The Interview
Get Answers Before
The Questions Start
If you have never interviewed a D/HH/DB candidate, you are not alone. That is why we are here to help. The most important thing to know is that members of the D/HH/DB community simply want what any potential employee wants — an opportunity.
This list of tips and accommodations is simply a way to level the playing field for everyone.
Interviewing
The Deaf
- Once the candidate reveals or it is otherwise known to you that they are Deaf, discuss freely any reasonable accommodations needed for the interview, including the use of a qualified, licensed interpreter.
- Inform the receptionist and all other interviewers that you are expecting a Deaf candidate with an interpreter, or Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) provider, so they are prepared in advance.
- Position the interpreter or CART provider (if present) next to the interviewer so the candidate can clearly see both individuals and be sure only one person is speaking at a time.
- Provide a written copy of interview questions for the candidate and interpreter, if one is present.
- Speak clearly and slowly — do not shout, because shouting distorts speech.
- Maintain eye contact with the candidate and direct your questions to them, not the interpreter.
- Keep your hands away from your mouth and face while speaking. An accomplished lip reader will be able to understand only 20-30% of what you are saying.
- Use paper and pencil or other low cost, no cost auxiliary aids to communicate if necessary.
Interviewing the Hard of Hearing
- Once the candidate reveals or it is otherwise known to you that they are Hard of Hearing, discuss freely any reasonable accommodations needed for the interview, including the use of a Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) provider.
- Inform the receptionist and all other interviewers that you are expecting a Hard of Hearing candidate, with possible Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services, so they are prepared in advance.
- Choose a well-lit room that has little to no background noise, as noise makes it more difficult for the Hard of Hearing person to understand speech.
- Do not sit in front of a window, as light from behind you will obscure your face and make speechreading difficult.
- Provide a copy of the interview questions for the candidate and CART provider, if one is present.
- Speak clearly and slowly — do not shout because it can distort sounds if the candidate is wearing a hearing aid.
- Use hand gestures and facial expressions while maintaining eye contact with the candidate.
- To help aid effective communication, use a captioning app on an iPad or similar device.
- Keep your hands away from your mouth and face while speaking; remember that an accomplished lip reader will be able to clearly understand only 20-30% of what you are saying.
Interviewing The Deafblind
- Once the candidate reveals or it is otherwise known to you that they are DeafBlind, discuss freely any reasonable accommodations needed for the interview, including use of a tactile interpreter. If a Support Service Provider (SSP) is present, do not ask the SSP to interpret.
- Inform the receptionist and all other interviewers that you are expecting a DeafBlind candidate, an SSP if present and an interpreter, so they are prepared in advance.
- Position the interpreter next to the interviewer so the candidate can clearly see both individuals. Be sure only one person speaks at a time.
- Have a written agenda and company literature available either in large print or braille and provide a written copy of the interview questions in large print or braille for the candidate and interpreter.
- Speak clearly and slowly while using gestures and facial expressions. Maintain eye contact with the candidate. Direct your question to them, not the interpreter.
- Keep your hands away from your mouth and face while speaking.
- Use low cost, no cost technology as a resource to help aid in communication during the interview.