Communication support

People who provide communication support (human aids to communication) include :-

British Sign Language interpreters

Sign language interpreting is a highly skilled profession that involves working in a variety of environments and situations, such as in schools, colleges, courts and theatres.

Lipspeakers

A lipspeaker is a person trained to accurately convey information from a speaker to a deaf lipreader using silent speech, clear lip patterns, facial expressions and gestures. They can be useful to deaf young people who use speech rather than sign to communicate.

Lipspeakers are often helpful in environments where there might be too much background noise, or perhaps where the person speaking does not have clear lip patterns. Deaf young people use lipspeakers in further or higher education, at job interviews or at meetings. Lipspeakers also work in the same settings as sign language interpreters.

Communication support workers

Communication support workers (CSWs) support deaf children and young people in schools and colleges, working closely with other professionals such as teachers and interpreters. A CSW is trained in communication skills, and also in teaching methods and deaf-related issues. They work with children and young people with a range of communication needs.

Communicator guides and deafblind interpreters

Communicator guides work with deaf-blind young people. They are trained in communication skills, the DeafBlind Manual alphabet, and have specialist skills in guiding deaf-blind people.

Deafblind interpreters interpret speech for deaf-blind young people, and also relay supporting information such as other people's reactions to what has been said, and people's movements around the room.

Notetakers

Many deaf students in further and higher education have the support of a notetaker, as it is important that they have full notes, especially for revision purposes. Notetakers are expected to be skilled in taking notes, in handwritten English, to be directly passed onto students. They must also be aware of deaf issues.

Some notetakers also use laptop computers. The notes are stored on a disk to be given to the student at the end of the lecture.

Speech-to-text reporters

A speech-to-text reporter provides a computerised word-for-word record of what is spoken. Text is viewed instantly on a monitor, laptop screen or on a projector screen. This is often used in meetings or at conferences.

Colleges can receive additional funding to meet the additional learning needs of deaf or hearing impaired students which may include providing interpreters or notetakers.

Disabled Students' Allowances can help pay the extra costs a student may incur to study a course of higher education, as a direct result of a disability. The allowances can help pay the cost of a non-medical personal helper such as an interpreter or notetaker.

Other professional support

Teacher of deaf children

It is important that deaf children are taught by a person who understands their needs, regardless of their level of deafness. This makes sure that deaf children are given the same educational opportunities as hearing children of the same age.

A teacher who specialises in working with deaf children is commonly known as a teacher of the deaf. Teachers of the deaf require specialised skills. They help deaf children to develop their language skills and they also play an important role in developing a deaf child’s general education.

A teacher of the deaf works in a variety of different settings within the educational system. The four main areas in which a teacher of the deaf may work are a mainstream school; a special unit within a mainstream school; working in the home with the family to help develop the child’s communication skills; or in a school for deaf children.

Speech and language therapist

A speech and language therapist works with children and adults who have difficulties producing and using speech sounds, difficulties using and understanding language, fluency (stammering) or problems with their voice. They may also work with people who have eating and swallowing difficulties.

The speech and language therapist assesses the nature of the client’s problem and then provides appropriate treatment, advice and support. Speech and language therapy helps people to use their residual speech to the best of their ability. They also work with children who use sign language, to help them develop their auditory skills and speech.

Most speech and language therapists work in NHS hospitals or clinics, but some work in independent practice. Others may be employed by education authorities to work in schools with deaf children.

Educational Audiologist

Educational Audiologists work closely with deaf children, teachers and families and give advice about using hearing aids and about equipment and services for deaf people. They may assess children’s hearing and communication needs and fit hearing aids.