Anita Dowd Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Equal Access for Victims who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Can You Provide It? Anita Dowd Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

DID YOU KNOW? Hearing loss is a major public health issue that ranks third in line after arthritis and heart disease as one of the most common physical conditions? 36 million people in the United States have a hearing loss. At age 65, one out of three people has a hearing loss It is estimated that 30 school children per 1,000 have hearing loss Over 600,000 Kentuckians have a hearing loss Hearing Loss Association of America

WHAT’S IN A NAME? NOT Acceptable Death Deef Deaf n Dumb Mute Hearing Impaired Acceptable Deaf Hard of Hearing Late Deafened

Severely Hard of Hearing POPULATION DIVERSITY Deaf Severely Hard of Hearing Hard of Hearing Late Deafened DETERMINED BY: Labels are an individual thing. Type of Hearing Loss Degree of Hearing Loss Age of onset

*ENGLISH IS USUALLY THE FIRST LANGUAGE* HARD OF HEARING Individuals who have some degree of residual hearing and can use it for communication purposes. Usually have mild to moderate hearing loss Individuals who are deaf but who do not want to be affiliated with the Deaf community Individuals who experience hearing loss later in their adult life (late deafened) Usually do not become involved with Deaf culture and refer to themselves as hard of hearing. May or may not learn sign *ENGLISH IS USUALLY THE FIRST LANGUAGE* *Usually will have some degree of understandable speech. *Some can use the phone. *GRIEVE FOR THEIR LOSS. FEEL BROKEN.

*ENGLISH IS USUALLY NOT THE FIRST LANGAUGE* DEAF A particular group of deaf people who share a common language (ASL) and culture. They have the same norms, values and traditions. Residential school Body language, face and hands Eye contact and touch Folklore and humor This is a very close knit community based on ASL. They have a strong history and are very proud of their heritage. They are not ashamed of their deafness. Accept it as a part of who they are and move on. Not grieving. Do not feel impaired or broke and feel no need to be “fixed”. *ENGLISH IS USUALLY NOT THE FIRST LANGAUGE*

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) One of the most widely used languages in the United States. Taught in many public schools and Universities across the U.S. Used primarily by Deaf and Hard of Hearing Americans and Canadians. Distinct visual language with its own grammar and syntax. However, there is no written form of ASL. ASL is NOT English on the hands!! Explain in more detail

LACK OF ACCESSIBLE SERVICES Communication barriers exist for deaf victims in every step they need to take to receive help. Law Enforcement Hospital Domestic Violence agencies Domestic Violence shelters Courts Even when deaf victims are fortunate enough to be aware that services ARE available, the services are rarely ever accessible.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II (state & local government) and Title III (private & non profits) require that ALL Domestic Violence agencies provide accommodations in order to make make their programs accessible to deaf victims. Effective communication MUST take place in order for a deaf victim to benefit from any kind of service! The best program in the world is useless to an individual who cannot understand it! We are not asking for MORE we are only asking for EQUAL!

ALWAYS ASK THE INDIVIDUAL WHAT WORKS BEST FOR THEM! ACCOMMODATIONS Qualified interpreters CART – Communication Access Realtime Translation Written notes (for individuals with a strong English skills) for short, brief conversations. TTYs, Videophones, Amplified phones, Handheld devices Visual alert signalers (fire alarms, phone ringing, door knocks) Closed captions for TV ALWAYS ASK THE INDIVIDUAL WHAT WORKS BEST FOR THEM!

INTERPRETERS Everyone deserves the opportunity to communicate in their native language, especially in a time of need. Native ASL users should not be expected to communicate only through written notes. If an individual requests an interpreter, one should be provided either through VRI or on site. Written notes can be used to inform the individual that an interpreter has been contacted and is on the way. However, the individual should not be forgotten while waiting for the interpreter. Efforts should be made to comfort and reassure the individual during the wait.

INTERPRETERS Qualified interpreter means an interpreter who, via a video remote interpreting (VRI) service or an on-site appearance, is able to interpret effectively, accurately, and impartially, both receptively and expressively, using any necessary specialized vocabulary. Qualified interpreters include, sign language interpreters, oral transliterators, and cued-language transliterators. To help ensure that you are getting a qualified interpreter, Kentucky has a licensure law that requires all individuals who work as an interpreter have a license to do so. In order to get a license they must pass certification examinations.

TIPS FOR USING INTERPRETERS Kentucky has a Licensure Law so be sure to use only licensed interpreters Ask the deaf person if they have a particular interpreter they are comfortable with and use that interpreter if at all possible. Do not talk directly to the interpreter. Talk to and look directly at the deaf person. Talk normally, the interpreter is trained to keep up. They will let you know if you need to repeat something. NEVER ALLOW A DEAF VICTIMS CHILD TO ACT AS THEIR INTERPRETER!!

Video Relay Interpreting (VRI) An interpreting service that uses video conference or wireless technology that delivers high quality video images. Kentucky Hospital Association has recently selected a VRI company that will be used in several hospitals across the state.

CART is frequently called Realtime Captioning. Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is the instant translation of the spoken word into English text using a stenotype machine, notebook computer and realtime software. CART is frequently called Realtime Captioning.

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COMMUNICATION TIPS Get the persons attention before you begin speaking Look directly at the individual Make sure your face/mouth is visible Speak clearly but do not shout or over exaggerate Avoid standing in front of bright light (window, lamp) Use gestures and body language Use questions that must be answered with more than a simple yes or no. This ensures that the deaf individual will not be able to nod in agreement even when they don’t understand.

MORE COMMUNICATION TIPS ALWAYS ask the deaf individual how they prefer to communicate. When an interpreter is requested please let the individual know that one will be provided. When you must use written notes, keep it direct. Keep plenty of note pads and pencils available. A computer is a great way to write notes back and forth. Do not assume that every deaf individual can lipread-many do not. Lipreading at its best is only about 30% accurate