Discussion Guide

Access and Communication

Access to THROUGH DEAF EYES cannot be an afterthought. Be mindful of your audience’s needs; consider the following access issues as you organize your event:

• Is the space you plan to use accessible to all audiences?
• Will you need to hire sign language and/or oral interpreters?
• Will you need to have real-time captioning?
• Will you need large screen projection so that signing can be seen from a distance?
• Will you need additional lighting?
• Will any members of your audience need amplification? If so, what kind?
• Will any audience members need audio description? If yes, is this service possible with your projection and sound system?

Make sure that all participants are able to see each other during the discussion. If possible, make sure that those who want to share a comment come to the front of viewing venue. This way, the audience will be centered on the person who is speaking or signing.