Accommodations for Accessing Communication from the Perspective of a Native Signer

Possible Accommodations for Accessing Sign Language.

• Distance: you may require sign to be presented from further away due to restricted visual fields or you may prefer the signer to be very close
• Tracking
• Place of signing to be in a small area around mouth and chest (keeping within visual fields)
• Pace of signing - you may require signs to be presented at a slightly slower pace
• Frequent breaks due to eye or arm fatigue
• Tactile sign language (one handed or two handed approach)
• Clothing/Accessory Considerations:
  • solid color clothing that is in contrast to the signer's skin color
  • high neck collar
  • long sleeves
  • hair up off neck
  • no rings
  • minimal jewelry
  • short nails
  • nude or clear nail polish
• Environmental Considerations:
  • lighting
  • contrasting backdrop
  • avoid glare
• Time to allow signer to visually locate speaker
• Speakers must identify themselves prior to speaking/signing
• Provision of visual and environmental information (type and amount) this will be discussed further later on in this course.

These are just some common examples. There are many more please refer to our Accommodations checklist in the resource section for more information.  This will be updated as individuals share accommodations that they find helpful.