American Sign Language,

Deaf Culture & Working

with Interpreters

Presented by: Stacy Phillips, Project Coordinator Assistive Technology

September 18, 2018

About Me

American Sign Language Certification; Over 25 years

working with the Deaf Community

Bachelor’s in Special and Elementary Education

(additional certification in Education of the Deaf and Hard

of Hearing)

Master’s in Restorative Practices in Education

Taught 10 years School District of Philadelphia- Special

Edu and Autism Support; Pennsylvania School for the Deaf-

ESY

Currently, Project Coordinator of Assistive Technology,

Institute on Disabilities (Programs include: PIAT, “Harry M”

Assessments, and iCanConnectPA)

AGENDA

Define American Sign Language (ASL)

ASL Grammar (Video)

Deaf Culture Intro. (Big D vs little d)

Debunk Myths about ASL

Working with an Interpreter

PIAT Programs

Q & A

American Sign Language

American Sign Language is a visually

perceived language based on a

naturally evolved system of articulated

hand gestures and their placement

relative to the body, along with non-

manual markers such as facial

expressions, head movements, shoulder

raises, mouth morphemes, and

movements of the body.

What is American Sign Language or ASL?

TED TALK VIDEO

Demystifying ASL

ASL is a complex, complete language

ASL is separate and distinct from

English

It is a language in its own right

Uses complex grammar and word order

What is Deaf Culture?

Deaf culture is the set of social

beliefs, behaviors, art, literary

traditions, history, values, and

shared institutions of communities

that are influenced by deafness and

which use sign languages as the

main means of communication

Deaf Culture: Example

Deaf Culture: Example

Let’s Unpack Some Myths of ASL

Myths About Sign Language #1

People who are Deaf don’t need

sign language because they can

lip-read

Truth: Even skilled lip-readers can only

understand about 30-35% of what is said

Myths About Sign Language #2

For children who are Deaf,

learning to sign impedes the ability

to learn to speak

Truth: Those who sign make faster progress in

speaking and language acquisition

Myths About Sign Language #3

ASL is Ungrammatical Truth: Bears no resemblance to English or

English grammatical order

Truth: A legitimate, full language in itself with

own grammar and syntax, unique ways of

expressing abstract thoughts, ideas, and

concepts

Myths About Sign Language #4

ASL is Universal Truth: Used by the majority of the Deaf

community in North America (estimated 2

million ppl on a daily basis)

Truth: A derivative of French Sign Language

(FSL), some similarities

Myths About Sign Language #5

When using an ASL Interpreter,

tell the interpreter what you

want them to say to the person

Truth: Speak directly to the individual and

the interpreter will convert your words into

ASL

Myths About Sign Language #6

Sign Language is iconic (looking

like what they represent)

Truth: Iconicity occurs but is minimal in

ASL

Truth: Signs for same concepts are

different across sign languages, even for

concrete notions

Myths About Sign Language #7

Sign Language is Concrete

Truth: Sign languages have signs for

abstract notions

Truth: Like spoken languages, flexibility

and creative processes to develop new

vocabulary as needed

Ways to Support Patients with

Communication Needs

Tips for Using an Interpreter

Hire a Qualified Interpreter:

As defined by the American’s With Disabilities

Act, a qualified interpreter is one “who is

able to interpret effectively, accurately and

impartially both receptively and expressively,

using any necessary specialized vocabulary”

Tips for Using an Interpreter

Pre-Conference with Interpreter:

Greatly increase the chances of a successful

interaction if you and the interpreter take a

few moments to discuss the nature and

logistics of the assignment beforehand

Tips for Using an Interpreter

Speak Directly to the Deaf Individual:

Speak at your normal rate of speed and use a natural tone of voice while looking directly at the Deaf person

Avoid using phrases such as “tell him” or “tell her”

Tips for Using an Interpreter

Interpreter Required to Interpret

Everything:

During the assignment, do not say things to

the interpreter, or in the presence of the

interpreter, that you do not want him/her to

interpret

Tips for Using an Interpreter

Interpreter Cannot Add to the Conversation:

Just as interpreters may not omit anything which is said, they also may not add anything to the conversation

The interpreter is a neutral party there to facilitate communication and maintain confidentiality

PIAT Activities and Programs

Finding out what AT is needed,

and ways to get it

AT Device Demonstrations

Consumer responsive – primary audience

“Guided Discovery” of a device or group of devices

Learn about how device(s) can help at home, work, school or community

General overview of a device to help consumers make informed decisions about AT

No cost to consumers for demonstrations

Device Loans

Pennsylvania’s Assistive Technology

Lending Library

FREE program available to all Pennsylvanians with

disabilities and older Pennsylvanians, regardless of

age, disability, income, place of residence, or service

system, who would like to try assistive technology

devices prior to obtaining them.

How to use Pennsylvania’s Assistive

Technology Lending Library

Obtain a Device Loan Request form and review

assistive technology device inventory at

http://disabilities.temple.edu/atlend

Determine what device(s) you want to borrow

(you can also pick items from the online inventory

and add them to your “Loan Cart”

Fill out application completely, with signatures

Send application to your local Assistive Technology

Resource Center (ATRC)

Pennsylvania’s Telecommunication

Device Distribution Program (TDDP)

• Provides free specialized telephones to Pennsylvanians

who have disabilities that make it difficult to use a

standard telephone

• Individuals applying to TDDP must have an authorized

professional certify the disability

• Must be 6 years of age or older

• Individual gross income of 200% of Federal Poverty level or

less

• Must have telephone service (landline) and the ability to

learn to use the equipment they receive

http://disabilities.temple.edu/tddp

http://disabilities.temple.edu/tddp

iCanConnectThe National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution

Program

In PA, called iCanConnectPA

Goal is to get technology into the hands of

Americans with combined hearing and vision loss

so they can connect with family, friends and

community.

People who qualify receive an assessment to

determine appropriate technology needed for

distance communication. Devices, installation,

training and technical support are provided for

FREE.

Questions/Contact InfoStacy Phillips M.S. Ed.

stacy.phillips@temple.edu

215-204-3373

FOR MORE INFORMATION about PIAT:

PA’s Initiative on Assistive Technology

Tel: 800-204-7428 (voice)866-268-0579 (tty)

Email: ATinfo@temple.eduWeb: disabilities.temple.edu/piat

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mailto:Stacy.Phillips@temple.edu