Meeting a Deaf Person Culture Point

Regardless of whether you know sign, here are some pointers on how to facilitate communication with a deaf person.

Transcript

1. Culture Points
2. DON’TS: •Not facing the person •Talking too fast •Talking too slow/exaggerated speech •Assuming they can speak/sign
3. MORE DON’TS: •Having obstructions to lipreading (mustaches, food, gum) •Forgetting someone can’t hear because they speak so well/have hearing aids
4. DO’S: •Move in front of the person •If they gesture for pen and paper, have some handy •Be patient •When using an interpreter, look at the Deaf person when speaking
5. TIP: “DEAF” IS SPELLED WITH A CAPITAL “D” WHEN REFERRING TO A PERSON INVOLVED IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY (KNOWS HOW TO SIGN, IS AN ADVOCATE, ETC.).