Physical

1
Physical Visual Environment

• Chapters 11-13
• Guidelines for Working Socializing with the
  Deaf-Blind

2
Physical EnvironmentChapter 11

• Clothing
• Loose clothes
• Clothes with pockets
• Day packs
• Comfortable shoes
• Pleasing Texture
• Contrasting, non-reflecting
• Ideal is high neckline, ¾ sleeves

3
Comfortable Environment

• Sitting/standing
• Move furniture
• Adjust yourself for comfort
• Support your back!
• Comfortable chairs not ideal
• Dont twist!
• Support your wrist
• Lower your arms
• Lower your shoulders
• Same side of table
• Take opportunities to put your hands down
• Take opportunities to stretch, to rest
• Give each other backrubs

4
Lighting

• Affect choice of place
• One size does not fit all
• Fluorescent overhead lighting best for Ushers
• 200 watts lighting for Ushers but 60 watts best
  for people with Optic Atrophy
• Avoid placing DB person in front of window or
  into the light
• In general, overhead light is better
• Lighting should be bright enough to read by
• DB people wear hats indoors
• Glare
• Takes more light to see facial expressions and
  hands of people who are dark skinned.

5
Sound

• Turn off radio and TV
• Choose a quiet restaurant
• Rooms with rugs and drapes minimizes echoes and
  provide good acoustic environment
• Minimize environmental noise

6
The Art of ConversationChapter 12

• Optimal to clear communication
• Relax and
• Prepare
• Focus
• Its ok to talk about yourself
• Tell the DB person what you see, what you notice
• Enjoy the DB persons imagination

7
Art of Conversation II

• Blither but dont ramble
• Redundancy is good
• Pausing and receiving feedback is good
• Use non-verbal communication
• Respond to the feeling not only the content
• Talk about things the person knows and things
  that is new to the person

8
Art of Conversation III

• Dont take responsibility for the feelings
• Good communication is form as well as content
• Be assertive
• If you feel interrupted, say so
• Remember interruptions are probably not personal
• Build your skills
• Remember to show appreciation
• From time to time review all the points made in
  this book about being clear.

9
Describing What You SeeChapter 13

• Place
• Mood
• Time and Patterns
• Elements of Good Descriptions
• Motivation
• Focus
• Timeliness
• Information vs. Evaluation
• Organization

10
Who and What to Describe

• Describe the physical surroundings
• Describe the people
• Describe the ambiance
• Describe things that are new or striking
• Points of Interest
• Meeting Information
• Take your cue from the DB person
• Notice and mention the presence of the DB
  persons friends social details
• Mention interesting new consumer information
• When walking w/ a DB person, give a running
  report of stores you pass and what they sell in
  general

11
Why Describe Something

• Notice your own feelings
• Dont describe things just for the sake of it
• Shopping tips
• Pressed for Time
• Longer stays require thorough orientation
• Form and placement of light sources
• Scents
• Layout, grounds and walls
• Safety issues
• Elevators and escalators
• Obstacles
• Sharp corners sudden turns
• Stairs if unusual

12
How to Describe Things

• Start with basic, general plan of the environment
• where are you? Outdoors, in the lobby, someones
  office?
• Whats the name of the street, building?
• Who else is there what are they doing?
• what do you see? décor, posters, bulletins etc.
• Begin with the familiar and then add new
  information
• Description with Purpose
• Repeats
• Practice this skill
• Try to be efficient not lengthy

13
How to Describe Things II

• Try to be specific
• Ex Instead of many, say about 25 people instead
  of big, outline the size
• Instead of saying something is beautiful, explain
  what you are seeing ex mountain range with sun
  setting, sky has blue pink streaks etc.
• Describe behavior instead of labeling it
• Use the DBs hand as a simple map
• Mention trends such as fashion, hair, fads etc.

14
Reading Menus Other Papers

• Begin with sense of menu ordinary, elaborate,
  elegant, folksy then identify major sections
• Inform about specials of the day
• Use same strategy for handouts
• Keep your eyes/ears open for other going-ons
  while reading

15
Cultural Protocols

• Provide visual information that fosters
  independence such as location of bathrooms, water
  fountain, or TTY pay phone.
• Provide visual information that is culturally
  relevant such as large print, Braille materials,
  or TV with captions etc.
• Share protocols for meetings
• It is important to introduce yourself your team
  interpreter prior to start of activity or
  meeting. When changing interpreters, announce an
  interpreter switch.
• Support Service Providers (SSPs) should also
  introduce themselves

16
Protocols I

• Every time you speak, always start with stating
  your name
• Consistently identify speakers
• Start with global information, move to large
  categories, description and detail ex
• Global Discuss upcoming Election
• Categories Current Issues Who is Republican,
  Democrats etc.
• Description and detail Names of local and
  national incumbents running for office, their
  platforms etc.
• Use this technique also for various settings

17
Protocols II

• If possible, provide opportunities for DB person
  to connect visual information with touching the
  object.
• Ask for pauses if you need more time to share
  information or details
• Empowerment Cues make mental notes of particular
  interests of DB people, and then provide
  pertinent visual information when appropriate.