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Statewide Specialist Services, Department of Education and Training Information in this booklet has been sourced from Deaf Education Network (NSW) and WA Deaf Society. 53 Curtin Avenue, COTTESLOE W.A. 6011. Tel. 9286 7000 Fax. 9383 4404 TTY. 9384 6106 1 Deaf People and Employment These fact sheets are part of an information kit for Employers and Employment Service Providers. They answer a variety of common questions about Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, as well as providing specific workplace tips and advice. The fact sheet topics are: 1. Deafness and Hearing Loss 2. Communication Methods used by Deaf people 3. Cross – Cultural Issues 4. Workplace Communication Tips 5. Technological Communication Solutions 6. Working with an Interpreter 7. Occupational Health and Safety Issues 8. Anti – Discrimination Rights and Responsibilities 9. Assistance for Employers NOTE: “DHH” (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) is used here when referring to a person who is culturally deaf and whose native tongue is AUSLAN (Australian Sign Language) or is hard of hearing. 53 Curtin Avenue, COTTESLOE W.A. 6011. Tel. 9286 7000 Fax. 9383 4404 TTY. 9384 6106 2 Deafness and Hearing Loss It is estimated that 10% of Australians have a hearing loss; the main impact of that hearing loss is on communication. Communication choices and options depend on a combination of the following factors: How much hearing loss? Hearing loss is measured in decibels (loudness) and frequencies (pitch). Hearing tests (audiograms) show the softest sound levels a person can hear, as well as the range of sounds at the level. Human speech is around 60dB, so you can see that if someone has more than a mild or moderate hearing loss, it’s difficult for them to hear and understand other people’s voices. Hearing aids can help some people, but unlike glasses which can correct vision, hearing aids only amplify whatever sounds they can already hear. Unclear sounds remain unclear; they’re just louder. 53 Curtin Avenue, COTTESLOE W.A. 6011. Tel. 9286 7000 Fax. 9383 4404 TTY. 9384 6106 3 Communication Methods Used by Deaf People Generally, the more hearing a person has, the more they will speak. However, each individual has particular communication preferences and capabilities; often related to the choices their parents made about communication at home, and the policy of the school they attended. Other than written communication, the main face – to – face methods deaf people use include: Oral Communication This is where Hard of hearing person speaks and reads the lip patterns of the other person. However lip – reading is not a natural or easy thing to do for many reasons: Lip – reading relies on being able to see the words you’re trying to guess at, and many people do not speak clearly, or have beards, or accents, or look away when they talk, or are in a badly lit environment. 60% of the time they lip-read inaccurately. (See “Workplace Communication Tips”). Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN) AUSLAN is the language used by the Australian Deaf Community. Just as hearing communities have evolved different spoken languages around the world, Deaf communities have also developed different sign languages in different places. AUSLAN was derived form British Sign Language. AUSLAN is a visual language, comprised of; a vocabulary of signs, facial expression, body language and finger – spelling. Just like any other language, it has complex grammatical rules and can convey a full range of meaning. AUSLAN was formally recognised as an Australian Community Language in 1987. Different communication behaviours Getting a Deaf or hard of hearing person’s eye contact and attention is an important part of communication and a way of letting them know you want to talk to them. It is appropriate at times to slightly tap a Deaf or Hard of Hearing person’s shoulder to get their attention. They may also use taps on arms or shoulders to get your attention. Things Deaf people may not know about Apart from sounds, deaf people can’t overhear things that we hear incidentally: In the afternoon tea break everyone starts discussing their favourite performer. The deaf colleague doesn’t even know who Kylie is… Deaf people cannot fully hear announcements over the PA system. So, if everyone is rushing to get their free muffin from the cafeteria after an announcement, the deaf person is going to wonder what is happening…. Today there is an important staff meeting, however there has been a huge deluge overnight and many major roads are flooded. Morning radio bulletins advise commuters about the road closures and suggest alternate routes. Everyone else manages to get to work on time, but the deaf employee is 2 hours late…. 53 Curtin Avenue, COTTESLOE W.A. 6011. Tel. 9286 7000 Fax. 9383 4404 TTY. 9384 6106 4 Workplace Communication Tips When speaking to a deaf person, remember to: 1. Check the environment Ensure that you are in good light and not shadowed by a bright light behind you (including the sun). If the person wears a hearing aid, background noise can be very distracting, so you may need to find a quieter environment. 2. Get their attention Make sure the deaf person is looking at you before you start, otherwise they won’t realise that you have begun a conversation with them. You can get their attention by touching them on the arm or signalling to them. Look directly at them so that they can see your lips and facial expression. Be aware that if you look away or look down, your message may get distorted (Never talk from behind). Use your normal pace and volume of speech – there is no need to exaggerate or shout. . 