Gallaudet University Tips for Reporters

General Etiquette

• Be aware of your environment. Converse in well‐lit areas that are not crowded.
• Allow the deaf or hard of hearing person to determine the best seating arrangement.
• To get a person’s attention, wave your hand. If they cannot see you, you may tap their arm or shoulder.
• Do not interrupt a person when they are signing.
• Do not assume all deaf and hard of hearing people read lips.

Etiquette with a sign language interpreter present

• Maintain eye contact with the person you are speaking with, not the interpreter.
• Speak to the person you are talking with as if the interpreter was not there. Do not ask the interpreter to “tell” the deaf or hard of hearing person something.
• In certain situations, such as long interviews, there may be two or more interpreters. Be aware that they may work together and switch off during the process.
• There will be a slight delay as the interpreter communicates information to and from the deaf and hard of hearing person. This is a normal part of the interpretation process.

Interview tips

• Allow time to determine seating, placement of participants, and lighting.
• When in doubt, ask questions.
• When conducting a television interview, allow the interpreter to use the microphone.

American Sign Language (ASL)

• ASL is a visual‐spatial‐tactile language with its own grammar and syntax.
• The shape, placement, and movement of the hands, as well as facial expressions and body movements are used to convey meaning.
• ASL uses signs representing ideas, manual signals, and an alphabet (finger spelling).
• ASL is not a manual version of English.
• ASL is not universal. ASL is used predominantly in the US and many parts of Canada.

Filming and photography

• When capturing a subject who uses sign language, ensure their face, hands, and signing space (from head to just above waist) are fully visible and well-lit on camera.
• Avoid bright light sources directly behind the subject.
• Before the shoot, ensure all interpreters present are aware of the filming and photography that will be happening.
• Focus on the deaf and hard of hearing person, not their interpreters. Only include interpreters in shots when absolutely necessary for conveying information.

Appropriate terms

Please use the terms “deaf” and “hard of hearing” instead of “hearing impaired” or “hearing loss.”

Pronunciations for Gallaudet University and Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center:

Gallaudet – [gal-uh-det]

Laurent Clerc – [loh-rahn] [kler]

Gallaudet University Interpretation Policy for Media

For media inquiries in which interviews with students, faculty or staff at Gallaudet are requested, a certified American Sign Language‐spoken language interpreter will be required in many cases. At Gallaudet, interpreting services are provided through Gallaudet Interpreting Service (GIS), a division within the University which serves the Gallaudet community as well as external organizations.

GIS charges a per‐hour rate for its services and a team of two interpreters will be required in most cases. The University Communications office will work with media on a case‐by‐case basis to determine the exact needs for interpreting services based on the topic of the interview and the length of time requested.

Other external requests for interpreting services, including those for off‐campus events not affiliated with Gallaudet University, should be directed to GIS.

Questions? Contact University Communications.

Some material in this article was provided by the National Association of the Deaf.