Helping Hands: Empowering Healthcare Professionals to Communicate with Deaf People

A Concept by LUCRA Designstudio

There are approximately 140,000 people in Germany who rely on sign language interpreters in their daily lives. However, when it comes to medical situations such as doctor visits, hospital stays, or emergencies, communication barriers can become particularly evident. Misunderstandings, information gaps, and the deaf individuals' insecurity can result in suboptimal care.

In response to this challenge, LUCRA Designstudio developed a concept that focuses on situational and subject-specific application of sign language, rather than expecting healthcare professionals to learn the entire language. The concept includes a toolkit consisting of a handbook, communication board, communication cards, and an app.

The handbook serves as a guide for medical professionals, providing them with an overview of essential vocabulary and gestures related to various medical topics. The communication cards contain specific medical questions that can be used to clarify important information during interactions with deaf patients. The communication board allows for written exchanges, ensuring that important questions or instructions can be easily communicated. Additionally, an app provides a comprehensive summary of the vocabulary and gestures, enhancing understanding and precision.

To ensure a strong visual identity, the manual is printed on bold art paper in grayscale, with special color neon orange accents. The communication board is made of disinfectable white acrylic glass with rounded corners, while the communication cards are printed on tear-resistant cardboard that can be easily disinfected.

The Helping Hands concept was developed between May and August 2018 in Ravensburg, Germany. Extensive research was conducted, including interviews, surveys, and consultations with healthcare professionals, deaf individuals, and medical staff. The concept was designed to be simple and accessible, minimizing the entry barrier for medical staff.

Despite the creative, technical, and research challenges faced during the design process, Helping Hands successfully combines function, design, and emotion. By providing healthcare professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge, this concept aims to bridge the communication gap and improve the overall experience and care for deaf individuals in healthcare settings.

Helping Hands was recognized for its excellence and innovation, receiving the Iron A' Design Award in the Social Design category in 2019. This prestigious award is given to designs that meet professional and industrial requirements, integrating industry best practices and competent technical characteristics. Helping Hands contributes to a better world by fulfilling the needs of deaf individuals and promoting inclusivity in healthcare.