• Deaf and Hard of Hearing persons are entering the workplace in record numbers.
• Not all persons who are deaf are unable speak.
• Not all persons who are deaf lip-read.
• American Sign Language (ASL) is not another form of English; it is an official language with its own grammar, syntax and rules.
• Not all persons who are deaf use sign language.
• Lip-reading, while helpful without sound clues, is only 30%-50% effective, and sometimes less.
• More persons who are deaf or hard of hearing have some hearing rather than no hearing at all.
• Long conversations with persons who lip-read can be very fatiguing.

• Find out how the person communicates best.
• If the person reads lips, speak in a normal, not exaggerated way. Short, simple sentences are best.
• Be aware of situations where a person may be waiting for a service (transportation, a table, the start of an activity) where the common way to communicate is an announcement or the calling of the person’s name. Make sure you write down the announcement and develop an alternative way of notifying them.
• Gain their attention before starting a conversation.
• If the person lip-reads, avoid blocking their view of your face. Make sure the lighting is good.
• If there is some doubt in your mind whether he/she understood you correctly, rephrase your statement and ask him/her if you have been understood.
• If the person uses an interpreter, address the person, not the interpreter.

Things to consider:

• When someone asks, "What did you say?" the answers, "Never mind," "Nothing," or "It’s not important," are very common replies. These are insulting and demeaning because they communicate that the person is not worth the effort of repeating yourself.
• Persons who deal very well one-on-one in communication may have a hard time with two or more speakers, especially if there are many interruptions and interjections.
• Showing impatience to someone who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing may cause someone who is less assertive to back off from telling you of his/her needs.