California
Department of Social Services
Office of Deaf Access 179
90
744 P Street, MS 8-16-91
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 6538320 (Voice)
(916) 6537651 (TTY)
EMail: deafuser@[Link]
[Link]/cdssweb/[Link]
BASIC
MEDICAL
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SIGN LANGUAGE
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PLEASE NOTE: This brochure is to be used as
a guide for one-on-one communication. This is
only a tool to assist in communication while
language interpreter. This resource should not
awaiting the arrival of a qualified/certified sign
be used in lieu of obtaining an interpreter.
PUB 391 (5/15)
LOCAL INTERPRETERS
AND SERVICES
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA:
Cypress: (714) 826-9793 Voice
Los Angeles: (323) 478-8000 Voice
Riverside: (951) 275-5000 Voice
San Diego: (619) 398-2441 Voice
Ventura: (805) 644-6322 Voice
Please note: Some deaf and hard
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA:
of hearing people communicate
by using American Sign Language Fresno: (559) 225-3323 Voice
(ASL). This brochure is designed Merced: (209) 230-9910 Voice
to assist medical professionals in (831) 753-6540 Voice
communicating with deaf and
Salinas:
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:
hard of hearing patients, who use
ASL, by providing pictorial ASL Sacramento: (916) 349-7500 Voice
interpretations of some words and Stockton (209) 474-3088 Voice
medical profession. This brochure BAY AREA AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:
phrases commonly used by the
is not intended to replace a San Leandro: (510) 343-6670 Voice
qualified/certified sign language
interpreter, but can be used in the
interim until an interpreter arrives.
NUMBERS (1 10) COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES
When communicating with a deaf or hard of hearing
person:
• Get the deaf or hard of hearing person’s attention
first (tap gently on the shoulder or wave your
hand).
• Establish eye contact with the deaf or hard of
hearing person.
• Sign the manual alphabet to fingerspell names
and other key words for which there are no signs
listed in this brochure.
• Use natural facial expressions, gestures, and
pantomime (e.g., negative words accompanied
by shaking of the head).
• Speak directly to the deaf or hard of hearing
person at a moderate pace while signing.
• Make sure your mouth can be seen.
• Rephrase the sentence if you are not understood.
• When all else fails, write it down or draw a
picture.
• Most importantly, remember that patience is a
language we can all understand.
BASIC (WHEN SPELLING,
MEDICAL
ARM IS IN, NEAR CHEST,
WRIST IS STEADY, AND
SIGN LANGUAGE
USUALLY ONLY FINGERS MOVING)
ACHE/PAIN ADDRESS ADVISE
ALLERGY APPOINTMENT
ASPIRIN ASSIST/HELP BABY
MANUAL ALPHABET
BACK BATHROOM BED
BETTER BLOOD BREATH
CALM DOWN CAN CAN’T
CHANGE CHEST CHILL/COLD
1 2 3
CLOTHES (Dress) COME ON COUGH
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
DEAF DIZZINESS DOCTOR
1
2
WRITE
DON’T KNOW DRINK
1 2
X-RAY
DRIVE/CAR EAR INFECTION
1 2
STAY THANK YOU THIRST EAT/FOOD FAMILY
TIRED UNDERSTAND VOMIT FATHER FEELING FINE
1
1
2
2
1 & 2
WAIT WANT WATER FRIEND GET UP
WELL WHERE WHO GOOD HAPPEN HARD
HAVE HE/SHE HOME LIE DOWN MEDICINE MOTHER
1 2
HOSPITAL HOW ARE YOU? NEED or SHOULD NOW or TODAY NURSE
HOT HUNGRY HURT, pain, injury PHONE/Telephone PILLS PLEASE
IMPROVE INJECTION INTERPRET PUT ON SICK SLEEPY (Sleep)
