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.
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.
All ALAS members have achieved a minimum of both a ‘Level 3 Certificate in Lipspeaking’ and a ‘Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language’.
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?
Some ALAS lipspeakers are registered with The ‘Scottish Register of Language Professionals with the Deaf Community’ (SRLPDC). If you cannot see a badge, you may not have a qualified and insured Lipspeaker working for you.
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.