(Video Descriptions:
Stacey DeLaune
ID: woman,
black shirt,
salt and pepper short hair,
blue background)

This week is Deaf blind awareness, I asked some members of the DeafBlind community for their tips on how we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for DeafBlind people. Here are some great tips for us!

Identify Yourself: When entering a room with DeafBlind people around, always introduce yourself when you start a conversation and inform the person when you are leaving the conversation.

Online platform: When using online platforms like Zoom, social media live, video chat, or FaceTime, wearing a solid black shirt improves the accessibility of signing for DeafBlind people.

New term: The old term "Support Service Provider (SSP)" has now been replaced with "Co-Navigators (CN)." This change is similar to how a GPS gives directions and you drive. In the DeafBlind community, Co-Navigators provide information and guidance, allowing DeafBlind people to navigate and manage tasks autonomously. (on their own)

TIP 4 Image descriptions: it would be much appreciated by DeafBlind people if we type a description of the image. Just type what we want them to see in the picture. The description doesn’t have to be long.

TIP 5 Protactile language: Protactile is the language of DeafBlind people. Think of this: hearing people hear English. Deaf people see ASL. DeafBlind people touch Protactile.

TIP 6: Familiarize Yourself: Learn some basic ProTactile signs to improve communication.

Tip 7 “The DeafBlind community doesn’t want to waste time educating people. All they want are allies and community members who will do the work. “-AJ Granda

Tips are collected from AJ Granda and the DeafBlind community.

We thank you for this helpful information.