Sign Station

This site is really good for giving advice about how to communicate with Deaf people within the work place. Some of the main points I thought were interesting:

For their first day at work; name badges, labels

Importance of facial expressions

Complaint of being left out in sweepstakes etc

Write things down or explain beforehand (meetings)

Problems with unconventional ways to get attentions - paper aeroplanes, tapping on back,

Instead; wave in eye line, tap on shoulder/arm or on table

Remain eye contact

Difficult for deaf people to break into a conversation - give a visual cue

Ways to communicate: pen and paper, finger spelling, signing (more difficult but even the odd word will help contextualise)

Key Issue: For most Deaf workers, coffee breaks and lunch breaks can be stressful times. In these situations, people talk about a range of topics, often unrelated to work. They talk about what was on television, about sports events, about their families and so on. They tell jokes and make funny comments. When conversation is unstructured like this, it is very hard to follow if you do not hear. People talk quickly, take turns, introduce new topics - sometimes they are looking away, it is hard to know who just added that comment and so on. Be aware that for a Deaf worker following a group conversation is hard and often they opt out altogether by reading a newspaper or doing some other activity. Try to be inclusive and to explain what is going on. Give visual clues. Point to the person who is speaking. Use gestures. All of these will help the Deaf person to feel part of the team and to reduce stress.

Hearing and lip reading capabilities vary from day to day,

When possible give an indication of the topic - write/point/gesture

Make it clear if alarms have gone off