to set the pace of the conversation. Hearing loss or speech impairments may make it difficult for the client to speak quickly. • If you have made a mistake while interacting, acknowledge the mistake, apologize and move on. This demonstrates humility to the client. • Disabilities can fluctuate. A client who sometimes needs a device, such as a wheelchair, may not always need it. • Disabilities are often invisible and they can vary widely. Avoid statements such as: “You don’t look disabled to me.” Take what the client says as fact.

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