Not all Deaf are at Gallaudet

We try to volunteer in the Deaf community as much as possible. We often ask people if they know any Deaf people or where they may live so that we may offer support and direction to community resources. Too often the answer is, "Ummmm...no...oh but you may want to try that Deaf college....Gallaudet." Ugghhhh!!!! There is so much more to the Deaf community than Gallaudet.

Please don't get me wrong, Gallaudet is the premier Liberal Arts University for those that use Sign Language. It is absolutely amazing, to be at a place that uses visual language. When people are learning a language, they are told to go to the country where that language is used. At Gallaudet, you can go to the "country" of ASL. It's like a little city of "Deaf space." Gallaudet is a beautiful thing.

However, there are many Deaf that do not go to Gallaudet. Does this make them less Deaf? Or does it mean they are deaf (to be clarified in a later blog). I interviewed one such person. Does this person share some or any cultural norms of the Deaf community?

This young lady was born 1989 in Nigeria. Imo Ambasie of State in Euguguiogu to be exact. She was brought here around the age of 13 or 14. But for her time in Africa, she attended a Deaf school, Kano River State.

When she came to America (she's been here for about seven years), she was placed in a mainstreaming situation at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. She graduated June 3, 2011. But can you imagine what she had to get used to? Coming from a Deaf school where EVERYTHING is accessible with the use of a visual language to now being placed in a self contained classroom with periods of time with non-deaf kids? Or can you imagine knowing British Sign Language but coming here and having to learn the manual alphabet. Or what about her friends? She had to leave her friends at such an age when friendships are forged to last into adulthood.

In her family there is her mom, dad, two sisters, two brothers, this young land, then a baby brother. To date none of them use Sign language. They communicate with each other by writing back and forth, pointing and gesturing and using the VP. One sister says she is interested in learning Sign Language and one of her brothers is planning to take it up in college next year.

But why hasn't this young one who has a supportive and loving family chosen NOT to attend Gallaudet? She states its hard to pass the SAT. So she has chosen to start at a local college. Also she is receiving training in Baltimore, MD at a program that teaches life skills and employment training. She is being trained for hotel work.

This young lady is such "the young person." She is interested in soccer, cooking Nigerian food, fashion, and helping others.

Can you see that although this young woman hasn't decided on Gallaudet University (not yet anyway) that she is still Deaf?

So when you think of Deaf/deaf, don't just think Gallaudet University.

Next blog, "What is the difference between deaf and Deaf?

Deaf Blind Interpreting

Recently I have been volunteering to do deaf-blind interpreting which is very different . One thing I had to learn is that each Deaf-Blind (DB) person's needs is different. There could be a person who is Deaf but gradually lost their sight, or gradually losing their sight; there could be a person who is Blind but gradually losing their hearing; or a person who has recently become deaf and blind. The combinations can go on and on but the point is that working with a DB person requires the ability to be flexible.

For the Registry of Interpreters' standard of Deaf-Blind interpreting please follow this link: www.rid.org/UserFiles/File/pdfs/Standard_Practice_Papers/Drafts_June_2006/Deaf-Blind_SPP(1).pdf.

For now though, I would like to share my recent experiences working with one particular DB person. This person is tactile. According to our industry's standard referenced above, tactile means, "�� sign language received by sense of touch with one or two hands (tactile) �� fingerspelling received by sense of touch (tactile)." I will use the pseudo name, Francesca.

Attention getting with Francesca is little different. Unlike deaf individuals that may prefer a tap on the shoulder, with Francesca, I lightly bump my hand with hers to indicate, "Hey, there, I'm here." Most times Francesca "answers" by signing, "Who?" Whereas a Deaf person could see "Who?", a DB person can not see "Who;" thereby the need to CONSISTENTLY identify individuals when they are "speaking/signing." I answer by placing my dominant hand under her left hand and articulate my sign name. Then cordialities are exchanged.

The discourse is preceded with an ASL song. As the audience stands to "sing" the ASL song, Francesca stands but turns to face me. She has made the decision to use both of her hands so that she can "track" what I am signing. This means she will place her hands on top of mine as I am copying the ASL song being played from a DVD. This can be tricky because there are signs and grammar that are on the face or head that a DB person cannot see. There is a constant consideration as to how this will be executed (what linguistic equivalent can be used?) Negations and emotions are a few examples. Vigilance is key.

Once the song is finished, the audience takes their seats and now its time for the discourse. Francesca likes to know the name of the presenter, where he is from, and what medium is he using (iPad or paper outline, or pictures). One thing that impresses me in this process is that Francesca is able to ascertain if the speaker is new to Sign language or not.

