Video: Clayton Valli -- Dandelions

Video: Clayton Valli -- Dandelions

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Communicating with Deaf Clients American Sign Language, and the Relativism of Deaf Culture. Presented by: Jennifer L. Fidrych

Deaf Culture: A History Deaf culture is composed of people who consider deafness to be a difference in human experience, rather than a disability. When used in the cultural sense, the word deaf is very often capitalized in writing, and referred to as "big D Deaf". People who are part of Deaf culture typically use a sign language (such as American Sign Language) as their primary language and often emphatically see themselves as not disabled, but rather as members of a cultural or language minority (Padden & Baker, 1980). I use the capital D to denote a person who is culturally deaf in this presentation, and a small d to denote functional deafness.

A Few Important People • Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) : Both his mother and wife were deaf, profoundly influencing Bell's life's work (Bruce 1990, p. 419). His research on hearing and speech further led him to experiment with hearing devices that eventually culminated in Bell being awarded the first U.S. patent for the invention of the telephone in 1876 (Webb 1991, p. 15). • Helen Keller (1880-1968): was an American author, activist and lecturer. She was the first deaf/blind person to graduate from college (RNIB, 2008). Abbé Charles-Michel de l'Épée (1712-1789): founded the world's first public school for deaf students in Paris in the 18th century (Lane, 1984). The Abbe de l'Epee was one of the first advocates for using sign language in deaf education, as a means to raise deaf people to literacy and to provide an avenue to an independent lifestyle. Reverend Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet (1787-1851): a hearing American, founded the first school for the deaf in Hartford, Connecticut in 1816 (Peet, 1888).

THE DEAF PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATESIN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OFTHOMAS HOPKINS GALLAUDETMARK THE CENTENNIAL OF HIS BIRTHWITH THIS MEMORIAL1887 ( Harrington, 2006).

Working with Deaf Clients:Guidelines Initial communications will feel awkward, keep trying! Go ahead and write! Try to communication by using speech, body language, and gestures. It’s fine to indicate the Deaf person should write if you can’t understand what they’re saying. Be patient: most people engage in quick conversations, Deaf people value face-to-face communication. Make sure you understand, never fake understanding or say ‘never mind,’ always share the information.

Deaf people listen with their eyes. Make sure they can see you talking, if you’re showing them something let them look before you resume speaking. If using an interpreter, make sure you maintain eye contact with your Deaf client, even if they are watching their interpreter, they will notice and appreciate this. Use the beginning and end of the conversation for direct communication with the Deaf person. Take the initiative to shake hands, make eye contact, use gestures, touch and/or smile. This way you are communicating in a visual and tactile manner.

Working with an Interpreter An interpreter is a trained professional with the role of communicating your question to your Deaf client/s. It is useful to be aware of the following information when working with an interpreter: 1) Interpreting is demanding. Depending on the length and depth of your client interview, your interpreter may require a break to rest her hands. (Court interpreting is something else altogether). 2) It is important that the Deaf client has a clear view of the interpreter. The Deaf client and the interpreter will figure out the best seating arrangement, make sure you have chairs for both parties.

Preparing the Interpreter In order to effectively represent your expertise the interpreter will need information to help them prepare. If possible, tell the interpreter how the session will be used: interview, lecture, seminar, hearing, etc. Supply information of the topic to be covered, the aims/objectives of the session and maybe any specific terminology you will use. If possible supply a full set of notes in advance of the session. If a video is being used the interpreter will need to see it beforehand. Please arrange for the interpreter to have a copy of the video as far in advance as possible.

Things to Remember The Deaf client can only look at one thing, the order/evidence/visual aid, or the interpreter. Try and allow time for them to see what you’re talking about before you resume speaking. Speak at your normal rate, the interpreter will tell you if you need to slow down, pause, or repeat a sentence. The interpreter will interrupt you for clarification when new vocabulary or information is introduced. Writing up names/new vocabulary on a typed handout so that the client can see it is helpful for all parties.

Remember that the Deaf client receives the information several seconds after it is said because of interpreter lag time, this situation means that the reply may be late. Be patient with the situation. Remember that in group situations, the interpreter can only interpret one contribution at a time. Try and make all parties aware of this so no more than one person is speaking at a time. In order for the Deaf client to have the opportunity to contribute, allow time for the question to be interpreted. Raising a hand before you speak is good practice, as it helps to identify the speaker and ensure that everyone follows the 'one at a time' rule. An interpreter follows a code of practice and ethics, which means that they work in a confidential and impartial way.

Intake Interview with Interpreter Scheduling the Interview When setting up the interview, ask the client how he or she will prefer to communicate during the interview. Ask if applicant would like to have a sign language interpreter present. Preparing for the Interview Inform the receptionist that you are expecting a Deaf or hard-of-hearing client. Find a location with good lighting. Provide a list of the standard interview questions

Interviewing Without an Interpreter Speak clearly and slowly. Use body language and facial expressions. Maintain eye contact. Encourage the Deaf individual to let you know if your communication is unclear. Rephrase things if necessary. Ask open-ended questions. Use paper and pencil if necessary. Keep objects away from your mouth. Be patient, a Deaf client will be similar to any other foreign language speaking client in the way they answer your questions. Answers will likely be long-winded.

Works Cited Booth, Edwin. “Booth's reminiscences of Gallaudet,”American Annals of the Deaf, Volume 26, Number 3, July 1881, pages 200-202. Bruce, Robert V. Bell: Alexander Bell and the Conquest of Solitude. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University Press, 1990. ISBN 0-80149691-8. Dannis, J. (Producer), & Valli, C. (Director/Creator). (1995). ASL poetry : selected works of Clayton Valli {Videorecording}. (San Diego, Calif. : Dawn Pictures). Harrington, T. (2006). “Mistakes” on the Cogswell/Gallaudet Statue. Gallaudet University Library. Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved June 30th, 2008, from http://library.gallaudet.edu/deaf-faq-gallaudet-cogswell-statue.shtml. Ladd, Paddy (2003). Understanding Deaf Culture: In Search of Deafhood. Toronto: Multilingual Matters.

Works Cited: cont. Lane, Harlan. When the Mind Hears: A History of the Deaf. New York: Random House, 1984. The Life of Helen Keller. (2008). Royal National Institute of Blind People. Retrieved June 30th, 2008, from http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/publicwebsite/public_keller.hcsp. Padden, Carol A. (1980). The deaf community and the culture of Deaf people. In: C. Baker & R. Battison (eds.) Sign Language and the Deaf Community. Silver Spring(EEUU): National Association of the Deaf. Peet, Issac Lewis. ““Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet,” American Annals of the Deaf, Volume 33, Number 1, October 1888, pages 43-54. Webb, Michael, ed. Alexander Graham Bell: Inventor of the Telephone. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada: Copp Clark Pitman Ltd., 1991. ISBN 0-7730-5049-3.