. . . . contd.

Meeting people with hearing or speech impairments

• When interacting with individuals who are deaf or have a hearing impairment, refrain from shouting and instead position yourself within their line of sight. If you need to get their attention, use a gentle touch or a wave.

• It’s essential to ask how they prefer to communicate, as some may rely on lip-reading. Keep in mind that lip-reading can be exhausting and isn’t always accurate, so speak at a moderate pace and enunciate clearly. Use gestures and facial expressions to add emphasis, and make sure to face the light source to ensure your lips are visible. Avoid covering your mouth, as this can hinder communication.

• For some deaf individuals, British Sign Language (BSL) may be their primary language, with its own distinct grammatical structure, rather than English. When engaging with people who have a speech impairment, exercise patience and avoid correcting them or finishing their sentences. If you’re unsure what they’re saying, don’t pretend to understand – instead, ask for clarification.

Meeting people with a visual impairment

• When interacting with a visually impaired individual, begin by identifying yourself and announcing the presence of others in the vicinity, including their location.

• Avoid grasping their arm to guide them; instead, offer your arm for them to take, and inquire if they would like to be alerted to potential obstacles such as stairs, doors, or other hazards.

• When directing them to a seat, clearly indicate its location or gently place their hand on the back of the chair.

• It’s perfectly acceptable to use everyday expressions, like ‘see you tomorrow,’ when communicating with a visually impaired person.

• Keep in mind that they may not pick up on non-verbal cues, such as gestures or facial expressions, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. For instance, they might not grasp a joke due to inadequate communication, rather than a lack of comprehension.