10 Tips for Speaking with Deaf People

Here are some practical tips for being respectful and communicating well.

• Make sure you have eye contact with the person before speaking

• If there is an interpreter, speak to and look at the deaf person—not at the interpreter

• Face the person to whom you are speaking (that helps with lip-reading)

• Stand in good lighting and avoid standing so that light is on the face of the deaf person

• Avoid background noise whenever possible

• Move your mouth to articulate your words but don’t exaggerate them

• Speak a little louder and slower than normal—but don’t shout or drag

• Keep your hands away from your face—particularly your mouth

• Use lots of facial expressions and body movements

• If something is unclear, rather than just repeating the same thing, rephrase thoughts in shorter and simple sentences