Development of a communication manual, instructional video, and communication support tools for Helping Hands Cafe

• Main Authors: Ting, Danielle Ruth, Yaya, Jomar, Zulueta, Paolo Gabriel
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2016
• Subjects: Deaf > Means of communication > Philippines; Deaf > Employment > Philippines; Telecommunications devices for the deaf > Philippines; Communication devices for people with disabilities > Philippines; Helping Hands Cafe (Philippines); Communication
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/6934
• Institution: De La Salle University

A micro enterprise and advocacy organization Helping Hands Cafe was subjected to a communication audit. Communication between the deaf and hearing staff were analyzed as well as between the deaf staff and customers, and deaf staff and managers were analyzed. According to participant observation, the researchers found the materials that the organization provides their deaf staff are not sufficient to accommodate their disabilities and oftentimes, create miscommunication and misunderstanding between them and co-workers, customers, and managers. Using media richness theory (MRT), the researchers have developed interventions that would seek to enrich face-to-face communication between the deaf staff and different parties. These interventions came in the form of a communication manual that would explore the revised communication protocols, a video that acts as a visual interpretation of the manual that aims for a better transfer of knowledge to the deaf staff, and support tools in the form of a menu that includes a revised ordering systems, a tabletop sign to help customers call the attention of the staff that includes icons of most frequently asked items of customers.