Support Services Handout Series
Number 4006 Communication Sheet
Questions And Tools To Help Your Child Become A More Successful Communicator

1. Can your child fill out a job application? Go with them to several businesses and have your son or daughter request a job application. Practice filling out the applications together. Discuss unfamiliar words and abbreviations.
2. Is your child prepared for a job interview? Borrow a good book on interviewing from the library or search the internet. Review some basic interview questions and have mock interviews using both hearing and deaf people serve as interviewers.
3. Is your child ready to communicate in the workplace? Have your son or daughter observe you at work and list all of the situations in which you communicate. Discuss how he/she would communicate in similar situations. Ask your child to list three ways he/she could communicate with hearing co-workers if an interpreter is not available.
4. Does your child know what communication technology is available for the workplace? Review the communication situations your child identified above. Identify which situations would be easier with communication technology. Have your child list devices that would help him/her communicate. If you or your child want to learn more about communication technology, call and request an assistive technology catalog from one of the many distributors. Reviewing the catalog together and have your child compare similar devices for cost, quality, features, etc.
5. Does your child understand how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to him/her? Using the internet or the library, research the ADA with your child. Learn how the law applies to deaf and hard of hearing people. Point out services and equipment that are available as a result of the ADA (e.g. TTYs in airports and malls, interpreters at concerts, decoders in hotels, the telephone relay system). Discuss your son or daughter's rights as well as his/her responsibilities. (e.g. he/she may be entitled to an interpreter at a performance but must assume the responsibility for requesting one).
6. Does your child know how to request "reasonable accommodations" for the workplace? Have your son/daughter write a brief description of a job they would like to have someday. Ask him/her to identify the services and equipment that would be of benefit. Then have your child practice writing a letter requesting those services and equipment. Be sure to include a description of the equipment and how it will enhance communication. You may also want to discuss how and when your child will benefit from using an interpreter.
7. Does your child have a resume and cover letter and does he/she understand their value? Start by having your child review a variety of resumes. Then discuss how resumes are used by an employer. Have your child list school activities, leadership roles and work experience. Help your child write or revise his/her resume and cover letter.
8. Does your child know how to locate job opportunities in the newspaper and on the internet? Read the employment section and search the world wide web with your child. Have him/her identify jobs that are of interest and what the qualifications are for those jobs. Review how he/she would apply for those jobs. Ask your child to write a want-ad for the job of their dreams.
9. Can your child use the telephone to schedule appointments? Prepare your child by having him/her write down in advance who they are calling, the person's telephone number, the purpose for the appointment, possible dates and times and any other relevant information. Then have your child use the telephone/TTY (and relay system if necessary) to schedule doctor and dentist visits, hair cuts and other appointments. Provide suggestions and feedback.
10. Can your son or daughter take down accurate telephone messages? Ask family friends to call via the relay system and have your child write down telephone messages. Review the messages to see if all important information is included. Use office message pads as a guide.

Developed by Susan Jacoby, Audiologist/Communication Specialist,
Model Secondary School for the Deaf .

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