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ABOUT
LIL
• Introduction • Independent
Living Philosophy • Tips
for Literacy Practitioners • Tips
for Disability Organizations • How
to Make Your Literacy Program Wheelchair Accessible • Tips
for Communicating with People who are Hard of Hearing • Tips
for Communicating with People with a Visual Impairment • Profiles
of Learners • Narrowing
the Gaps • Acknowledgements
• Tips for Communicating
with
People who are Hard of Hearing •
By Susan DeLaurier, Centre for
Independent Living in Toronto, ON, 11 April 2003.
a.
Communicating One-on-One
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Pick the best spot to
communicate. Avoid noisy background situations and areas that are poorly
lit.
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Get the person's attention before
you speak - look directly at him or her.
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Do
not put obstacles in front of your face (hands, papers) or in your mouth (gum,
cigarettes).
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Don't shout! Speak clearly and
distinctly and a bit slower.
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Use facial expressions and
gestures.
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Give clues when changing the
subject.
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Rephrase when you are not
understood.
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Be patient. Be positive. Be relaxed.
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When in doubt, ask the person who
is hard of hearing for suggestions to improve communication.
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b.
Communicating in Group Situations
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If
possible, book an interpreter or note taker, depending on the person's
preference. Often the person already has the names of interpreters or note
takers. Sometimes the school or literacy site has a referral
list.
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People who are hard of hearing
need to sit where they can best see the interpreter or the note taker's
computer screen.
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A
brief outline printout allows the person to follow a lecture, etc., and is also
helpful to the interpreter or note taker by way of preparation.
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Vision is the primary channel for
a person who is hard of hearing to receive information. Make full use of
overhead projectors, blackboards, films (with closed or open captions),
diagrams, etc.
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When vital information is being
presented, write out any changes, additional instructions, etc. Be sure the
interpreter or note taker is aware of this, too.
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