10 Commandments For Communicating with Deaf Person.

Notes: For the majority of Deaf people, Irish Sign Language (ISL)is only the one natural and fully accessible language although most Deaf people can access spoken / written languages.

The following commandments relate to a situation where a person cannot use ISL or an interpreter is not present.

1. Always ask the Deaf person how they want to communicate, never assume.
2. Make good eye contact. Look directly at the Deaf person. Don’t look away, cover your face, chew gum or have a pen in your mouth while communicating with a Deaf person.
3. Ensure the Deaf person is looking at you before you attempt to communicate.
4. Don’t stand with a light or a window behind you. The light needs to be on your face – if not sure regarding the location, ask the Deaf person.
5. Be responsive: nod rather than saying “hmmm”. Use gestures, body Language and facial expressions to communicate the emotion of a message where appropriate (hint: avoid being overdramatic).
6. If this Deaf person wants to communicate by speech, you speak clearly and at a slightly slower pace, but don’t shout or over-enunciate mouth movements as this will distort your lip patterns. Keep your head fairly still.
7. If this person wants to communicate by note-writing, relax and be patient. You are obliged to respect his/her wish by to respond by writing.
8. Be prepared to repeat and rephrase information, if necessary (only for basic information), if information is more complicated, book an ISL interpreter.
9. Refer to visual information (drawing, diagrams or photographs) during conversations, if the subject is getting complex, book an ISL interpreter.
10. Best of all: learn some ISL!