Deaf/DeafBlind/DeafDisabled/Late-Deafened/Hard of Hearing

People with disabilities who are Deaf have very little or no functional hearing and often use sign language to communicate.

DeafDisabled or Deaf Plus, refers to Deaf people who have one or more disabilities in addition to being Deaf. This can include Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mental Health related disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and more.

People with disabilities may have some hearing, but do not hear as well as hearing people. They may report being Hard of Hearing or being Deaf. The term “hearing impaired” is offensive and should not be used.

Late-Deafened is similar to Hard of Hearing; Late-Deafened people may have hearing loss from progressive illness, injury, age, or may be military veterans with injuries that affect hearing.

People with disabilities who identify as DeafBlind may have little to no functional vision, or can see light, shapes, colors, and objects.

Be mindful of your privilege as a hearing individual who has access to sounds and spoken language. Be patient, understanding, and come from a place of wanting people with disabilities to be safe.

Be aware that experiences of abuse are likely to escalate a person’s sense of disempowerment and hopelessness.

Not all Deaf/DeafBlind/DeafDisabled/Late-Deafened/Hard of Hearing (DDBDDLDHH) people are the same. There are multiple layers to consider for each person with disabilities:

Immigration status, may impact people with disabilities and family member’s response to investigation;

Multiple disabilities/disorders can result in language deprivation;

Not having access to information when experiencing abuse;

Quality of a person’s educational attainment; and

Access to language/and communication.

To communicate, Deaf people with disabilities typically use American Sign Language (ASL), DeafBlind people with disabilities use tactile sign language and/or Pro-Tactile Sign Language (hands on hands communication). https://www.nationaldb.org/info-center/educational-practices/touch-signals/

People with disabilities who are Hard of Hearing may hear some, speak a bit, or use hearing devices.

DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities have diverse ASL and English language abilities. ASL is not a universal sign language, and English is a second or third language for many DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities.

DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities may hear a little or not at all.

Some people may best communicate using ASL, sign language from another country, use “home” signs specific to the person’s family, Signed Exact English (SEE), or a mixture of languages (e.g., may use ASL, English, Spanish, and Mexican Sign Language [LSM]).

The person may not sign at all and speak fluently, and communicate using a speech-generating device and/or a personal frequency modulation FM system, which uses radio waves to send speech and other signals to hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Some Deaf people with disabilities may have acquired no language at all, experiencing language deprivation.

Engage with DDBDDLDHH people, rather than family members, guardians, or anyone who is “speaking” for people with disabilities. Most DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities of hearing parents attend appointments, events, movies, and family events without an interpreter.

Not having access to ASL at an early age can result in delayed language skills later in life. People with disabilities who were deprived of early language may have difficulty communicating, even with an interpreter.

Culturally, many DDBDDHH people with disabilities strongly believe that they are not in need of a cure and are very proud of their identity as DDBDDHH people. The DDBDDHH community is a marginalized group that has its own language, history, art, traditions, religious groups, clubs, values, and norms.

Lip reading is unreliable and should not be used to convey information in an emergency situation.

Let people with disabilities choose their preferred communication method they are most comfortable with. Do not ask them if they can read lips.

Some DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities may not understand who you are and why you are there. Take time to explain in easy to understand words and ask if they have any questions.

Approach DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities slowly with a soft demeanor, make eye contact, smile, and stay at the person’s eye level. Show an intent to communicate. You can wave to get the person’s attention or gently tap on their shoulder.

Move to a private, secure, well-lit location to communicate. Keep in mind that anybody who knows ASL will be able to follow the conversation if they are able to see you and the person with disabilities.

Reduce visual activity such as bright lights, flashing lights, or a lot of people and background noise and movement.

DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities may read/interpret your face and body language and make determinations about you as a person. These initial determinations may help (or hinder) your progress with people who are DDBDDLDHH.

Ask DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities how they prefer to communicate. If the person needs an interpreter, let them know how long it will be until the interpreter arrives. While you are waiting, explore alternatives for communication, but do not use those options as a replacement for the interpreter.

The ASL App, where you can learn conversational signs to have a basic conversation with people with disabilities. This app teaches ASL but it cannot be used as a translator.

The Ava app types down what is being spoken into English text on the phone for the DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities to read. Use only if the person is comfortable with reading English.

If DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities use written English, you can write or use phone texting, but keep it easy to understand. This method should not be a replacement for an interpreter. Avoid using big words, and keep in mind that each person with a disability has different language abilities and communication skills. Clarify what they wrote, don’t assume.

