Miss-Delectable
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http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060706/SHE0601/607060442/1111/SHEopinion
As a deaf person living in the Sheboygan area, I would like to share some suggestions based upon my experiences communicating with people that I encounter on a daily basis — whether I am at the gas station or a restaurant.
I would like to inform people on how to communicate with a deaf person. Most people will not meet a deaf person in their lifetime.
Communicating with a deaf person isn't something that one would think about until a situation arises. However, deaf people are all around. We drive cars, go grocery shopping, hold down jobs, and do anything that everyone else would do except hear.
Deaf people aren't always visible because on the outside, we look just like everyone else. Not all deaf people wear hearing aids or cochlear implants. Not all deaf people are expert speech readers. Not all deaf people are able to speak or use sign language.
Each deaf person has unique communication needs, but there are some general rules to follow.
If a person comes up to you with a written note, the chances are that he or she is deaf. He or she is making an attempt to communicate with you, not to make you uncomfortable. I understand that most people aren't used to having a conversation in writing, but in writing is usually the best way to ensure that you are being understood and the deaf person is able to communicate with you — which makes writing a win-win situation for both individuals involved.
There are times where others may perceive deaf people as being rude when actually the deaf person didn't hear you. From personal experience, I have been asked to move in a crowd and didn't know it. A simple solution is to tap me on the shoulder.
By keeping these things in mind when communicating with a deaf person, you are helping to bridge a connection between deaf and hearing people.
SARA COLLINS
As a deaf person living in the Sheboygan area, I would like to share some suggestions based upon my experiences communicating with people that I encounter on a daily basis — whether I am at the gas station or a restaurant.
I would like to inform people on how to communicate with a deaf person. Most people will not meet a deaf person in their lifetime.
Communicating with a deaf person isn't something that one would think about until a situation arises. However, deaf people are all around. We drive cars, go grocery shopping, hold down jobs, and do anything that everyone else would do except hear.
Deaf people aren't always visible because on the outside, we look just like everyone else. Not all deaf people wear hearing aids or cochlear implants. Not all deaf people are expert speech readers. Not all deaf people are able to speak or use sign language.
Each deaf person has unique communication needs, but there are some general rules to follow.
If a person comes up to you with a written note, the chances are that he or she is deaf. He or she is making an attempt to communicate with you, not to make you uncomfortable. I understand that most people aren't used to having a conversation in writing, but in writing is usually the best way to ensure that you are being understood and the deaf person is able to communicate with you — which makes writing a win-win situation for both individuals involved.
There are times where others may perceive deaf people as being rude when actually the deaf person didn't hear you. From personal experience, I have been asked to move in a crowd and didn't know it. A simple solution is to tap me on the shoulder.
By keeping these things in mind when communicating with a deaf person, you are helping to bridge a connection between deaf and hearing people.
SARA COLLINS
