Need help quickly for communication with deaf employees

Hi, My name is Peter and I have just started a job with a nonprofit who helps the disabled with jobs. I have 2 deaf employees and I am having difficulty communicating with them. They seem to take offense when I ask them to write down what they are saying. Because I need to be able to communicate with them I need to find a way to do so. I plan on learning sign language but time is an issue as I am already working with them. Is there a translator that I can type my question and it will translate to sign language for them? I believe that would be very helpful in helping them and myself to understand eachother.

I hope that you do carry thru with your plans to learn ASL.

How have the employees been communicating prior to your arrival? Do they have any suggestions? Can they show you some basic signs that are used frequently in their daily work?

There isn't any practical technology like that available yet.

How much interaction do you have with them?

If you're having meetings or instructional periods, you should use an interpreter. (Yes, even non-profit organizations use interpreters.)

phubbell said:

Hi, My name is Peter and I have just started a job with a nonprofit who helps the disabled with jobs. I have 2 deaf employees and I am having difficulty communicating with them. They seem to take offense when I ask them to write down what they are saying. Because I need to be able to communicate with them I need to find a way to do so. I plan on learning sign language but time is an issue as I am already working with them. Is there a translator that I can type my question and it will translate to sign language for them? I believe that would be very helpful in helping them and myself to understand eachother.

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Well the Deaf should choose how to communicate, and do you mean like a translator app? Lol not really, um have you thought about using an asl interpreter or a friend of yours or theirs how know sign language ? If you want I can help you with simple signs to get you started, but you should take a class and maybe then Deaf employees will see your effort and take you under their wing haha


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I interact with them all day via text as I am not always with them. I send them to job sites and keep in touch through the phone. When we are in the same room I try to understand what they are saying but if I don't get it I ask them to write it down and they get a frustrated look on their face. I am working 12 hour days so it does not leave a lot of room for studying. I am working towards an 8-9 hour day then I can spend some time learning sign language. There is already a barrier due to the fact that I am resented because I was brought from outside to bring the division into the black. I am trying as hard as I can to communicate with them but to also keep the division open so the jobs will still be there.

phubbell said:

I interact with them all day via text as I am not always with them. I send them to job sites and keep in touch through the phone. When we are in the same room I try to understand what they are saying but if I don't get it I ask them to write it down and they get a frustrated look on their face. I am working 12 hour days so it does not leave a lot of room for studying. I am working towards an 8-9 hour day then I can spend some time learning sign language. There is already a barrier due to the fact that I am resented because I was brought from outside to bring the division into the black. I am trying as hard as I can to communicate with them but to also keep the division open so the jobs will still be there.

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I hope they recognize that you are making an effort. Some deaf people are obnoxious to hearing people so I hope these two aren't like that and give you the impression that all deaf people are like that. What you are doing so far is showing that you are making the effort but need some effort from them as well. Hmmm... ask them what method of communication do they prefer?

ashleycothren said:

Well the Deaf should choose how to communicate, and do you mean like a translator app? Lol not really, um have you thought about using an asl interpreter or a friend of yours or theirs how know sign language ? If you want I can help you with simple signs to get you started, but you should take a class and maybe then Deaf employees will see your effort and take you under their wing haha


Sent from my iPhone using AllDeaf

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I disagree ,I feel the deaf employees should met the guy half way , he is going out of his way to do this best will communicating with the deaf employees. It will not kill them to write down a few words . When I was health aid we would get our clients names on the phone . My boss said it took too long having to keep repeating things, I had to drive to the office to get my work schedule. So I see nothing wrong with the guy request.

whatdidyousay! said:

I disagree ,I feel the deaf employees should met the guy half way , he is going out of his way to do this best will communicating with the deaf employees. It will not kill them to write down a few words . When I was health aid we would get our clients names on the phone . My boss said it took too long having to keep repeating things, I had to drive to the office to get my work schedule. So I see nothing wrong with the guy request.

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I agree that the deaf should meet him halfway, but I also know that some people like different things, like my bf prefers to wright things down, I know some who prefer Being oral and some prefer Gestures. But yes the deaf should make an effort when the hearing are to communicate.



