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Have you ever wondered about...
HOW DEAF PEOPLE COMMUNICATE (Series 2)
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Are there other ways to communicate with deaf people without using your voice?
Language is not always spoken, as your introduction to sign language
shows. English is not always spoken. Sometimes it is written. Writing
to deaf people can be very helpful when you do not know signs. Sometimes
deaf people ask hearing people to write directions and important explanations.
Deaf people also enjoy watching television. But,
remember how hard it is to understand the TV
without hearing the speakers. How can deaf people
understand and enjoy television if they can't hear
it? Deaf people can now read what the speakers
say when they watch television. A special device
makes the printed words, called captions, visible on
the lower part of the screen. This is another way
that writing communicates to deaf people.
These symbols tell you a TV program is closed-captioned for hearing
impaired people. The device on top of the TV set, called a decoder or
telecaption adapter, makes it possible for words to appear on the screen.
The printed word also makes it possible for deaf people to use the
telephone, By using a TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf), a
deaf person can call another person with a TDD. Instead of talking,
the two people type to each other.
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How does a deaf person call a hearing person who does not have
a TDD? By using a message- relay service. Many cities have such
services for deaf and hearing people who need to call each other.
More and more doctors, businesses, and government offices are
getting TDD's so deaf people can call directly.
Two people with TDDs can type phone conversations to each other.
Using a message-relay service, a deaf person can call a hearing
person who does not have a TDD.
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