Clear Speech

A deafblind person with a hearing impairment may be able to follow clear speech. One common pitfall to avoid is shouting - speaking clearly in a normal tone and at a pace that suits the deafblind person will be enough. Avoid places with a lot of background noise. Speak towards the microphone or FAA system of a person's hearing aid or Cochlear Implant if they ask you to.

Involves straightforward SASL but carried out within a specific position in relation to the deafblind person, making sure that they can see. This is useful for a deafblind person who has a reduced field of vision - and obviously must take place at a distance and position that makes best use of that vision. It is best to wear DARK clothes, PLAIN rather than patterned. AVOID chunky jewelry and gold bracelets, which can be distracting.

Like visual frame signing, is used in a position that suits the deafblind person's field of vision - but is very close-up.

Deafblind Manual Alphabet

This is also known as FINGER-SPELLING and is based on an oral language. This is a faster and more efficient alternative to the Block Alphabet, using the same principle but involving easily learnt symbols to stand for the letters. Broadly, the same as the Deaf two-hand alphabet, it is "written", using either your left or right hand on whichever of the deafblind person's hands they prefer. Some deafblind people also use the one-hand alphabet. It can be followed by touch, or with enough residual vision, can be followed close-up.

With both block and manual systems, you will need to make sure you are both comfortable. Sit or stand, but both do the same or you will tire quickly. Support the deafblind person's hand loosely from underneath with your free hand - do not grip the wrist. Set into a position that suits you and the circumstances, either side by side or facing each other, are usually the best options.

Block Alphabet

This is quite simply, writing letters one by one, in as few strokes as possible, on the deaf blind person's palm. Use your forefinger - that's right, NOT A PEN! To "write" with. Generally speaking, you should draw the letters from LEFT to RIGHT and from TOP to BOTTOM. Do not lift your finger from the palm until you have completed the letters like, M, N, U, V and W.

Make the letters LARGE and CLEAR, and write each one over the top of the last. Pause slightly at the end of each word and check that the person understands. This will be easier once you have built up trust and mutual understanding. To begin with, you will need to keep a special lookout for signs of agreement and recognition. It is not always easy to check back - and of course, simply getting a nod to the question "do you understand?" will not always be enough. How do you know you are talking about the same thing?

Someone with useful vision might at times use note writing for communication. A good quality black felt-tipped pen on WHITE or YELLOW paper is probably best for most people. Check the letter size and the colour to suit the deaf blind person, and make sure the lighting is adequate and the position comfortable. Keep notes neat and clear using ALL CAPITALS or upper and lower case AS REQUESTED. Make FULL USE of punctuation marks - especially question marks - and keep sentences short and to the point.

Large Print

Most computers will produce EXTRA LARGE print, which can be read by people with LOW VISION.