Communication Services for the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing
Based on standard hearing exams, one in eight people in the US aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears. This number equals 13 percent of the population or 30 million people. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires Title II (state and local governments) and Title III entities (businesses and non-profit organizations that serve the public) to communicate with people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. That said, it’s crucial to provide certain communication services for the deaf or hard-of-hearing for your organization to be legally compliant and accessible to all.
In this article, we’ll explore the types of communication services, how to make accommodations for D/HoH populations, and considerations when looking for an interpreter.
Table of Contents
What Are Language Accessibility and Communication Services?
Communication Services For Deaf Populations
Communication Services For Hard-of-Hearing Populations
How to Make Accommodations for the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing
1. Provide the Preferred Sign Language
2. Provide the Preferred Delivery Method
Considerations for Finding an Interpreter
What Are Language Accessibility and Communication Services?
Ensuring effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals goes beyond simply providing interpreters or hearing aids. Language accessibility services are designed to remove barriers, support meaningful participation, and provide equal access to information and services. These services take into account different communication needs, preferred languages, and technologies, helping individuals engage fully in education, healthcare, work, and everyday life.
Let’s explore the various communication services for the deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Communication Services For Deaf Populations
Language accessibility for deaf individuals goes beyond just providing a sign language interpreter. It involves creating meaningful access to information, interpreting services, and nuanced communication, which can include:
- American Sign Language (ASL), other signed languages, tactile signing, and real-time captioning.
- Pairing a qualified interpreter requires consideration of factors such as preferred language, regional dialects, communication context, and cultural nuances.
Communication services for deaf populations are designed to ensure full participation in education, government, healthcare services, and everyday life, respecting both linguistic and cultural identity.
Communication Services For Hard-of-Hearing Populations
For individuals who are hard-of-hearing, language accessibility focuses on amplifying, clarifying, and visually supplementing spoken communication. Services may include:
- Assistive listening devices (ALDs)
- Real-time captioning
- Speech-to-text services
- Hearing aid-compatible technology
Unlike deaf populations who may primarily rely on signed languages, hard-of-hearing individuals often benefit from a combination of spoken language support and visual communication tools. The goal is to ensure that these individuals can engage effectively in conversations, access government and public services, and participate fully in education, employment, and social activities, including elections.
How to Make Accommodations for the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing
For those who schedule services for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, consider the following.
1. Provide the Preferred Sign Language
Although ASL is the most common sign language in the US, not all individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing use ASL. That’s why it’s important to find out a person’s preferred language—if someone doesn’t use ASL, then providing an ASL interpreter won’t be helpful.
Some examples include:
- Children – If they have hearing parents and were never immersed in deaf culture or went to a school for the deaf, they may have signs that they’ve developed in the home. Another scenario is children who may have some ASL skills, like perhaps they’ve been in a school for the deaf for a few years, but they’re still building up their standard ASL knowledge.
- Using another sign language – Some individuals grew up signing a different sign language. If a deaf individual is traveling from out of the country, it will be critical to find out what sign language they use. For example, British Sign Language is different than ASL. Learn about the different types of sign language.
- Home-based or self-taught sign language – Some individuals may have grown up within a smaller deaf community or nuclear family home signs.
- Late-deafened individuals – Some individuals may have become deaf later in life, and in these instances, they may or may not have learned ASL. This must be determined on a case-by-case basis by asking the person, as there are many sign language preferences. Some individuals may have learned ASL and prefer it, while others may still use their voice or other communication methods.
2. Provide the Preferred Delivery Method
No two patients are the same. To ensure your communication services are fully accessible, you must offer options for how you interpret and interact with patients.
A. In-Person
In-person interpreting provides face-to-face language support, allowing interpreters to capture tone, body language, and facial expressions that are essential to clear communication. This option is ideal for:
- Medical appointments
- Court proceedings
- Business meetings
- Job interviews
B. Over-the-Phone
Over-the-phone interpreting (OPI) connects you to a qualified interpreter within seconds, making it one of the fastest and most convenient interpreting solutions. OPI is available in hundreds of languages and can be used for both planned and on-demand conversations.
This service is ideal for situations where visual cues aren’t essential, such as:
- Customer service calls
- Appointment scheduling
- Quick information exchanges
C. Virtual
Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) combines the speed of over-the-phone interpreting with the added benefit of visual communication. Using a secure video platform, interpreters can facilitate conversations in American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken languages, helping participants see facial expressions and body language for greater understanding. VRI is ideal for:
- Medical visits
- Educational settings
- Virtual meetings
- Remote or rural communication
D. Simultaneous
Simultaneous interpreting allows the interpreter to translate spoken words in real time, with little to no delay. This service is commonly used in:
- Conferences
- Live events
- Training sessions
- Multilingual meetings where it’s important to keep the conversation or presentation flowing without interruption.
E. Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART)
CART, also known as real-time captioning, allows a provider to transcribe spoken words into text and then display them on computers, mobile devices, or screens. CART can be used in a variety of ways, such as:
- Events
- Training
- Classrooms
- Workshops
- Meetings
Not only does it help individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, but it also helps those who may struggle to hear in loud places and Limited English Proficient individuals. Remote CART can also be streamed to an internet browser for remote communication needs.
F. C-Print
C-Print is similar to CART, but it uses a QWERTY keyboard. The service provider uses software to type full and abbreviated words, and the software finds full words for the abbreviations. C-Print allows individuals to type responses, making the communication two-way.
Considerations for Finding an Interpreter
When seeking out an interpreter, consider these scenarios and preferences.
1. Hearing Interpreters
Depending on certifications and skills paired with an individual’s preferences, these interpreters work with a person who is deaf and the organization to facilitate communication, most often using ASL.
2. Certified Deaf Interpreters
These interpreters are specially trained with personal knowledge of the deaf community, added resources, and more to work with a hearing interpreter as a team. They have firsthand knowledge of the deaf culture and can work with individuals who are children, use home signs, use sign languages from other countries, and more.
3. Children of a Deaf Adult (CODA) Interpreters
CODA interpreters have grown up using sign languages, typically in tandem or even before using spoken English. They have a nuclear family awareness of deaf culture and language.
4. CART/C-Print
These technologies can be leveraged when individuals understand written English but do not have a way to communicate through signs.
Considerations for Scheduling an Interpreter
The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) is the national organization that issues certifications for sign language interpreters. However, in 2016, they placed a moratorium on certifications as a way to address systemic issues with testing, and that moratorium is still in place today. Currently, the only nationally issued certification through RID is the National Interpreter Certification (NIC).
There are already too few sign language interpreters, and the RID moratorium presented another issue. Since 2016, not many interpreters have been added. This can make scheduling last-minute sign language interpreters difficult, so plan ahead when you have a need for an ASL interpreter.
Learn about AvantInterpret, our sign language interpreter scheduling software:
Conclusion
Before you schedule an interpreter, talk to your patient population to determine the best ways to communicate with them. Remember to schedule as far out as possible to ensure you can meet the needs.
We provide in-person and remote interpretation services for all kinds of industries and environments. For more information, get a free, no-obligation quote online or call us at (530) 750-2040. Let us help you provide the best language services.
