|
|
|
Deafness or hearing loss encompasses a wide variety of hearing ranges and challenges and communication challenges.
To be deaf means that a person is either born or becomes deaf early in childhood and is educated as a deaf child. They are unable to understand speech through the use of ears alone. They may be able to communicate in auditory/ oral or sign language. If sign language is their first language it may have an impact on their reading and writing abilities.
To be hard of hearing means that a person does not hear all frequencies. They may use hearing aids to amplify sound but they are able to hear.
Accommodation
To be deafened means that a person becomes deaf after they have learned language.
There are a few things you should find out before deciding on the best form of accommodation for your deaf, hard of hearing or deafened employee.
Ask them:
- to explain their deafness or hearing loss
- how they prefer to communicate with others (sign language, read, write, lip read, use of hearing aid or amplification device)
- how noise will affect them in the workplace
The answers to these and other questions that arise related to the specific job in question, will lead to a variety of accommodations to consider. Keep in mind that some approaches may not be appropriate given the person's literacy skills. A deaf person may be perfectly fluent in sign language but may be intimidated or embarrassed when asked to demonstrate their written skills.
Typical accommodations may include any or all of the following:
- written notes, or side-by-side computer communications
- E-mail and real-time Internet chat
- assistive listening devices - amplifies without background noise
- skilled and qualified sign language interpreters
- sign language or cultural sensitivity training for
- coworkers and supervisors
- improved lighting for group and other interactive situations
- open captioning for training materials
- TTY - telephone communication device where conversation is typed instead of spoken (may use Bell Relay Service without cost to communicate with anyone who does not have a similar device;
- computers can be used with some TTYs)
- Telephone devices - amplifiers including those for headsets, sound frequency devices to increase clarity
- Voice recognition or speech-to-text software
- Alternatives to voice mail messages (written by another party, pager, telephone relay message service)
- Environmental factors (background noise reduction, appropriateand sufficient lighting, seating and positioning arrangements)
Warning and emergency alarm systems
Accommodations for these systems include:
- Visual or tactile: light signals on alarms and/or wired to individual work area, vibrating pagers tied-in to alarm system
- Buddy system: use of coworker to alert employee (only with alarm system)
|
|
