Deaf-Blind Interpreting Strategies
Online Webinar Series Created by Susanne Morgan Morrow, MA, CI, CT Do not copy or distribute without permission.
LEVEL I – FOUNDATION IN DEAF-BLINDNESS: AN OVERVIEW Webinar #1: Overview of Deaf-Blindness – The People & Culture
RID CEUs sponsored by Signs of Development, LLC.
LEARNER OBJECTIVES • Recognize the four major categories of deafblindness/dual sensory loss & the life experiences of people within each category. • Identify the major components of Deaf-Blind culture. • Assess how these cultural components and life experiences affect the working relationship between interpreter and consumer.
What is Deaf-Blindness? DeafBlindness represents the combination of varying degrees of hearing and vision loss. Photo courtesy of Helen Keller National Center
Types of Deaf-Blindness Congenitally Deaf, Adventitiously Blind Congenitally Blind, Adventitiously Deaf Adventitiously Deaf-Blind Congenitally Deaf-Blind
Congenitally Deaf – Adventitiously Blind Individuals who are born with a significant hearing loss and acquire a vision loss later in life. These individuals are often involved in the Deaf community and use sign language as their primary mode of communication. Often identifies with big ‘D’, Deaf culture Change in vision has communication and cultural implications
Congenitally Blind – Adventitiously Deaf Individuals who are born with significant visual impairment or are blind and acquire deafness later in life. These individuals grow up and socialize in the hearing community. They are often Braille readers, experienced cane users and have guide dogs. Assistive technology is often a staple in the lives of these individuals.
Adventitiously Deaf-Blind An individual who is born hearing and sighted but loses both senses (either in part or totally) for various reasons. Typically associated to trauma, ototoxic causes, etc. These individuals are usually oral/aural and have associated with the hearing community all of their lives. There is usually a strong reliance on assistive technology for communication and interpreting scenarios.
Congenitally Deaf-Blind Individuals who were born with concomitant vision and hearing loss. Congenital deaf-blindness is typically associated with perinatal trauma, various syndromes (CHARGE Syndrome) or unknown causes. Level of language development and type of the communication for these individuals will vary significantly (object symbols and calendars, functional spoken and/or sign language).
IDENTITY
WHAT IS IDENTITY? -the state or fact of remaining the same one or ones, as under varying aspects or conditions. -the condition of being oneself or itself, and not another -condition or character as to who a person or thing is -the state or fact of being the same one as described. -the sense of self, providing sameness and continuity in personality over time and sometimes disturbed -i.e. loss of vision over time affects identity http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/identity
What is IDENTITY? Deaf-Blind deafblind Dual sensory loss Combined hearing & vision loss Your term?
Terms in the Field vs. Community Deaf-Blind deafblind Dual sensory loss Combined hearing & vision loss Your term?
Quotes from the Community
How do you identify yourself? N=7 Deaf/Visually Impaired deafbilnd Deaf-Blind Deaf\Low Vision DeafBlind or Deaf-Blind DEAFBLIND
Why is this identity important to you? And why is it important for interpreters to know?
“It is important to identify me as a deaf/visually impaired so that they will know what to expect of me for communications and guides.” “It is important to identify because people can see why we depend on ten eyes and ten ears which means two hands.” “Because I don't go with labels that hearing/sighted people choose for us. I'm not "broken", so I'm not going to use terms such as "hearing-impaired" or "hard-of-hearing" or "Visually impaired". I find them insulting.”
“It’s important to me, because DEAF/BLIND is what I am... It is important for interpreters to know, because that will help them to realize that I need tactile access to them and everything else.” “So the interpreters can sit closer to me when they interpret for me and also to let them know that I don’t have Usher's Syndrome so they can sign in regular spaces.” “Because of its pride and the interpreter(s) will use that term accurately when voicing while I'm signing to anyone upon my preference/decision.”
CULTURE
What is Culture? Is there a Deaf-Blind Culture? How do we know?
What Makes A Culture? Aspects of a Culture: Identity Language Values Norms Traditions 2/5/2014
21
IDENTITY DEAF CULTURE Deaf (capital ‘D’)
2/5/2014
DEAF-BLIND CULTURE Deaf-Blind deaf (small ‘d’) DeafBlind deafblind 22
LANGUAGE DEAF-BLIND CULTURE
DEAF CULTURE American Sign Language Visual Assistive devices
Varied Visual, tracking, tactile Assistive Devices Signing space, pace, distance One-handed, two-handed Print-on-Palm (POP)
VALUES DEAF CULTURE Eye contact Sufficient lighting Technology
DEAF-BLIND CULTURE Eye & Physical contact Sufficient (enhanced) lighting (Adaptive) technology SSPs (Support Service Providers) Tactile input Visual information
NORMS DEAF CULTURE
DEAF-BLIND CULTURE
• • Circular seating arrangements • • Flashing lights, waving, tapping for attention • • Shaking hands for clapping • Socializing (time consuming) •
Varied seating arrangements Tapping for attention, identifying person’s name Shaking hands, stomping feet/pounding tables for clapping Socializing (VERY time consuming!) • Sore eyes & body aches
TRADITIONS DEAF CULTURE Similar life experiences (education, interactions with the public, “small world” experiences) Folklore (deaf jokes, historical events, political movements)
DEAF-BLIND CULTURE Shared experiences (interactions with the public, experiences with interpreters, travel stories) Folklore (jokes, travel stories, oops/embarrassing experiences, legislative changes)
Community vs. Culture • A community is a group of people living together and united by similar goals.
