by Kerry Cole 

What challenges do Deaf people face at Christmas time?

For many, Christmas is a joyful but busy time of year, full of family gatherings, Christmas parties and social events.

If you’re hearing, you probably won’t give any of these things a second thought, however, for some Deaf people, Christmas time can present yet another challenge, another barrier that they have to overcome and possibly increased isolation, even when they are at home and with family.

The majority of Deaf children are born to hearing parents – and whilst there are many families and friends that have actively learnt British Sign Language (and sought an understanding of Deaf culture and what it means to be Deaf), for some Deaf people home can be a place where not everyone uses your language and understands your culture.

It can be an easy misconstruction to think Deaf people are rude because they are not responding to what you are saying, however, it’s more likely that they didn’t realise you were talking to them - or that they didn’t understand what you said to them (or even, found the conversation too difficult to follow).

Being in a room where everyone is speaking when you use BSL can be overwhelming, frustrating and isolating.

Here are a couple of tips on how to ensure that Deaf family or friends feel more included this Christmas time:

  •  Have a round table so that everyone can be seen easily.
  •  Make sure the lighting in the room is nice and bright so that it is easy to lip-read everyone around the dinner table.
  • When talking, look directly at the Deaf person and try to ensure that not everyone speaks at the same time
  • Check that there are subtitles when everyone sits down to watch family favourites on the television
  • Be patient. If a Deaf person cannot understand what you are saying then repeat it. If they still don’t understand you then find a different way to explain what you are saying.

It’s hard to imagine being surrounded by your loved ones at Christmas and feeling isolated because the dinner table is square, meaning you or a family member are tucked away in silence, barely to be seen in the corner.

However, just one small action from you could be more meaningful than you could realise.

To watch the full video of two members of our staff, Georgina Gregson and Lucy Michaels, discussing challenges faced by Deaf people at Christmas go to www.youtube.com/royaldeaf

For 176 years, the Royal Association for Deaf people have worked to ensure that Deaf people have access to services in British Sign Language. From supporting children and families, to helping Deaf people find work, to befriending older people; we are here to make sure the people who use our services get the support they want, when they need it and that it is accessible to them.

Our Silent night – make a Deaf Christmas bright appeal aims to increase Deaf Awareness and encourage people to host a ‘silent’ event in aid of RAD.

You can sign up to our appeal online at www.royaldeaf.org.uk/silentnight or text YULE25 £5 to 70070 to donate £5.