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phubbell said:

Hi, My name is Peter and I have just started a job with a nonprofit who helps the disabled with jobs. I have 2 deaf employees and I am having difficulty communicating with them. They seem to take offense when I ask them to write down what they are saying. Because I need to be able to communicate with them I need to find a way to do so. I plan on learning sign language but time is an issue as I am already working with them. Is there a translator that I can type my question and it will translate to sign language for them? I believe that would be very helpful in helping them and myself to understand each other.

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You would have to ask them how they would prefer to communicate with you, like lipreading as opposed to writing down on papers or would rather sign ASL if they are ASL users. If they are not ASL users, then you have a problem with communicating with them.

As for phone, that is not a good way to do that but if you and the 2 Deaf employees have a smartphone or Blackberry phone which they have use texts in order to communicate. You can do that way.

How about IPad for typing down for communication better than on papers and pens? You just have to find the solution to the communication problem. Being deaf and hard of hearing is not the same like hearing person. There are different degrees of hearing loss from mild to profound deafness.

There seems to be a consensus on one point:

"You would have to ask them how they would prefer to communicate with you"

"Hmmm... ask them what method of communication do they prefer?"

"Well the Deaf should choose how to communicate"

"How have the employees been communicating prior to your arrival? Do they have any suggestions?"

It might be a good idea to have a sit-down meeting (using an interpreter) to clear the air about this issue, and find out what would work best for the employees and you.

Call thru vrs.

Lavender said:

Call thru vrs.

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When they are in the same room and the hearing person is having trouble understanding the deaf person's speech?

phubbell said:

I interact with them all day via text as I am not always with them. I send them to job sites and keep in touch through the phone. When we are in the same room I try to understand what they are saying but if I don't get it I ask them to write it down and they get a frustrated look on their face. I am working 12 hour days so it does not leave a lot of room for studying. I am working towards an 8-9 hour day then I can spend some time learning sign language. There is already a barrier due to the fact that I am resented because I was brought from outside to bring the division into the black. I am trying as hard as I can to communicate with them but to also keep the division open so the jobs will still be there.

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Bebonang said:

You would have to ask them how they would prefer to communicate with you, like lipreading as opposed to writing down on papers or would rather sign ASL if they are ASL users. If they are not ASL users, then you have a problem with communicating with them.

As for phone, that is not a good way to do that but if you and the 2 Deaf employees have a smartphone or Blackberry phone which they have use texts in order to communicate. You can do that way.

How about IPad for typing down for communication better than on papers and pens? You just have to find the solution to the communication problem. Being deaf and hard of hearing is not the same like hearing person. There are different degrees of hearing loss from mild to profound deafness.

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Bebonang
I think you have got the problem backwards. It is the hearing person, the OP, who is having trouble understanding the deaf employees speech and thus asking them to write some things down when that happens. ASL is of no use yet as the OP has not had a chance to learn it.

I think the reference to the phone is a matter of text over the phone — not speech.

I'm a little confused. You say your employees get frustrated when you ask them to write things down. As I understand it, you can hear. Are they unable to communicate verbally? What is it about the communication that is hard for you to understand? Do they not speak clearly?

I take two things away from that part about the deaf employees being frustrated.. a) their speech isn't clear enough or b)they use ASL exclusively but hearing employee isn't skilled enough yet to understand the ASL.

I'm kind of betting on b). Definitely would do some sort of sit down meeting- involve the higher up (if there are any managers/supervisors above you 3) or Human Resources even to try to work out a solution.

Or.. text each other in the same room. I know that's a 'negative' side of technology as bleated by so many people but that actually works for a friend of mine and me when I visit her. She's hearing but hates social interactions about as much as I do so we sometimes text each other when there's a whole mob of people (that happened- she broke her ankle, had to be on bed rest generally so people gravitated to her room- drove her nuts).

ASL only at work? I guess if the previous boss was into ASL that might be the case.

OP, is that the current situation?

Jane B. said:

Bebonang
I think you have got the problem backwards. It is the hearing person, the OP, who is having trouble understanding the deaf employees speech and thus asking them to write some things down when that happens. ASL is of no use yet as the OP has not had a chance to learn it.

I think the reference to the phone is a matter of text over the phone — not speech.

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I wish you would not do that to me as you are insulting my intelligence of finding the solution to the communication problem. I hate that when someone put me down like this. That hurt.