At one time in her life, Francesca was able to see enough and was an art major. As her sight deteriorated, things changed. Knowing this helps me know that when pictures are used during the ASL songs or the discourse, I can describe color to Francesca and she can paint a similar thought image in her mind's eye.

At another meeting, the logistics are a little different than the discourse explained above. The reason being this meeting is now opened to the public for their comments. The discourse has a one directional flow of information. But when the public is involved other consumer needs come into play. For example, Francesca likes and demands (as consumers we all demand or "order" what we want, right?) knowing who is speaking and what general direction they are sitting. If there is a change in audience seating, this needs to be conveyed.

Francesca has a hearing dog. Similar to a seeing eye dog, this dog leads her around. So unlike SSP, when I am working with Francesca, I do not have to lead her around. Her dog does that job. There are times though when Francesca wants to meet a specific person. Maybe I have informed her during the meeting that there are visitors or new faces that are not familiar. Sometimes she will ask me or others to lead her to such ones.

At a party a spotted Francesca dancing with her non-deaf husband who is uber fluent is ASL. She was doing the electric slide.

This woman, her husband, and her dog have gone and done so many things. In fact, she has lived in Honduras and there too, she was very independent!

Another amazing thing is when we go to Starbucks or the like, Francesca doesn't depend on others to order for her. She has a machine that she carries cross-body (like a messenger style bag) that she uses to receive emails, text messages, and she uses gps. I don't know the name of the device but it sends and receives signals from her personal devices and converts those signals to a signal to this device that will help her "read" messages. This hip device converts the signals to Braille. Her hip device uses pins that automatically convert to Braille and it scrolls across. I am sure I am not explaining this awesome experience clearly but believe me it is jaw dropping.

There are so many other nuances that just floor me working with Francesca. I am biased. Yes, working with Francesca is one of my secret joys. But I need to experience others. What are their preferences? How do I work with each one of them? One strong resource if you are interested is Ms. Rhonda Jacobs. Check RID website for her contact info and she can fill you in and get you connected to yet another spectrum of Deaf culture.

Until later,

Keep it Simple

Sign Language Interpreter--What to expect?

Using a Sign Language interpreter may seem to be an awkward experience. "What do I expect?" "What is expected of me?" "Do I need to speak slower than usual?" "What do I do?" This blog will answer some basic questions.

First of all, professional standard is to have the interpreter arrive approx 10-15 mins prior to the assignment. This time is for the interpreter to prepare for the assignment (spelling of names, obtaining an agenda, locating the room of the event, etc).

Professional standard dictates the interpreter to wear a solid, color of clothing that contrasts with their skin color. The reason is that the clothing acts as a backdrop for the visual communication.

The Standard Practice Paper, Professional Sign Language Interpreting states, "...the interpreter sits in proximity to the.... speaker to allow the deaf person to see the interpreter as well as the facial and body expressions of the English speaker." This is a very different than spoken language interpreters/translators.

During the interpreting process, there is no need to exaggerate or slow down a person's normal way of speaking. This is a misnomer. There are times when the interpreter may ask for a restatement of what was said; but again, in most circumstances, the speaker does not need to change the way they normally speak.

Because of the introduction of a third person (the interpreter), it is very easy to slip into speaking ABOUT the deaf person in third person. "Please tell HIM that we are about to start the interview." "Can you tell HER that we will refund her money." These can be avoided by looking the deaf individual in the eye (as opposed to looking at the interpreter) and addressing the person directly ("Mr. Jones, we are about to start the interview," "Jane, we will have to refund your money.")

This interaction is going through an interpreted process. You may have to give some time after asking a question or before conclude your interactions. This is to assure the process of interpreting/translating has been accomplished.

Many interpreters are Generalist, but we also have interpreters that specialize in: medical, legal, performing (concerts, plays, etc.), educational, and conventions/conferences.

What is put forth in this post is not the end all or be all. This is not "Working With an Interpreter 101." This post is not to be a standard. This post is only to give an idea of what may be expected when working with professional and/or certified interpreters.

For more information on our professional entity, please go to www.rid.org. This is the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf website. Here you can find our Standard Practice Papers and even locate Sign Language interpreters in your area.

Please feel free to contact me at 301.KIS.3433 0r 301.547.3433 for more info. You can also send an email to kisinterpreting@gmail.com.

Next blog: What if the person is deaf-blind?

Thank you!