[NFBOH-Cleveland] Sharing Info on Communicating with the Deaf-Blind when using Zoom

[Suzanne Turner]

Ohio,

 

I would like to share this with you as an awareness for communicating with
the Deaf-Blind via Zoom.

 

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Communication Etiquette for Ensuring Full Participation for All:

 

1. Speak clearly and slowly. Take a breath between sentences. Reframe from
mumbling, chewing, breathing hard, or talking with others in the same room.

 

2. When speaking, always hold your head up and speak towards the microphone,
computer, device or group. 

 

3. At the beginning of every meeting, introductions are made. Introductions
should not be at rapid fire but done very casually with a small amount of
time between each introduction. 

 

4. Only one person should be speaking at a time. It is difficult for hard of
hearing people to hear and follow the conversation when everyone speaks at
one time.  

 

5. Depending on the meeting type, it might be necessary to raise your hand
and wait to be called upon before speaking. In other situations, saying your
name during a pause between remarks will notify the meeting coordinator or
monitor that your seeking the floor.  Please state your name before
delivering your remarks. Speaking just your first name is sufficient. 

 

6. The Zoom meeting or conference call facilitators will identify by name
all participants whose hands are raised and the order in which those persons
will be called upon.

 

7. Between persons speaking, give at least 20 seconds pause. This allows for
those on the phone to hear what is being said. As well as anyone using
accommodations to catch up with the previous comments. 

 

8. Please be courteous when someone is speaking. Allow them the time to say
what they need without jumping in, talking over the speaker, or distracting
other committee members from actively listening. 

 

9. Remember  when using Zoom or the telephone, allow pauses for those people
to provide their comments. Silence is not bad and should not always be
filled with talking. Its okay to take a break to check in with folks to see
if they have questions or comments. 

 

10. Please forward any handouts for distribution to the meeting facilitator
ahead of time to ensure equal access for all participants.

 

11. If using Zoom or telephone, please try to eliminate all background noise
as much as possible. If you are not able to reduce the amount of noise,
please use the mute function. 

 

 

 

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio (NFBO)

Suzanne Turner, Ohio Affiliate Vice President

Cleveland Chapter, President

(216) 990-6199

 

Please click on the links below to learn more about the organization

 

The Ohio Affiliate

 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGe_1qGbkX8>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGe_1qGbkX8

 

"Live the life you want" featuring, National President, Mark Riccobono

 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DesLNDBpYVE&feature=share>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DesLNDBpYVE&feature=share

 

Visit and take a moment to like our Facebook Page!

 
<https://m.facebook.com/NationalFederationOfTheBlindOfOhioClevelandChapter/>
https://m.facebook.com/NationalFederationOfTheBlindOfOhioClevelandChapter/ 

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

 

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