DBI World Conference 2019 Accessibility stream: Concurrent session 5C Presenter: Holly Floyd Topic: Adapted sign communication

1. Adapted Sign
Communication
Sensity
Deafblind and Sensory Support Network of Canada
Holly Floyd
Manager of Training and Consultations

2. Sensity
Deafblind and Sensory Support Network of Canada
Supporting Adults
Congenitally Deafblind
Emergent and Proficient
Communicators
American Sign Language (ASL)
Signed Exact English (SEE)
Pidgin Signed English (PSE)
Project Goal

3. Adapt: verb (used with object)
to make suitable to requirements or conditions;
adjust or modify fittingly:

4. Project
• Adapted Sign curriculums for both emergent communicators and
developing-proficient communicators in partnership with George Brown
College, Intervenor Program.
• Current needs are not being met creating gaps
• Unique focus on specific sign language adaptations
• Limited or no access to this type of specialized training >training in-house.
• Instructional DVD’s utilizing language models who are deafblind

5. Anticipated Impact
• Uniquely developed Adapted Sign Communication Courses that can be
offered in-house for all staff supporting individuals utilizing sign language
as part of their individualized communication system.
• Increase Intervenors communication skills using adaptations both
receptively and expressively.
• Intervenors will be able to support language acquisition as part of life long
learning and directly impact the quality of life for the individuals we
support.

6. Introduction to Adapted Sign Communication
Outcome for Intervenors
• 1 Class>7 hour mandatory training for all new staff regardless of
positioned held within the organization.
• All staff to be able to introduce themselves, share in a conversation and to
create awareness in our workplace about adapting sign communication for
individuals who are congenitally deafblind

7. Focus = Intervention
What Communication methods does the person use?
Does the individual have any physical limitations when creating their signs?
What are the individual’s vision and hearing needs?
What is the person’s conceptual understanding?

8. Adapted Sign Communication
Best Practices
• Approach
• Appearance/Attire
• Jewelry
• Fingernails
• Scent
• Distance/Seating
• Signing Space
• Conceptually Accurate Signs
Adaptations
• Tactile
• Environmental
• Visual

9. Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE)
• We must consider whether specific signs are conceptually accurate and
not just consider the English words that are paired with the signs in many
commonly used sign language dictionaries. Most words in English have
multiple meanings, each usually has only one entry in a sign language
dictionary.
• Key Word Signing
• Brand Names, Locations etc. “Brown+Pop” or “Chicken+Resturant”

10. Additional Course Content
• Vocabulary- Shown by trainers using American Sign Language (ASL) and
Signed Exact English (SEE) Basic signs- greetings, alphabet, and
Numbers 1-10
• Basic Parts of a sign
• Name Signs
• Tactile Signing
• Visual retention games
• Resources

11. Fundamentals of Adapted Sign Communication
Outcome for Intervenors
10 week course-3 hour classes
Prerequisite: Introduction to Adapted
Sign
Vocabulary Topics:
• Colours
• Nouns
• Numbers 10-30
• Household items/Activities
• Transportation/Places
• Family
• Hobbies/Sports
• Emotions/Feelings
• Food
• Pets

12. Fundamentals
Homework
• Introduced and completed weekly.
• Students create videos from topics
given and submit by Dropbox App
or YouTube.
• Videos are viewed and graded by
instructors based on adaptations
considered, pace, smoothness,
sign production, and small window
signing.
Teaching Aides
• Supplementary visual handouts of
2D printed signs
• DVD’s produced with deafblind
language models
• Video links sent via email after
each class

14. Understanding & Assessments
•Simulations Games
and Scenarios
•Receptive &
Expressive
No Voice
Assessments
• Completed during class
throughout
1. Written
2. Receptive
3. Expressive

15. Intermediate Adapted Sign Communication
Outcomes for Intervenors:
• Expanding on vocabulary
• Clear Contextual Communication
• Expansion of Receptive
Communication Skills
5 week course-3 hour classes
Prerequisite: Introduction to Adapted
Sign and Fundamentals of Adapted
Sign
Vocabulary Topics- chosen by staff
and the individuals we support:
• Verbs
• Medical Related Signs
• Time Concepts
• Locations-local cities
• Holidays
• Weather

17. Understanding & Assessments
Homework & Assessments
• Homework assignments are
expanded to multiple sentences
and paragraphs using vocabulary
learned from previous
classes/courses.
• Communication must be
conceptually accurate and signs
produced correctly.
• Weekly Quizzes
• Receptive Component-Short story
Final Exam
• Written: theory on
communication challenges and
adaptations needed.
• Expressive : Signing short story
• Receptive: Watching
prerecorded short stories signed
by deafblind language models
and deciphering scripts.

18. Performance
• Adapted Sign Courses developed with accompanying instructional DVD’s
• Sensity’s Training department and Manager of Specialized Services
successfully delivers training in both American Sign Language (ASL) and
Signed Exact English (SEE)
• Staff’s overall sign language proficiency adapted for individuals who are
deafblind has increased and has an overall impact on the quality of life of
the individuals they support.
• Range of courses developed for staff 1. Introduction to Adapted Sign
2. Fundamentals of Adapted Sign and 3. Intermediate Adapted Sign levels
• Through these trainings, Intervenors have an increased knowledge, skills
and experience and increased competency leading to higher level of job
satisfaction and professionalism.

19. “If all my possessions were taken
from me with one exception, I would
choose to keep the power of
communication, for by it I would soon
regain all the rest”
― Daniel Webster