Create A More Inclusive EnvironmentSetting Up An Office & Communication Skills

Issue

No way of controlling how much light enters the room

Desk positioned so that backs are facing the window

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Why it's a problem

Lighting has a big impact on how easy it is to lip read, too much light can make it very difficult

Light coming from behind the face can cause a lot of glare, again making it very difficult to lip read

Setting Up Your Office

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Improvement

Blinds installed

Desks facing eachother and side on to window

Inclusion of a smoke alarm with light function

Colour of interior walls offer good background colour

Why it's more inclusive

Can control how much light comes into the room, so can create lighting that is better for lip reading

Employees can sit face to face, so easier to gain eachothers attention and no glare from windows

In the event of a fire, the light on the alarm will flash and so Deaf employees will understand that they need to evacuate

The colour of the walls should provide good contrast to make signing easier to see

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Improvement

Include name and job title on office doors

Give instructions

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Why it's more inclusive

This makes it easier for all employees to find their way to specific offices

If a Deaf person knocks on a closed door they won't hear a response, by giving instructions it is clear what to do

Visual Instructions

Helpful

For the first few days of a new Deaf employee in the work place, wearing name badges can be useful.

Makesure you have the listeners attention.

You can gain attention by tapping people on the forearm, waving or turning the lights off and on. Don't throw things or tap people on the back.

Use facial expressions and body language.

Find out preferred methods of communication.

Before meetings, give employees a written list of information of what is going to be discussed.

Ensure during meetings/presentations the speaker is in a clear line of site.

Keep mouth visable.

Speak directly to Deaf people, don't turn your back or just concentrate on talking to non-Deaf people.

Speak naturally and clearly, don't over exaggerate or speak loudly.

Finger spell or write important words down on paper or on your phone.

Be patient. If it is not understood the first time, try a different way of saying it.

Avoid using jargon.

Managers especially should ensure they set an example to other employees.

Communication between Deaf people and non-Deaf people can sometimes be difficult. This can often lead to Deaf employees feeling excluded. There are some methods that can be used to help gain more successful communication between Deaf people and non-Deaf people, which should result in a more comfortable environment.

Why?

Helps employees to keep track or remind themselves of people's names.

If you don't have the attention of the person you are trying to talk to and they are Deaf they will not know you are trying to talk to them.

Throwing things or tapping someone on the back may be intimidating, or shock someone.

Body language makes up over 90% of communication. By using facial expressions and gestures, although it is not sign language it can help support what you are saying verbally.

Everybody is different. The person you are trying to communicate will know which methods suit them the most.

This helps to give context when trying to lip read or follow conversation.

This helps for lip reading.

This helps for lip reading.

This helps for lip reading.

Over exaggertion can be confusing, and shouting can come across as aggressive, even when unintentional.

It is difficult to learn sign language since certain words are regional, however it is useful to finger spell key words or write them down to support lip reading and give conversations context.

For many Deaf people, English is their second language (with sign language being their first).

Simpler words are easier to understand and lip read.

Employees will often look to their managers actions, it is important to set a good example to employees.

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Communication Tips

More Information

You can find more information on the following websites:

www.rnid.org.uk

www.w3c.org/wai/

www.british-sign.co.uk

www.britishsignlanguage.com

www.open.ac.uk