HOW TO INTERACT WITH DEAF in the WORKPLACE
By Kayleen Bangura
She replied, "I am deaf. This means that I cannot hear. It
face the sun so that there isn't a shadow cast in your face
does not make me stupid or of lesser value to people who
and the sun doesn't glare in theirs.
can hear."
3. SPEAK YOUR GREETING IN YOUR NORMAL
Let me start this article by saying that the terms used for
VOICE.
persons who cannot hear are either deaf or hard of
movements, making it difficult for a deaf person to
hearing.
The words coined by us such as "hearing
follow your words. (Many deaf people can lip read to a
impaired" and "hearing challenged" give the impression
certain extent.) Similarly, if you exaggerate your
that something needs to be fixed when in truth and in fact
mouth movements you will be harder to understand than
this is NOT the case. Deaf individuals are a beautiful,
if you speak normally.
talented people with their own language, background and
culture.
HOW
Whispering or shouting will distort your lip
It is also very important if a company, organisation or
small workplace is having a meeting to hire an
TO
INTERACT
WITH
DEAF
in
the
WORKPLACE
experienced interpreter so that the Deaf worker can not
only understand what is being said and discussed but can
We the 'hearing' society should never be afraid to
also make contributions to the topic at hand.
embrace Deaf persons into our place of work. Rather we
Nearly every office/workplace has its human challenges,
should see it as an opportunity to learn a different
the 'who said what' issue. It is even more challenging
language and interact on a different level.
when a Deaf person is left out of little office break and
1. GET THE DEAF PERSONS ATTENTION before
attempting to communicate.
Make eye contact.
If
needed, you can use a small wave or light touch to get the
person's attention. While you should be considerate and
not poke people, generally it is not considered rude in
deaf communities to lightly tou 6