Download Working with the Client Who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deafblind

State of Wisconsin
Office for the Deaf and Hard of
Hearing
Working with Deaf, Hard of
Hearing, or Deafblind
Employees
Why Are We Here?
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More than 1/3 of the U. S. population has a
significant loss of hearing by age 65.
An estimated 500,000 Deaf, deafblind, and hard
of hearing people reside in WI.
Approximately 90% Deaf/HH are underemployed,
40% are unemployed.
Gain an understanding of culture and
communication needs of Deaf and hard of
hearing.
Learn how to provide accommodations and
accessible services.
What do you call a person who
can’t hear?
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Which terminology is appropriate?
Definitions
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Deaf: “D” focus on a group of people who share a
language (ASL), common life experience, history, and
values (culturally deaf). Cultural association.
deaf: “d” focus on inability to understand speech with or
without an amplification. Disability association.
Hard of Hearing: refers to those who have some
hearing, are able to use it for communication purposes,
who feel reasonably comfortable doing so.
Deafblind: combination of varying degrees of both
hearing and vision loss.
Using an appropriate terminology is a good
indicator of respect and understanding.
Communication and Language
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Deaf vs. hard of hearing
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Effects of linguistic differences
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Language preference
Communication preference
Cultural identity
Education system based on English language and
often not linguistically accessible. Exception:
Residential Schools for the Deaf.
Issue of incidental learning.
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Our society norms and unwritten rules often not learned.
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Expected behavior and reaction may not be present.
The Deaf Individual
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Language
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Modes of communication
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American Sign Language (ASL)
ASL is a linguistically complete,
natural language that is different from
English language.
ASL is a visual language while
English is a spoken and written
language.
Third most used language in USA.
Telecommunications technology
Finger pointing and modeling is
accepted.
25 % of the English language is
visible on the lips
Deaf Culture
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Components of the culture
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Language
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Values
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Perception that deafness is a culture, not a disability
Medical treatment for hearing loss is unwanted
Independence highly valued
Customs
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ASL
Speech not emphasized
Heavy emphasis on eye contact and facial expression
Intermarriage
Deaf children valued
Group loyalty
Cultural Behaviors
DEAF
HEARING
Attention getting devices: flicker the
lights, stomping feet, and throwing
things
Party guests tend to congregate in the
kitchen (better lighting, easier to see
everyone signing)
Long introduction rituals: where from?
school? parents? Etc….
Conversation regulators: head nods
and specific gestures
Eye contact
Facial expressions
Pointing permitted (pronouns!)
Hugging after introductions is common
Overstaying/long good-byes/DST
Can “talk” with mouth full of food
“Hey!”
Living room
“nice to meet you”
“hmmm and uh-huh”
Ear contact
“poker face”
Pointing considered rude
Shaking hands
Short stays/short good-byes
Considered rude
Perspectives On Deafness
CULTURAL
No Difference
Unlimited
A.S.L
Deaf Culture
Different way of
communicating
Full range of
abilities
VS.
Intelligence
Abilities
Language
PATHOLOGICAL
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Communication
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Reasoning
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Culture
Inferior
Slow Learner
Learning disabled
Limited
Speech and language
are confused
Language deficient
Language problems
Culturally deformed
Isolated
Communication
disorder
Speech retarded
Can’t express abstract
ideas
The Hard of Hearing Individual
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Modes of communication
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Primary language: English
Voice and lipreading
Typically does not sign
More likely to depend on technology to
maximize use of residual hearing
Self-Identification
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Perspective of hearing loss significantly
different than Deaf perspective.
Tend to either immerse among hearing
people or form its own HH group to satisfy
cultural/identity needs.
Often an overlooked group.
Hearing Loss
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How hearing loss is measured
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Decibels (loudness)
 How
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loud a sound must be to be heard
Speech Discrimination
 Of
what you hear, how much is understood
Ramifications of Hearing Loss on
English Competency
25% of English visible on the mouth
 Assumes knowledge of language being
spoken
 Sound alikes, look alikes
 Oxymorons
 Wide range of ability
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Not dependent on degree of loss or intelligence
Deaf “nod”
English Language
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He could lead if he would
get the lead out.
