Most people panic when they find out I am deaf.  So here is some guideline to help interact with deaf people if you do not know sign.

Some deaf can read lip and can be well understood while they talk such as me.  My guideline for this type of deaf is:

1.  Always look directly at the deaf. 

2.  Do not be in direct sun or light as it is hard to see lips.

3.   Do not talk louder.  This actually can make it worse if deaf have a high tone hearing loss as your voice become higher tone.

4.  Do not exaggerate your words. This will distort your lips.

5.  Do speak slower but not a lot unless you are a fast talker.

6.  Use facial expression.  Beware of facial expression that does not match your words.  If you meant to say I am happy, be sure your facial expression show you are happy and that you are not nodding.  This will confuse us and make as think you are not happy.

What if you meet deaf that cannot read lips or talk??

1.  Use facial expression and mime

2.  I highly do not recommend writing unless it is really simple. American Sign Language is not English and could confuse the deaf.

3.  Do not be in direct sun or in direct light so that deaf can see your facial expression.

4.  Do not speak louder as this doesn't do any good. 

What if there is an interpreter and the interpreter is translating for the deaf?

1.  Always talk directly to the deaf and not the interpreter.

2.  Keep eye contact even when the interpreter is translating.

3.  Do not say, "Tell her this ...." 

What if I get a relay service (a person who translated the phone call for the deaf that call thru TTY or online) call from the deaf???

1.  Do not say, "Tell her this...."  Relay will type exactly what you say.

2.  Relay will type in if you are laughing or ummm, ahh, *sigh*.  They will type any noise they hear such as (I hear door slamming or I hear keyboard typing)

3.  Wait until the deaf finished talking and reply when you hear GA or Go Ahead.

4.  When you are finished talking say GA or Go Ahead.

5.  When deaf say Good Bye and ga to sksk, it mean you are free to hang up.  Deaf may need relay to make another call.