Jane B. said:

Bebonang
I think you have got the problem backwards. It is the hearing person, the OP, who is having trouble understanding the deaf employees speech and thus asking them to write some things down when that happens. ASL is of no use yet as the OP has not had a chance to learn it.

I think the reference to the phone is a matter of text over the phone — not speech.

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I don't think Bebonang has this backward at all. She know the OP is the hearing person .

Jane B. said:

When then are in the same room and the hearing person is having trouble understanding the deaf person's speech?

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Huh, I don't understand ur post. R u deaf ? Just wondering about grammar. Somewhat incomprehensible.

Sometimes we Deafies can get frustrated with the communication break down between the hearing. I would certainly hope that they are at least seeing you are putting forth an effort. Either way, it gets frustrating for both parties... as I'm sure you can see. As DeafDucky suggested, texting seems like a pretty good temporary solution for the time being, even if you are in the same room. The fact that you are wanting to learn some ASL to me shows you are putting effort into making your work environment an equal one, and I admire and respect that. The previous suggestion was also to see if they would help you out with a few signs. I know back Pre-C.I. days for me, I was always more than willing to help a coworker learn a few signs who was genuinely interested for the sake of communication and learning. ( I still will help someone out, it's just not as needed now even though I still use ASL outside of work... I don't use it inside of work as much unless a patient needs it or I'm speaking to another coworker )

As previously stated by Reba, I do hope you eventually follow up with some learning, but this would be a good chance for them to throw you a bone so to speak and help you out a bit. It's clear you're wanting to help them out, they should definitely be willing to meet you half way.

Coming from our point of view though... Writing things down. Most of the time, when we explain to people we're Deaf... a lot of peoples first reaction is to tell us to write things down... without listening to us, without hearing us out... without giving us a chance, to hear or attempt to understand us. A lot of us don't have the voices of angels... we're WELL aware of this... Some of us are lucky enough to have had Voc therapy... ( And when we have or do have Voc therapy, it's not like once or twice, you go FOREVER and keep going FOREVER... it's not easy to not be able to hear yourself and form words that sound "normal" ) some of us not... but sure, some of us aren't easy to understand... it's the majority of people making absolutely ZERO effort to understand and within .0001 seconds of finding out we're Deaf throwing a pen and paper at us. That is the negative paper / pen reaction you're getting... it gets old. So that's my take on it. I have an INCREDIBLY clear voice ( ages of voc therapy ) and have STILL had people hand me a friggin pen and paper seconds after explaining that I am Deaf... Yeah, it gets pretty infuriating... Can't tell you how many people I've almost made eat that paper and stabbed with that pen.... Regardless if you're trying to understand... if they don't feel you're REALLY trying to understand them speaking... of course you're going to get the "omg he's handing me paper" death fire look... it's absolutely infuriating and p***es you off more than I can possibly describe. It would be like every time you talked someone handed you a pen and piece of paper to reply... They wouldn't listen to you say it back, you could only write it down.... You would absolutely snap... Same difference essentially... kind of... you get what I'm saying or where I'm going... it really just burns your biscuits... I'm getting hot just thinking about it really....

I do believe you're sincere, I'm just trying to show you why they would be upset and where they're possibly coming from, that's all. The texting suggestion is a good start, and like it was also suggested, maybe ask them to show you a few signs and that will show them you're really interested and trying. Good luck.

Jane B. said:

When they are in the same room and the hearing person is having trouble understanding the deaf person's speech?

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Lavender said:

Huh, I don't understand ur post. R u deaf ? Just wondering about grammar. Somewhat incomprehensible.

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Somehow I accidently got "then" written when I was intending to use "they". Thanks, I have now corrected the post where it occurred.

I am close to deaf at this point after being single sided for many, many years; the one ear that is not dead is now profound. I grew up in the hearing community and am still in it. I tried taking ASL twice, when I was in my 40's, way back in the 1980's and made no contacts to actually use it. Thus, I have forgotten 99% of what I did learn. It has been so many years since I saw anyone using sign here that I have forgotten when it was.

I am one of the ones that has to work extra when someone uses extreme abbreviations, which I am under the impression come from the texting world. I very rarely text as it takes at least to people to use it and most of my bunch does not. Some, like your use of "R u deaf" are easy to translate to written English but some are not at all.