3. Be flexible If you feel that you are not being understood, be patient, try and re-phrase the sentence, rather than repeating the same words over and over or more loudly. Some words are harder to lip – read than others (see “Communication Methods”) Although lip-reading is not 100 percent reliable, deaf people do rely on lippatterns and facial expressions to help them understand the conversation. Moustaches and beards that cover one’s lips do hinder the deaf person’s ability to understand. Although it’s not usual for most people to maintain constant eye contact with each other in a conversation, don’t be put off by the deaf person needing to constantly watch your face and lips. Don’t expect the person to be able to watch you and write things down at the same time. Generally – think visual When trying to get your message across, try to……. Use visual references wherever possible (e.g. pointing at your watch when talking about time, pointing to the person that you are talking about, showing the person the documents you are discussing). Use a pen and paper to write things down when something isn’t understood eg list of things to do, instructions etc. Where appropriate, demonstrate something rather than just talking about it as it would help them understand better (e.g. demonstrate how to operate a piece of equipment). You can also gesture, mime or act things out. Provide written copies of anything that has been discussed and is important (eg minutes of meetings, diagrams, etc). Discuss with the deaf person the best ways to communicate and you might need to try a few different options. 53 Curtin Avenue, COTTESLOE W.A. 6011. Tel. 9286 7000 Fax. 9383 4404 TTY. 9384 6106 5 Technological Communication Solutions There are a number of technological devices and systems which help deaf and hearing people ‘connect’. Some of these have been specifically developed with deaf people in mind, and others are just a reflection of our changing communication practices generally; NRS The National Relay Service is an Australia – wide telephone service available 24 hours every day at no extra call charge. Telephone calls via the NRS involve 3 people; the caller, the person they are calling, and a central relay operator (who has both a TTY and a regular voice phone). So for example; when a deaf person wants to call a hearing colleague who doesn’t have a TTY (or vice versa) the caller rings the NRS first. The relay operator then connects them to the other party and passes on the information between them, by reading out what’s typed, and typing out what’s spoken. The NRS phone number is 133677 for TTY/voice. Flashing Lights: Flashing lights can be used instead of sound based signals eg; instead of a telephone ring, in addition to an alarm siren, as a visual doorbell etc. Fax The fax machine is a reliable and easy way to send and receive information in written (ie visual) form. E – Mail Deaf people are just likely to be on – line as everyone else. E – Mail is a standard part of many work environments, and again its visual nature means it’s an easy alternative to a phone call. SMS Short messaging service (SMS) is an increasingly convenient way of contacting someone quickly. Audio loop systems and hearing aids Often you will notice that meeting rooms or auditoriums have signs indicating they are fitted with an audio loop. This allows people who wear hearing aids, to ‘tune in’ to the amplified sound in the room. For example, if someone is speaking at a microphone, the deaf person can use a switch on their hearing aid to focus on that sound, without the usual background noise interference. Video and TV Captioning Many television programs are subtitled or captioned for deaf and hard of hearing people. This enables them to read what’s being said, rather than guess what’s going on from occasional glimpses of the speaker’s lips on the screen. As videos are often used in workplace training sessions, the information they contain can be made more accessible to deaf employees by adding captioning. For advice about captioning, contacts the Media Access Australia (08) 63802895 or visit www.auscap.com.au 53 Curtin Avenue, COTTESLOE W.A. 6011. Tel. 9286 7000 Fax. 9383 4404 TTY. 9384 6106 6 Working with an interpreter Why use an interpreter? A number of Deaf people use Auslan as their primary communication method (see “Communication Methods Used by Deaf People”). Most employers don’t know Auslan, so day to day communication is usually done in some form of written English. However in some situations it’s critical for both sides to fully understand each other and be confident in expressing themselves in their first language. These situations include interviews (recruitment, promotion, performance appraisal), training sessions and important meetings. This is where an interpreter can assist; The interpreter’s role Qualified interpreters are fluent in Auslan and English, and understand the cultural and social differences between the 2 groups. Their role is to enable both sides to fully understand each other and they follow a code of practice/ethics to ensure that this is done fairly, eg: interpreters must maintain confidentiality, remain impartial and not influence the situation, and ensure that their interpretation is accurate. What do they need to know beforehand? The names of