| language in the workplace is becoming more prevalent | | | | and to the deaf people you help/encounter on a daily |
| as the number of people increases who are hearing | | | | basis. |
| impaired, or are completely deaf. Being able to use sign | | | | The Deaf community is relatively small and cohesive. |
| language to communicate and to interact with a deaf | | | | The moment you sign with your deaf patrons, the |
| co-worker is essential for establishing a positive | | | | word of your interaction with them will spread like |
| working climate, and for building a strong rapport. It is | | | | wildfire among the community. Deaf people seek out |
| equally vital for people to learn sign language who | | | | businesses and retailers that attempt to make a |
| work in environments such as restaurants, hospitals, | | | | concerted effort to interact with them. Again, you |
| and retail businesses. In fact, it is not unusual, nor is it | | | | don’t have to be proficient at sign language to |
| strange, to encounter people who cannot hear in | | | | ask a deaf person if he or she needs assistance. |
| every social setting imaginable. | | | | Having a basic understanding of sign language and |
| Visualize the reaction a deaf person would have if he | | | | deaf culture will go a long way. And if they ask, |
| she walked into your establishing to make a purchase, | | | | “Oh, do you know sign language,” you |
| or to request help. You, or one of your employees, | | | | can simply reply, “A little bit.” |
| greet this customer in sign language by saying, | | | | When looking online for a good sign language website, |
| “Hello. How are you?” Or, “Hello, | | | | the following things should be considered: |
| can I help you?” How do you think this deaf | | | | Are the lessons themed, instead of a list of words? |
| customer will react? How good does it feel to this | | | | 1. Does the site offer ASL grammar and practice? |
| employee that he or she can sign enough to help this | | | | 2. Are there retention exercises to help with |
| customer by communicating in their language? You do | | | | memorization? |
| not need to be proficient at sign language to help a | | | | 3. Can you review lessons if needed? |
| customer who is deaf. You can simply learn some | | | | 4. Is the site available 24/7? |
| basic signs and sentences in order to help out this | | | | 5. Are the videos clear and large enough to see? |
| person, especially if the signs are related to your area | | | | These are important criteria to have for your sign |
| of employment/interest. | | | | language learning. You want to seek out websites that |
| If you wanted to become an interpreter for the deaf, | | | | has all of the above features. If it doesn’t, you |
| you would need to enroll in an interpreting program at | | | | may want to check out additional websites that will. |
| a local college, or university. However, in | | | | Regardless of your job status, the learning of sign |
| today’s world, you have the opportunity to | | | | language will be beneficial, rewarding, and worthwhile. |
| learn some basic phrases and words in sign language | | | | After all, you may not even have a job, but you have |
| online, that would allow you to complete a sale, or to | | | | a friend (or friends) who are deaf. Now you can |
| assist a deaf person. The World Wide Web has a | | | | communicate with them better and more effectively. |
| vast amount of knowledge for people to learn | | | | How powerful is that? Have fun with signing and meet |
| American Sign Language. Some of the websites have | | | | people from a diverse cultural background, especially |
| themed lessons for people like you to learn what is | | | | the Deaf community. There, you will meet some |
| needed. Some websites have a large video dictionary | | | | tremendous people just waiting to communicate with |
| to customize to your liking. You now have the ability to | | | | you. |
| select certain words that pertain to your workplace | | | | |