If this situation occurs again, and we revert to mask use. Be aware of changes that affect message access:
-Social Distancing
- Interpreter distant from speaker, from visuals
-Deaf participants have to look back and forth
-Visual tracking demands increased
-Most speakers don't leave process/lag time
-Masks
-Covers half the face
-Affects comprehension for all (muffled speech)
-ASL grammar is based on face visibility
-Mouth, eye gaze, eye brows, head tilts, shoulder movements
-The affect depends on face visibility
-Use clear mask (tie and use lens cleaner or soap to clean the clear window panel)
-NTID uses BendShape clear anti-fog masks. They come in sizes from XS to L.
-Solutions:
-Consecutive Interpreting, mixed into simultaneous interpreting
-Interpreter and Deaf Participant could approach Speaker to educate and negotiate
"pauses". Presenter speaks, pauses, interpreter summarizes
-pauses from micro to more, depends on the situation and persons
-must educate all involved, including interpreters
-Captioning
-must negotiate with DAS (DHH can request, in addition to interpreter given
unusual access issues)
-Hybrid Classes
-consider hosting a hybrid class (combo of live and Zoom class)
-has built-in transcription tool (prone to errors)
-can record to the cloud and receive recording with transcript