the clients (deaf and hearing) and the organisation Type of assignment (e.g. interview, training, meeting etc) Date, time, and duration of assignment Exact location details Any information that will help them do their job as an outsider to the organisation (e.g. meeting agenda, training handouts, specific jargon etc) How does it work? Usually the interpreter will arrive approx 15 mins early, to familiarise themselves with the deaf person’s communication style, and to be briefed by the employer about the assignment. The deaf client and interpreter can advise on the best seating or standing positions, in relation to lighting and eye – lines. Often the interpreter sits next to whoever is the main speaker; so that the deaf person can watch them both at the same time. The interpreter will negotiate break times depending on the type and length of the assignment (often this will be a short break every hour to avoid Occupational Overuse Syndrome and fatigue). Once the assignment has started, both sides talk to each other directly (as if the interpreter wasn’t there) eg: Use the first person; “Please tell me about your…” (rather than “ask them to tell me about their …”) Try to maintain eye contact (although the deaf person will often need to watch the interpreter while the other person is speaking). Speak / sign at a normal pace (the interpreter will ask if they need you to slow down or repeat information). Try to make sure that only one person speaks at a time 53 Curtin Avenue, COTTESLOE W.A. 6011. Tel. 9286 7000 Fax. 9383 4404 TTY. 9384 6106 7 Common Occupational Health and Safety Issues Sometimes employers are concerned that deaf employees may represent higher safety risks than other employees. Can deaf people drive? Deaf people can and do obtain licenses for all classes of vehicles, as well as qualify for a forklift ticket. Do deaf employees have more accidents than other workers? There is no evidence to suggest that deaf people have more accidents than people who can hear. Is any special safety equipment required? This depends on the work environment and the job. For example in some workplaces, there may be a danger of not seeing approaching vehicles or pedestrians coming around corners, so installing a convex mirror would help. Another common device is a flashing alarm (for fire or other warning). These not only help deaf employees but also make it safer for other workers who may be wearing earmuffs or headphones and do not hear the existing alarm. Can deaf people obtain a senior first aid certificate? Many deaf people have successfully completed senior first aid certificate courses. They go through the same training as other workers (using an interpreter if necessary) and must pass the same tests. So there is no reason that they can’t be considered for first aid officer roles in the workplace. Generally Both employers and employees have obligation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to ensure that they maintain a safe working environment, regardless of whether they are deaf or can hear. If you have any safety concerns about a deaf employee, the best place to start is by asking them about ways to address it. This approach also minimises discrimination complaints, because it focuses on the individual worker’s skills, rather than making general uninformed assumptions about the ability of deaf people to cope with the situation. Deafinite Employment Services will provide information and support regarding safety in the workplace. They are a WA based organisation and can be contacted on 08-9441 2677. 53 Curtin Avenue, COTTESLOE W.A. 6011. Tel. 9286 7000 Fax. 9383 4404 TTY. 9384 6106 8 Anti – Discrimination Rights and Responsibilities State and Commonwealth Anti – Discrimination laws affect employers and employees. In all states, it is against the law to discriminate against someone just because they have a physical disability. Deaf people are included in this category. Employment is one of the areas by discrimination law, and includes: Applying for a job The selection process Terms and conditions of employment Harassment Training and promotion opportunities Disciplinary procedures And termination of employment If a deaf person applies for a job or promotion, and can show that they have the essential skills required then they should be considered for that job. If they are the best applicant, based on their skills, then they should be given the job. Sometimes people with a disability need extra support or assistance in the workplace. For example a deaf employee might need a TTY (teletypewriter phone) or to swap telephone tasks for other duties or to have a training video captioned. The discrimination laws call this ‘accommodation’ of the disability. Employers are expected to provide ‘reasonable accommodation’, taking into account that some adjustments in the workplace are easier to provide than others. Sometimes this just requires some creative thinking and willingness to try new ways of doing things. What’s ‘reasonable’ depends on the individual circumstances. Where the costs are too great or the changes required have negative impact on the organisation, employers can claim ‘unjustifiable hardship’. CONTACT For more information, please contact the following: Brent Levitzke 0420 923 580 Mel Pereira 0410 543 021 WA Institute for Deaf Education 53 Curtin Avenue Cottesloe WA 6011 Tel: 9286 700 Fax: 9383 4404 TTY: 9384 6106 SMS: 0420 304 293 53 Curtin Avenue, COTTESLOE W.A. 6011. Tel. 9286 7000 Fax. 9383 4404 TTY. 9384 6106 9