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Remember the golden rule:
"It's common courtesy"
When interacting with people who have a hearing disability, remember to
always think of the person before the disability.
Talk directly to the person, ascertain what he or she wants, and determine
how best to deliver it by consulting with the person. This may sound very
simple, and it is. Appropriate interaction is common courtesy and common sense.
Do's and don'ts when interacting with people with hearing disabilities:
- do not question the person's disability. Hearing disabilities are
invisible
- don't regard the use of a hearing aid as a tragedy, as there is no sign
of the degree of hearing the person may have. Hearing aids are an unreliable
indication of how much a person is able to hear. Many deaf and hearing impaired
people do not wear hearing aids.
- don't be offended by the lack of response or unconventional behaviour
- use words like 'hear' and 'heard'; they are part of everyone's
vocabulary. Otherwise, both you and the person who is hearing impaired will feel
awkward.
- ask people who are hearing impaired what they want or need
- do not direct questions through their companion or an interpreter
- be aware that the person who is hearing impaired will be disadvantaged by
not knowing what is going on. Therefore, explain what is happening
- use
ordinary language when directing or describing and be specific
- Use gestures and
if need be write your message down
- identify yourself and ask "May I help you?" Don't assume help is
needed.
- wherever possible, address people who are hearing impaired by name so they
know you are speaking to them
- do not walk away from a person who is hearing impaired while speaking to
them
- when asked a question, respond by answering that question with a simple
"Yes" or "No" or by keeping your reply brief and to the point. Wait for a
response from the hearing impaired person. Let them "lead" the conversation.
Don't overburden them with a lot of unnecessary detail that they have not asked
for.
When interacting with people who have a hearing disability, remember to always think of
the person before the disability. Remember the golden rule: "It's common courtesy".
Do's and don'ts when interacting with people with hearing disabilities
cont'd
-
do not pet, play with or feed hearing dogs. Always ask permission of the
owner before interacting with an animal.
- consider making some simple charts and diagrams to use when explaining
things or directing hearing impaired people to a specific part of the library
- offer individual orientation tours at a time when you are not likely to
have to attend to other matters. Limit numbers to one or two people so that you
can focus on their individual communication requirements. As it may be difficult
to face the hearing impaired person or persons while walking and talking, stop
periodically to address them and use visual aids to help them follow what is
being said. Make sure that your face is adequately lit while speaking to them.
- if people who are hearing impaired extend their hands to shake, do so
- use signage with clear, simple language and bold print in strong colours.
Avoid confusing background colours, unnecessarily detailed information and the
use of jargon. This will benefit all visitors.
- always think of the person
first and the disability second. Sensitive use of language, for example, can
help reinforce the 'person first' attitude. Reference to 'people with hearing
disabilities' rather than to "deaf people" helps maintain this stance.
- Speak directly to the person, or person accompanying them. Deaf people may
have an interpreter accompanying them who is there to assist in a specific way.
Do not assume that they are the mouthpiece or the advocate for the deaf person.
It is insulting to talk in the third person about a person who is present.
Members of the Deaf community use Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN) as their
first language and may experience some difficulty communicating in spoken and/or
written English. Communication strategies may need to incorporate more use of
writing in the absence of an interpreter. Fingerspelling key words combined with
spoken English may also be appropriate. (A fingerspelling alphabet chart is
included in this kit)
Talk directly to the person, determine what he or she wants, and decide how best to deliver
it by consulting with the person.
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Hearing Impairment