Treat the Deaf or hard of hearing individual just as you would any other client or colleague, with respect, professionalism, and inclusion.

A few key things to remember:

• Speak directly to the Deaf person, not the interpreter.

• Avoid side conversations with the interpreter while the Deaf individual is present.

• Don’t assume communication preferences. Some Deaf individuals use their voice, some prefer only sign language, and many use a combination. Let them lead.

• The interpreter is neutral and is there to facilitate communication, not to give opinions or advocate.

They’re not the same. American Sign Language (ASL) is its own language, with its own grammar, sentence structure, and cultural context. It’s not simply English in hand gestures.

For example:

• In English, we might say: “What is your name?”

• In ASL, it might look more like: “Your name what?” (with facial expression and body language adding meaning)

ASL is a visual language that uses facial expressions, body movement, and spatial referencing to convey tone, detail, and emphasis, things that are often spoken aloud in English.

This is why interpreting isn’t just a word-for-word swap. A skilled interpreter conveys the full meaning and intent across languages and cultures to ensure clear, respectful communication for everyone involved.

Not exactly. Interpreters translate meaning, not just individual words. Their role is to ensure that everyone in the conversation has equal access to what’s being said, tone, intent, and cultural context included.

They will interpret everything they hear in the room so that Deaf or hard of hearing participants receive the same information as everyone else. This includes:

• Side conversations, if audible

• Jokes, emotional cues, and pauses

• Specialized terminology like medical prescriptions, acronyms, or legal jargon, they’ll do their best to convey the full meaning and may fingerspell exact terms when needed

If something is unclear (for example, a fast-paced discussion or new acronym), the interpreter may briefly ask for clarification to ensure accuracy. This is part of maintaining equity in the communication experience.

No problem! That’s what we’re here for. Whether you’re unsure about ASL, trilingual, DeafBlind support, or captioning, just describe the setting and goals, and our team will guide you to the best option.

Likely yes. Under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and other regulations, service providers are often responsible for ensuring effective communication. If a Deaf individual will be participating, it’s best to offer access support rather than assume it’s not needed. Reach out to them and ask what accommodations they would appreciate and go from there.