We all have personal space around us that should be respected. Able-bodied people should not touch people with disabilities unless invited to do so. Equipment such as wheelchairs and service dogs are also a part of that space.

Having someone come up behind a person sitting in a wheelchair and start pushing can be alarming and aggravating for the wheelchair user, especially if it is in the opposite direction that the disabled person is going in. It is disorienting for blind people to have someone grab their arms and start guiding them somewhere that they may not want to go without being asked for assistance.

Solution: Respect their personal space by not touching them or their equipment. Wait for disabled people to ask for assistance before touching them, their service dogs, or their mobility aids.