Search Abstracts | Symposia | Slide Sessions | Poster Sessions
Inclusive neurocognition of language: a protocol for research with deaf signers
Poster Session A, Friday, September 12, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Field House
Isabel Olmos Pastor1, Iñaki Montero Cerezuela1, Ruiqing Zhang1,2, Joaquín Ordoñez1,2, Kirill Aksenov1,2, Jieying He1, Alexandra Navarrete1, Chiara Luna Rivolta1, Saúl Villameriel3, María Luz Esteban3, Brendan Costello1,4; 1Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (BCBL), 2University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain, 3CNLSE (Centre for Language Normalization of Spanish Sign Language), 4Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
Neurocognitive research on language involves performing studies with a variety of populations. Working with deaf participants requires specific adaptations to ensure data quality and, ultimately, safeguard participant well-being. Our research group conducts studies with deaf signers; in this presentation we lay out the issues that researchers should be aware of, and propose guidelines for working with deaf participants, particularly in the context of neuroimaging studies, which present particular challenges. The foremost issue when working with deaf signers is communicative accessibility: all information should be available in the relevant sign language as well as written text. This means translating recruitment information, safety screening, consent forms and instructions into sign. We record signed texts in video format so they can be used in on-line questionnaires or presented on-site. The research team must include a highly proficient signer; ideally, this should be a deaf signer, who will be more sensitive to cultural issues (and promotes inclusion in research: see below). The signing researcher facilitates communication with participants: for on-line studies, this may be resolving doubts and questions via video calls; for on-site studies, the signer is on hand at all times to guarantee fluid interaction. Most research paradigms require some modification for deaf participants, but neuroimaging techniques require specific adaptations because of the communication limitations imposed by the physical setup. For MRI and MEG, communication with the participant is typically by speech over microphone and earphones/speakers. With deaf participants, we use two cameras: one connected to the presentation computer for researchers to sign to the participant; and a video feed from the scanner allows the participant to sign to the researchers. The reduced space in the MRI drastically limits what the participant can sign: for this reason, we have developed a reduced set of adapted signs that express the most relevant communicative needs (“Fine to carry on”, “I need a break”, “How much time left?”, etc.). Since detailed exchanges are not possible during the scanning session, before entering the scanner we explain the structure of the scanning session and run through practice trials of the task to resolve any doubts or questions. Much of the adaptation involves providing the participant with clear information in advance so that communication issues do not arise during the scanning. In addition to adapting research methods to deaf participants, research practice needs to be inclusive for and of deaf individuals. This involves creating accessible outreach materials in sign language and engaging with community stakeholders. More fundamentally, including deaf people in research requires creating opportunities and environments that allow deaf individuals to train and develop as researchers. This goal requires long-term strategy planning and working with administration and funders to make research inclusive. Carrying out research on sign languages allows us to account for the full diversity of human language; making research inclusive will provide insights and perspectives that enrich our research program and will make our practice socially equitable.
Topic Areas: Signed Language and Gesture, Methods