Lip-speaking requires the lip-speaker to listen to what is said and repeat it accurately, without using their voice, while listening to the next sentence. To do this the lip-speaker has to hear clearly. Please speak up; soft voices and mumbles are unacceptable. If two people speak at once, neither message can be passed on.

The speaker needs to speak in a clear voice and at a moderate pace. Before beginning, invite the lip-speaker to interrupt during the proceedings if the pace, volume and environment require adjustment.

The lip-speaker is usually a sentence behind the speaker, and the lip-reader a sentence behind that. Please pause between sentences for the lip-reader to catch up.

At conferences and seminars, all questions from the floor should be repeated by the Chair. For a meeting, interview or workshop, the speaker should address the deaf person, not the lip-speaker.

At slide presentations, time should be allowed for the lip-reader to view the slide before lip-reading the accompanying spoken explanation.

Please allow for adequate lighting during video, overhead projection or slide presentations.

Always remember….

• A lip-speaker is completely neutral
• A lip-speaker works in total confidence
• A lip-speaker is a vessel through which the message is passed in a clearly lip-readable way.

You should arrive early so that you can choose where to sit and explain any particular needs you may have. It will also give you time to get used to your lip-speaker and give the lip-speaker an opportunity to familiarise themselves with your voice.