Deaf/ Blind Interpreting

Ocean,

When a tactile terp explains my environment visually, they will describe what the room we are in looks like (is it large, small, does it have desks or tables, are there many people in it or no one at all, are there any windows, etc.) They will also tell me what people in the room are wearing if I ask them. For example, if someone is presenting a speech and I ask what they look like, my tactile terp will give me this information and sign something along the lines of "It is a female speaker. She is wearing a blue dress, earrings and has long, blonde hair." My tactile terp will also tell me about any facial expressions. If the speaker has a worried or angry look on their face, the terp will say "Speaker (or (insert name of speaker here) looks angry and is pacing the room back and forth."
 
Quite interesting here. I bookmark it now. :P I think it's good information and I take that as in a case. :)
 
I also wanted to add that when my tactile terp describes my environment visually, they do it in PSE so full sentences aren't used. The descriptions are brief, but not so brief that I cannot understand what my tactile terp means.
 
When my tactile terp identifies a speaker, she will point in their direction and then fingerspell their name. For example, if a speaker is to my left, they will point to the left and fingerspell their name or use their name sign if they have one. From that point on, every time they speak, they are identified by name.
 
Hearagain, you provided some great points that make sense to me now. I was a bit puzzled by the visual stuff , Its visual environment and people's expressions if they are happy, angry etc.. It really appears a lot of detail involved. I think its fascinating:)

I am getting a lot of insight; once , I am done studying for the national exam going to look into workshops on deaf/blind interpreting. I am taking one step at a time.
 
Ocean,

It really isn't difficult at all to provide visual descriptions for a deafblind person. It's just that some people are too lazy to do it or don't want to take the time necessary. This is why I think deafblind people deserve their own SSPs or intervenors at all times since a "regular" terp does not provide the same access to information. A deafblind person has just as much of a right to visual *and* auditory information as a Deaf person does to auditory information.
 
Hear Again said:
Ocean,

It really isn't difficult at all to provide visual descriptions for a deafblind person. It's just that some people are too lazy to do it or don't want to take the time necessary. This is why I think deafblind people deserve their own SSPs or intervenors at all times since a "regular" terp does not provide the same access to information. A deafblind person has just as much of a right to visual *and* auditory information as a Deaf person does to auditory information.
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I just feel in this sensitive situation more interpreting would be involved. Due to the nature of deaf/blind person is entitled to deserve environment descriptions and the people involved. It might have to do with timing if the person doesn't full fill the need of details due to hourly pay perhaps and just the job done perhaps?
 
Oceanblue7 said:
I just feel in this sensitive situation more interpreting would be involved. Due to the nature of deaf/blind person is entitled to deserve environment descriptions and the people involved. It might have to do with timing if the person doesn't full fill the need of details due to hourly pay perhaps and just the job done perhaps?
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I don't think it has to do with pay. I think it has more to do with being lazy or inattentive. Fortunately, all of the tactile terps I've had have been wonderful, but I'm sure there are some who do not take their job responsibilities seriously or do sloppy interpreting just as there are some "regular" terps for the Deaf who do.
 
Hear Again, if the terps are sloppy that's a whole different issue. If the lack detail information just to get all over with or something to that effect, then they need to clean up their work and start being professional.
 
Oceanblue7 said:
Hear Again, if the terps are sloppy that's a whole different issue. If the lack detail information just to get all over with or something to that effect, then they need to clean up their work and start being professional.
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I agree, but there isn't alot a deafblind person can do about that given the severe shortage of tactile terps available. In the area where I live, thee are only 3 tactile terps. It is much easier for the Deaf to speak out about inept terps than the deafblind since our choices are so limited.
 
I had my first encounter with a deaf/blind lady today. I was soo excited to apply the skills in real life. I met this deaf/blind lady , who had an interpreter with her walking around the booths at the deaf event, I met the interpreter who was very nice to me. I explained to her , that I am soo fascinated with the communication. I explained, that I have no experience and feels awkward to sign to a deaf/blind person. She asked , me if I would like to be introduced, and I said, yes. The interpreter explained to the deaf/blind lady that I am inexperience.

I was introduced and it was an amazing feeling to communicate with her. She said, I did good:) She will keep in touch with me and invited to deaf/blind meetings. I was soo blessed! She encouraged me to learn more bec there's a shortage of such.

I just thought would post my new experience in the deaf world :)
 
Great! We definitely need more interpreters who are aware of diversity. I don't even want to say just the DeafBlind community! I don't identify as DeafBlind. I have low-vision, but I use visual ASL just fine. I do need some extra modifications sometimes though and when the interpreters are aware it just makes my life that much easier. I work with one interpreter who knows me very well and she knows, just as well as I know, what lighting I need, how close I need her to sit given the lighting, what colour of clothes she should wear given the lighting, etc. It makes all the difference when interpreters are aware and willing to learn more and adapt to any client.
 
This thread is bookmarked- If you guys dont mind, I'll be using some of the information in here in my book.

Thanks.
 
Thanks for sharing JennyB about the wardrobe adjustments some terps need to make for those low vision individuals. I am still learning. It was a great experience ever.


Mr. Averythest, not a problem to bookmark this thread:)
 
deafblind signs for other counties

hi

is the deafblind alpabets the same world wide?

the nz deafblind serice (which is part of the royal foundation of the blind in nz) said they were
 
inmate23 said:
hi

is the deafblind alpabets the same world wide?

the nz deafblind serice (which is part of the royal foundation of the blind in nz) said they were
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I don't think they are. I can think of two off the top of my head: ASL and BSL alphabets.
 
does any1 no nz deafblind alphabet?

update

the nz royal foundation of the blind website takes me to the british manual deafblind aplabet
 
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