On-body signs are a form of tactile communication. They can be used with individuals who have multiple disabilities, including visual impairments.
They involve making signs on a person’s body to help them understand and interact with their environment.
Some on-body signs for adults to use on a learner’s body are:
Hello Place your hand against the learner’s hand — palm to palm (if possible) and make a circular movement together. | Goodbye: Lace your fingers between the learner’s and make a rainbow movement together and squeeze hand in time with spoken syllables (good, squeeze, bye, squeeze) |
Ready Tap thumbs twice on front of the learner’s shoulders (again in time with syllables of word) | Wait Tap knuckles once gently but firmly against the learner’s cheek. |
| Stop Squeeze the learner’s upper arm once — firm pressure. | Finish Slide hand firmly along the learner’s forearm and across hand if possible. |
More Tap on the learner’s hand twice. | Clever Move thumb along width of the learner’s forehead. |
It is important that the same signs be done consistently by all adults who support an individual.
There are different methods of on body signing that can be used, such as Canaan Barrie or adapted BSL signs.
On-body signs are very flexible and can be adapted or changed as appropriate. Often they will be personalised for an individual and those that know them well.