There are over 100 lipspeakers around the country, about 30 of whom are Level 3. 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.

Students in further and higher education should contact their Learning Support Coordinator, or equivalent, in the first instance. Booking agencies around the country should be asked to find a lipspeaker.

Booking a lipspeaker

Remember to book a lipspeaker as far in advance as possible. Please provide an emergency telephone number for a lipspeaker, in case of delay.

To avoid disappointment or dissatisfaction, consult the booking agency to find the appropriate level of lipspeaker for your assignment. The Association of Lipspeakers has a factsheet which shows the different assignments that Level 2 and 3 lipspeakers are allowed to undertake.

Lipspeakers need to know:

1. Date, time, place and nature of the job.
2. As much background information as possible (supporting papers and special jargon/acronyms sent beforehand helps preparation).
3. Rates of pay and conditions of service, including details of rest breaks, mealtimes and lengths of sittings, wherever possible.

This information 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

• A lipspeaker is completely neutral
• A lipspeaker works in total confidence
• A lipspeaker is a vessel through which the message is passed in a clearly lipreadable way

The lipspeaker uses the flow, rhythm and phrasing of natural speech and repeats the stress as used by the speaker but without voice. Messages that are too fast for lipreading may have to be pared down by the lipspeaker. The lipspeaker will use some fingerspelling if the lipreader requests this.

Please 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 lipspeaker and give the lipspeaker an opportunity to familiarise themselves with your voice.

Remember...

• YOU are the person in control
• A lipspeaker does not act on your behalf
• A lipspeaker does not ask questions for you
• If you do not understand something ask the SPEAKER to repeat or rephrase it, not the lipspeaker

Appropriate situations for using a lipspeaker

• Further and higher education
• Training courses
• Job interviews
• Workshops, seminars and conferences
• Telephone work
• Business/work meetings; Committee meetings; Association meetings
• Legal work: solicitor/client meetings; police enquiries and interviews;
court appearances
• Parent/teacher meetings
• Social Services
• Hospital consultations; out-patient clinics; in-patient support
• Union meetings/conferences; political meetings

Lipspeaking and the lipreader

Appropriate lipspeaker support gives people equal access to information. If you are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing and need lipspeaker support, please ask for it.

The requirement for communication support is part of:

    The Disability Discrimination Act 1995
    The Disabled Person's Act
    The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE)
    The NHS and Community Care Act
    The Children Act

Service providers are responsible for the cost of providing lipspeaker support for users of public sector services such as education, health, local authority and the legal system.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, employers should provide lipspeaker support for interviews, appraisals, meetings and training courses.

Lipspeakers are in great demand - don't be disappointed, BOOK EARLY!

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/