DeafBlind Interpreting

I envy Deaf and DeafBlind individuals who have been using American Sign Language (ASL) since they were youngsters. It is hard to learn any new language. Trying to learn ASL as a DeafBlind adult with only touch to guide you is a major challenge. That is the fate I faced.

When I lost my remaining vision and hearing, I also lost the feeling and use of my hands. To communicate, people printed letters on my face. Once my hands healed enough, I was pleased to be able to using tactile fingerspelling. I already knew the sign language manual alphabet, which made things much easier.

Eventually, I moved back to Ohio and found that I needed interpreters for medical, legal and vocational rehabilitation meetings/appointments. I would tell the interpreter that I used tactile fingerspelling. The meeting would begin. Within minutes, the interpreter would start using actual signs. I had no clue what was being said. I always had my parents come in with me, so they could tell me later about everything I missed. That's not how interpreting is supposed to work.

Theoretically, the interpreter is to communicate in the Deaf or DeafBlind individual's preferred communication method. In my experience, that often does not happen in practice. The interpreters never stuck with spelling words into my hands. I couldn't change them, so I felt I had to change myself.

I enrolled at Kent State University and completed ASL I-V. My main reason for doing this was to improve my ability to benefit from using interpreters.

In some ways, I succeeded. I have improved my receptive signing skills. I do understand most interpreters. But my expressive skills are lacking, and I don't use ASL.

It took me a long time to understand my communication needs... and even longer for me to start informing others. I need interpreters to use signed English at a moderate speed, with fingerspelling as needed for clarification. I also want signing to be limited to a small area in front of the interpreter's chest. This limits my arm movements and cuts down on shoulder pain.

The interpreters who really know me understand what I need. It amazes me now that I can keep up with my interpreters and be a functioning part of my community. I'm no longer sitting there in a panic, pretending to understand when I have no idea what's going on.

I think it's funny now when I'm in a class or meeting and feeling bored. I'll try to day dream, but the interpreter is a distraction because I can follow what he/she is saying. It's taken a lot of work to reach that point.

Yet, I still have trouble with some interpreters. Even though I tell them my needs, they still sign in ASL or too fast. I'll even remind them, but they go back to doing it their way. What good is an interpreter if I can't understand him/her?

I had an interpreter at the Cleveland Clinic who would nevernlisten to me. He signed too fast and always in ASL. He would not sit close to me, so I had to sit forward and reach out to him. That caused a lot of muscle strain. I tried to get him to adjust his signing, but he wouldn't budge.

It got to the point where I was totally lost and hurting when he was my interpreter. Following the advice of a friend, I contacted the agency to request that he not be assigned as my interpreter.

Oh, crap! It turned out he was the owner and boss of that agency. I was so embarrassed. He said he wasn't offended, but he did act put-off. He told me he'd probably have to work my appointments, because it was hard to find other interpreters willing to do tactile sign language.

I've also had other problems with some interpreters. A few act like I have cognitive impairments, signing slow and simple. Others assume I didn't understand and repeat themselves several times. If I've nodded to show I understood and if I answered the doctor's question, why does the interpreter keep on signing the same question?

There are certain situations that only apply to DeafBlind people who use tactile sign language. For example, I've been scratched by women with long fingernails. Jewelry can be a problem. Rings are distracting and sometimes too sharp.. Necklaces can get in the way. One time, my fingers got stuck on an interpreter's long, dangly earring.

Another time I had an interpreter who wore low-cut shirts. My hands often touched skin above her chest. She had this odd habit of signing "please" with my hand under hers. She did this once while wearing a push-up bra. It was disgusting!

A more recent issue was with a great interpreter who I really liked. My appointment was right after lunch. Every week she showed up with onion and garlic breath. I found it hard to breathe, but I was too shy to talk to her about it.

DeafBlind interpreting is not just signing into a person's hand.Many interpreters think that all they have to do is sign like they would to a Deaf person, but use tactile sign language. There's far more to it than that. I think a big problem is lack of training. Interpreters often show up on the job with no experience communicating with a DeafBlind individual.

For one thing, the needs of DeafBlind people vary from person to person. Not everyone uses tactile. An interpreter has to be ready to communicate in different ways. They must learn the needs and preferences of the DeafBlind individual and not stray from there. It's all about the DeafBlind person. And each person is different.

Most importantly, interpreters must understand the importance of visual interpreting. This refers to the visual aspects of communication that a DeafBlind person misses. First, the interpreter should describe the physical layout of the room. This helps create a visual image of the environment. The interpreter should tell who is present, where they are sitting and what they are doing. What is the emotional atmosphere of the group? What is the speaker's attitude and body language? All of this is essential information that the individual who is deaf-blind needs to know. Communication will never be truly successful without visual interpretation.

There are cultural aspects that should be considered. Some of these are the same as Deaf culture. But there is such a thing asnDeafBlind culture. Not knowing about these aspects can negatively affect communication. For example, people who are DeafBlind use touch for almost everything. They may touch the interpreter. If the interpreter isn't aware of this cultural behavior, he/she may become uncomfortable or offended.

I'd like to tell interpreters, "Do not assume." If they don't have experience, they should ask the DeafBlind person for guidance. When working with a new individual, they should find out about his/her preferences and needs. If a situation or behavior is confusing, they should discuss it with the DeafBlindperson to find out what's wrong and how to make adjustments. The DeafBlind individual is the boss. The interpreter is the link. For communication to be successful, the two must work as a team.