The Influence of Sign Language Knowledge in Communication Between an Individual With Congenital Deafblindness and A Support Person at a Residential Home: A Descriptive Case Study

This case study concerns communication with an individual with congenital deafblindness (CDB). Previous studies indicate that individuals with CDB face several challenges in language and psychosocial development due to limited hearing and visual abilities. Specifically, this study describes a case examining the influence of sign language knowledge on the communication between an individual with CDB and a support person fluent in sign language at a residential home. Through a conversation analysis (CA)-based multimodal analysis of the interactions between the support person and the individual with CDB, examples are provided to illustrate how sign language knowledge is used in communication. The results reveal specific communication strategies used, which are suggested to derive from the support person’s fluency in sign language. The study offers insights into how sign language knowledge contributes to a variety of communication strategies aimed at enhancing interaction with individuals with CDB.