Time is a precious commodity to your organisation and you will be doing everything you can to ensure that all participants get access to the right information. If you are working with deaf people you will be working with BSL interpreters in some way.

It is the interpreter’s role to interpret so that deaf participants have equal access. The main thing to remember is that the interpreters are there as your colleagues, to work with you so that everything goes smoothly.

We have divided this section into two parts: things to consider as you prepare and things to consider on the day.

1.Things to consider as you prepare

Preparation Material

It is essential that the interpreters have access to any preparation material so that everyone feels confident on the day. It helps interpreters enormously to be able to see presentation notes, handouts, overheads, job applications, videos, meeting agendas, court information or theatre scripts etc. It allows the interpreter to be able to see how you intend to structure the day/session and allows them to fully prepare for the event.

Videos

If you are intending to use videos it may not be possible for you to allow the interpreter to see it before the day. However it may be possible to allow the interpreter to see the video before you show it to the whole group. Alternatively if there is a script available showing that to the interpreter would help. Try to avoid announcing in the middle of a session that you are about to show a video. This allows no time for the interpreter to prepare and may result in a poor translation of your material.

The structure of long events

Concentration levels dip for everyone throughout the day. Your hearing colleagues will discreetly take breaks by switching off mentally, gazing out of the window or having a doodle, whilst keeping half an ear on what is being said. Your deaf colleagues have to watch the interpreter(s) the whole time that you are speaking. This means that their concentration levels are kept at a very high level for quite extended periods.

The interpreters are also working in two languages all day. For most all day events there will be two interpreters. Whilst it may appear that one is resting while the other is signing, the non-signing interpreter is listening closely to what is being said and discreetly offering support. They are both working all the time. This makes full day events very tiring indeed for interpreters and deaf people.

It will not always be possible but, try to vary activities, make use of small group work, role play, demonstrations of how things work. Try to build breaks into your day so that if there is a lot of information going in one direction there is an opportunity for a break of at least 15 to 20 minutes each hour. You may wish to discuss this with the deaf person and the interpreters on the day. Avoid just speaking for hours without a break.

2.Things to remember on the day

Questions and discussion

Many events involve sharing experiences and ideas in a natural and spontaneous way. However the interpreter must listen to what is said then translate. This means that they work slightly behind what each speaker is saying sometimes by 10 to 20 seconds.

Your deaf colleagues are therefore receiving the conversation with a slight time lag. Try to imagine the delay on a satellite link and you will be close to the general idea. This means that by the time the deaf person has received a question/comment it has probably been answered by someone else in the room and the discussion has moved on. The discussion moves on so quickly that the deaf person may not even know who has made which contributions. For people who sign and require voice over from the interpreter they have to get everyones attention before they can make their own contribution.

This is the natural way for any discussion to be conducted but it tends to isolate deaf people and means that they have limited opportunity to contribute their ideas and learn in the same way as their hearing colleagues.

As an organiser your role in this is crucial and you may want to consider the following.

Is it possible to hold discussions in smaller groups of 3 or 4?
Ask people to raise their hand before they speak, so that the deaf person has a chance to see who is speaking.
Deliberately ask people their opinions or direct questions.
Insist that people speak one at a time, this is vital.
Try to chair the discussion so that everyone gets a chance to speak.

Written material

If you are using any written material it is worth remembering that your deaf colleagues cannot read and watch the interpreter. Avoid the temptation of continuing to talk whilst people are reading. Allow a few minutes for deaf participants to take in the information. Remember they will be reading English, which may not be their first language.

Tests and Form Filling

Some occasions involve tests or form filling. Some deaf participants may appreciate having the questions put into BSL and their answers put into English. It may be worth discussing with the deaf person and the interpreter(s) on the best way to manage this.

Jargon

Try to keep jargon to a minimum. If your area of work involves specialist language and jargon is unavoidable; it is especially important that you send as much information as possible to the interpreter before the day. This will allow the interpreter to familiarise themselves with the language you will be using and avoid interruptions for clarification.

The Environment

Try to ensure that the room being used is well lit. The interpreter will discuss with you and deaf participants the best place for the interpreter to sit/stand. Chairs without arms tend to be most comfortable.