Meeting with deaf tenants

[Dawn Anastasi]

I have a meeting on Saturday morning with some inherited tenants who are deaf.  I don't know sign language, so I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on communicating with them in a positive, effective way.  It didn't seem like the owner had much to do with them other than initially placing them.  (They apparently weren't even told by the old owner that the building was sold!)

My objectives for the meeting:

- Sign a new lease

- Ensure that the unit has smoke detectors that sound + strobe (not just sound as that is not up to Fair Housing laws)

- Answer any questions they may have

[Marcia Maynard]

@Dawn Anastasi Just recently returned home from work and saw your post. 

Here are some typical housing accommodation needs for people who are deaf (or hard of hearing):

1. Visual smoke/co alarms. (Provide these and/or allow permission for tenant to install their own if they have such.)

2. Visual door bell flasher. (Allow permission to hook up their flasher system to your door bell wiring - simple.)

3. Service animals such as a "hearing dog". (Allow these service animals whether or not you have a pet policy, as they are not to be considered pets.) Hearing dogs provide alerts to their owners when they hear specific sounds, such as the doorbell, smoke/co alarms, intruders, alarm clocks, babies/children crying, stove timers, car traffic, etc.

4. Communication in written English in the form of documents, note writing, texting, email.

5. Sign Language interpretation services may or may not be necessary. Your goal is to communicate effectively and this can be achieved by a variety of methods. The more educated and flexible the deaf person's communication skills, the easier it will be to communicate effectively with them. Don't rely on children to interpret. Family members and friends will often add and delete information, counsel and advise, and interject personal opinion if they are not professionally trained interpreters. If you hire the services of a professional interpreter, be prepared to pay for the service.

For sensitivity... be aware of this:

1.  Most educated people who are deaf can communicate effectively with written English, but not all can. The preferred language for people who consider themselves a member of the American Deaf community is ASL (American Sign Language).  ASL is also used in most of Canada. A different sign language, LSQ, is used in Quebec and some other French speaking parts of Canada.

2. Natural gestures can be used to effectively communicate some ideas. Be aware of your body language and facial expressions, as you are always communicating something, whether you realize it or not.

3. Not all people who are deaf use sign language, some prefer speech reading (lip reading combined with facial movement). Elderly people who lose their hearing as a result of aging are not likely to know sign language. 

4. In the Deaf cultural community, people prefer to use the term Deaf and not hearing impaired. The terms mute or deaf mute are considered insulting, especially by those who have good speech skills.

5. Language skills vary widely within the Deaf Community. So do education levels. A person's age at the time of onset of their hearing loss, their family life and their educational experience are significant factors that will determine their preferred means of communication.

6. Don't make assumptions as to what a person who is deaf needs or wants, just ask. Start out by letting them know your goal is to communicate effectively with them and to provide a reasonably safe environment. Ask them how they would prefer to communicate with you and if they have any other needs.

Do a quick study by reading the information about Deaf culture on this website:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaf_culture

What may surprise you:

1. People who are deaf may make more noise than you expect because they may not be aware they are closing cabinet doors loudly, walking loudly, talking loudly, or have their television/radio turned up too high.

2. Some deaf people speak with a "deaf voice" which may sound strange until you get used to it, or they may use some vocalization while signing.

3. People who are deaf tend to be visually alert and will often notice things others do not. From my personal experience growing up around the Deaf community, I was told "Never lie to a deaf person...you won't get away with it!...  They will read the subtle differences in your facial expression and body language and know!"

That's all I can think of now... I agree with the information shared by @Roy N. . I too have a deaf godson (profoundly deaf), who I've known since he was age 4. I was his first "teacher." He graduated from Gallaudet University and now is an educator and sports coach in an elementary school. I grew up around the Deaf community since 1967 when I met a deaf person for the first time at age 10.  I am also a professional sign language interpreter, RID certified since 1986, and former manager of accessibility services for a large medical center. Working with people who are deaf comes second nature for me. Feel free to shoot me a PM if you want to talk more about any of this at a later time. :-)