Deaf Space

Lea Sheffield,

Special Populations Unit Manager

January 29, 2019

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Deaf Space

• https://www.gallaudet.edu/campus-

design-and-planning/deafspace

• Communication barriers

• Environments that promote visual

communication

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Challenges and Solutions

• Lighting

• Color

• Clutter

• Movement

• Space

• Acoustics

• Physical barriers

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Deaf Space

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Other things to consider

• Seating

• Mobility and proximity

• Visual cues:

– Calendars

– Schedules

– Charts

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• Helps the individual to learn new things and broaden

their interests

• Provides tools that allow the individual to use skills in

a variety of settings

• Increases the individual’s flexibility

• Helps the individual to develop independence and

increase self-esteem

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Visual Cues

Visual Calendars and Schedules

• Change to the routine

• What is happening next

• Lessen anxiety

• Increase trust

• Visualize steps in a specific task

• Inform of a task that needs to be completed

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Visual Calendars

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Dollar bills

= pay day

Cake

= birthday

Images

= holidays

Days of the

week and

numbers in

ASL

Visual Chart

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Task Completed

Gesture Chart

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Thank you!

RA-ODPDeafServices@pa.gov

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Citations

• Gallaudet University Deaf Space. Retrieved from

https://www.Gallaudet.edu

• Career Force Library. Visual strategies for Deaf

and Hard of Hearing people. Retrieved from https://

www.careerforce.org

• Disability Navigator. Tips for communicating with

the deaf. Retrieved from

https://www.disabilitynavigator.org

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