Carrying out structured interviews with clients with special needs and with specific language requirements
The interview might take place with the client alone or with their carer or interpreter present. If the client has communication problems, you may find it necessary to communicate via the carer/interpreter. In this case, extra time will be required for the interview. A tip to reassure the client that they are the primary focus of the interview is to look at them when they are speaking in response to information relayed via the intermediary. It may be possible to carry out the interview using sophisticated assistive technology or just some simple adaptations.
If the client has no difficulties with communication (eg: their disability lies in their motor skills) make sure that you are interacting with the client themselves and not with the carer.
You should make the client feel that meeting their reading needs is what the service is there to do. Keep any additional organisation in the background or the client may feel uncomfortable. Keep the client informed of when books in a particular language or adjustments to a PC allowing access to websites are expected.
Let's look now at Identifying current reading preferences and experience ...
