Things have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but some people face more limitations than others. Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (SDHHS) has adapted to ensure everyone can communicate during the pandemic.
It’s now common to wear PPE, including face masks, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Speaking through a mask can muffle your voice, making it difficult to understand.
Communicating with masks is especially challenging for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, as American Sign Language (ASL) relies on both the movement of hands and different facial expressions. “It’s hard to tell the intensity of the message,” SDHHS early childhood and family services worker Robyn Holmes explained. “Is someone trying to be