Working with a deaf person – 1 to 1
Check with deaf employee how they like to communicate. It can be either
- Email
- Instant Messaging
- Sign language interpreter for important meetings or at all times where teamwork is on-going
- Lip reading
- Writing
- Visual Demonstration
- You may need to repeat or rephrase information – be patient.
- Use pen and paper if necessary.
- Keep eye contact and face the person at all times
- Make sure room is well lit and your back is not against a window
- Have conversations in area where there are less “eye traffic” and distractions.
- Ensure layout of meeting where everybody is facing each other – a circular table is ideal.
- Offer deaf employee to choose where to sit first and decide where to place his/her interpreter before everybody arrives.
- Chairperson to ensure no verbal overlaps and point at new speaker each time.
- During presentation, stand still and deliver speech clearly. Never turn your back on others.
- Use visual aids as much as you can, including flip charts, typed agendas and hand-outs.
- It is regularly noted from managers’ comments that meetings conducted in this manner are found to be more productive, concise and effective.
- Start off by explaining the topic of conversation and stick with it. Explain again if need to change topic.
How to book interpreter
How to use interpreter during job interviews
