Introduction to Sign Language in the Workplace

Frankie Burgos, Annabel Carlin, Kelly Consadine, TJ Cosgrove, Dakota Cummings

March 23rd, 2016

Statistics 50 million people in America and ~360 million worldwide

● 1 in 5 teens● 1 in 5 adults● 3 in 5 veterans returning from war

● Hearing loss is the 2nd most prevalent health issue globally

a. The number of people with hearing loss is more than b. those living with Parkinson’s, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and

diabetes combined.

● Causes of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus ○ Genetic factors○ Noise○ Trauma○ Ototoxic medications (medicine-induced hearing loss)○ Viral or bacterial infections○ Aging

Rochester Deaf StatisticsRochester’s per capita deaf and hard-of-hearing population to 3.7 percent of the estimated area population of about 1.1 million people. Overall in the U.S., 3.5 percent of people are deaf or hard of hearing.

RIT has approximately 1,200 students and 111 faculty and staff who are deaf or hard of hearing during the time of the study, increasing the numbers by a small percent.

As a result, Rochester not only has the highest number, by far, of deaf or hard-of-hearing 18- to 25-year olds than any of the selected metro areas, but the percentage attending postsecondary education (61.4 percent) is almost double the national average for deaf people. Making it very obvious that it is very difficult to grow your education when you’re deaf.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1lZbRucJwM

Informing Learners of the Objective

● Students will successfully be able to sign 5 questions and responses with little to no use of the handout given in a conversation with a partner

● The 5 questions and responses given will be important to know in future work environments incase you come in contact with a deaf or hearing impaired co-worker or customer

What Do the Learners Already Know? ● How many people do you know that are affected by hearing loss or deafness?

○ 13 people said 1-3 people

● How important do you think knowing basic sign language is?○ 12 people said 4 out of 5, pretty important

● Would it be more important to know in the workplace compared to the outside

world? Why?

○ People were mixed between yes and no, should learn it for everyone but it is good to know in

the workplace

● Do you know the sign language alphabet?○ 10/20 people knew none of the alphabet, while 4 knew it all

What Do the Learners Already Know?

● How many signs do you know other than letters, numbers, and profanity?○ Average answer was 2 signs per person, while one person knew a lot of signs

● How familiar are you with Sign Language or Deaf Culture?○ Average answer was 3/10

● What topics of sign language would you like to learn most about?○ Top answers were daily conversations, work environment discussions, and traveling questions

Presenting Stimulus Information

● Pass out handout to learners

Things to Know Before We Begin

● Make eye contact as much as possible while signing○ Not making eye contact is like plugging your ears while someone is talking

● Sign with your dominant hand○ Using the non-dominant hand is the equivalent of having a speech impediment or accent

● When using emotions body language and facial expressions are key○ This helps the receiver understand how you are feeling

● When giving directions point and move body

● There are different variations for different people

Signing Together

● Hello

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/HELLO/4943/1

● Goodbye

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/GOODBYE/3546/1

Signing Together

● How are you?

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/HOW%20ARE%20YOU/6096/1

● I’m fine

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/FINE/147/1

Signing Together

● How can I help you?

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/HELP/189/1

● Where is the bathroom?

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/BATHROOM/38/1

Signing Together

● What is your name?

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/WHAT%20IS%20YOUR%20NAME/6133/1

● My name is?

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/MY%20NAME/6123/1

Signing Together

● Thank you

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/THANK%20YOU/8435/1

● You’re Welcome

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/YOU%20ARE%20WELCOME/4944/1

Signing Together

● Have a nice day

https://www.signingsavvy.com/sign/HAVE%20A%20GOOD%20DAY/8194/1

Time to Sign the Phrases in Groups!!

Going Forward● Be sure to keep the handouts in case of future work environments incase you

come in contact with a deaf or hearing impaired co-worker or customer

● There is a URL at the bottom of your handouts in case you are interested in

learning more about sign language

● If you were having a difficult time remembering and retaining the phrases, it

takes time and practice to memorize so do not be discouraged

Sources

http://www.ntid.rit.edu/news/rochester-areas-deaf-population-better-defined

http://www.start-american-sign-language.com/deaf-culture.html

http://hearinghealthfoundation.org/index.php?pg=statistics&gclid=CMHNz4vWyssCFQ6naQodt0QLUQ

http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/rightorlefthand.htm

http://www.start-american-sign-language.com/

https://www.signingsavvy.com