Deaf or Hearing Impairment

Planning an Accessible Meeting

• A TDD or TTY is available some place m the building.
• Deaf participants using a Sign Language interpreter are seated near the front. The interpreter is in an area which can be easily seen by the participants who are deaf.
• The interpreter is placed as close to the speaker as possible. When there are multiple speakers sitting at a table, the interpreter is placed across from the deaf or hard of hearing person(s).
• A good quality sound system is being used.
• Necessary adjustments are made to the sound system for participants who are hard of hearing.
• A closed-captioning service or real time captioning is provided whenever audiovisual presentations are used.
• Background noise is eliminated to the greatest extent possible.
• Qualified, professional interpreters, who are trained in the preferred communication style, are used. Use a local interpreters agency whenever possible. Interpreters are often available through your local community college or university.
• There are an adequate number of interpreters for meetings, meals, and social events.
• Guest rooms are equipped with alternative emergency devices such as visual alarms and indicators (e.g., flashing lights on doors, telephones, and fire alarms, beds which vibrate, volume-controlled phone lines, and closed-captioned television.)
• Hearing enhancement units are available for hard of hearing participants.