Social-Haptic Communication

Social-haptic communication is a system of on-body tactile messaging. Note that all these haptices can be applied on the negotiated safe areas of the body e.g., upper arm, back or hand.

Draw a large “X” on the person's back using the palm or blade of the hand or finger. This means: there is an emergency come with me immediately and I will explain later.
Emergency: Draw a large “X” on the person’s back using the palm or blade of the hand or finger. This means: there is an emergency come with me immediately and I will explain later
Yes: Closed fist moving in a nodding motion up and down
Yes: Closed fist moving in a nodding motion up and down
No: Closed fist moving in a shaking motion left-right-left-right
No: Closed fist moving in a shaking motion left-right-left-right
Maybe: closed fist with only thumb and little finger extended. This can be done in space, on a shoulder, arm or hand
Maybe: closed fist with only thumb and little finger extended. This can be done in space, on a shoulder, arm or hand
Laughing: by using the hand as though it is clutching a ball moving on and off the upper arm of the person with DSI signifies laughter.
Laughing: by using the hand as though it is clutching a ball moving on and off the upper arm of the person with DSI signifies laughter
Shock and Yawn: the communicator starts with all fingertips together on the upper arm then drags them open. This is like an open mouth in shock or awe.
Shock and Yawn: the communicator starts with all fingertips together on the upper arm then drags them open. This is like an open mouth in shock or awe
Happy smile: drawing a smile on the upper arm of the person with DSI.
Happy smile: drawing a smile on the upper arm of the person with DSI
Sad: an upside-down smile is drawn
Sad: an upside-down smile is drawn
Tears/Crying: using a fingertip to mark out the tracks of tears falling on the upper arm
Tears/Crying: using a fingertip to mark out the tracks of tears falling on the upper arm
Map out the space: Starting at the centre of the upper back with two hands trace the shape of the room
Mapping the table: map the shape of the room and then the table
Indicated where person with DSI is sitting: Use the index finger or first finger and second finger side by side, to indicate where the person with DSI is sitting
Indicating others’ locations at the table: Others around the table can then be orientated using the index finger to point their location around the table
Mapping the plate: By drawing a plate on the back, the communicator can let the diner with DSI know where their food is on the plate
'I am here’: the communicator touching the person with DSI on the shoulder.
‘I am here’: the communicator touching the person with DSI on the shoulder.
Leaving the space: the communicator can use the flat hand moving (stroking) cross the person's back moving to the direction of leaving
Leaving the space: the communicator can use the flat hand moving (stroking) cross the person’s back moving to the direction of leaving
Leaving: the communicator makes a claw handshape on the upper arm of the person with DSI that moves inwards as in a pinching motion and then away from the body means I am leaving
Leaving: the communicator makes a claw handshape on the upper arm of the person with DSI that moves inwards as in a pinching motion and then away from the body means I am leaving
Uneven sufrace: Fingertips on upper hand moving up and down randomly to indicate uneven surface.
Uneven sufrace: Fingertips on upper hand moving up and down randomly to indicate uneven surface.
Escalator: Make a chopping motion on the arm or hand followed by moving the hand/arm downwards or upwards to the indicated direction of travel.
Escalator: Make a chopping motion on the arm or hand followed by moving the hand/arm downwards or upwards to the indicated direction of travel.
Doctor/nurse: Use the fingertip of the index finger and draw a medical cross on the upper arm or hand.
Doctor/nurse: Use the fingertip of the index finger and draw a medical cross on the upper arm or hand.
Blood pressure check (and also observations): Use hand to form a ‘cuff’ around the upper arm (in the manner of a blood pressure cuff) and squeeze gently.
Blood pressure check (and also observations): Use hand to form a ‘cuff’ around the upper arm (in the manner of a blood pressure cuff) and squeeze gently.
Pain and where on the body: Claw handshape on the part of the body
Pain and where on the body: Claw handshape on the part of the body. A doctor might press a clawed hand on the abdomen and then draw a question mark on the upper arm. This would signify asking: do you have pain here?
Pain and where on the body: Claw handshape on the part of the body
Injection: lightly grasp/pinch with thumb and index finger the webbing between the person’s thumb and forefinger. Then move finger to the part of the body where the needle will go
Injection: lightly grasp/pinch with thumb and index finger the webbing between the person’s thumb and forefinger. Then move finger to the part of the body where the needle will go
Tablets to take: the communicator uses thumb and forefinger to make a pecking motion on the palm of the person with DSI’s hand. This simulates the picking up of pills or tablets and swallowing them.
Tablets to take: the communicator uses thumb and forefinger to make a pecking motion on the palm of the person with DSI’s hand. This simulates the picking up of pills or tablets and swallowing them
Are you ok?: 1. Thumbs up and grab the thumb or 2. Smiling emotion haptice on the upper arm with a question mark drawn on the upper arm. You can also just draw a question mark on the upper arm
Are you ok?: 1. Thumbs up and grab the thumb or 2. Smiling emotion haptice on the upper arm with a question mark drawn on the upper arm. You can also just draw a question mark on the upper arm
Question or unsure: draw a question mark on the upper arm
Question or unsure: draw a question mark on the upper arm

With thanks to artist Cathy Weiszmann.