Here are some practical tips for being respectful and communicating well. Make sure you have eye contact with the person before speaking If there is an interpreter, speak to and look at the deaf person—not at the interpreter Face the person to whom you are speaking (that helps with lip-reading) Stand in good lighting and avoid standing so that light is on the face of the deaf person Avoid background noise whenever possible Move your mouth to articulate your words but don’t ex

Bill Keziah was a deaf newspaperman in the 1930s and 40s. Indian Trail ancient oak tree at Keziah Memorial Park Bill Keziah conducted his interviews through sign language and a paper tablet he carried. Keziah was working as an editor of “The News Reporter” in Whiteville, North Carolina, in 1928 when he decided to move 60 miles east to the coast and launch a newspaper himself—the “State Port Pilot.” The new publication was printed in Whiteville with the “The News Reporter” pri