• Skip to main content
Family Eldercare

Family Eldercare

  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Financial and Tax Information
  • Our Services
    • Overview
    • Guardianship and Financial Advocacy
    • Housing and Homelessness Services
    • Supportive Services
    • Well-Being
  • News
  • Get Involved
    • Overview
    • Summer Fan Drive
    • Amplify Austin Day
    • 80 Over Eighty
  • Resources
    • Housing and Basic Needs
    • Health
    • Transportation
    • Mental Health/Substance Abuse
    • Parenting and Caregiving
    • Outside Travis County
    • Other
  • Contact
  • Donate

Social Work Breaks Barriers

What do social workers do? 

March is Social Workers Month, but do you know what they do? Simply put, they are professionals dedicated to removing barriers that keep us from living better lives.   

Social Workers build relationships. 

This year’s Social Workers Month theme: Social Work Breaks Barriers, is a great reminder that no matter their specialization, all social workers are relationship-builders. Because you can’t break down barriers until you work to understand what they are and why they exist. 

Building relationships with the Deaf community: 

Let’s talk about building relationships with someone from the Deaf community as an example. Have you ever met a Deaf person before? Do you know American Sign Language (ASL)? Do you know anything about Deaf culture? For most of us, the answer is no.  

 Now, imagine being a Deaf person in a world full of hearing people. Imagine trying to ask for help. It’s likely that every time you meet a hearing person, you are the first Deaf person they’ve ever met. Imagine how exhausting and nerve wracking it must be to navigate the world when most people can’t communicate directly with you.  

 Deaf culture is a very open, welcoming community. Here are a few simple ways you can break barriers with someone from the Deaf community.    

  1. If the Deaf person has an interpreter, speak directly to the Deaf person just as you would a hearing person. Don’t speak to the interpreter. If there is no interpreter available, just write everything down.
  2. Someone who is Deaf has a different sense of physical space. Culturally, they will likely tap you on the shoulder, get closer to you, and typically have more exaggerated body movements. They are not trying to be invasive or aggressive. They use body movement to communicate.   
  3. Deaf people can be very direct and blunt. Brace yourself and know that they are not being rude.  
  4. This community is often taken advantage of due to their level of Deafness and may be resistant to trust you. Talk with them, learn their history, and know it may take time to gain their trust.  
  5. The Deaf community is tight-nit and likely to have an entire support system already in place.  
  6. Communication is key. When writing emails be direct. Sometimes it takes multiple emails to ask a couple of questions. Remember, English is their second language. Frustration is a part of the process. 

And, if you’re really interested in building relationships, learning the simple American Sign Language alphabet, is a great place to start. In fact, just knowing the ASL alphabet and fingerspelling can take you a long way in a conversation even if you aren’t fluent in ASL.  There are many free, interactive online resources available to help you learn ASL through videos and simple demonstrations. We list a few at the end.  

In honor of National Social Work Month (and beyond), we hope you too try to break some barriers. Get to know communities that you may not understand. Be a relationship-builder. Just like a social worker. 

ASL Resources: 

  1. ASLpro.cc
  2. ASL Bloom (Google Play or App Store)
  3. Lifeprint

Read More from Family Eldercare

Meet Jacqui

10 Questions with Jacqui M. Get to know one of our Permanent Supportive Housing team members, Jacqui M. Permanent Supportive Housing assists persons who have been homeless and need support to live on their own. Onsite resources and support promote dignity and self-sufficiency. What does Family Eldercare’s mission mean to you? Equal and fair support …

Meet Linda Zamora

10 Questions with Linda Zamora Get to know Family Eldercare’s new Vice President of Housing and Homelessness Services. Linda Zamora is deeply committed to serving unhoused communities. She brings her extensive experience operating housing programs. Most importantly, she brings her heart and her voice. We are excited to have her with us and hope you …

For Immediate Release

We are unwaveringly committed to fostering a culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, ensuring that every individual is heard, seen, and respected in all aspects of our operations and interactions.

Invest in hope and a better 2023 for our community

Donate

GET IN TOUCH

Main Line: 512.450.0844

Intake & Referrals Line: 512.483.3580

Fax: 512.459.6436
info@familyeldercare.org

Austin
1700 Rutherford Ln.
Austin, TX 78754

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up to receive Family Eldercare News

Sign Up
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Español