New touch-based language by DeafBlind people: Protactile

[Video transcript available below in the comment section]

A new language has been spreading within the DeafBlind community, and has revolutionized how some DeafBlind people communicate. Called Protactile, or PT, the language uses touch as its medium of communication. PT emerged in 2007, when a group of DeafBlind people in Seattle began exploring their natural tactile instinct. Rooted in DeafBlind people's experience, PT aims to resolve previous communication difficulties for DeafBlind people, and advance the community's autonomy. Today, the language has reached thousands of people, and is still evolving.

[StrawberryRaine]

I never even thought about how difficult it would be for someone deaf blind to gage someone's reactions to a conversation. You'd never know if they laugh, or nod, or turn away, all those natural queues that are obvious to most people, and even people who only lack one of those senses. How interesting, I'm glad better forms of communication are being developed

[lovetif]

The most random adhd thought caused me to wonder how deaf-blind people communicate and look this up, this is so enlightening and I’m happy it exists. May I ask, what job opportunities work for deaf-blind people?

[kimschwenk]

I am a caregiver for a 61 year old deaf blind women. She has been lost through the cracks and knows very little sign language. She lives in a group home for intellectually disabled adults and as a younger person she was in an institution. Where we live there seems to be very little support for her. I personally know some asl but have no idea how to teach her. I would love to enrich her life and help her communicate better but don’t exactly know where to turn. If you have any resources for us can you please let me know. She is absolutely amazing and deserves to have a beautiful life.

[ghostwolf]

Just amazing, when human want to share what he have in the head nothing can stop it

[space_]

I have never fully understood how anyone born completely deaf and blind can interact with and understand the world. How do you even start to establish what the world is, how to convey words, what words are, what communication even is. It's wild to me.

[wisniewz]

How would a person with sight and hearing go about learning PT to help advocate for it and it's speakers?

[Jaglilpill]

This is so exiting and brilliant way to communicate 🙌🏻 there should be classes in school for everybody to learn the basis of singing 💜💜💜

[TheChristianScienceMonitor]

[Video transcript part 1]

The video opens with a scene of Jaimi Lard, a DeafBlind woman, and Christine Dwyer, a hearing and sighted interpreter. They are demonstrating elements of Protactile language together. Christine describes the layout of a building to Jaimi in Protactile. Jaimi holds out one hand, palm up, to represent the floor. A close up shows Christine’s hand “walking” with two fingers on Jaimi’s palm. Jaimi keeps her other hand on top of Christine’s hand to follow her movements. Then Christine signs and applies various touches to Jaimi’s palm. Jing Peng, reporter and the narrator of this video, sits next to them and watches. There is a marimba soundtrack, which gets softer as the male narrator begins to speak.

Narrator: This is a new language that could change the lives of thousands of DeafBlind people.

The video cuts to a shot of Christine describing a detachable camera lens to Jaimi. Jaimi makes a loose fist to represent the lens. Christine taps on Jaimi’s hand and applies twisting motions to it. Jaimi’s other hand stays on one of Christine’s hands to track her movements.

The words “Protactile (PT)” appear on the top left of the screen.

Narrator: It’s called Protactile, or PT, and it’s based entirely on the sense of touch.

The video cuts to a scene of four DeafBlind people speaking PT. Two people are seated directly in front of the camera, and two others are seated further in the background. Each pair of people sit closely together, facing each other, the outer sides of their thighs pressed together. As the speaker talks with their hands, the person receiving the message follows the conversation with one hand, and uses the other hand to provide reactions on the speaker’s leg.

The video then cuts to another scene, where eight DeafBlind people are seated in four pairs in one long row. They are talking in PT.

Narrator: PT emerged in 2007 in the DeafBlind community. And it’s still growing and spreading.

The video cuts to a scene of Jaimi and Christine demonstrating elements of PT to around 50 people in a conference room. Jaimi and Christine stand side by side. Jaimi holds out her hand, palm up. Christine holds Jaimi’s palm with one hand. Her other hand traces lines on the palm, then applies various finger taps to it. Jaimi’s other hand follows Christine’s hand movement.

The text “Jaimi Lard” and “Christine Dwyer” appear on screen, near Jaimi and Christine respectively. Each name has an arrow pointing to the person it refers to.

Narrator: This is Jaimi Lard, she and her hearing and sighted interpreter, Christine Dwyer, have incorporated elements of PT in their communication.

Christine (speaking to the audience): I've known her for 30 years, and we have changed the way we communicate.

The video cuts to an interview setting. Jaimi sits in the middle of an office, flanked on either side by Christine and Jing. The text “Jing Peng, Reporter” appears under Jing’s chest. Both Christine and Jing have one hand placed on Jaimi’s shoulder. Christine and Jaimi’s knees touch.

Narrator: For this interview, Jaimi speaks in American Sign Language, which Christine interprets.

Jaimi (answering a question about PT): By getting it tactilely, we were able to be included in more.

[the rest of the transcript is posted in replies to this comment]

[TheBehm]

It’s amazing. ASL uses the signer’s hands as the words on a page. PT uses the recipient’s body as the page to receive the words made by the signer’s hand

[KittinPyro]

I learned a few years ago through a YouTube video about how VRChat was connecting Deaf people all over the world, they had created a place to teach not only hearing people who were interested but also other deaf people other variants of sign Language. It was really cool to see hear people be so interested in learn sign language, with classes utilizing both deaf teachers and teachers who already knew sign language at the same time. All just members of the community who were passionate about learning and connecting with eachother. Learning multiple kinds of sign language, kinds from places around the globe that I didn’t even know existed.

Maybe someday there will the technology to allow tactile communication over the internet so the deafblind can also form this kind of community and connect with eachother no matter where in the world they are. That would be really cool I think.

[doneliatonk]

I am very grateful to CSM not only for just being, but even specifically for explainitory naming of each article. Thank You

[MiamiBeachDrew]

I am just now learning about PT communication. This video gave wonderful insight! Thank you!

[CeeBreeze-en]

Someone posted a couple doing this sign language on public transport. Im so happy for those this language helps. I can not imagine the obstacles of not being blind and deaf, but on top of that, have no ability to communicate.

🎉

[Jaglilpill]

This is beyond fascinating, im in awe of this languish ❤️

[saphire]

How did things go with you during Covid? Must be hard and sad any government seems to overlook your community. I was blind in one eye for 2 months due to slip and fall on ice. My compassion for the deaf and blind people magnified after experiencing a part of their struggles. I am a support worker people with disabilities in Canada and now that my sight is restored, I am looking into adding ASL and Braille on top of my skills and help the deaf and blind. Although, I work with people with more intense and challenging behaviors. I would like to know the demeanor of deaf and blind community, must be sweeter and deeper. More power to you!

[mizmartini]

honestly I feel like PT works so much better.

[rickebuschcatherine]

Thanks from France for that... video put in my playlist #jobforeveryone !

[Tiffany-bdeb]

How would a deaf blind person communicate with an autistic person who doesn’t like touch?

[majbrithoeyrup]

this is so wholesome! I want to learn this. I have a lot of questions - can 3 people have a conversation this way? Is it possible for cognitively impaired persons to learn this?

[JamesStein-wb]

I just wish the technology existed to give ALL deaf people successful cochlear implants to the brain so they could at least hear. Nobody should have to live without both sight and sound.