Cultural Competency in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations Self-Identification The term Hearing Impaired is NOT used by most individuals with hearing loss and terms i.e. deaf- mute, deaf & dumb are not appropriate. Deafness/Hearing Loss w/Deaf Cultural Values Hearing Loss w/ Hearing Cultural Values Deaf Hard of Hearing Deafness w/ Hearing Cultural Values deaf

Cultural Competency in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations Language/ Education Communicating with Sign – ASL, PSE, SEE, Tactile and Home Sign Spoken/Written English – Not sure? Ask! Lip Reading – Most of the time, NOT a good idea. State schools for the Deaf – Residential or Day program Local public school systems – Mainstreamed or Self-contained programs

Cultural Competency in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations Accommodations/Interpreters 101 Communication access is mandated by law – Qualified Interpreters, FM systems, Live captioning and others – Family members, interested community/church advocates ARE NOT qualified interpreters in a clinical setting – When using an interpreter, look at and speak directly to the person with whom you are communicating – An interpreter is a facilitator only, NOT a clinician – Unintelligible or abnormal speech can be expected to be identified as such by the interpreter Daily living accommodations – Pagers, TTYs, Alerting systems Public Services – TEDP, CSD Relay, State Agencies Avoid using flattery, i.e. You have such good English skills. to justify not providing accommodations.

Cultural Competency in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations Societal Norms Deafness is not a disability. Respecting a Deaf persons primary language shows respect for them. Deaf people value each other, their culture and their shared experiences. Hard of Hearing people often identify with Hearing culture. Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss can often be more frustrating to live with than deafness.

Cultural Competency in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Populations Respect Self-IDLanguageEducation Accom- modations Societal Norms While Deaf and Hearing cultures differ, when one takes the time to consider an individuals identity, language, schooling, needs and norms, there can be cultural competency and thus, respect.