Lip Speakers

What is a lipspeaker?

How a lipspeaker works in an educational setting

Benefits of using a lipspeaker

Potential problems

Booking lipspeakers and costs

Useful links

What is a lipspeaker?

A lipspeaker accurately conveys speech to a lipreader using unvoiced speech, reproducing the rhythm and phrasing of speech as used by the speaker and incorporating facial expressions and natural gesture to clearly convey the message. 

Fingerspelling and some basic forms of sign language may also be used depending on the requirements specified by the student. 

A lipspeaker works with people who are oral, i.e. generally people who have become hard of hearing or deafened after acquiring spoken language

back to top

How a lipspeaker works in an educational setting

A lipspeaker should be qualified to CACDP Level 2 to work in an educational setting where speech speeds will not be excessive and there is the likelihood of some deaf awareness to be present. 

The lipspeaker would benefit from background information about the subject and any relevant handouts being given in advance so they can familiarise themselves with the terminology.

If possible a prior meeting should take place between the student and the lipspeaker so that the student can familiarise themselves with the following:

• lipspeaker’s lip shapes

• the student’s  communication needs, e.g. fingerspelling, how/when/who to interrupt the speaker, signed gestures

• The seating arrangements – the ideal distance should be 2 metres between the student and the lipspeaker in a well lit position with no background distractions such as posters, black/whiteboards with writing on them.  Windows should be used to illuminate the lipspeaker’s face, not providing a backdrop.

• Rest breaks

back to top

Benefits of using a lipspeaker

A lipspeaker ensures that the student will have as much access to the information disseminated verbally in a classroom setting as follows:

• A lipspeaker enables the student to follow what is being said at ALL times, e.g. when a lecturer is talking while writing on a black/white board or talking while walking round the room or just too far away to facilitate good ‘lip readability’.

• They will convey any questions or comments from other students in the room during a lecture/presentation.

• They will also convey everything being said in a discussion group.  It should be clarified that onlyone person may speak at one time to enable this to happen productively.

back to top

Potential Problems

• There is a shortage of qualified lipspeakers in Scotland, although there are training courses currently being undertaken.

• It is very demanding and regular breaks are needed.  It may be necessary to employ 2 lipspeakers and this can prove costly.

• Sometimes preparation of materials and preliminary meetings cannot be arranged so there will be a period of adjustment and familiarisation required.

• The lack of availability means there may not be continuity for the student.

back to top

Booking lipspeakers and costs

• Booking can be done directly or through agencies such as:

• The local deaf organisation
• The RNID
• The Association of Lipspeakers (ALS)  - has an online directory
• The Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP) - has details of agencies and registered lipspeakers

• Costs may vary but guidelines can be obtained through the above organisations.

• There is usually a minimum 2 hour fee regardless of the time required

• Travelling expenses should be reimbursed and some organisations charge time for travel in addition to the duration of the session.

• There are usually clauses notifying a cancellation fee from the service provider.  This fee will vary depending on the length of notice given.  This should be made clear at the time of booking.

• If the booking is made through an agency, there will be booking fee to be added (even with a cancellation).

As all colleges must adhere to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (SENDA), they are required to support disabled students, but there may be variations about the level of support possible. See the Legislation area of this website.

back to top

Useful Links

http://www.deafaction.org/ :Deaf Action

http://www.deafconnections.co.uk/:Deaf Connections

www.rnid.org.uk :RNID

http://www.lipspeaking.co.uk :Association of Lipspeakers (ALS)  - has an online directory

www.signature.org.uk : CACDP has changed its name to Signature  

back to top