“Deafness, Diversity and Delivery: How to Serve Persons who are

Deaf or Hard of Hearing”

Susie Tiggs, M.Ed.

Theresa Johnson, M.Ed.

Session Overview

• Define the population

• Cultural issues

• Communication

• Independent living needs

• Access-home and community

• Technology

• It’s the law!

Two Views on Deafness

Defines deafness in terms of deficit, hearing loss, compared to hearing norms

• Respects, values, and supports the language and culture of deaf people

Medical Difference

Defining Deaf

people by

what they

CAN’T do

Understanding Differences

• Generally…..

“Deaf” with uppercase “D” refers to a

cultural construct

“deaf” with lowercase “d” refers to the

lack of hearing without touching upon

cultural status

5

“Deaf”initions

HARD OF HEARING

Hearing is limited, but

may be amplified for

ordinary life

experiences.

DEAF

Sound has no

meaning for

ordinary life

purposes.

6

• Oral Deaf-generally

use speech and

residual hearing to

communicate. May

use manual

communication as a

supplement but do

not identify with Deaf

community

• Late-Deafened—

Mixed views on age

of onset, but generally

used for individuals

who have lost their

hearing during their

teenage years or

older. Do not identify

with Deaf community

as a rule.

7

Categories of Hearing Loss

Normal Hearing

Can hear soft conversations

Moderate to severe

56 to 70 decibel lossWill miss 100% of speech information

without amplification

Minimal loss

16 to 25 decibel lossWill have trouble hearing faint or distant

speech

Severe

71 to 90 decibel lossCan only hear loud noises at close distances

Mild

25 to 40 decibel lossWill miss up to 50% of a group discussion

Profound

91 decibel loss and aboveDepends solely on vision instead of hearing

for processing information

Moderate

41 to 55 decibel lossConversation over 5 feet away may not be

understood

8

9

Deaf Culture

• Disability vs. culture

• Deaf / dumb

• ASL as native language

• TTY / relay/vp/technology

• Name signs

10

Deaf Culture, cont.

• Saying goodbye

• Introductions

• Role of Deaf schools/programs

• Deaf “grapevine”

11

Hard of Hearing Culture

• HLAA (Hearing Loss Assoc of America)

• ALDA (Association of Late-Deafened Adults)

• Young vs Older

• Hearing aids fix the problem

• Persons who are HH know what they need??

• Speaking/Listening/environmental factors

Communication

• Sign language systems

• Manual/visual support systems

• Oral Communication/lip reading

• Symbols/gesture

• Factors which affect language acquisition

• Tips for better communication

Modes of Communication

• American Sign Language• Pidgin Sign Language/Contact SL• Signed English• Signing Exact English• Cued Speech• Oral• Communication Books/symbols/pictures• Gesture

14

Definition of ASL

ASL is a natural, visual-gestural language

which has evolved to meet the linguistic

needs of its users, and therefore it is a

language fully accessible to deaf

individuals. Eric Drasgow, Council for Exceptional Children, 1998

15

Some Features of ASL

• Signing space

• Non-manual signals

• Directionality

• Number Systems

• Role Shift

16

Definition of Signed English

Signed English is a reasonable manual

parallel to English. It is an educational tool

meant to be used while you speak in order

to incorporate speech development and

aided listening skills.

17

Some Features of Signed English

• Signed in English word order

• Can be conceptual or literal

• Initializes signs for synonyms

18

Definition of SEE

Signing Exact English is a sign language

system that represents literal English, to

make visible everything that is not heard.

SEE supplements hearing and

speechreading.

19

Features of Signing Exact English

• Signed as English is spoken or written

• A sign is translated to only one English

equivalent

20

Definition of Oral Interpreting

The interpreter “mouths” the words spoken for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing

student. Sign language may sometimes be used as a filler

21

Cued Speech Transliteration

Cued Speech Transliteration is a visual method of communication that utilizes hand cues in order to provide spoken information that is ambiguous through lip reading alone.

22

Communication Books

A tool used to facilitate a student’s

expressive and receptive language which

can be used as a communication aid with

both non signing and signing partners.

23

Features of a Communication Book

• Typically organized by grammatical

categories/topics

• Best custom designed for individual

students’ needs

• Should be accompanied with print

representation or signed representation

24

Tips for better Communication

• Lighting

• Environmental sound

• Face to face

• Look at the person not the interpreter

• Don’t exaggerate facial expressions

• Repeat/rephrase

• Write or gesture

Less Obvious Background Noise Sources:

Air conditioning or heating units

Traffic noises, lawn mower outside an office

Other people talking nearby, cubicle chatter

Static on a phone line

Refrigerators, projector fans, vending machine humming

Telephones ringing , copier running

People coughing, moving in their chairs, rustling papers

Use of Interpreters

• Certification/Qualifications

• Cost

• Role of interpreters

• Ethical expectations

Independent Living Needs

• Assistance with housing or understanding the process, lease agreement or other paperwork

• Assistance with accessing the community-how to request services from physician, dentist, bank, etc

• Assistance with purchases, such as vehicle, furniture, insurance, food

• Assistance with employment-how to access community job-search resources, interview

• Assistance with accessing technology, i.e. STAP, VP

Technology

• Hearing Aids

• Cochlear Implants

• Amplified phones

• Video phones/facetime/skype

• CART/C-print/Typewell (on site and remote)

• Loop and FM systems

• Ubi-duo

It’s the Law!

• ADA• Title IV – Telecommunications Relay Services• Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990

mandated a nationwide system of telecommunications relay services to make the telephone network accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have speech impairments. Title IV of the ADA added Section 225 to the Communications Act of 1934.

• Statute: 47 U.S.C. § 255 available at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/title4.html Regulations: 47 C.F.R. §§ 64.601 - 64.606 available at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/4regs.html

Discussion

• Specific issues or challenges in serving individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

• Resources and materials

Resources

• ercod@tsd.state.tx.us

• Texasdhhresources.org/

• ESC11.net

• Pepnet.org

• Gallaudetuniversity.edu

• Dhhtexastransition.org

• Nad.org

• DARS@state.tx.us/deafhard of hearing services

Thank you

• Susie Tiggs

• stiggs@esc11.net

• Theresa Johnson

• Theresa.johnson@tsd.state.tx.us