Power of the Pause
What Happens When We Make Space Instead of Filling It
The power of the pause when speaking with or working with someone with a disability is incredibly important. Nonstop talking leaves disabled people out of conversations.
For me, I often can’t tell when it’s okay to jump in if someone never pauses. A simple moment of silence even a few seconds, signals that it’s my turn to talk, that my voice is welcome.
Pausing when asking a question is very important as well. By pausing after asking a question, it allows people with disabilities time to think and respond.
It is incredibly empowering when I’m in meetings, and people understand my access needs and pause to include me in conversations. Every once in a while, I will be in a meeting, and someone will talk forever without a pause and it’s so frustrating.
Many people without disabilities don’t realize how fast paced communication norms exclude people with disabilities.
For example, talk about a main point or ask a question than pause for 20 seconds, then check in to see if people have something to say.
If you want to communicate in a way that truly includes disabled people, start with this: talk, pause, and wait. Let the silence do its work.