Name
Breakout Session 5D: How to Sign with and Interpret for People with Deafblindness
Date & Time
Wednesday, July 26, 2023, 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Location Name
Room 206
Country of Submission
Switzerland
Description

In the case of deafblindness, sign language interpreters not only have to interpret what is not heard, but also what is not seen. They have to adapt the form of sign language individually to the field of vision and visual acuity. With tactile sign language at the latest, it becomes obvious that 1:1 setting is necessary. In addition, many things have to be explained or paraphrased, which is less necessary with conventional sign language. Switzerland has been highly influenced by oralism. Only in the last few decades has it been able to reassert and establish sign language. Now there are more and more deafblind people who communicate in adapted forms of sign language. We have a very high demand for sign language interpreters who know these forms of communication. There is no specific deafblind interpreter training in Switzerland. Therefore, we have offered a further training for certified sign language interpreters.  In this presentation we will show what we have offered in this training and how we have taught in a team of 3 (adult educator who is deafblind himself, sign language interpreter trainer and rehabilitation specialist) and at the same time served as a role model.  We will show why interpreting for people with deafblindness is different and how the role of the interpreter changes in such a setting.  The perspective of each of the three course leaders on this training will be shown.