Denver Bar Association Working with Deaf or Hard of Hearing Clients     Traditionally, the Deaf community has been viewed from a “medical” perspective, which views deafness as a disability, cured through assistive listening devices, speech therapy, and mainstreaming. This view has resulted in many people in the Deaf community not trusting those in the hearing community. In reality, the Deaf and hard of hearing community is a diverse group with its own language and cultural norms.   The primary language for the Deaf and hard of hearing is American Sign Language (ASL). ASL is a visual rather than written language. However, ASL is not the only language used by the Deaf and hard of hearing. There is also Pidgen Signed English, Signed English, or communication through writing. An agency providing assistance to the Deaf and hard of hearing must be aware of and well-trained in the various languages used in the Deaf community.        While there are many victim assistance agencies throughout the state of Colorado, very few of these agencies are equipped to assist a Deaf or hard of hearing victim. The experience of a hearing agency trying to assist a Deaf or hard of hearing victim is extremely frustrating for the victim, who is likely already frightened. Additionally, it can be frustrating for the person trying to provide assistance, including the lawyer.  Agencies that specialize in assisting Deaf and hard of hearing victims and those trying to help these victims are listed at the end of this article.   Communication Access for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Clients Many communication access improvements are inexpensive and easy to implement. In addition to those listed below, other useful methods may be as simple as making paper and pencil available for writing messages.    Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf A telecommunication device for the deaf (TDD), also called a text telephone or a TTY, allows Deaf or hard of hearing victims to communicate with other TDD-users over the telephone using a keyboard and visual display and/or printer. Prices vary from $150 to $1000.   Telecommunication Relay Services 1-800-659-3656 or 7-1-1 Colorado Relay Services enable someone using a TDD to communicate with someone using a voice telephone.  Operators at the relay service act as a communication bridge between hearing people and those who are Deaf or hard of hearing who need voice or hearing carry-over service.  You can use relay service if you have a TDD and want to contact a hearing person, or if you are a hearing person and want to call someone who uses a TDD.  The American with Disabilities Act requires that all telephone companies must provide telecommunication relay services.     Tips for Using a Sign Language Interpreter   If you use the assistance of a sign language interpreter, here are some tips to make the communication as effective as possible.   ·            Remember that an interpreter’s role is strictly that of a communication tool. Interpreters sign everything that is said and say everything that is signed. Never ask the interpreter not to interpret something. ·            Interpreters have varying degrees of skills in various areas. Some are more fluent in ASL, whereas others may be more comfortable using Signed English. It is important to pick an interpreter whose skills fit the needs of your client. ·            Ask your client if there is a particular interpreter with whom he/she feels most comfortable. ·            When using an interpreter, always talk directly to your client using first person singular pronouns. For example, say “Do you have anything you want to add?” rather than saying, “Does she have anything she wants to add?” ·            Try to relax and communicate with your client as though the interpreter was not present. ·            Understand that direct eye contact is not always possible for the Deaf person, as they will need to be watching the interpreter sign. ·            Visibility is important. Position the interpreter so that both the speaker and the interpreter are visible to your Deaf client. This allows the client to pick up cues from the speaker such as body posture and facial expressions, and read the interpreter’s signs. Sufficient lighting is important. ·            Talk at a normal rate of speed. Interpreters usually have no problem keeping up with the pace of normal speech. The interpreter will ask you to slow down if she/he is having a problem. ·            It is normal for the interpreter to lag behind the speaker a sentence or two, so the interpreter may still be signing after the speaker stops talking. This may cause the Deaf person’s response to a question to be somewhat delayed.  ·            Interpreting is a physically and mentally taxing job. It will be necessary to take a short break after every hour if a meeting is expected to last more than one and a half hours. In the event that a meeting is scheduled to go more than two hours, it would be necessary to have two interpreters to rotate.      Resources   Dove: Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Women and Children Dove is a non-profit organization serving Deaf and hard of hearing victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Dove offers 24-hour crisis intervention, information and referral, and advocacy. Dove is also committed to changing attitudes, which foster and perpetuate violence through community education, outreach, and interagency collaboration. Dove can also provide information about legal qualified sign language interpreters.      P.O. Box 44191 Denver, CO 80201 24 Hour Crisis Line 303-831-7874 TTY 303-831-7932 TTY http://www.deafdove.org/ DenverDeafDove@aol.com Hearing people without a TTY: Please call the Relay Colorado at 1-800-659-3656; give the operator Dove’s number and he/she will assist you in relaying a call to Dove.   Colorado Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (CRID) Legal Interpreting Committee 720-913-8487 Voice 720-942-0729 Voice http://www.coloradorid.org/   Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) 333 Commerce Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-838-0030 Voice 703-838-0459 TTY http://www.rid.org   National Association of the Deaf Law Center 814 Thayer Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-587-7730 TTY or Voice http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=91587