[nfb-db] FW: [AADB-L] how pro-tactile changed my life

Sat Nov 9 18:15:19 UTC 2013

Hi Patrice,
	I got my first set of hearing aids in 4th  grade.  It was a
nightmare.  Kids don't knmow how  to shut up and the nose  level was
deafening.  Mrs. Kramer told the kids I had Has, even worse.  
	At recess, I sat by the side door to get away from all that
confusing background noise that made my head spin.  
	With modern  technology and nearly 4 decades later, I can say this
one's   comfortable, I like the sound  quality.  But I just got a little
dizzy in McDoanlds.  Too noisy.  Guess kids haven't changed.  
Trish

-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-db [mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Randy Pope
Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2013 12:48 PM
To: 'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'; db-fishbowl at googlegroups.com
Subject: [nfb-db] FW: [AADB-L] how pro-tactile changed my life

One DB person's experience in using Pro Tactile.      Randy

By Angie Orlando

Blurb: Pro-Tactile Communication isn't a new signing method. It's more like
a movement, a philosophy or, more simply put, the DeafBlind Way. Now I'm
learning how it can change my life.

I first learned about Pro-Tactile during a few workshops I took at the 2013
Deaf-Blind Camp of Maryland. It seemed interesting. I put "research
Pro-Tactile" on my to-do list... and then pretty much forgot about it. What
I didn't realize was that I was ignoring something that had the power to
make a huge, positive impact on my life.

What is Pro-Tactile? Those who understand and use PT call it, the "DeafBlind
way." Here's some history to help you figure out what that means.

It has been well noted that standard forms of sign language, and even
tactile sign language, do not fully meet the needs of people who are
DeafBlind. With little or no usable vision/hearing, DeafBlind individuals
miss important parts of communication. 
Examples include environmental information, non-verbal or non-manual cues,
noises, facial expressions and emotions. 
Pro-Tactile Communication is a philosophy to broaden the spectrum and make
communication accessible to all.

PT began in Seattle in 2000. AJ Granda and Jelica Nuccio, who are both
DeafBlind, are credited with creating this wonderful socio-cultural
movement. In the year 2013, Pro-Tactile is spreading to more and more
communities around the nation.

Pro-Tactile means "touch communication." It is not the same as tactile sign
language. People who use close-range ASL also benefit from PT. It can be
used with two DeafBlind individuals, one person who is DeafBlind and one
person who is Deaf or with a DeafBlind individual and someone who is
hearing-sighted. When an individual who is DeafBlind is giving a
presentation, an interpreter might stand behind him/her and use Pro-Tactile
Communication to give feedback about the audience.

Pro-Tactile signals can be shown on the DeafBlind individual's hand,
fore-arm, shoulder, back or leg. It's best to ask the other person for
his/her individual preference.

What does all that mean? Basically, touch is used to fill in gaps that
people who are DeafBlind can't see or her. You have no idea how important
vision and auditory cues are to communication until you no longer have
access to them. Even with the perfect interpreter, individuals who are
DeafBlind will miss out on a great deal of communication. Pro-Tactile fills
in those gaps and provides information to make communication completely
accessible. 
Here are a few examples of how you use PT when communication with someone
who is DeafBlind.

- Tap the person's wrist to show that you are focused and understand. This
replaces eye contact and nodding.

- The intensity and speed of the tapping will show the person's level of
interest.

- Lack of tapping indicates the other person is not following you.

- Draw a smile face to show you are smiling.

- Draw a sad face to show you are frowning.

- Let the person touch your neck to "feel" laughter.

- Or use your hand against the person's body to show a "belly chuckle." This
allows you to control intensity and length of laughter. (Similar to the
two-handed sign for "laughter."

- Many DeafBlind people do not like the "ha ha ha" sign for laughing.
Without the ability to see the person's facial expression, the hand sign has
a "fake" feel to it.

- Draw a question mark to indicate that you are asking a question.

- Trace a large letter X on the DeafBlind individual's back in an emergency
situation.

- When moving from the person's right to their left, trail your hand along
their right shoulder and across their back. In this way, they can follow
your movement.

- When you are doing an activity, let the DeafBlind person keep his/her
hands on yours. That way the person will know what you are doing the whole
time.

What does this all have to do with me? On Saturday, October 26th, the
Northeast Ohio DeafBlind Association taught a workshop about interpreting
for individuals who are DeafBlind. I wanted to discuss Pro-Tactile
communication. The workshop was only three hours long, and I knew we
wouldn't have time. So, instead, I created a handout about PT.

Our SSP Coordinator, who was my main interpreter at the workshop, put
together all handouts in a neat packet for the students. She read about PT
while working on the packet and asked if I wanted to give it a try. I did...
And that is how my life was changed.

During my presentation, Kara stood behind me and used PT to give me feedback
on how the audience was reacting. I told my students what she was doing and
warned them that I would know if they stuck their tongue out at me. That led
to a lot of laughing. Kara "showed" me that laughter -- not just  that
people were laughing, but the intensity and length of the laughter. For the
first time, I felt like I was part of that laughter.

Throughout my lecture, she let me know that people were smiling. 
They did a lot of that. Every once in a while, she'd indicate frowning. I
would stop imitatively and give the students the chance to ask questions. I
knew they were asking question, instead of making statements, because Kara
would draw a question mark on my back. When the students understood, she
would sign "yes" against my arm. She also did this when students nodded to
show agreement. PT, allowed me to "see" those nods.

I've taught many workshops over the years. I never had a clue about how the
audience was responding until after the workshop was over, and I could
question my interpreter. That's not a pleasant way to participate in public
speaking.

This time, I didn't need to ask. I already knew. Thanks to Pro-Tactile, I
was a part of it all from start to finish. To the growing number of people
who follow the DeafBlind Way, you can count me in!

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