Deaf (American Sign Language Users)
- Calling out a Deaf person’s name to get their attention is completely ineffective. Get the Deaf person’s attention by entering their field of vision and waving at them, or gently tapping them on the shoulder or arm. Approaching from a blind spot may startle someone and is best avoided.
- Ask about preferred communication: Let the Deaf person guide the interaction, whether through ASL, written notes, texting, or speech-to-text apps.
- Use a qualified ASL interpreter if requested - never assume everyone reads lips or can read and write in English fluently.
- Speak directly to the Deaf person - not to the interpreter, companion or support staff. Maintain eye contact and avoid visually distracting backgrounds.
- Avoid exaggerating speech or over-enunciating; speak at a natural pace.
- Keep your hands away from your face to allow visual cues to be seen clearly.
- Limit movement while talking: Face the person and avoid turning away, looking down, covering your mouth, chewing or eating.
- Ensure good lighting on your face and avoid standing or sitting with light sources directly behind you.
- Use facial expressions and mime/gestures: These are integral to ASL users and help to convey both emotions and message.
- If unsure, ask: Each Deaf person’s communication preferences differ—ask and follow their lead. No two Deaf individuals are the same.
Hard of Hearing
- Get the person's attention before speaking - wave at them or gently tap their shoulder if needed. Never talk from another room or from outside a person’s field of vision. Hearing sounds and understanding them are not the same thing.
- Face the listener at all times and ensure your mouth is clearly visible. Don't cover your face, look down or away, or talk with food in your mouth. If you have a beard, keep it neatly trimmed to improve speechreading.
- Speak clearly and at a moderate pace; do not shout or exaggerate lip movements.
- Use simple, short sentences and repeat or rephrase if not understood. Avoid obscure terminology that is unlikely to be part of someone’s daily vocabulary.
- Ensure a quiet environment with little to no background noise.
- Keep your face well-lit; avoid standing or sitting with bright lights behind you.
- Ask which communication method is preferred (e.g., lip reading, handwriting, speech-to-text apps, assistive listening devices, text messaging)
- Use gestures and facial expressions to supplement your spoken words - many expressions and gestures are universal and easily grasped.
- Check for understanding: Use open-ended questions and periodically confirm that information is understood; don’t ask “Can you hear me?”
- Be patient and respectful; don’t say “never mind” or “it’s not important”. Both are dismissive of the person’s desire for inclusion and participation.
- Hearing aids are helpful tools; they do not restore natural hearing and can be challenging to use in complex sound environments.
Late Deafened
- Follow similar attention getting procedures as for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
- Always ask about preferences for communication. Hearing aids are less effective for late deafened persons; some may use cochlear implants. Both should be viewed as communicative tools and do not restore natural hearing. They work better in controlled environments than in overlapping conversations or sound sources.
- Offer to use speech-to-text, text messaging, written or typed notes, and use gestures and facial expressions to support what you are saying.
- Use clear, natural speech and avoid talking from behind someone or outside of their field of vision.
- Give time for processing: hearing is tiring even when using hearing aids or cochlear implants. Long sentences and complex conversations with multiple speakers require structure and strict turn-taking.
- Provide alternative supports such as written summaries, real-time captioning (CART), or speech-to-text technology if applicable to the situation. The choice of ideal accommodation should always fall to the individual who is late deafened.
DeafBlind
- Confirm preferred communication mode: May include tactile ASL, ProTactile, close vision signing, large print notes, or other assistive communication technology.
- Announce yourself visually and/or by touch if possible and state your name before starting to communicate.
- Provide skilled interpreters—some may require interpreters trained in tactile or close vision signing.
- Ask before guiding: Get consent before offering physical guidance and offer your elbow to lead someone if asked.
- Adapt written communication: Use bold markers, large and/or high contrast text, or trace letters on the person’s palm if appropriate.
- Adjust lighting and location based on the expressed needs of the individual.
- Be aware of support service providers (SSPs): These are not interpreters but may assist with mobility and environmental information.
- Describe visual information in detail when relevant.
- Not all DeafBlind individuals are completely without vision and hearing.
Always consult with the individual to determine which communication strategies and supports are most effective and respectful for them, and most appropriate to the situation.
Do not talk about someone as if they were not in the room with you - all ASL interpreters or CART providers have an ethical obligation to interpret/transcribe to the individual what is being said in their presence.