Recommendations for policies and technology to support communication in health care settings. Developed with a consensus by deaf and hard of hearing Consumer Groups, deaf healthcare providers and other subject matter experts.
Guidelines and tips are focused on the needs of deaf and hard of hearing participants in virtual workplace meetings. Many of these also have been tested in cross-disability meetings. Additional scenarios will be covered in future updates. The authors recommend: Keep meetings as small as possible. Have well-defined roles in running the meeting, especially for larger ones (e.g., chair, turn-taking manager, note-taker). Turn-taking management is critical In larger meetings, default to video off except for chairs, interpreters, turn-taking manager, and people who have the floor.
Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind people working remotely during the COVID-19 crisis may encounter significant barriers to communication. This center collaborated with consumer advocacy groups and subject matter experts to provide guidance on making remote workplaces accessible. Guidance: Information for employees (includes an ASL version), Information for employers, and Review of key accessibility features in popular videoconferencing platforms
The article describes how to prepare in advance for someone with complex communication needs, how to support understanding of COVID-19 for those who may have difficulty understanding complex communication, ways to support expressive communications for someone who cannot rely on speech, and suggestions for healthcare workers providing care for someone who cannot communicate.
The article in the Journal of Aging examines the immediate need for digital literacy for older adults who must suddenly learn to interact with health care providers, social services, and friends and family.
We’re rarely far from our email these days. For most of us, it’s a great communication tool: We use it every day for work and play. For people with cognitive disabilities, email may be the key to overcoming isolation and building family and community relationships. Research from two NIDRR-funded studies has shown that a simplified email program is a suitable tool for the job.