The presence of assistive listening devices – hearing aids, cochlear implants – does not guarantee that people who are DDBDDLDHH can hear you. Use the technology the person does have in the way they are most comfortable.

If people who are DDBDDLDHH prefer to communicate using spoken language, move to a quiet location, face the individual, speak naturally, and keep your mouth free of distractions. Use the person’s FM system, a wireless assistive hearing device, if they have one.

Physical touch is typically more acceptable for DeafBlind (DB) people, as that is how they communicate as long as it is appropriate (see *note below).

You can offer to guide the person, but don’t assume they need you to guide.

To gain their attention, you can touch the DB person lightly on the shoulder.

With consent, when guiding a DB person, never place them ahead of you.

If possible, allow the person to hold your arm above the elbow and allow them to walk slightly behind and with you.

Some DB people with disabilities communicate through Tactile/Pro-Tactile Sign Language [https://www.nationaldb.org/info-center/educational-practices/touch-signals/], using touch to communicate; tactile symbols (representations of words attached to backgrounds); object communication (using objects that represent people, places, things); or communication devices (Apps/iPads, assistive technology).

If DB people with disabilities have a specially trained service provider, that person should be involved in providing communication assistance.

*Note. Appropriate touch when working with people who are Deaf Blind, is through protactile language where the Deaf Blind individual will have their hands over the person who is signing (signer’s) hands to feel the hand movement, hand shape, location, and context of the conversations. Sometimes a signer will use the Deaf Blind individuals’ back to signify the background information or the person’s responses while the Deaf Blind signer is signing. The key to the entire appropriate approach to providing access to Deaf Blind individuals is to request consent at the beginning and to conduct regular check-ins to make sure the person is feeling safe and comfortable.

If DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities use sign language, immediately request a qualified certified interpreter. All DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities, even young people with disabilities, benefit from interpreters.

Specify other language needs when requesting an interpreter.

Do people with DDBDDLDHH disabilities use American Sign Language (ASL), or sign language from another country?

Is the person DeafBlind and require a tactile or Pro-Tactile sign language interpreter?

Do they need a Certified Deaf Interpreter (CDI)?

CDIs are Deaf Interpreters who work in combination with an ASL interpreter. They are native or almost native signers, so are better able to understand regional signs, facial expression, and slang than hearing interpreters. DDBDDLDHH people who have limited communication skills typically may have a hard time expressing themselves, even with ASL Interpreters. Interpreting agencies should have at least some CDIs. If they do not, ask specifically for ASL interpreters who have experience with DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities.

Request interpreters who are trained in trauma-informed care interpreting and victim response, and who have experience working with people with disabilities who have had traumatic experiences.

Use a separate team of certified interpreters to interview the victim and the suspect.

Sometimes DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities have a personal preference of interpreters. This preference should be honored, if possible, because of trust issues and comfort in communication.

Do not ask hearing relatives, care attendants, suspected abusers, or other Deaf people to interpret for the person. A person who signs or knows some sign language is not a qualified interpreter.

People with disabilities who are DeafBlind may not be able to see things that are too close or too far. The interpreters will need to sign smaller or sign where DDBDDLDHH people can understand them. Request a Pro-Tactile ASL interpreter, but if one is not available in your area, do your best to work with the person and an ASL interpreter, preferably one with experience working with DeafBlind people with disabilities.

Check in with DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities about what seating is best. Generally, arrange seating so that DDBDDLDHH person with disabilities is sitting opposite of both you and the interpreter, and can also see everybody who is speaking or asking questions.

Look and speak directly to the DDBDDLDHH person, not to the interpreter. Do not tell the interpreter to ask her/them/him (meaning people with disabilities).

The interpreter’s role is to facilitate communication, not to provide information or opinions. In fact, it is disempowering and rude to speak to the interpreter rather than DDBDDLDHH people, or to say anything to the interpreter that excludes the DDBDDLDHH person from the conversation. The interpreter is supposed to interpret everything you say to DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities.

Make sure only one person speaks at a time and that DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities know who is speaking.

Find out what language the DDBDDLDHH person uses (ASL, Pro-Tactile, English/Spanish, etc.), their level of understanding, and the vocabulary a person uses through an interpreter.

For nonverbal DDBDDLDHH people, assess for a desire and ability to communicate in other ways. Does the person attempt to communicate with eye contact? Gestures? Physical touch? Figure out the purpose of the behaviors if at all possible: Are they requesting something? Protesting something? Are they hurt in some way?

