Deaf and capable - employing deaf individuals - includes related article

HR Magazine, August, 1994 by Barry Culhane, Jack Clarcq

Questions. Ask questions. Deaf people are quite capable of identifying the barriers they experience at work and creative in suggesting ways to break down those barriers.

WHAT CO-WORKERS NEED TO KNOW

Formal and social interaction among deaf and hearing people at work is crucial to successful workplace accessibility and accommodation of deaf individuals. Even if work tends to be performed individually and formal group communication is clear and accessible, it is essential to create an environment in which all employees understand cultural differences and have full access to the informal communication network.

Employees need education in two fundamental areas: deaf culture and how to communicate face to face with deaf individuals.

Deaf culture

* Maintain eye contact in conversation.

* Get attention by waving, touching, hitting the table or floor.

* Interrupt a signed conversation by eye contact, gesture and standing for acknowledgment.

* Understand that many deaf people have grown up in a hearing culture. They may not be part of deaf culture or know sign language.

Individual communication strategies

* Look the person (not the interpreter) in the face.

* Do not exaggerate speech.

* Do not yell.

* Write, if all other forms of communication fail.

Group communication strategies

* Be certain sufficient lighting exists (spotlight for interpreters during audiovisual presentations).

* If group is large, allow for deaf persons to sit close to the front.

* Don't turn your back to the deaf person while speaking.

* Allow the speaker or interpreter to finish and the deaf person to shift his or her eyes before the next speaker begins.

PLAN FOR GROUP DIALOGUE

In addition to face-to-face dialogue, deaf employees will probably be involved in group communication settings. One basic sensitivity in this situation, whether or not an interpreter is present, is that deaf people need to have time to shift their eyes to a person identified by a group leader as the next person speaking. The rapid-fire exchange of ideas that often happens in group communication needs to be slowed down to allow the deaf person access to the conversation. While this may be cumbersome initially and sometimes unnecessary (as long as speakers are identified and common communication skills exist), it is crucial to provide real access to the deaf person.

Communication within a group may take some planning. Think about the number of people at the meeting, the seating arrangement, the lighting, the format for presentation of information--for example, lecture, group discussion, audiovisual display. For a small-group discussion, the deaf employee may want to sit next to or across from the discussion leader. The lighting should be in back of the deaf person, not glaring into his or her eyes. If the meeting is long and conveys breadth and depth of information, some deaf employees may request an interpreter. If information is provided on overhead transparencies or large-screen computer display, give all participants a paper copy before the meeting. This will facilitate the discussion for everyone.