The bandage was wound
around the wound.
Pretty Ugly
Act Naturally
Good Grief
Found Missing
Communication Tips
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Be aware of the environment.
Make sure you get person’s
attention first.
Face the person when speaking.
Don’t expect the person to be able to
hear you if you speak towards his back.
Maintain your voice level.
Shouting often results in speech
distortion and it displays negative
visual signal to the listener.
Be patient!
If person nods head, don’t automatically assume he
understands you.
Note Writing
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Keep the message short and simple.
Don’t use “million dollar words” when a “one dollar word” will
work.
Try to minimize using yes/no questions.
Avoid incorporating two ideas into one sentence.
Use visual representations and explanations when possible.
For employment activities such as job interview, job
evaluation, training, and meetings; it is strongly recommended
to ask the Deaf/HH person his/her accommodation
preference. Often a Deaf person would prefer an interpreter
and hard of hearing person would prefer a FM system.
Integrating Your Deaf or
Hard of Hearing Employee
“From Application to Retirement”
Interviewing Persons Who are
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Provide company literature & information BEFORE the
interview.
 Provide a summary of the interview process.
 Inform the receptionist you are expecting a deaf applicant.
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Provide appropriate accommodations as requested.
Working Effectively With Persons
Who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing
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Paging devices
Appointing a “buddy”
Alerting devices
Vibrations
Alternative lighting
Company related social activities
Meeting Accommodations
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Schedule meetings as far in advance as possible to allow
time for arranging accommodations
Ask Deaf/HH employee their preference for seating
arrangements
Provide any handouts BEFORE the meeting or allow time to
look at handout before resuming discussion
Set up ground rules for turn taking
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Avoid walking, or turning back to audience.
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ONE person speaking at a time
Deaf/HH employee needs to see your face to enhance communication
Notetaking is not an appropriate substitute for an interpreter
during a meeting
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Impossibility of watching & writing at the same time
If extensive notetaking will be needed, designate a someone to "share"
their notes with Deaf/HH employee
Americans with Disabilities Act
and Employers
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Limitations on making inquiries about disability
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Employer cannot make any pre-employment inquiry
Employer may ask about ability to perform specific
job functions
With certain limitations, may ask individual to
describe or demonstrate how s/he would perform
job functions
Americans with Disabilities Act and
Wisconsin Fair Employment Act
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Legal Requirements
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Covers employers
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Undue hardship
Applicant or employee is responsible to inform employer of
disability
Individual with disability must be qualified for the job
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Satisfy requisite skill, experience, education, other job-related
requirements
With or without a reasonable accommodation
Americans with Disabilities Act
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When must an accommodation be
made?
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Every stage of process:
 Job interview
 New employee training
 Benefits and company rules
 Staff meetings
 Continuing education training
 Job evaluation meeting
 Disciplinary meeting
 Transfer and promotion opportunities
Possible Accommodations
Myth of “one size fits all
 Sign Language Interpreter
 Assistive Listening Device
 Pocket talker
 Real-time captioning
 TTY
 Voice amplified phone
 Relay service
 VRS/VRI
 E-mail
 Instant messenger
Interpreters
Trained
Professional
 Qualifications
 Code of Ethics
 Liability of hiring
unqualified
interpreters
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Interpreting Services
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Know how to arrange for interpreter services when
needed
Plan important meetings well in advance
Treat the interpreter as a professional.
If a meeting lasts over two hours, two interpreters may be
needed.
Provide good lighting
Speak directly to the deaf person.
Interpreters facilitate communication between hearing &
deaf individuals…they do not speak for the deaf person.
Allow only ONE person to speak at a time
Speak clearly & in a normal tone of voice.
Attitude is Everything!
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More in common
than differences
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Communication
takes two