Communication etiquette

Communications Etiquette

 

Making Contact

 

Ø       Try not to make assumptions about a person’s degree of deafblindness

Ø       Where possible, identify a person’s preferred communication method prior to contact

Ø       If you hear a person speaking, don’t assume they can hear speech

Ø       Gain the person’s attention before you begin to communicate

Ø       Approach from the front and avoid touching their shoulder or back to get their attention as you may startle them

Ø       When contact is initiated, the individual will most likely try to explain how to communicate. Relax, be patient, listen and observe. Some people may carry a communication assistance card that will outline their disability and how to communicate with them

 

Communication

 

Ø       Take your time and explain things clearly at a pace the person can follow

Ø       Avoid shouting

Ø       Try not to place your hands over your mouth

Ø       If the person cannot hear speech you can approach them by gently touching the back of the person’s hand

Ø       Even if using an interpreter, direct your communication at the individual

Ø       Let the person know when you enter and leave a room

 

Environment

 

Ø       Consider the physical layout of an environment including the positioning of furniture and any clutter around the floor

Ø       Allow the person to become familiar with the environment

Ø       Inform and show the person if there any changes to the environment

 

Lighting and contrast

 

Ø       Position yourself in the light

Ø       Avoid having your back to a window

Ø       Ask the person if the lighting is suitable

Ø       Create contrast between yourself and the background

 

Glare

 

Ø       Avoid glare and lights that shine directly into a person’s eyes

Ø       If guiding a person from inside to outside ask if they are ready to move on as people need time to adjust to changes in light

 

Background noise

 

Ø       Reduce any unnecessary background noise

 

Locating personal belongings

 

Ø       Let the person know where their belongings can be found

  

Anticipating what is happening next

 

Ø       Let the person know what is about to happen. Do not assume that they know

  

Tactile cues

 

Ø       Consider the range of tactile cues in the environment (eg, present a cup to ask a person if they would like a drink)

 

Asking questions

 

Ø       Asking questions encourages two way communication

Ø       Ask whether they have any questions

 

Choice

 

Ø       Where possible present the person with choices and allow them the opportunity to make their own decisions

 

Access to information

 

Ø       Ensure that individuals have easy access to information

 

Relaying non-verbal messages

 

Ø       Describe non-verbal cues in the environment such as other people’s facial expressions and the content of written material

Ø       Convey messages or meaning using facial expression and body language

 

Group situations

 

Ø       In a group discussion, having one person talking at a time will allow the person with dual sensory loss follow the discussion

 

Appointment times

 

Ø       Allow additional time for meetings and appointments, as communication is slower for people who are deafblind