From the Editor’s Note:
“We have adapted this guide for employers based in the UK, who have employees
or are considering engaging employees, who communicate in sign language and
may require the assistance of a sign language interpreters in the workplace.

“The aim of this guide is to offer practical guidance when engaging with sign
language users and working with sign language interpreters. The guide draws on
good HR and communication protocols and considers some of the complexities
surrounding various work-based setting. This guide also considers some cultural
and linguistic aspects arising when interacting with Deaf communities.

“Some of these tips may seem pretty obvious – but we include them because these
are issues that have been identified as stumbling blocks.

“Our DESIGNS research has shed light on examples where sign language users’
rights are compromised due to a lack of understanding of the Deaf community
and the role that interpreters play; insufficient deaf and sign language awareness
training leading to a breakdown of communication. The evidenced-based research underpinning this guide was carried out by a group of experts as part of the
DESIGNS project.

“It must be emphasised that this is a good-practice guide and should not be taken
as a legal protocol, nor should it supersede or compromise your existing internal
procedures. We encourage you to review your existing policies/procedures and
integrate relevant features from this guide as appropriate. Our hope is that this
guide serves as a tool that facilitates professional and/or institutional reflection
regarding good practices when interacting with the Deaf community.”