That Deaf Guy 09/22/2022 International Week of People and Sign Language 2022

Inclusive Environment

How do you make deaf/hard of hearing people feel included?

1. Be aware and considerate

2. Always face a deaf person. Make eye contact and keep it while you are talking

3. Use technology or pen and paper to get your points across

4. Consider being in a quieter environment; Check noise and lighting. Turn off or move away from background noise

5. Learn the principles of communicating to deaf or hard of hearing people; repeat and re-phrase if necessary

6. Just ask – ask that person as well because every deaf person is different and they require different things

7. If possible use sign language, fingerspelling or gesture when necessary if unable to remember the signs

Link:  National Deaf Center: Communicating with Deaf Individuals