Working with Deaf people in health settings

Working with Deaf people in health settings

Useful information for people working with the Deaf community:

1. Qualified New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) interpreters should be used during most interactions
2. The use of non-qualified interpreters (family, friends and staff) is not often appropriate.  Research indicates a significant amount of information is missed or misinterpreted
3. Many Deaf people have limited literacy due to poor access to education so writing notes may be ineffective
4. Lip-reading has an estimated 30% accuracy, hence the importance of using qualified NZSL interpreters
5. Many Deaf people don’t like the term ‘hearing impaired’ as they don’t see themselves as having something that is wrong with them
6. Many Deaf people identify themselves as part of a linguistic and cultural minority who share cultural norms like other cultural minority groups
7. Deaf people are visual. Face the person when talking/signing don’t turn away
8. Speak clearly and slowly and ensure good lightening, don’t yell
9. Take the time to check the Deaf person has understood. If not repeat using brief notes, gesture, drawing or pictures to explain

Booking NZSL interpreters

Click here for advice on how to work with NZSL interpreters to ensure equitable access for Deaf people, including how to book one, and what your responsibilities are when booking NZSL interpreters.

Further resources

Overview of NZSL: https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/languages/n/nz-sign-language/#Overview

Staff training videos: Communicating with people from the Deaf community for better health outcomes within a health setting (14min): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHawe_dDsTw&feature=youtu.be

Where to learn NZSL

There is a list of NZSL classes available at http://teachsign.org.nz/students.