Communication within the db community and among db people is complex. Communication within the db community and among db people is complex

Communication within the DB Community and among DB people is complex.

• Communication within the DB Community and among DB people is complex.

• In this presentation we survey:

• Variation
• Ergonomics
• Signals and
• Technology

DB people communicate in a variety of ways.

• DB people communicate in a variety of ways.

• Most use either spoken English or Sign Language for their primary face to face communication.

• A very few use some form of spelling.

• Sign language (a variety of American Sign Language or ASL) can be perceived visually, tactually or using come combination of vision and touch.

Standing at a distance slightly greater than usual.

• Standing at a distance slightly greater than usual.

Again, at a slightly greater than usual distance.

• Again, at a slightly greater than usual distance.

The woman on the right is listening to the SSP using her left hand.

• The woman on the right is listening to the SSP using her left hand.

The man on the right is listening to the woman on the left, using Sign Language. He is using a combination of touch (his hands on her wrists) and vision (watching her hands).

• The man on the right is listening to the woman on the left, using Sign Language. He is using a combination of touch (his hands on her wrists) and vision (watching her hands).

Reading English visually, supplemented by Sign Language tactually.

• Reading English visually, supplemented by Sign Language tactually.

The DB woman on the right is using her hearing to listen to the young woman on her left who has just guided her to the elevator.

• The DB woman on the right is using her hearing to listen to the young woman on her left who has just guided her to the elevator.

ALDs are assistive listening devices. There are different types.

• ALDs are assistive listening devices. There are different types.

The modality (vision, hearing, touch) is distinct from the language. One can read printed English visually, listen auditorily, etc.

• The modality (vision, hearing, touch) is distinct from the language. One can read printed English visually, listen auditorily, etc.

• People who become deaf-blind often find it useful to know both English and ASL.

‘Ergonomics’ is the study of how furniture, chairs, tools, and so on in our environment affect our bodies and how to make, arrange and use them in the most comfortable way so as to not injure ourselves through awkward postures, etc.

• ‘Ergonomics’ is the study of how furniture, chairs, tools, and so on in our environment affect our bodies and how to make, arrange and use them in the most comfortable way so as to not injure ourselves through awkward postures, etc.

• Be conscious of how you are sitting, standing and walking, and how that causes strain on your back, your arms, and so on.

Stay on the same plane or level rather than having one person reaching up. Reaching up puts a strain on your arms.

• Stay on the same plane or level rather than having one person reaching up. Reaching up puts a strain on your arms.

• Get close so you don’t have to stretch too far forward.

• Look at the next slide and see how these women are supporting themselves.

The DB woman on the left is using the table to support her back, and the back of her chair to support her listening arm.

• The DB woman on the left is using the table to support her back, and the back of her chair to support her listening arm.

• The sighted woman on the right is leaning back against her chair to rest her back.

You can reach out and touch a hand or shoulder for attention.

• You can reach out and touch a hand or shoulder for attention.

• You can use vibration (e.g. quiet “pounding” on the table between you).

The word “OK” has spread throughout the world and means many things. It is not so much a word as it is a signal: “understanding,” “all is well,” and a transition to a new topic or activity are some examples.

• The word “OK” has spread throughout the world and means many things. It is not so much a word as it is a signal: “understanding,” “all is well,” and a transition to a new topic or activity are some examples.

• Hand gestures signal us to come forward, indicate size or direction, emotion and so on.

• Indeed ‘pauses’ or the absence of words/actions are themselves signals.

While guiding a deaf-blind person you will use pauses or changes in your pace to indicate a change in the terrain (curbs, doors, an increase of traffic, etc.). A slowing pace signals ‘attention up’ that something is coming.

• While guiding a deaf-blind person you will use pauses or changes in your pace to indicate a change in the terrain (curbs, doors, an increase of traffic, etc.). A slowing pace signals ‘attention up’ that something is coming.

Pauses may indicate your own attention is elsewhere (e.g. getting your money out of your wallet, listening to a clerk) which need to be followed by communication to the deaf-blind person

• Pauses may indicate your own attention is elsewhere (e.g. getting your money out of your wallet, listening to a clerk) which need to be followed by communication to the deaf-blind person

Of course, we learn about the environment through signals and the deaf-blind person may want to know what those are. For example, how do we know, when we enter an elevator, how many floors the elevator serves?

• Of course, we learn about the environment through signals and the deaf-blind person may want to know what those are. For example, how do we know, when we enter an elevator, how many floors the elevator serves?

‘Back-channeling’ is the linguistic term for the response we give to the speaker as we listen. In English, it’s the “oh,” “umm,” “sheesh” to show our response.

