Sign Language and Interpreting

In the event that a student who is deaf or hard of hearing enrolls in your class, one or two Sign Language interpreters may work in the classroom with the student. Interpreters are professionals hired by the college to provide a communication link between hearing and deaf members of the campus community.

The interpreter(s) will be sitting in the front of the classroom facing the student. This enables the hearing impaired student to see the instructor, the interpreter, and the blackboard at the same time. The interpreter's presence might be distracting at first, but the novelty soon disappears.

American Sign Language is a visual language; it is not a written language. Depending on the reading ability and/or educational status of deaf/hard of hearing student, some written material may also need to be translated by the ASL Interpreter.

See the Sign Language page of this site for more information.

Speechreading

Individuals with hearing impairments come from diverse backgrounds. As a result, they exhibit a variety of communication styles and competencies. It is significant, however, that there are very few hearing impaired persons who have no hearing at all. Many can distinguish between sound and no sound. Although many have difficulty comprehending speech, they have developed alternative methods for understanding spoken language. One of the most common methods many, but not all, hearing impaired persons use to understand spoken language is speechreading. This method is trying to "read" the lips of the person speaking. However, the skill level of the speechreader varies greatly with each individual and the specific communication situation. One person may be able to speechread most things, another nothing. In addition, accent, rate of speech, classroom environment, lecture material and other factors influence every communication exchange. Consequently, in all communication exchange, it is the responsibility of the deaf or hard of hearing individual to state their particular communication needs.

Suggestions

The following suggestions have been found to be helpful to both the deaf or hard of hearing student and the interpreter in your class:

• In conversation, speak to the hearing impaired student, not the interpreter (it may be hard to remember this at first but it is an important courtesy).
• Speak at a normal rate of speed and face the class when lecturing; please do not face the blackboard. Avoid blocking a view of your lip movement. Do not mumble.
• Write technical words on the board.
• Avoid walking between the interpreter and the student.
• Always try to use closed captioned video materials, but when showing uncaptioned films or slides, be aware that the student will need some light to watch the interpreter.
• It is not possible for the deaf or hard of hearing student to simultaneously watch the interpreter and take notes, therefore a volunteer student in your class needs to be recruited to take notes for the student. Please make it a point in your class to request volunteers. NCR paper will be provided by DSPS for note taking.
• Most deaf or hard of hearing persons speechread to some degree. However, speechreading is an "approximation" of what is said. When you are communicating with a student who is speechreading, use pictures, written notes and gestures.
• Speechreading classroom discussion is very difficult due to the inability of the deaf or hard of hearing person to identify the speaker. If at all possible, allow discussion groups to sit in a circle or semicircle so that the deaf or hard of hearing person may see all speakers.
• In class discussions, allow only one person to speak at a time. Have individuals raise their hands when speaking to visually cue the deaf or hard of hearing student.
• Most deaf or hard of hearing persons have some language difficulties because of their inability to hear spoken language. Providing vocabulary lists ahead of time, notes on a particularly difficult topic or tutoring time to the student is beneficial.
• Some deaf or hard of hearing students may be able to speak but are difficult to understand as they cannot monitor the pitch or volume of their voices. Some word pronunciations may be different, also. Please ask them to repeat what you do not understand or to write down the word, phrase or question.
• Please be aware that some deaf or hard of hearing students may have difficulty understanding or writing the English language because English may not be their first language.
• Each deaf or hard of hearing student is unique with different communication needs. Please ask the student directly when you have questions concerning their communication needs. General information about hearing disabilities is available from DSPS Office (415) 452-5481. Please feel free to call if you have any questions or concerns.