There are 12 million people in the UK who are d/Deaf, over 50,000 of them are children and young people. Derby and Derbyshire has one of the largest d/Deaf communities in the UK.
It is important to understand how to refer to someone who is d/Deaf, please read more here. The deaf community has a strong identity and it is important to raise awareness of deaf culture, especially with our large deaf community here in Derbyshire. The NDCS website has some useful information on deaf culture.
When organising a meeting, either face to face or virtually, please consider the following advice:
Face to face:
- Consider the venue acoustics and lighting
- If training, please provide a basic training plan to allow familiarity with any new words or concepts that will be spoken ahead of time
- If you are the speaker, face your audience and ensure your lips are visible, do not walk around or move more than necessary, project your voice, consider the speed at which you are speaking and use a variety of communication methods to share information
- Ensure videos have subtitles
- Test the Loop system ahead of time so you know it is working
- Consider booking a BSL interpreter.
Virtual (MS Teams):
- Turn on your video when you are speaking
- Use the spotlight function for the main speakers
- If you are chairing the meeting, please manage participants behaviour, for example, not talking over each other
- If you are chairing the meeting, provide a summary of a participant's words to ensure the whole audience has heard
- Ensure videos have subtitles.
- British Sign Language Interpreter - our interpreting and translation service includes BSL, please book an interpreter to help your patient
- Record patient specific communication requirements on S1 records as patient status alert
- Check patient specific communication requirements on S1 at the start of any encounter
- Ask if anything helps the individual
- Get their full attention, and give your full attention
- Face the person when you are speaking
- Re-phrase what you say
- Reduce background noise
- Write it down
- Use live speech to text apps
151,000 people use British Sign Language, however, British Sign Language only became recognised as a language in its own right in 2003 and legally as an official language of Britain in 2022. Our interpreting and translation service includes BSL, please book an interpreter to help your patient
Read more about sign language from the National Deaf Children's Society here.
Over the last few years, the use of face masks has made communication for d/Deaf people a challenge. It is really important to consider the impact on a Deaf person of not being able to see facial expressions or lip read. Here are some communication tips for wearing facemasks.
- Keep it clear - if you choose to wear a mask, make sure it is one with a clear panel if you can so your mouth is visible
- Write it down - if speech isn't working, write it down or use text message
- Find a quiet place - this will make it easier to hear, especially if technology is used to support hearing
- Be patient - be flexible, creative, and most of all patient
- Use an app - there are mobile apps that can translate speech into text.
Information from the National Deaf Children's Society.
Please search ESR and complete the Disability Matters - Deaf Communication Matters online e-learing.
By the end of the session you will be able to:
- Describe the diversity within the deaf population, including:
- Types/levels/causes of deafness
- Use of equipment
- Communication needs and preferences
- Deaf identity
- Make at least two changes to your everyday practice that will:
- Improve communication with deaf children and young people
- Support deaf children and young people in accessing services/activities