729 55TH ST SW 2016-01-01 MF Import

PUBL/� /�t/O/�Kri MEMO TO: TIM TYLER � FROM: MARIAN DENT � DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 1993 7aq - ssfz s�- ��; SUB7: SIGN LANGUAGE FOR THF HEARING IMPAIRED �1�� . r . .. � Over the last year I have had the occasion, while preforming my duties as Housing Inspector, to encounter tenants who are hearing impaired. I have called our personnel office to find out if there was a city employee who was knowledgeable in sign language, or if there was someone available to the city who could perform sign language upon request. I found that such services were not available to city staff. Communicadng with hearing impaired citizens is a special form of language even if you write notes to ccmvey a message. There is still a language barrier when wndng the message out. I have found that the wording in a message has to be simple and yet sufficient to cosvey the message. This can be a real challenge as I'm not sure of their language ability and I may be too technical in my languag::. I ask if they understand what I am trying to convey an even though they say yes, I somedmes wonder if they do understand or if they at tames just give up because they find it too difficult to communicate their thoughts. There are times when I have difficulty understanding what they are trying to convey to me. On Friday, Oct 29th, I had a meedng with a husband and wife who u� hearing impaized. We wrote out notes back and forto and I noticed that when she was writing, she had to sing ncr thoughts before she could put them in writing. With an ever increasing complex technical laaguage being used within todays communications to convey i�3eas and information, I feel tha[ it N�Quld only enhance the understanding of the public and city staff if we had someone available to assist with sign language. I feel that this would be of great use in eliminaling any misunderstandmg that might otherwise occur. This assistance would be very helgful in all forms of city govemment. The need for sign language services is not ar. overwhelming one but there is an occasional need for this communication and understanding with our public. I have attached a copy of the notes taken durinb the Occ. 29th meeting. These notes will give you some idea of She comm�nication problem. CITY OF EVERETT• 3200 Cedar Street • Everett, WA 98201 •(206) 259-8800 ^ Fax (206) 259-8882 `