WEEKLY UPDATE: 10/24/24
The American School for the Deaf (ASD) has released additional materials to support its Lost in Translation campaign, an initiative designed to create more awareness and understanding of the disparity in communication access for deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities, particularly in the fields of healthcare and education.
To accompany the healthcare provider training video released last month in partnership with the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA), ASD developed a new flyer and poster detailing 10 tips for breaking down communication barriers with deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind patients. Hospitals and health systems can circulate or display the materials internally as reminders to staff on best practices and are encouraged to consider including the video in their existing employee training regimen.
In addition to an overview of available accommodations to meet the needs and preferences of patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind, the informational materials also address the importance of communicating directly with deaf patients and taking time to learn and implement the approach that works best for them.
Funded through a grant from the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), the Lost in Translation campaign was initially launched in January 2024 with marketing materials that were shared with media outlets and those in healthcare and education. Additionally, ASD conducted a hospital interpreting pilot with several hospitals from March through May and distributed clear medical masks to many facilities across the state.
The state has engaged ASD in conducting a needs assessment for medical and interpreting communities. ASD will be partnering with Innivee Strategies, a deaf-owned consulting firm, to help create an electronic survey and hold focus groups. CHA will be assisting ASD and Innivee in distributing the survey and information on the focus groups when they become available.
