Deafness and Hearing Loss

Karen Aguilar, Executive DirectorMidwest Center on Law and the Deaf

Labels• Deaf• deaf• Hard of Hearing• Hearing Impaired• Hearing Loss• Deaf-Blind

How Will Deaf People Communicate With

You?• Sign Language Interpreter – ASL users• Lip-reading/Speech-reading• Listening Device• CART/Captioning• Writing back and forth• Relay

Qualified Interpreter under the ADA

• Receptively and expressively skilled• Unbiased*• Effective and accurate

* Do not ask the deaf client to bring a family member to interpret

Licensed InterpreterThe Interpreter for the Deaf Licensure Act of 2007 was effective on September 12, 2007. The law requires interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing to have a license to provide interpreting services - effective January 1, 2009.

Writing Sample• i wait for processing ada. 1 month too long. he

know ada. i think any person work job. maybe deny. bored afford sericve interpreter. what doing complaine waste time wait 2 months . any guestion ada accpt order ? I hear soon. i will be happy.

Tips for Working with an Interpreter

• Let the deaf person decide where to sit.• If it’s a large group, only one person can speak at

a time.• Maintain eye contact with the deaf person, not

the interpreter.• Once the meeting begins, continue at a normal

pace.• Everything said WILL and SHOULD be interpreted.

Do not say “You don’t need to interpret this.”

More Tips• If the client has low language, use a CDI –

Certified Deaf Interpreter (gestures, home signs, from another country).

• Do not chat with the interpreter when she is working.

• Do not coach the interpreter such as “You can sign now” or “if you use more signs, he will understand better.”

• Designate a person for interpreter requests (request the appropriate interpreter for the job).

Interpreter Agencies• CAIRS: http://cairs.net/ - 312.895.4300•  CHS: http://chicagohearingsociety.org/ -

773.248.9121•  Purple:

http://purple.us/Pages/CommunityInterpreting.php - 877.885.3172

•  DCI: http://www.deafcomm.net/ - 773.857.7709

• IDHHC – http://www2.illinois.gov/idhhc/Pages/interpreterlicensuredirectory.aspx (interpreter directory)

Lip-Reading/Speech-Reading Tips

• Face the deaf person and be sure to have his/her attention before you begin speaking.

• Maintain eye contact with the deaf person.• Be sure that the light source is in front of you. Do

not stand in front of a window. • Speak clearly. Do not exaggerate mouth

movements.• Give the deaf person as many visual clues as you

can.• Re-phrase rather than re-state words that are not

understood by the deaf person.

More Tips• Make sure that the deaf person understands you and

that you understand the deaf person. If necessary, ask the deaf person to explain back to you what you said.

• Even a skilled lip-reader can only understand approximately 30% of what is said, the rest is guessing (ex: P/B and V/F).

• Do not cover your mouth or have food/gum in your mouth. If you have a mustache, or tend to not move your lips, an oral interpreter or CART may be necessary.

• Do not say, “Never mind” or “It’s not important.”• Be patient.

ALDsHearing Aids and Cochlear Implants can help

provide/amplify sound

• Assistive Listening Devices (www.alda.org)• Infrared - http://www.harriscomm.com/lt-ls80-sir-

gy.html• FM -

http://www.comfortaudio.com/int/Product.asp?PageNumber=34&Product_Id=22

CARTCommunication Access Realtime Translation• http://efficiencyreporting.com• http://www.captionfirst.com• http://www.acscaptions.com

Writing Back and Forth

• Use simple and short phrases.• Let the person keep the paper that you have used

(make a copy for your file).

Relay – TTY and Video• Established by Title IV of the ADA• You do not need a TTY or Video Phone in your office, just

a standard phone.• Call the number that the deaf person has given you and

you will automatically be connected to the Relay Service.• Talk directly to the person who is deaf.• Request to change interpreters if there is a problem.• Train all front office staff on accepting Relay calls.

• http://www.graciasvrs.com/video-relay-services.html (Spanish video relay)

General Tips• Believe a deaf/hard of hearing person when they ask

for an accommodation.• Put adequate funds in your budget for

“accommodations.”• Scripting – for front office staff.• Don’t talk to a family member, he/she is not your

client – breach of confidentiality without client’s consent.

• Confirm an appointment with a deaf client if you also have an interpreter scheduled.

• Don’t automatically refer a deaf client to MCLD (I might have referred him/her to you).

More Tips• If a deaf person shows up at your office, find

someone to take a minute to talk with him/her.• If you don’t have time for a relay call, find

someone who does.• Designate a person in your office to become the

“expert” on disabilities - this makes the deaf person feel more comfortable and makes my job easier/collaboration smoother.

MCLD• Attorney referral, no attorneys on staff• Information about state and federal laws• Simple advocacy• Provide complaint information• Explain legal terms• Educational workshops• Explain deafness to attorneys/legal

professionals

www.mcld.org• “Your Day in Court” video• Legal terms in ASL

Articles• The Bill of Rights, Due Process and the Deaf Suspect/DefendantJean F. Andrews, Ph.D., McCay Vernon, Ph.D. & Michele LaVigne, J.D.

http://dept.lamar.edu/cofac/deptdeaf/jandrews/43._Bill_of_Rights.pdf

• Breakdown in the Language Zone: The Prevalence of Language Impairments Among Juvenile and Adult Offenders and Why It Matters, Michele LaVigne, J.D.

http://law.wisc.edu/profiles/extrafiles.php?iEmployeeID=161

• An Interpreter Isn’t Enough: Deafness, Language and Due Process, Michele LaVigne, J.D.

http://law.wisc.edu/profiles/extrafiles.php?iEmployeeID=161

Contact InformationPO Box 804297Chicago, IL 60680-4104800.894.3653 (voice)312.873.3813 (fax)KGAguilar@mcld.org (e-mail)www.mcld.org (web)VP by appointment only