Coronavirus has changed life as we know it for everyone. Many people, including myself, are worried about how we will manage when mask wearing becomes compulsory in shops in England from 24th July.
Watch Jen sign her article below, or scroll down to continue in English!
I’m actually happy about it, too, because masks should help to stop the spread, and I’d rather we were safe than sorry.
It’s not that simple, though. I know lots of people are really angry about this and feel that deaf people have been left behind. Other people are very anxious. It’s worse for people who have to wear masks daily; those who work in shops and other key workers for example; not an easy situation and we will all have to be patient with each other.
Mind you, I think most of us who just go to the shops now and then will manage – we’re deaf, yes, but it’s not the end of the world. And some deaf people can’t lipread anyway!
So, this is my attempt at being positive and constructive about the whole thing. I’m determined to have a Can Do attitude about masks! Here are my top tips for surviving this new mask wearing culture (if you have any better ones, please do share them – the more tips we have, the stronger we’ll be together!)…
Be visible
Consider wearing a badge? You can get lots of them, including “I can’t lipread through your mask” ones, from Sootmegs. Some people have said they don’t like the idea of wearing “deaf” labels, but we ARE deaf, so we might as well own it.
I’m actually thinking that although my badges are cool, people won’t be able to see them from a long way away, so what if someone is shouting at me from a distance and I blissfully have no idea?! I’m in the market for a nice and bold DEAF AND PROUD t-shirt, if anyone is making them.
Wear a smile mask
Wearing masks with little plastic windows in them (as per my video) means that deaf people can lipread each other, but will also show hearing people out there what they COULD be wearing. Hopefully when they see us in ours, they’ll agree it’s a great idea and buy their own! There are loads out there, so see what you can find.
And of course, everyone likes to see a smile, deaf or hearing!
Gesture
Another fairly obvious thing to do is to gesture to people to explain stuff. You can usually have a basic conversation without having to use your mouth! That’s nothing new, really.
Plan ahead
One thing that I’ve found useful is to plan ahead. For example, if I’m off to a shop to pick up something I’ve ordered, I like to write down my name, order number and any relevant information before I go. Then, when I arrive, all I need to do is hold the paper up (plus smile and give a thumbs up), and that’s the job done – the message is conveyed. I think it makes it easier for hearing people too! Sometimes you might have to write a bit of an essay, but it’s still worth it!
Or, you could try an app like Make It Big, which does just that – you can type large notes on it to show people! Also, if you switch on the microphone thingy and get someone to speak into it, their speech will be converted to text, too! Marvellous! It’s not perfect but it does work. Or, you could simply have a good, old fashioned, pen and paper conversation (with your own pen and paper at each end, no swapping germs, sigh)…
Stay positive
I know that we’re going to get through this. We deaf people are expert communicators and we CAN move forward with this! So, best of luck, stay safe, and do hit me with your own top tips!
Ruthy Fletcher
July 16, 2020
Message to Jen Dodds, well done with your video as I want you to know that I have got all the information and costs for the clear lip face masks and shield, communication cards for deaf people. If you contact me, I will give you all the information and costs etc. Thanks Ruthy
Clara R Haigh
July 16, 2020
Thank you very much for the motivational video. I was also concerned about the mask impact on the deaf because I am profoundly deaf and I only lipread. You made me laugh at the suggestion of using a T-Shirt print and I was thinking exactly the same thing yesterday to wear to the shops when standing in queues. I’ll definitely get the Big Wording app for future use – I think today’s technology is wonderful for us deaf people to try and find a way to communicate.
So far I have been very lucky with communication as I”m a regular at the pharmacy every month for my prescriptions and they all know I am deaf but tend to forget that I am. The lady there had a mask on for the first time about two weeks ago when I was picking up my prescriptions and she forgot so I reminded her that I only lipread. She just wanted to make sure it was all I ordered and that she wanted my address as proof before handing over my packet of medications.
Thank you for your encouraging words. Stay safe and stay positive.
Tina
July 16, 2020
Here the t-Shirt that’s I saw online, thank for the video useful tips. Thank you, stay safe x https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Deaf-Proud-White-Version-by-desexperiencia/31534349.FB110?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=g.pla+notset&country_code=GB&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIybH-ofvR6gIVibbtCh2cQggvEAQYDyABEgIOcvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Misbah
July 18, 2020
Hi what you saying and I agreed with you don’t matter it can’t wear mask nervous or don’t comfortable feeling theirs but try one day how you feeling, I don’t know how explain really difficult helping other people aware over coronavirus have to mask wear for help stop spread other people hearing and deaf is fair enough same only healthy come first safe just stay positive
When I drive to McDonald’s I do use note big in my mobile because they are mask some aware first tell them “I am deaf “ right ordered respect people aware deaf because it’s difficult communication that’s why I used go to note like back old fashioned don’t matter just you all must proud of deaf I would like said you safe everyone too! Respect it! 💕
ruth valerie litman
July 20, 2020
Excellent, positive, be thankful for anyone are safe and well! Useful tips for everyone here. Thank you Jean xx
Mary McCann
July 26, 2020
It’s very clear to explanation and excellent and very positive. Thank you for sharing information. 👍 well done Jean
Hartmut Teuber
July 28, 2020
A hearing nurse upon seeing me wearing a mask with a window remarked that she realized she also relies on lipreading. She wears a mask daily for work and just found out she had some difficulty understanding speech through the mask. She has been lipreading without realizing that she does it all the time. She then asked me where she can obtain masks with windows.Told her that about ten companies in the USA is making such masks with different sizes of windows.
Hartmut Teuber
July 28, 2020
Stay safe by being Deaf!