Sign language for health 369
Sign language for health
In most communities around the world, deaf people have created their own sign
language. They use signs to communicate as well and nearly as fast as hearing
people do. The signs shown here are from several countries. The sign for the
same word can be different in different places. Use these signs as a guide. If you
are a health worker, family member, or caregiver, ask the deaf women in your
community to teach you the signs they use, how you should change and adapt
these signs, and to teach you other signs. Sign language can help you make sure
deaf women in your community get good health care.
Signs health workers need to know
Here are examples of some signs a health worker needs to know to provide good
health services for deaf women. Sometimes signs are based on gestures, and
sometimes by finger-spelling letters of the alphabet.
Signs that point at the body
Body parts can be pointed at
to show where a pain is. For
example, to show a pain in the
belly, make the sign for pain and
then point to the belly.
from Great Britain
Pain
from China
Signs that use gestures
Here are examples of other signs to use in a health setting. These signs mostly
use gestures:
AIDS
Infection
Medicine
from Kenya
Family
planning
from China
from Vietnam from Great Britain from the US
Sex
from Kenya
from Vietnam
from Kenya
from Vietnam from Kenya
A Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities 2007