Communicating at Work

Your manager is collecting tips to help workers communicate with Deaf and Hard of Hearing employees.

Your manager asks you to read this list. She asks you to put a check mark before good tips. She also asks you to add other tips.

• Get the attention of the person before speaking.
• Use a wave or tap on the shoulder.
• Make sure your mouth area is clear to see.
• Do not put your hand in front of your face, smoke, or chew gum or a pencil.
• Do not stand in front of a window or bright light.
• Speak slowly and clearly, but do not exaggerate.
• Use short sentences.
• Look at the person when you speak.
• Keep eye contact even if you have an interpreter.
• Say “I” and “you” if you have an interpreter.
• Do not say “Tell him…” or “Does he understand?”
• Use body language. This makes your message clearer and more interesting.
• Do not pretend that you understand when you don’t.
• Ask the person to repeat what he or she said.

Other tips?