• A culture is a group of people with shared behaviors. http://www.deafblindlh.org/images/may02wintercamp/4may02drumks.jpg
Quotes from the Community What is Deaf-Blind culture?
“It depends on where our native culture starts first before secondary culture comes.” “It's not exactly Deaf culture, nor is it exactly Blind culture. It's its own unique culture, which brings out elements from both cultures.” “I don’t consider there is any but Usher's Syndrome… in Japan..I was amazed that they were just like Ushers in America, even though they have their own Japanese culture and language.” “Deafblind culture has the same values, interests, behaviors, needs, involved in the community, same language and beliefs. Deafblind people have the same language with ASL, [just need] tactile sign language, wear black shirt, can't see in the dark, or far away, can't read small print, etc.”
Do you feel like you are part of Deaf-Blind culture or Deaf culture?
“I used to be part of Deaf Culture when I was young all my life until around 40 years of age and then switch for Deaf-Blind culture.” “Through my life, my life is more to deaf culture and more hearing culture, too…but inside my heart, I am more deaf culture.”
“Well, I guess I don't really fit in any specific culture. It really depends on the people I'm with…I have been in the hearing/oral deaf culture, Deaf culture, and DB culture, although none of the three dominates my life in any way.”
“I am definitely part of deaf/blind culture, because I do notice that when I am exposed to deaf culture, I am at a loss in many ways.”
“I feel that I am still part of Deaf culture as I am deaf all of my life. But now with my poor vision, I feel more comfortable to mingle with Deaf Blind people. “
Top 5 Characteristics of Interpreters Valued by Deaf-Blind People
TOUCH
Photo courtesy of Perkins School for the Blind
Some interpreters may not be comfortable with touch or have rigid boundaries. Working with Deaf-Blind people requires flexibility in using touch for communication purposes, demonstration, or orientation, balance markers, etc. For the giving and receiving of touch.
TIME
Photo courtesy of Helen Keller National Center
Interpreters are often pressured by the urgency of the message and time constraints of the environment and the end result is a rushed interaction. Oftentimes additional time is needed in order to: provide clarification during communication interactions, describe visual information, orient the person to the environment, provide human guide to/from locations, access information via technology or printed materials, etc.
FLEXIBILITY
Deaf-Blind people appreciate the interpreter’s understanding of the moment at hand. Fluidity amongst roles (i.e. Interpreter vs. SSP). Providing visual information/ description as a means of supporting the message DB person: “Does the boss seem mad?” Interpreter: “Yes, his eyebrows are curled & lips are pursed & he’s pacing the room.”
Flexibility is key. Photo courtesy of: http://www.sauerburger.org/dona/dbcard_files/Art%20points%20website.jpg
ETIQUETTE
http://www.seattlelighthouse.org/
We often fear that is unknown. As interpreters, we do not perform up to our potential when we lack the covert and subtle nuances in an environment. When interpreters are more familiar with the socially appropriate interactions within a culture, the interactions and, thus, the interpreting exchanges are more accurate and authentic. Understanding entrances, exits, interruptions, ways of being & interacting, etc.
LAUGHTER
A little bit of humor goes a long way! There are bound to be oops and slip-ups when vision is a factor. Learn to laugh along with your partner, it makes the whole situation better.
Touch Time Flexibility Etiquette Laughter
Current Available Media Communication with Deaf-Blind People (historical perspective) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usaf3bVVvjY Seabeck Deaf-Blind Retreat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZfHkcrDQiE Deaf-Blind Anti-Bullying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxKvj86Hf0&playnext=1&list=PL92CAD2B82D8BA548&feature=results_main Deaf-Blind Culture: Same or Different? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWqQpphyqjQ Budget Cuts to Deaf-Blind Community https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=239LYagdpUM Introduction to Working in the Deaf-Blind Community https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBm1rm84FTM
Staying Current in the Community Pro-Tactile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l11lahuiHLA
Thank You! CONTRIBUTORS & COMMUNICATION & LOGISTICAL SUPPORT • Maricar Marquez • Jamie Pope • Marybeth Imsho
RID Change of Knowledge Evaluation http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9DGHPZC