working together to help children who are deaf 143
Encourage people to communicate with your child whenever they see
her. Introduce her to people you meet. Show them how to greet her, and
teach her how to greet them. Just as you teach a hearing child the name
or term of respect for each person you know in the community, teach
your child a sign or spoken name for
each person, and teach people your
child’s sign or spoken name.
People in the community may feel
more comfortable with your child
if you explain how to act, and
show them a few signs or gestures.
Explain to people that it is best to
be at the same eye level as your
child when they talk or sign to
her. People can use gestures and
expressions on their faces as if they
are communicating with a child
who can hear.
Good
morning,
Alicia.
Families of deaf children can organize programs for people in the
neighborhood to help them understand about ‘differences’, respect, and
awareness of deafness and hearing. They can help their friends and
community-based groups to welcome children who are deaf or ‘different’
in other ways.
People will better understand a child who does not hear well if they can
get an idea of what that might feel like. Here are some fun ways to learn.
These games can be used in public places such as churches, temples
or other religious places, clinics, schools, and community groups. You
can use them during awareness-raising sessions or during a parents’
meeting.
How to help hearing people understand what it is like
to be deaf or not hear well
Game: What did you say?
One person covers his ears while another tells a funny
story to the group. Or people can take turns sitting far
away, so they cannot hear the story. Another person asks
everyone questions about the story, including the person
whose ears were covered or who sat far away.
Ask this person what it felt like not being able to hear the story well.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)