Email srenart@spanadvocacy.org for more information about the program. | |
Tips for a Deaf-Friendly
Holiday Gathering
| | What is Dinner Table Syndrome? | |
The holidays have arrived! While this season is a joyful occasion, it can also be a bit overwhelming. It can be a reminder of inaccessibility, which is often frustrating and isolating especially for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Dinner Table Syndrome is a term used to describe the feeling of isolation that a person experiences when they cannot fully participate in a conversation with hearing people, for example, at the dinner table.
| | This is an opportunity to get creative with communication! | | How Can I Make Dinner More Inclusive? | |
Low centerpieces
allow clearer sight lines
for lip-reading
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Reduce glare
by closing the curtains or allowing the deaf guest to sit in front of the window
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Ample lighting
to reduce eye strain and
concentration fatigue
| | 2: Reduce Background Noise | | Reducing the noise level of music, or turning it off completely, can make conversations easier to hear at an already busy table. | | 3: Turn on Closed Captioning | |
Closed captioning helps deaf people follow what is happening on TV, especially in a noisy environment such as family gatherings. | | Live Transcribe converts conversations to text quickly and easily. Type responses in the app and capture audio input from various devices. Custom app view to fit your needs. | |  |
TextHear transcribes conversations in-person as well as over the phone. It offers special features such as multilingualism, adjustable fonts, and auto-punctuation.
| | | 5: Involve Your Deaf Guest | |
There are many ways to communicate, regardless if the deaf guest uses sign language or listening and spoken language. Use visual cues or tap gently to get their attention, and interact with them directly. Use gestures and facial expressions. Maintain eye contact as you speak to them.
If the deaf person misses out on information, such as a joke, fill them in on all the details! Do not say “I’ll tell you later” or “it’s not important.” You may not intend to cause harm, but brushing off the guest this way can be hurtful and frustrating. Either repeat the statement verbally or write it down on paper or in your phone’s notes app.
| | 6: Consider Deaf-Friendly Games | | Avoid any games or group activities that are heavily dependent on oral cues. Instead, choose games that rely more on visual cues or physical competition. | |
- Pictionary
- Uno
- Skipbo
- Checkers/Chess
- Scrabble
- The Mind
- Mysterium
- Tranquility
- Magic Maze
- Dutch Blitz
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Moog Center's
Activity of the Month
| The Moog Center for Deaf Education shares a monthly activity to promote language development in young children. They provide sample language at five different levels based on your child’s language level. Visit the website to get a new activity and learn how to increase vocabulary and language for your child all month long! | | |
Bridget's Materials and Blogs |
Bridget is a speech language pathologist who focuses on play-based therapy to promote language development. She develops creative materials to keep your child engaged!
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Merry Christmas Splat
By Rob Scotton
Signed by Lisa Cochran
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Snowmen at Night
By Caralyn Buehner & Mark Buehner
Signed by Jeni Jackerson & Vance Youngs
| | | | | Described & Captioned Media Program |
DCMP educates students with sensory disabilities, along with their parents and teachers. Their major network-produced, educational content is carefully customized to serve the needs of K-12 students, as well as adult students studying to meet the needs of blind and deaf students.
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Join our Facebook page to check out resources, videos, tips, and articles shared regularly with the group. Resources to support deaf children virtually are also shared as they become available. Click to join!
If you would like to receive information about the COVID-19 vaccine for your child(ren), please email mdujue@spanadvocacy.org.
| | Contact srenart@spanadvocacy.org if you have any questions about our program. | | |
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network Deaf Mentor Program
spanadvocacy.org/programs/ehdi
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