Communication Tips

Here are some simple tips for hearing people when talking to Deaf people with NZSL. Even if you can't use sign language these rules will help you mix easily with Deaf people. Don't be afraid to use your facial expressions, point and gesture. This will make it easy for the Deaf person to follow you. Pen and paper is okay too.

• Face the Deaf person and get their attention before speaking. Remember to maintain eye contact. don't turn away when watching them sign to you.
• If you didn't understand what a person signed to you get them to sign it again. It's ok to check, clarify, tell them to slow down.
• Keep lips and face clear of obstruction (eg - hands, cups, large moustaches).
• Deaf people ask for attention by waving, stamping, touching or tapping one another, or switching lights on and off.
• In conversation, every contact is very important and people need sufficient personal space for arm movements.
• Deaf people can't interrupt conversations the way hearing people can. They need to see what is being said, so they can only pay attention to one person at a time. Deaf people wait for the person who is signing stops before the next person signs.
• In Deaf group, to get a turn at talking signers usually have eye contact with all "listener/s", wait for others to stop signing, move hand/s slowly to start signing or lift a finger or wave hand (in a meeting this means "I want to talk")
• Dim light makes it hard to see facial expressions and NZSL. Make sure the light is in front of you - try not to stand in front of a window.
• Avoid background noise when communicating with someone with a hearing aid
• Speak clearly and a little more slowly and rephrase rather than repeat
• Use simple gestures, write information down and point of indicate subjects or objects
• Learn NZSL - hyperlink these words and link it to the "Where to learn NZSL" page
• At meetings, sit in a semi-circle or circle so that people can see each other.

There are culturally polite ways to interrupt a signed conversation. For example:

• Wait for a small pause before interrupting
• Wave or tap the shoulder lightly and then wait for the person to look
• If it is urgent, tap harder
• Before breaking off a conversation, tell the person you are talking with to 'hold', or point to the interruption so they can see why you will look away
• Deaf people get annoyed when they are signing and the other person looks away breaking eye gaze. That is not a polite way to handle an interruption.
• When two people are signing, it is alright to walk quickly between them. It is not necessary to bend down.