PASSENGER with a HEARING IMPAIRMENT


	"It felt ok - strange to communicate with someone who is deaf"


	"All you can do is help the person out"


	"Seemed to be able to communicate with each other"


	"There are different ways to communicate, signing and lip reading"

Quotes from a taxi driver who attended the taxi workshop event


	"Would like taxi drivers to go on sign language courses and deaf awareness courses"

Quote from Eric who went on the journey

RNID web site

British Sign Language finger spelling sheet from the RNID

The main consideration with a deaf or hearing impaired passenger is communication.

Communication tips

Ensure you approach the person from the front and that you have the person's attention.
Look directly at the person - don't cover your face or turn away when you talk.
Facial expressions and gestures are important when communicating with a deaf person.
Shadows or strong sunlight on the taxi drivers face can make lip reading more difficult.
Use facial expression when communicating.
Point at destinations etc.
Take care to speak clearly but without exaggerating your sounds or lip movements, and preferably without having chewing gum or a cigarette in your mouth.

Sometimes a deaf person will motion for a pen and paper - that is fine, but not all deaf people can read written English (because their first language is British Sign Language rather than English).

At the beginning of the journey

Always look at the deaf person when you are talking to them, it's important that they can see your face
A pen and piece of paper are handy to help with communication
If you want to get the deaf person's attention, tap them on the shoulder

During the journey

The taxi driver can switch the lights on and off as a way of getting the deaf person's attention. A deaf person can feel vibrations but can get a shock when the taxi stops suddenly.

At the end of the journey

For the fare the taxi driver can point to the meter.

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