Deaf Awareness

Question 1

What is a disability?

Answer 1

A physical or mental impairment that has a long term effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities

Question 2

What is the social model of disability?

Answer 2

It looks at disability as a socially created issue.it considers barriers in society that disable a person

Question 3

When can a person identify as deaf?
(3)

Answer 3

If their first language is British Sign Language (BSL)

If they were born deaf

If they lose their hearing at some point in their life

Question 4

What are some ways that we can communicate with a deaf person?
(6)

Answer 4

Listening and speaking

Lip reading

Sign language

Finger spelling

Sign supported English

Cued speech

Question 5

What is sign supported English?

Answer 5

When deaf people sign words that they can’t say. They may be able to speak, but they’ve forgotten a certain word, so they sign it instead

Question 6

How can we communicate with a deaf person through listening and speaking?

Answer 6

A deaf person may use technology such as hearing aids, cochlear implant or another kind of listening device.

Question 7

What are examples of technology that allow deaf people to communicate?
(7)

Answer 7

Hearing aids

Cochlear implant

Hearing loop

Personal listener

Assistive listening device

Radio aid

Smartphone

Question 8

How can we communicate with a deaf person through lip reading?
(2)

Answer 8

They’re lip reading classes that can help them to improve lip pattern recognition, since a lot of sounds look similar on the lips.

Some people may have communication support from a lip speaker. A lip speaker is trained to make their own lip patterns easy to read. They respeak what has been said with clear lip patterns

Question 9

How can we communicate with a deaf person through British Sign Language (BSL)?

Answer 9

Using signs that represent words or phrases. Signs are made using one or both hands. People using BSL may use BSL interpreters to help with communication. Also, a BSL user may be oral or non-oral; they may or may not use speech

Question 10

What is the BSL act?
Which year did it come?

Answer 10

The act formally recognises BSL as an official language of the UK

2022

Question 11

When is the learning of BSL in school coming in?

Answer 11

2025

Question 12

What are some environmental factors that can affect listening?
(8)

Answer 12

Attention- does the speaker have the person’s attention?

Background noise levels

Position of the person in relation to the speaker,e.g. can they see the speaker’s face? Visual cues

Mask wearing

Lighting conditions, e.g. is the speaker’s face well lit?

Expectations- will there be unexpected vocabulary?

Has the person understood what has been said?

Communication support, e.g. interpreter

Question 13

How can we communicate well with deaf people?
(5)

Answer 13

Good lighting

Eye contact

Good speech

Etiquette for using BSL interpreter or lip speaker

Attracting attention

Question 14

How can good lighting help us to communicate well with deaf people?

Answer 14

A speaker should have good lighting on their face so that the person can see their facial expressions and lip patterns. A speaker should avoid standing in front of bright light as this will cause shadow and loss of contrast and visibility of facial expression

Question 15

How can eye contact help us to communicate well with deaf people?
(2)

Answer 15

A speaker should have eye contact with the person they’re talking to. This makes sure that the speaker’s face is visible to the listener so they can pick upon facial expression and lip pattern

Stand or sit still when speaking

Question 16

How can good speech allow us to communicate well with deaf people?
(4)

Answer 16

Speak with your usual rhythm of speech

Don’t shout

Repeat any information that may need to be gone over again

Try rephrasing what you’ve said if the person is struggling to understand you. Don’t give up. Keep going

Check the person has understood

Question 17

How can etiquette for using BSL interpreter or lipspeaker help us to communicate with deaf people?
(3)

Answer 17

Look at the deaf person when you’re speaking, as they’re the person you’re communicating with. Speak directly to the deaf person. The deaf person will be watching the interpreter. The interpreter is best placed so that the deaf person has both you and the interpreter in their eye line

Speak at your usual pace and volume. This helps a person to be able to understand any lip patterns

Avoid a busy background as this can make it difficult for the deaf person to focus on the interpreter. An interpreter is likely to wear plain, dark clothing to help provide a good contrast to their signing space.

Question 18

How can attracting attention help us to communicate with deaf people?
(3)

Answer 18

Visual ways of attracting attention

Flash lights on and off

If you’re near the person, then you could tap the person on their arm or shoulder