Some things you should take time to learn about!
Deaf
Sign Language
Culture
Interpreting
Other things
This is the first step into the journey of Deafness, enjoy your exploration and don't be afraid to learn!!
WHEN YOU MEET A DEAF PERSON
Not every person is able to lip read. Even a practiced deaf lip-reader can only understand 30 to 40 % of what is said. Therefore, you can use the following suggestions with varying degrees of success.
1. Provide a clear view of your mouth. Waving your hands or holding something in front of you lips, thus hiding them, makes lip reading impossible.
2. Speak clearly and distinctly, but don’t exaggerate. Use normal speed unless asked to slow down.
3. Use a normal tone unless you are asked to raise your voice. Shouting will be of no help.
4. Speak directly to the person, instead of from the side or back of the person.
5. Speak expressively. Because deaf person cannot hear subtle changes in tone, which may indicate sarcasm or seriousness, many will rely on your facial expressions, gestures and body movement to understand you.
6. If you are having trouble understanding a deaf person’s speech, feel free to ask him or her to repeat. If that does not work, then use paper and pen. Communicating is your goal. The method does not matter.
7. If you know any sign language, try using it. If the deaf person you are communicating with finds it a problem, the person will let you know. Usually your attempts will be appreciated and supported.
8. If a deaf person is with an interpreter, speak directly to the deaf person not to the interpreter.
9. When talking with a deaf person, try not to stand in front of a light source (e.g., a window). The deaf person would find it hard to see your face, which would be silhouetted in the light.
