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Disability Awareness: For the
Deaf Person
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DON'TS
Talk to the
"hearing person" not the interpreter. (Hearing Person means the person
whom you have the appointment with). You should say: "I want to know..." Don't say,
"Tell him I
want to know..." The
interpreter should be sitting next to the hearing person so that you can
watch the interpreter and the hearing person at the same time.
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Don't expect the
interpreter to remember your important information (such as next
appointment date, payment due date, etc.). Interpreters are too busy
interpreting the information between you and the hearing person to
remember what was said. It is your responsibility to remember or write
down important information.
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If you
don't understand the hearing person, say so! It is very important that
you let people know that you do not understand them so they can say
things in a different way.
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Don't blame the interpreter if
you do not get what you want from the hearing person. The interpreter
does not make decisions for you or the hearing person.
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Chat with the interpreter before
your appointment so you can be sure you understand each other. Make sure
that the interpreter understands you and that you understand the
interpreter.
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If you don't understand the
interpreter's signing, say so! All interpreters sign differently. You
may understand some interpreters better than you can others. Try to work
out the best way of communication for each other. If you still cannot
understand the interpreter, ask for a different interpreter.
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Make sure you know who is
paying the interpreter. If you are paying the interpreter, be sure you
know how much the interpreter will charge you. Most interpreters charge
$25 to $35 per hour. They also may charge a minimum of 2 hours which
means you should be ready to pay at least $50 or $75.
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Tell the interpreter if your
appointment is cancelled. This is important especially if you are paying
the interpreter. If you
don't cancel your appointment, you may still need to pay.
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Don't ask the interpreter for
advice. you should make your own decisions about what is best for you.
If you need advice, ask a friend or family member.
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Don't tell the interpreter
something that you don't want them to tell the hearing person. If the
hearing person sees you signing to the interpreter, the hearing person
is going to want to know what you're saying. REMEMBER, THE INTERPRETER
IS THERE TO INTERPRET EVERYTHING THAT IS SPOKEN OR SIGNED.
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Don't
expect the interpreter to think or say things for you. You sign and
think for yourself. Interpreters are not mind readers.
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Don't tell the interpreter your
problem, especially if it is legal. Save it for the hearing person.
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Don't ask the interpreter for
their opinion. They are there to interpret only and to keep your
information confidential (secret).
OVER
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(!1 12/3/99)
FOR THE HEARING
PERSON
DO'S
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Do speak directly to the Deaf
person. Pretend the interpreter is not even there. It is easier on
everyone to speak in first person. "Hi, my name is Jane." Not, "Tell her
my name is Jane."
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Do allow the interpreter to sit
close to you. Doing so, allows the deaf person to see you and the
interpreter and see your expressions which is an important form of
communication.
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Do look at the Deaf person as
you talk with him or her. The interpreter will sign what you say. It is
important that you watch the Deaf person's expressions in response to
your statements and questions. This will ease communication between you
and the Deaf person.
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Do speak
at a normal rate of speed. If you are speaking too fast, the interpreter
will ask you to slow down. If you talk too slow (in hopes to help the
interpreter) this will make
it difficult for the interpreter to render what you are saying in a
smooth manner.
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Do make
your statements clear. Because American Sign Language (ASL) is their
primary language, the average Deaf person reads at a low English level. Make sure your
ideas are understood by making them as basic as possible.
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Do avoid
using English idioms such as "Mary is playing with fire." Idioms are
sometimes hard to explain as well as to interpret them. Try to refrain
from using idioms and say what you really mean.
DON'TS
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Don't say
things to the interpreter that you don't want repeated to the Deaf
person. The interpreter is there to relay messages back and forth.
If you become frustrated and vent your feelings to the interpreter,
the interpreter is obligated to interpret what you have said.
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Don't ask the interpreter for
his/her opinion about the Deaf person. The interpreter is not in a
position to make judgments about the Deaf person. The interpreter is
only to make communication clear between you and the Deaf person.
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Try not
to take phone calls during your appointment. Deaf people may think you
are talking about them in their presence. The interpreter will also be
obligated to interpret your part of the phone conversation.
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Don't expect the interpreter to
do anything except relay the information to the Deaf person. The
interpreter is not expected to remind the Deaf person of upcoming
appointments, take notes, run errands or work for the Deaf person.
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Don't
hold personal conversations with the interpreter. The interpreter is
there to only interpret the conversation at hand. Please direct all
conversations toward the Deaf person involved only.
S 10 E. North
Broadway
• Columbus, OH 43214-4114 • 614-263-5 151 voice • 614-263-2299 TTY
• 614-263-5365 fax Programs of the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center
Accredited by
the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CAAF) • A
United Way Agency
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