Ways of communicating

There are thousands of ways to communicate and connect – be it through speech, sign language, touch, movement, gesture, sound, pictures, objects or electronic aids.
At Sense, we use whatever mix works best to help people who have complex disabilities, or are deafblind, to communicate and experience the world.
We’ll use whatever works. We call this our ‘total communication’ approach.
Common ways of communicating include:
- Sign language.
- Makaton, a simpler version of sign language.
- Braille uses raised dots to touch.
- Deafblind Manual spelling words on to your hand.
- Lipreading.
How Sense can help
We offer free and impartial information about living with complex disabilities, including deafblindness.
Get in touch by phone, email, post or through a BSL interpreter.
Different ways of communicating
Whatever mix of methods you use, a total communication approach will make it easier and more enjoyable to connect meaningfully with someone who communicates differently from you.
Remember, it’s never too late to start learning a new way of communicating. Have a go and don’t worry about getting it wrong.
Total communication is also about creating a positive environment that will help you communicate and interact.
For example, this may mean:
- Changing the lighting in the room.
- Reducing the amount of background noise.
- Moving position so that you can see or hear better.
- Reducing clutter or removing things that are distracting.
Types of communication
These are the main ways of communicating that we use:
Using speech
Using touch
- Braille uses raised dots to touch.
- Deafblind Manual spells words on to your hand.
- Block alphabet spells letters on to your hand.
- Moon uses raised lines, curves and dots to touch.
- Tadoma uses lipreading by touch.
- Hand-under-hand signing using touch.
Using signs
- Sign language.
- Makaton, a simpler version of sign language.
- Visual frame signing for people with reduced vision.
- Objects of reference
Also
- Non-formal communication without speaking, writing or signing.
- Intensive interaction treating everything as communication.
- Assistive technology supports people with hearing or visual impairments with everyday life.
More information
This content was last reviewed in April 2022. We’ll review it again next year.