Physical & Visual Environment

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 • Don’t 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 Usher’s • 200 watts lighting for Usher’s 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 • It’s ok to talk about yourself • Tell the DB person what you see, what you notice • Enjoy the DB person’s imagination

7. Art of Conversation II • Blither but don’t 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 • Don’t 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 person’s 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 • Don’t 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, someone’s office? • What’s 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 DB’s 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.