Ask respectfully
Ask the person what communication method works for them. Make it easy to request access when booking, arriving, or contacting you online.
For hearing people and service providers
Make access part of everyday service.
A welcoming service begins by asking how someone prefers to communicate, then arranging support that works for the conversation.
A practical approach
Ask. Arrange. Confirm.
People have different communication preferences. The length, subject, and setting of a conversation also matter.
Arrange the right support
Plan for a qualified interpreter, real-time captions, an accessible document, assistive listening, or another appropriate option when needed.
Check that it works
Before important information is exchanged, confirm that the person can understand and respond comfortably. Adjust if the first approach is not working.
In common situations
Plan for the whole interaction.
Accessibility begins before a person arrives and continues through follow-up. Offer a way to ask for communication support at each step.
Read the U.S. Department of Justice's effective communication guidance →
- AppointmentsAsk about communication needs when scheduling and confirm the arrangement ahead of time.
- Phone contactMake sure staff know how to receive relay calls and offer a written contact route.
- Events and classesPlan for captions, interpreting, sightlines, and accessible materials before promoting the event.
- DeafBlind accessAsk about tactile communication, usable formats, and environmental information. Needs vary by person.
Video previews
Three guides we plan to make.
These slots currently reuse one playback test. The guidance above and the sources below cover the topics while the videos are being developed.
Make your service welcoming
Planned: show staff how to ask, arrange, and confirm effective communication.
Playback test: This demo clip does not teach the planned topic. A topic-specific video and descriptive transcript are still to come.
Captions, interpreters, and other options
Planned: explain why one communication method does not work for everyone.
Playback test: This demo clip does not teach the planned topic. A topic-specific video and descriptive transcript are still to come.
DeafBlind access in practice
Planned: co-create with DeafBlind contributors and show how to ask about tactile, visual, and written access needs.
Playback test: This demo clip does not teach the planned topic. A topic-specific video and descriptive transcript are still to come.
See one example
Captions make video information usable.
Captions include speech and meaningful sounds. Review them for accuracy instead of relying only on automatic captions.
This short video is by the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. The player loads from YouTube only if you choose Watch video. The source page includes a descriptive transcript.
Keep learning with the people you serve.
No checklist replaces a conversation. Invite feedback from Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind people and act on what you learn. The ADA's effective communication guidance explains how U.S. requirements apply to covered public services and businesses.