Finding a lipspeaker
There are over 100 lipspeakers around the country, about 30 of whom are Level 3. Please allow 2-3 weeks to find a lipspeaker.
Registered Level 3 lipspeakers are listed in the CACDP Directory. This is an invaluable guide for anyone wishing to obtain the services of a lipspeaker. A list of Level 2 lipspeakers is available on request from CACDP.
The Association of Lipspeakers (ALS) website Directory can also give you names of Level 2 and 3 lipspeakers, who are ALS members, and who are available for lipspeaking work in your area.
Booking a lipspeaker
Lipspeakers are in great demand, so remember to book one as far in advance as possible. Please provide an emergency telephone number for the lipspeaker, in case of delay.
Always remember to book the correct level of lipspeaker for the assignment. ALS has a Factsheet which outlines the various types of work each level is qualified to undertake.
For many assignments, two lipspeakers will be required. A lipspeaker should not be expected to work alone for a whole day or for complex and specialist areas of work. See the CACDP Directory for more information.
Lipspeakers need to know:
- Date, time, place and nature of job
- As much background information as possible (supporting papers and special jargon/acronyms sent beforehand aids preparation)
- Rates of pay and conditions of service
All the above should be sent in writing following a telephone booking. The lipspeaker should also confirm acceptance of the job in writing.
Fees may still be required if a booking is cancelled.
Using a lipspeaker
Lipspeaking requires the lipspeaker to listen to what is said and repeat it accurately, without using their voice, while listening to the next sentence. To do this the lipspeaker 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 lipspeaker to interrupt during the proceedings if the pace, volume and environment require adjustment.
The lipspeaker is a sentence behind the speaker and the lipreader a sentence behind that. Please pause between speakers for the lipreader 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 lipspeaker.
At slide presentations time should be allowed for the lipreader to view the slide before lipreading the accompanying spoken explanation.
No one can lipread in the dark! Please allow for adequate lighting during video, overhead projection or slide presentations.
Appropriate situations for offering lipspeaker support
- Job interviews
- Training courses
- Business/work meetings
- Committee meetings
- Conferences, seminars and workshops
- Hospital consultations
- Out-patient clinics and in-patient support
- Social services
- Solicitor/client meetings; police enquiries and interviews; court appearances
- Political meetings
- Telephone work
Lipspeaking and the lipreader
Providing lipspeaker support in health and social services, at conferences, workshops, training courses and in career development, allows people the choice of equal access to information.
ALS gives information and advice on lipspeaking to service providers as well as employers, conference organisers, training agencies and institutes of higher education. Contact ALS for help in providing appropriate lipspeaking service.
Useful contacts
Association of Lipspeakers
ALS Information Office
5 Furlong Close, Upper Tean, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST10 4LB
Tel: 01538 722482
Fax/Textphone: 01538 722442
E-mail: information@lipspeaking.co.uk
ALS Website: www.lipspeaking.co.uk
Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP)
Durham University Science Park, Block 4, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3UZ
Tel: 0191 383 1155
Textphone: 0191 383 7915
Fax: 0191 383 7914
E-mail: durham@cacdp.co.uk
Website: www.cacdp.org.uk/
Revised: Octber 2007