Note: All information in the Interpreters section also applies to Interviews.

Some DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities may feel uncomfortable when a person who can hear and does not use ASL enters their home. To help get past that discomfort, be natural, as you would with other people with disabilities. Be friendly, smile, speak directly to them (rather than to a care attendant or interpreter), ask the person what they need, etc. Don’t tell them what to do or try to hold their hands or arms. Be patient.

DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities may have more difficulty communicating and understanding in high-stress and traumatic situations, especially when they are not familiar with you or are distrustful.

Always make eye contact with DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities while talking. This is how most Deaf people connect. However, some DDBDDLDHH people with autism spectrum disorder may be uncomfortable with eye contact. Again, check in with them.

Explain everything that is happening – transitions, phone calls, radio calls, disruptions, what comes next, where you are going if you leave the room, when you will be back, etc. It will help DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities feel more secure and calm if someone is communicating everything and including them in what is happening. Many DDBDDLDHH people with hearing related disabilities experience being excluded from general conversation with hearing family members. Keeping that in mind, it can be further traumatizing to be told: Don’t worry, I will tell you later. It’s not important.

It can be very uncomfortable to be the only DDBDDLDHH individual in a room full of strangers. DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities may want someone they know to remain with them.

You can check in directly with DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities when an interpreter is in the room: Ask the person if they are okay, if there is anything they need.

Also check in through the interpreter for understanding. Ask the DDBDDLDHH person: Does that make sense? Do you need more information about what I am saying?

Use gestures, body language, and facial expressions. ASL relies on these three methods of communication as well as hand signs.

Use repetition, particularly with DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities who have experienced language deprivation by not having access to ASL or English. Break down complex concepts into smaller chunks and use easy to understand phrases or sentences.

Reframing your questions can help ensure DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities understand what you are asking. The interpreter can be helpful in this situation. This process may take a lot longer, but patience and understanding will help DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities learn to trust you.

DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities may not know the English names of people in their lives. The DDBDDLDHH community often has sign names for family, friends, and others they interact with frequently. Use pictures to match significant people with names or to identify who they are.

If you are filming the interview, show both DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities and the interpreter in the video.

Provide equal communication access at every step, including follow-up meetings and appointments. If you need to call a DDBDDLDHH person, you can ask them for their Video Relay Service (VRS) phone number. With this service, you can make a call and be automatically linked to a relay interpreter that will connect to the DDBDDLDHH individual through video phone.

As with all people, provide a card with your name and phone number. Tell people with disabilities if it’s Okay for them to contact you.

DDBDDLDHH people with limited communication skills may not fully understand safety information.

Safety planning with DDBDDLDHH individuals with limited communication access requires adapting information to their primary communication style and cognitive needs. Safety strategies should be presented visually and concretely using tools such as picture-based guides, visual schedules, social stories, or symbol boards to ensure comprehension. When clarification is needed, collaborate with trusted care providers or professionals who understand the person’s communication methods—while maintaining the individual’s autonomy and confidentiality.

Effective safety planning prioritizes accessible communication, repetition, and confirmation of understanding so the person can meaningfully participate in decisions about their own safety.

Work with your team and the DDBDDLDHH community to develop visual aids. If DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities still don’t understand, ask trusted care providers and professionals who are familiar with the person to continue to address safety using the person’s typical communication modes. Visual boards or social stories may be more effective for nonverbal people with disabilities.

Speaking loudly, yelling, or attempting to have DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities read your lips will not help in a stressful situation. Increasing volume can help in certain situations, but most of the time it only amplifies already distorted hearing.

A common source of distress among DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities is not being able to communicate with anyone. The person may look very angry (signing big with frowns, signing with strong facial expressions, screaming) or very withdrawn (refusing to say anything or make any eye contact, hiding in the corner). Some considerations to reduce stress with DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities:

Never stop DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities from communicating by holding their hands still, stopping them from signing, or putting handcuffs on the person. Doing so is likely to create even more distress. Instead of trying to prevent them from signing big or becoming angry, nod your head, offer them a place to sit, or allow them to pace around the room.

Let the person know if an interpreter is coming and give them an estimated time of arrival for the interpreter.

Give DDBDDLDHH people with disabilities space and a friendly smile now and then.

Position yourself so that there is a comfortable distance between you and the DDBDDLDHH person with disabilities (usually arm’s length or more). Getting into their personal space may result in more aggravation.