DeafBlind Interpreting Guidelines
Topics
Definitions
DeafBlind Interpreter Guidelines
- MAKING CONTACT
- COMMUNICATION MODES
- MOBILITY AND ACCESS
- LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT AND BREAKS
- INTERPRETING THE ENVIRONMENT
- SPECIAL NEEDS
- CODES AND ADAPTIONS FOR TACTILE INTERPRETING
- SEATING
- CLOTHING
- LIGHTING
- BREAKS AND SOCIAL SITUATIONS
- PERSONAL HYGIENE
- REMEMBER...
Definitions
Visual Frame (Box Signing) Signs are made within a more confined space or “box,” the size of which is individual to the client; interpreters’ distance from client also depends upon the client’s individual preference. Using this technique allows a client with a limited visual field to see the signs and the interpreter’s facial expressions and mouth movements simultaneously.
Close Vision Same as above, but with interpreter directly in front of client, within very close proximity. This is used when the client(s) have reduced visual acuity, as well as a peripheral field loss.
Tracking Client holds wrist(s) of interpreter to keep signs within the client’s field of vision and to gain information from interpreter’s movements. This technique is meant to reduce the client’s visual fatigue by helping them to keep track of where the interpreter’s hands are in space.
Tactile Signing In this technique the client places her/his hands over the hands of the interpreter, in order to read signs through touch and movement. Tactile signing can be taxing for interpreters, and may require more frequent interpreter switches or breaks. The interpreter should supply both auditory and visual information to the client. It is important to determine a seating arrangement that is comfortable to both the client and the interpreter. Tactile signing is used by client’s who have very limited vision and by those who are blind.
Tactile Finger spelling (DeafBlind Alphabet) The two–hand manual alphabet (i.e. the one used in British Sign Language) is adapted to fingerspell letters onto the palm of the client’s hand. Most DeafBlind people in the United States use the standard ASL alphabet, however, interpreters may encounter clients who know and prefer the DeafBlind alphabet.
Short–cut Signs Key signs that can be signed onto palm of client’s hand are used as a supplement to tactile finger spelling; generally used in English word order.
DeafBlind Interpreter Guidelines
By Jill Gaus, President of SHI-M=DB Self Help for Independence in Michigan Equalizing the DeafBlind
and Beth Kennedy M.Ed., QA II
An interpreter who has experience with one client who is DeafBlind may be unaware of the methods and requirements of other individuals who are DeafBlind. It is important to remember that support needs vary greatly among DeafBlind people.
Although many of the principles regarding interpreting for people who are DeafBlind will be the same as for people who are Deaf, (i.e.: Confidentiality, Professional Standards, Impartiality, etc.) it is essential that interpreters and interpreting agencies be aware of the unique needs of DeafBlind people, and their individual interpreting needs. Interpreters will often be required to provide transportation for DeafBlind clients, and may have to assist with their guide dogs (if the client has one).
The minimum prerequisite to interpreting for a client who is DeafBlind should be a DeafBlind awareness course, including a hands–on demonstration of the various communication adaptations used by DeafBlind people, and sighted guide techniques.
MAKING CONTACT
- Always let the client who is DeafBlind know you are there.
- Approach from the front and gradually move to the side to give the client the opportunity to use any residual central or peripheral vision available.
- If there is no response indicating that the client has seen you, place your hand on the client’s hand or arm and leave it there so that s/he can easily locate you. Avoid tapping which can be startling.
- At this point the client may respond by raising a hand to indicate that she/he requires tactile communication; the client may also respond by using his/her preferred method of communication to greet you.
- Introduce yourself using the client’s preferred method of communication, even if you know the client. Always identify yourself when approaching someone who is DeafBlind, making sure that she/he has understood you.
COMMUNICATION MODES
(questions to ask your client)
- What is the client’s preferred mode of communication?
- What mode(s) of communication will be used if a change from the client’s primary mode is required? (ie: the client becomes visually fatigued, there is poor lighting, the lights are dimmed for a video, or in the event of a black out)
- If using tactile finger spelling, are abbreviations or short–cuts acceptable to the individual? If so, what are they?
- Determine the rate or speed of interpreting the client prefers.
MOBILITY AND ACCESS
- Learn basic sighted guide techniques. Some DeafBlind clients may require a sighted guide. Even clients who do not use a sighted guide regularly may need assistance in some situations (i.e. after a change in lighting, until her/his eyes adjust).
- Sighted guiding involves specific techniques where a sighted person accompanies a client who is DeafBlind (or blind) to guide them safely to a destination. There are established techniques used when guiding to ensure safety. It is important to know some basic techniques if you will be working with someone who is DeafBlind.
- Ask if the client will require a sighted guide; do not assume she/he will.
