Information

Communicators/CSW's & Notetakers

Can be used across a variety of settings including:

· Further & Higher Education

· Interviews & Meetings

· Workplace training

· Workshops & Seminars

· Work Preparation Programmes

· New Deal & Job centres

Communicators

The role of the Communicator is to act as a conduit for information to pass between a D/deaf person and a hearing person. The Communicator is not a qualified Interpreter, and therefore has limitations on the domains in which they work. Staff employed by this company are guaranteed to be of NVQ Level 3 standard or currently training for this qualification.
The Communicator has clear and defined boundaries and adheres to a recognised professional code of ethics and conduct. He/she should be impartial at all times and is not there to make any personal input, give opinion, act as a friend or take sides.

The Communicator works with two languages: English and British Sign Language. (BSL) It is his/her responsibility to ensure that the information given (source language) is processed and produced in a clear and understandable way (target language). Staff Development and further training provided by this company is comprehensive and rigorous; once trained the communicator will have acquired a range of strategies with which to cope in many different situations like those listed above.

Communication Support Workers

The role of the Communication Support Worker (CSW) is to act as a conduit for information to pass between a D/deaf person and a hearing person. The CSW has clear and defined boundaries and adheres to a recognised professional code of ethics and conduct. He/she should be impartial at all times and is not there to make any personal input, give opinion, act as a friend or take sides.

The CSW works with two languages: English and British Sign Language. (BSL) It is his/her responsibility to ensure that the information given (source language) is processed and produced in a clear and understandable way (target language). The CSW training is comprehensive and rigorous; when qualified the CSW will have acquired a range of strategies with which to cope in many different situations. He/she is a resource to be used by both student and tutor and can provide information and possible solutions to problems which may occur.

Working in the classroom a CSW could provide communication support using a range of methods, such as:
* British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting in lectures, tutorials and meetings
* Lip speaking silently repeating a hearing persons words using clear lip shapes, gestures and facial expressions, as an aid to lip-reading
* Note-taking CSW’s can take handwritten or typed notes
* Language Modification to enable a D/deaf student full access to the curriculum.

The CSW is an invaluable resource and should be used as the first point of contact when information is required relating to D/deaf issues. The CSW has access to a network of supporting organisations and other professionals.

Notetakers

A note-taker will support a student with a hearing loss by taking comprehensive notes of what is being said in class, lectures and seminars. The note-taker has been trained to note all that occurs in the room. If there are any interruptions these will be noted in the margin of the notes. By doing this, the student is a) aware of all that happens in the room and b) has a reference point when reading the notes. The student is able to link the written comment with the note of what was being said at that time. When reading the notes at a later date the student is able to visualise the scene – this assists them in remembering what was being said at that time. The note-taker will also note informal information like sarcasm, emphasis or comment from another student.

The note-taker will discuss with the student how they want their notes taken, what they want included and how they want them presented. With all this information the note-taker will be able to produce notes that the D/deaf student is able to read with ease and extract the necessary information.

The note-taker is only able to write at about 30 words per minute whereas the spoken word can produce 180 words per minute, it is therefore impossible to make a verbatim record of what has been said. Tutors can assist good note taking by giving note-takers handouts, lesson plans and alike that can be annotated. This simple strategy significantly increases the percentage of information that the student gains.

All notes should be presented in short sentence form and in a format that is easy to read. Again the student can discuss with the note-taker if they wish anything underlined, highlighted, put in capitals, put as a sub heading or presented in a particular way. Some students may ask for notes to be put into double line spacing. It is also important for the student to state where they want the note-taker to sit. Some students like the note-taker in close proximity so that they can see what is being written down. Other students may not want to look at the notes at the time of writing; they may have a CSW supporting them with sign language so they use the notes to refer to later.

The note-taker will only take notes. They act in the same professional manner as the CSW and are bound by the same code of ethics. The note-taker will not embellish or become personally involved in any way. They are there as a tool – a Human Aid to Communication. top of page

Remember

All support workers need regular breaks; at least every half an hour. However most support workers often work for an hour without a break, obviously depending on the situation and style of delivery of information. Please think about this provision If you have scheduled a long meeting. We will always advise you to book two support workers within long meetings or training so that the support workers can take turns, thus eliminating fatigue.

"You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself" Harry Firestone