• ‘Back-channeling’ is the linguistic term for the response we give to the speaker as we listen. In English, it’s the “oh,” “umm,” “sheesh” to show our response.

• In ASL it is all the facial expressions and head nods as well as the signs “[Y-hand-nod]” and “awful”.

• Back-channeling can be verbal, or non-verbal, auditory, visual or tactual.

Back-channel signals indicate you are paying attention and listening.

• Back-channel signals indicate you are paying attention and listening.

• They indicate your response or reaction (including feelings) to what is being said.

• Without tactual back-channeling a deaf-blind speaker feels like they are talking to the air with no response.

In the previous slide the listeners are responding with verbal (ASL) back-channel signs “yes, yeah” indicating understanding.

• In the previous slide the listeners are responding with verbal (ASL) back-channel signs “yes, yeah” indicating understanding.

• There are also ‘taps’ or ‘squeezes’ that serve as non-verbal responses.

In the next slide, aj granda is talking to a group. Co-instructor Jelica Nuccio on her left is listening. Notice Jelica’s left hand ‘nodding’ on aj’s knee, as she listens.

• In the next slide, aj granda is talking to a group. Co-instructor Jelica Nuccio on her left is listening. Notice Jelica’s left hand ‘nodding’ on aj’s knee, as she listens.

• The interpreter on aj’s right is also leaving her hand on aj’s knee to indicate her passive presence.

Back-channeling is what the listener gives while listening.

• Back-channeling is what the listener gives while listening.

• Feedback might come as verbal reporting of the responses of others.

• For example, an SSP might inform the DB person that the clerk is nodding.

The three women in the next slide - all fluent signers - are having a three-way conversation tactually.

• The three women in the next slide - all fluent signers - are having a three-way conversation tactually.

• The signer (center) is using both hands as her dominant hand (signing the same thing to both).

• Notice that the two women listening (left and right) are maintaining contact with one another as well as with the woman talking.

As you spend time with deaf-blind people, or just one deaf-blind person, you will notice many more things than can be included in this curriculum.

• As you spend time with deaf-blind people, or just one deaf-blind person, you will notice many more things than can be included in this curriculum.

• It is important that you pay attention and continue learning.

• As you learn more, your body will remember for you.

There is no “right answer” but…

• There is no “right answer” but…

• There are “wrong answers”.

• You have heard “It depends…”

• But – depends on what?

• This means you have to be aware, observant and analytical. Think about what you observe and feel.

In a way, “play” is practice. Young children “play house” practicing roles in the family and as they grow, other games inculcate skills and attitudes of “sportsmanship”.

• In a way, “play” is practice. Young children “play house” practicing roles in the family and as they grow, other games inculcate skills and attitudes of “sportsmanship”.

• The best SSPs (and interpreters) are those who spend leisure time with deaf-blind people as well as work time.

The beginning of this power point emphasized the importance of touch but it is deeper than that.

• The beginning of this power point emphasized the importance of touch but it is deeper than that.

• Respect means really seeing the person with whom we are communicating.

The default low-vision print is dark, bold, slightly larger and non-glare.

• The default low-vision print is dark, bold, slightly larger and non-glare.

• When writing a note use a bold, felt-tip pen on buff or yellow (non-glare) paper.

• When typing use Arial (which is “sans-serif”), in black (not blue, red, etc. as is sometimes used by email programs). Once you’ve typed the message, ‘bold’ it all (but do not use “Arial Bold” as this is too thick).

There are software applications used by some blind people to read print on their computers. These allow the blind person to adjust the colors, size of text and so on.

• There are software applications used by some blind people to read print on their computers. These allow the blind person to adjust the colors, size of text and so on.

Technology is both changing and improving as we speak.

• Technology is both changing and improving as we speak.

• Technology (i.e. equipment) for DB people is often playing catch-up, a few years behind technology for sighted/hearing people but the time lag is getting shorter and shorter.

The Deaf-Blind Communicator (DBC) is a portable device for face-to-face, text and TTY communication.

• The Deaf-Blind Communicator (DBC) is a portable device for face-to-face, text and TTY communication.

• Other devices offer GPS and email.

Communication is much more than just language, it is also the form of the language; our attention to detail and our awareness of our own issues and tendencies.

• Communication is much more than just language, it is also the form of the language; our attention to detail and our awareness of our own issues and tendencies.

What is your family’s communication style? Is your family very verbal, talking a lot or do they show their connections in other ways?

• What is your family’s communication style? Is your family very verbal, talking a lot or do they show their connections in other ways?

• What is your family’s style with regard to touch? Are they affectionate or do they give each other space?

• What communication patterns in your family do you want to challenge or change for yourself?