AAA Deaf

Working together...

• Before the assignment/meeting, provide deaf participants and interpreters with materials such as outlines, agendas.
• Speak directly to the deaf participant, not the interpreter. For example, "Tell me why you came in today" instead of "Ask her why she came today"
• Speak at even pace in relatively short segments; pause often to allow the interpreter to interpret.
• You do not need to speak especially slowly; this actually makes a competent interpreter's job more difficult.
• Don't say anything that you don't want to be interpret.
• Do not hold the interpreter responsible for what the deaf participant says or doesn't say.