FAQs – Association of Lipspeakers With Additional Sign

What is a Lipspeaker

A ‘Lipspeaker’ is a hearing person who has been professionally trained to be easy to lipread. Lipspeakers reproduce clearly the shapes of the words and the natural rhythm and stress used by the speaker. They also use facial expression, gesture and, if requested, finger spelling, to aid the lipreader’s understanding.

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What is Lipspeaking with Additional Sign?

Some lipspeakers have additional qualifications in British Sign Language (BSL). This allows them to offer lipspeaking with additional sign to support the meaning. Some lipspeakers are also Registered Sign Language Interpreters, thus dual registered and able to adapt their register to meet the needs of the deaf person in front of them.

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Where do Lipspeakers work?

Lipspeakers work in a variety of settings, including: Education, Health, Legal, Community, Private Sector, Parliament

Can a Lipspeaker work online?

In April 2020, ALAS Lipspeakers started to transition to online working. Most ALAS Lipspeakers can work remotely on platforms including: Zoom, Microsoft, Teams, Chime, WebEx, Google Meet

Do Lipspeakers have an ID badge?

All ALAS lipspeakers are registered with the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and DeafBlind people (NRCPD) and carry their registration card. If you cannot see a badge, you may not have a qualified and insured Lipspeaker working for you.

Check the NRCPD register

Do Lipspeakers use their voice?

A Lipspeaker usually works without voice, listening to the speakers’ words and repeating them almost simultaneously. Additionally, the Lipspeaker may be asked to speak the words aloud, so that the lipreader can make use of his or her residual hearing to support the lipreading process.

Who pays for Lipspeaker support?

Government funding may be available from the Department for Work and Pensions under the 'Access to Work' (ATW) Scheme. For students in Higher Education, there may be funding available from the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA).

Who uses lipspeakers?

Lipspeakers are mainly used by Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing people who lipread. Lipreading itself can be very tiring

Is 'Lipspeaking with additional sign' the same as 'Sign Supported English' SSE?

NO - 'Lipspeaking with additional sign' is not the same as 'Sign Supported English' (SSE). While both utilize signs to aid communication, they are different. Lipspeaking with additional sign is a service provided by a lipspeaker to allow the spoken word to be easily lipreadable for someone who relies on lip reading.

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