Deafness and
Hearing Loss
Karen Aguilar, Executive Director
Midwest Center on Law and the Deaf
Labels
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Deaf
deaf
Hard of Hearing
Hearing Impaired
Hearing Loss
Deaf-Blind
How Will Deaf People
Communicate With You?
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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 Interpreter
The 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/interpreterlice
nsuredirectory.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.
ALDs
Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants can help
provide/amplify sound
• Assistive Listening Devices (www.alda.org)
• Infrared - http://www.harriscomm.com/lt-ls80-sirgy.html
• FM http://www.comfortaudio.com/int/Product.asp?Pa
geNumber=34&Product_Id=22
CART
Communication 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-relayservices.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
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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/Defendant
Jean F. Andrews, Ph.D., McCay Vernon, Ph.D. & Michele LaVigne, J.D.
http://dept.lamar.edu/cofac/deptdeaf/jandrews/43._Bill_of_Rights.pdf
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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
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An Interpreter Isn’t Enough: Deafness, Language and Due Process,
Michele LaVigne, J.D.
http://law.wisc.edu/profiles/extrafiles.php?iEmployeeID=161
Contact Information
PO Box 804297
Chicago, IL 60680-4104
800.894.3653 (voice)
312.873.3813 (fax)
KGAguilar@mcld.org (e-mail)
www.mcld.org (web)
VP by appointment only