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 #6: Deaf-Blind Interpreting: General Modifications RID CEUs sponsored by Signs of Development, LLC.
Learner Objectives • Identify the various environmental accommodations that may be necessary for consumers with various visual needs, such as lighting, background, seating, etc. • Compare the various logistical issues that may impact the interpreting process, such as seating, room set-up, positioning needs, etc. • Identify the various categorical accommodations needed for sign language production, such as space and pace.
• Affecting factors in deaf-blind interpreting are at the core of the DemandControl Schema.
Demand-Control Schema • A theoretical framework that allows us to assess and mitigate the stressors that are inherent in the work of sign language interpreting. 2001, Robyn Dean and Robert Pollard
Demand-Control Schema Demands
Controls
– part of the job – Interpersonal and will regardless of who the change. interpreter is. – Resources and options – what is needed: (rather than knowledge, controlling� the capability, situation). characteristics, traits, – There isn’t a one-to-one working conditions match of demands and controls
Demand-Control Schema Four Discrete Demands: 1. Environmental 2. Interpersonal 3. Paralinguistic 4. Intrapersonal
“Environmental demands are interpreting challenges or success requirements that pertain to the assignment setting (e.g., the need to understand consumers' occupational roles and specialized terminology specific to a given setting or tolerance of space limitations, odors, extreme temperatures, or adverse weather)� Source: Deaf Wellness Center, Univ. of Rochester Medical Center
Demand-Control Schema Physical surroundings: • Room temperature • Chemicals and odors • Seating arrangements/sight lines • Lighting quality • Visual distractions • Background noise • Space (people, furniture, equipment) Source: UNC DO IT Center http://www.unco.edu/doit/home.html
•Environmental factors can make or break a communication interaction.
•There are six major factors that affect the interpreting process for individuals with vision loss.
Types of Adaptations 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Seating Contrast Lighting Distance Time Space/Pace
Physical Environment
Process in Environment
1. SEATING • Being on the same plane with the consumer will assist in facilitating communication
POSSIBLE CONTROLS: • Adjust your chair up or down accordingly, if possible • Request for a different style of chair • Sit at an angle to each other with a comfortable distance
1. SEATING UNEQUAL PLANES
Arm overstretching Head angled Neck pressure
EQUAL PLANES
Direct eye contact Arms at comfortable lengths Accurate sign production
1. SEATING • Be sure you and the consumer both have sufficient support during communication interactions POSSIBLE CONTROLS: • Use corners of tables • Use arms of chairs • Use pillows or rolled jackets behind backs • Sit on the edge of the chair to place weight on legs, not back
Bad Support
Good Support
2. CONTRAST • The interpreter needs to provide a solid contrast to her hands/arms to enhance reception of sign language. POSSIBLE CONTROLS:
Prepare wardrobe in advance with the following considerations: Wear dark colors for light pigmentation (not red/pink), light colors for dark pigmentation (not white), No open collars or v-neck shirts, No patterns
Keep a smock or sweater handy
Washed Out – No Contrast
Hands/Face Clear – Good Contrast
2. CONTRAST • Be aware of the backdrop behind you while signing
POSSIBLE CONTROLS: – Request a solid backdrop – Move to a location in the room that is less visually cluttered
Visually Cluttered
- Congested background - Complex attire - No contrast
Visually Challenging
- Congested background - Improved attire - Good clothing contrast/poor background
Visually Optimal
- Clean background - Contrasting attire - Reduces eye fatigue
3. LIGHTING • Additional illumination may be needed in order to enhance visual access to sign language production
POSSIBLE CONTROLS: –Request that the space be more illuminated –Request additional lighting Lamps that can be angled are often best –Move to a different location in the environment that is better illuminated
3. LIGHTING
The interpreter needs to be aware of seating & positioning.
Beware of natural lighting – glare and shadows!
Never sit in front of windows or bright light.
3. LIGHTING The interpreter should select a position that allows for a more contrasting background.
Lighting should always come from the front of the interpreter, over the shoulder of the consumer.
Contrasting backdrop
Lighting from the front
4. DISTANCE • Distance between communication partners may be closer (low vision) or further away (reduced peripheral fields) • Distance between the Deaf-Blind person and communication partners within the environment may not be accessible • Materials and things are at a distance may not be accessible
4. DISTANCE POSSIBLE CONTROLS: – Pre-conference with the Deaf-Blind person to determine a comfortable seating distance. – Pre-conference with the Deaf-Blind person to discuss what information within the environment is of interest – Determine a strategy with your partner and the Deaf-Blind person as to when this information will be incorporated into the interpreting process.
5. TIME • In order to produce an accurate interpretation additional time might be necessary. • Processing time for satisfactory visual access may be prolonged • Time to read (visually or tactually) materials may be extended
5. TIME POSSIBLE CONTROLS: – Pre-conference with the Deaf-Blind person to discuss how the viewing of materials will take place. – Pre-conference with your team interpreter on strategies for maintaining on-going information. – Determine specific roles: language interpreter vs. visual information interpreter.
6. Space/Pace
SPACE
SPACE • Space between communication partners gets larger or smaller • Signing space can get larger or smaller • Personal space between communication partners changes • The concept of space and where things are located in the environment changes/ takes more precedence.
SPACE • Rate of sign language production may be altered • Fingerspelling & numerical production is slowed • Moving from place to place may be slowed • Accessing printed materials takes longer
Additional Factors • Personal effects –Attire, hygiene
• Assignment Demands –Use of technology, multi-media –Group dynamics
• Strategies for DeafBlind individuals are applicable to work with all consumers across environments, especially in VRS/VRI settings.
Demand-Control Schema Three points of assessment: 1. Pre-assignment • Experience in deaf-blindness, prior knowledge of assignment and consumer needs, attire, materials, interpreting tools
2. Assignment • Pre-conferencing with consumer, orientation to the environment, assessing logistics, on-going modification process
3. Post-assignment • Post-conferencing with consumer, feedback to hiring agent, checklist for future assignments Adapted from http://www.terptopics.com/DemandControl.htm
Key Points for Success
General Modifications
General categories of modifications potentially needed by Deaf-Blind consumers The link between the DemandControl Schema in relation to deaf-blindness. Possible controls within each category.
The three points of assessment & how they can be applied. Strategies for Deaf-Blind individuals are applicable across settings.
Thank You! COMMUNICATION & LOGISTICAL SUPPORT • Debbie Olsen • Sheila Ray Vallecillo RID Change of Knowledge Evaluation
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D9Q2GYM