Consider these strategies to help create mutually beneficial work relationships between deaf and hearing employees on the job.
Before the Meeting
- Consider the layout of the room (i.e. circular seating) in order to provide good communication.
- Install assistive listening systems.
- Hold meetings in a quiet, well-lit room.
- Ask deaf or hard-of-hearing employees if they prefer an interpreter.
- Let deaf employees determine the best seating arrangement to see the speaker and interpreter.
- Assign a person to inform deaf or hard-of-hearing employees of important announcements.
During the Meeting
- Point to the person who is speaking.
- Watch for signals that deaf or hard-of-hearing employees wish to contribute.
- Ensure that one person speaks at a time.
- Do not pace while giving a presentation.
- Speak clearly and slowly.
- Do not talk with your back to the audience while writing on a blackboard.
After the Meeting
- Have minutes or notes taken for future reference.
- Review critical issues introduced in a meeting to ensure understanding.
- Use hands-on demonstrations to assist in training.
- Allow extra time for communication when training.
- Provide an outline of the training session.
- Assign a mentor to work directly with deaf or hard-of-hearing employees during the training period.
- Incorporate visual aids, demonstrations, flip charts, written agendas, and handouts in presentations
- Use appropriate accommodations.
In Case of Emergency
- Use a buddy system to alert deaf or hard-of-hearing employees to emergency situations.
- Install flashing lights to work in conjunction with auditory alarms.
- Review safety procedures, including exits and alarms.
- Use texting, e-mail or pager to contact deaf or hard-of-hearing employees in the event of an emergency.
- Notify security if deaf or hard-of-hearing employees are alone in work areas.
Source: National Technical Institute for the Deaf National Center on Employment at: http://www.ntid.rit.edu/nce.