Re: Training and Hearing Impaired Attendees

There is really no alternative but to get a signer. The best part of any
training course is the informal discussion and group work.

Trainers who are not used to working with a signer need to understand
that a professional signer is required to sign <everything> that a
hearing participant would hear ... and if s/he hears me say to you "
your zipper's undone " s/he would sign that too ! Their role is to
convey visually everything that a hearing person would hear within the
room, without editing it in any way. The other point is that the signer
should not be asked to express any personal views or take part in the
activities in any way other than to facilitate communication with their
client. Signing is a very demanding task,and usually a signer will go
for about half an hour and then need a break of five to ten minutes. For
a course you may need two or possibly three signers working in shifts.

If you can't get signers to work voluntarily ask your Council to pay for
them. The Cub Scouts and Leaders pay their registration fees and FOS ...
this is a legitimate claim on the training budget. This links to my
earlier post ... it is a chance to see if your Council Committee is
prepared to put its money where its mouth is. If they are really
committed to serving youth with disabilities they will vote the money.

And let's face it, when your pro goes to XYZ corporation for a donation
and says " two hundred bucks will pay for a training course for leaders
to work with hearing impaired Cub Scouts " he will get the money.

Ian Ford

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