- Offer sighted guiding by placing your hand on the top/back of the client’s hand; if the client requires sighted guide s/he will generally move his/her hand up your arm to your elbow and lightly grip your arm just above the elbow joint. This grip will position the client a safe half–pace behind you. Alternatively, some clients may prefer resting their arm on your forearm, linking arms, or putting their hand on your shoulder. Ask for, and respect, individual preferences.
- A client who does not require a sighted guide in good lighting or during the day, may require sighted guide at night or in dark or changing light conditions.
- Never grab the client’s hand or arm to pull or steer him/her; and never push the client in front of you.
- Advise the client of any dangerous obstacles, steps, or narrow passages; does the client have any particular signals for this kind of information? (Discuss this ahead of time)
- Avoid interpreting or communicating while walking or using sighted guide, as this can be distracting and dangerous; if interpreting is required in transit, stop, communicate, and then resume walking when the communication has ceased.
- Are there any transport needs such as organizing a taxi, or making a phone for transportation after the session?
- Is there wheelchair access, if required?
- Are there any guide dog requirements, such as a relief area?
[Remember that a guide dog is a working animal and is not to be distracted by patting or calling it while in harness.]
LENGTH OF ASSIGNMENT AND BREAKS
- Two interpreters are required, to allow for breaks, if the assignment is for more than one hour.
- It is very important to remember that the client may also require a break.
- Tactile interpreting can be very tiring both mentally and physically; the interpreter may need to move away from the client to ensure a real break, as ‘chatting’ to the client during the break may defeat the purpose of the break. However, let the client know where you will be during the break, if she/he should need to find you.
- Remember, deafblindness can be very isolating for an individual; ask what the client would like to do during an interpreter break (i.e. Does she/he want assistance finding someone?)
INTERPRETING THE ENVIRONMENT
- Physical and visual information, as well as auditory information, must be interpreted.
- It is very important to remember that the client may also require a break.
-
Establish what kinds of incidental information the client would like, to help to create a ‘picture’ of the environment. Some examples include:
– Layout of room(s) or area?
– Objects or items in the room? - Location of other participants should be explained.
- Inform the client of any new arrivals, people leaving, or other changes in physical environment.
- Interpret emotional overtones, dynamics, head nods, body postures, etc.
- Indicate who is speaking by name, not pointing; if you do not already know everyone’s names, the use of nametags or a seating chart will make providing this information easier. If it has not been done, request assistance in making a seating chart, or ask that people state their names before speaking.
- Indicate when a question is directed to the client.
- If necessary/requested, when directing the client to an object, such as a water glass, gently place your hand under the hand of the client and move hands together in direction of the glass; when you make contact with the glass, slowly slide your hand away to allow the client to locate glass; do not pick up the object and put it in the client’s hand unless it has been agreed previously that this is acceptable to the client. Your other hand can be used to steady the glass, if necessary.
- Locating a chair can be done in this same manner, by guiding one hand to the back of the chair and the other hand to the seat. The client will “sweep” the chair with her/his hand to make sure the surface is clear. If the chair is at a table, make sure the client is aware of the table placement.
SPECIAL NEEDS
- Any of the following special individual needs should be clarified and prearranged by the interpreter agencies, or contacting the client directly. It is essential that interpreters working with people who are DeafBlind are aware of unique needs and issues.
- How will the client access restroom facilities in an unfamiliar environment? Arrangements may need to be made for assistance in locating facilities.
- Are there any medical considerations or food requirements?
- Are alternative formats (large print, Braille) required to enable access to information if overheads, whiteboards and/or handouts are used?
CODES AND ADAPTIONS FOR TACTILE INTERPRETING
- Individual codes, or cues may be agreed upon to represent various situations, such as fingerspelling ‘hahaha’ when there is laughing, or tapping on the arm to indicate, “Please repeat that”. Discuss possible short cuts with the DeafBlind client.
- To enable participation in discussions, establish what signal will be used, and whether it will be initiated by client or interpreter, ie: client signs ‘ex’ as signal for interpreter to say, “Excuse me, I’d like to say something”.
- When tactile signing, allow the client to follow your hands. Do not hold onto the client’s hands, or grab client’s thumbs or fingers.
- Signs must be clear and distinct.
- Information that would normally be conveyed through facial expression can be conveyed through speed of signing, hand tension, gentle strokes, squeezes, brisk taps, etc.
- Put expressions, feelings, and body language “onto your hands.”
- Your hands can convey your moods and even your personality!
- Nods, shaking the head, and frowns are all forms of facial grammar that can completely change the meaning of identical signs. For example, the signs ‘cake’, ‘like’, and ‘you’ can mean three different things: ‘don’t you like cake?’ if signed with a frown and shake of the head; ‘you really like that cake!’ if signed with a nod and a smile; or ‘do you like the cake?’ if signed with raised eyebrows and wide eyes. Facial grammar will need to be supplemented with more signed information for the client who is DeafBlind.
