Employers urged to adopt sign language in the workplace

E mployers across Barbados are being urged to make sign language training a standard feature in the workplace, as government officials and disability advocates push for stronger inclusion of people who are deaf and hard of hearing in the workplace.

The call came during a Disability Sensitivity Training session for employers by the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, in partnership with the United Nations on Wednesday, at Courtyard by Marriott in Hastings, Christ Church.

During the training, participants were exposed to the communication barriers and social isolation faced daily by people who are deaf.

Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, Colin Jordan said organisations should adopt a structured approach similar to CPR and first-aid requirements, where only a few trained individuals are needed to ensure effective communication.

“There should be at least a few people in an organisation who know sign language,” he said, explaining that while it may not be realistic for everyone to be trained, having designated staff members is essential.

“We need to make sure that there are people in every department who know sign language and are able to communicate with persons who are deaf or hearing impaired.”

Jordan said government departments also needed to lead by example, revealing that the issue has already been raised internally.

The session also featured a detailed presentation from Barbados Council for the Disabled representative, Heather Gazette-Corbin, who described hearing loss as one of the most difficult disabilities to deal with.

“When there’s a hearing loss it is very isolating.

“Something is wrong with you, you’re feeling a certain way and you cannot tell anybody,” she said, adding that in some cases people who are deaf are unable to contact emergency services when they need help.

She explained that people born deaf usually prefer the term “deaf,” while those who lose their hearing later in life often identify as “hard of hearing,” stressing that outdated language such as “dumb” should not be used.

“You cannot produce a sound that you have not heard,” Gazette-Corbin said, explaining that some people who are deaf may speak differently or may stop speaking altogether after experiencing repeated negative reactions.

Gazette-Corbin also challenged the belief that lip-reading is a reliable substitute for sign language, describing it as inaccurate and often misleading.

“Reading lips is not an exact science,” she said, demonstrating how phrases such as “I love you” can be misinterpreted.

She said people who are deaf often rely on context to follow conversations, sometimes nodding along even when they do not fully understand, a response she described as the “deaf nod.”

“You’re not going to say you don’t understand in the middle of a crowd,” Gazette-Corbin said.

She advised employers and the public to maintain eye contact, avoid exaggerated speech, remove visual obstructions from the mouth and repeat or rephrase information to ensure understanding.

Addressing safety concerns often raised by employers, including fire alarms and emergency situations, she described those fears as a myth.

“Everything carries a vibration,” she said, explaining that people who are deaf often detect danger through physical cues before hearing people become aware of it.

“The fire at work will be felt by them before you know there is a fire.” 

Gazette-Corbin also highlighted practical safety measures such as buddy systems and visual alerts, including flashing lights, which benefit both deaf and hearing employees, particularly as hearing declines with age.

She stressed that people who are deaf are capable, committed and productive employees once given the opportunity.

“If you’re going to hire them and they know exactly what they’re doing, they will do the job. It’s excellent,” she maintained.

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to promote inclusive employment practices across Barbados, with additional sensitisation sessions expected as government and advocacy groups work to improve access and communication for people with disabilities. (LE)