The first principle and most significant principle in Protactile- establishing and creating safe contact spaces.
In this context, we do not sign in a visual body frame. It is more of establishing tactile spatial contact space using our bodies to convey meanings and concepts.
Contact space includes emphasis, tone, emotions, point to point, and reference markers.
When signing in ASL visual spaces, arms tend to be up and outward slightly, but when we are in PT and using contact space; arms should be down and relaxed.
Before PT, there was a heavy reliance on Tactile ASL as Deaf folks grew up using ASl until some went blind too. With TASL, the visual field signing occurs, there is no reciprocity happening, there is no feedback (backchanneling happening). A lot of context is missed. And it hurts our bodies. It is not comfortably ergonomic.
Historically, many DB interpreters quit for this reason.
Significance of bumpability:
In protactile, it is also important to us to be in contact with the environment and people. It gives us more information. There is a lot of misconception that clearing the room and moving aside everything is better for us. Also, assumptions that bigger spaces are better for us. In fact, the opposite is true.
Feeling oriented and connected to the environment and others around us, furthers the proprioceptive senses confirming that we are here, and we know you are here, and you know we are here. Which leads to more tactile co-presence.
More coming soon…