25 Tips for Deaf Awareness and Inclusion

To mark our 25th anniversary, we’re sharing 25 tips to help make everyday life more Deaf-aware and inclusive.

1. Always face the person you’re talking to.

2. Don’t cover your mouth when speaking.

3. Speak clearly, not loudly. Read our article "Talk Smarter, Not Louder" here.

4. Use plain language where possible.

5. Learn some basic BSL signs. Basic BSL vocabulary.

6. Write things down if communication breaks down. Top tips for communicating in writing with a Deaf person.

7. Don’t say “never mind”.

8. Repeat or rephrase if you’re not understood — don’t just say it once.

9. Offer good lighting so faces are visible.

10. Be patient with lipreaders. Fancy a lipreading challenge?

11. Use captions wherever possible.

12. Book qualified interpreters for important events.

13. Ask, don’t assume, what support is needed.

14. Avoid standing in front of bright windows when speaking.

15. Include Deaf awareness in staff training.

16. Share information in writing after meetings.

17. Respect the need for breaks (listening fatigue is real). Read how it affects children.

18. Make sure alarms and alerts are visual as well as audible.

19. Use technology like speech-to-text apps.

20. Promote Deaf role models in schools and workplaces.

21. Check background noise levels in meetings.

22. Make group discussions inclusive with turn-taking.

23. Don’t shout — it distorts lip patterns.

24. Celebrate Deaf culture and achievements.

25. Most importantly: always ask the person what works best for them.

Small actions make a big difference. Thank you for helping us spread awareness and for supporting Deaf Umbrella over the past 25 years.