New York City shelter residents who are deaf or hard-of-hearing will get a novel tool in the coming weeks to help them communicate basic information, like asking for toilet paper or describing pain. The Department of Social Services is distributing visual cards printed with images of basic needs. The card was also improved after several focus groups gave feedback about it, city officials said. While the cards are focused on shelter needs, city officials said anyone can use them, such as people who don’t speak English as a first language or have a cognitive disability. The city will also offer CommuniCards to domestic violence shelters, youth shelters and shelters for people with HIV/AIDS.