- Location and placement of signs need to be considered – pointing to something that cannot be seen is meaningless.
- Finger spelling may need to be used more frequently to clarify signs normally dependent upon location and space.
- Signs difficult to discriminate between tactually may need to be finger spelled, ie: ‘what’ and ‘today’.
- Signs that can generally be differentiated by lip–reading will need to be finger spelled, ie: ‘fight’ and ‘competition’.
- Enforce breaks, as tactile signing and finger spelling are mentally and physically tiring for both client and interpreter.
- Determine techniques that work for both the interpreter and the client, whenever possible, to reduce fatigue.
- When tactile finger spelling, establish whether a light or a firmer touch is preferred. The client using tactile techniques may choose to shift their hand to better understand fingerspelling.
SEATING
- Comfortable seating with good back support is extremely important, to keep any stress on shoulders and back to a minimum.
- For tactile signing, some clients prefer sitting face to face with elbows resting on a table; others prefer side–by–side, or corner -to–corner. Ask for seating preferences.
- Cushions can be placed under elbows for long sessions.
CLOTHING
- Good contrast between skin color and clothing is important to distinguish signs clearly against background. The most acceptable clothing colors for a light–skinned person are black, navy blue, forest green, chocolate brown, etc; for a dark–skinned person, acceptable colors include: cream, pastel blues, yellows, greens, etc. No RED colored tops should be worn. Red can cause eye fatigue and may be difficult for a DeafBlind person to look at for any length of time.
- Tops must be plain with no designs of any sort and without zippers, brooches or shiny buttons. A contrasting top must completely cover any lighter clothing that might be worn underneath.
- For tactile interpreting, pants may be preferable, as skirts and dresses may not allow the interpreter to sit comfortably at the close proximity required.
- Remove all jewelry, including rings, bracelets and earrings, regardless of the communication style used. When using tactile methods, rings (even ones that fee l smooth to the touch) can cut and chafe over time. Earrings may cause light reflections that are distracting, or might be pulled inadvertently. If the client is relying on residual vision, any jeweler can be visually distracting and may affect the client’s concentration.
- Long fingernails can be a problem; keep nails smooth and trimmed. Do not wear polish, due to potential glare.
LIGHTING
- Appropriate lighting can be a critical issue for clients relying on residual vision.
- Avoid glare, cluttered backgrounds and spotlights directed toward the client.
- Lighting is generally preferred to illuminate interpreter’s face and hands, but ask what the client’s preference is.
- Beware of audio–visual presentations where lights are dimmed or turned off; this can be very distressing for a client who has night–blindness or other eye conditions affected by changes in lighting.
- A pre–interpreting session would allow the client to be involved in the seating arrangements and any possible lighting modifications.
BREAKS AND SOCIAL SITUATIONS
- Discuss expectations regarding breaks at pre–interpreting session
- Interpreters may be required to assist the client in accessing refreshments or the restroom facilities, if necessary, before taking her/his own break.
- During breaks, will the interpreter interpret conversation, or facilitate communication with others? When appropriate and agreed upon, the interpreter could introduce the client to others, including people who are Deaf, to extend social contact and provide an opportunity for others to learn to communicate with people who are DeafBlind.
- A useful technique to be used in a situation where the interpreter’s role may need to temporarily shift to that of a support person, is to indicate when the role changes by simply signing, ‘interpreting, finished’ or something similar; when the role as interpreter resumes, indicate by signing ‘interpreting now’.
- Breaks may be good opportunities for the client to discuss issues or share information; but avoid communicating while eating, especially with tactile methods of communication. Follow the client’s preferences.
- When you leave for a break, always let the client know you are leaving; it is embarrassing to discover you’ve been chatting to an empty chair!
- Never leave the client standing in the middle of an open space, or alone in unfamiliar surroundings. If the interpreter must leave, even for a moment, make sure there is somewhere for the client to sit, or something stationary to have contact with, such as a wall or table.
- Always let the client know when you have returned
- Make a conscious effort to say hello and goodbye, as the client may be unaware of people coming and going unless physically approached.
PERSONAL HYGIENE
- This sensitive area requires special consideration, from both the point of view of the client and the interpreter, as DeafBlind interpreting often requires close proximity and/or contact.
- Smoke, perspiration odor or strong food odors such as garlic or onions, can be particularly distracting for the client or for the interpreter.
- Strong perfumes or aftershave should be avoided.
- The interpreter’s and client’s hands should be washed frequently when using tactile signing techniques. Good hygiene, especially keeping hands clean, is extremely important.
REMEMBER...
- All clients are individuals, and have individual needs. Therefore, interpreting requirements may vary immensely from client to client.
- Every attempt should be made to go into the interpreting situation with adequate information about the client’s preferences and requirements, and the appropriate communication skills
- If in doubt, ASK the client. This will help to avoid potentially awkward situations.
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