Discrimination Against the Deaf
Community
One of my older brothers is deaf, so learning about the issues that the deaf community faces is serious to me. My big brother is a huge inspiration in my life because he has faced various obstacles in his life; he has been through so much yet he's always someone I can count on. He's a fighter and I only wish him the best. Many people do not realize the discrimination and challenges that deaf people go through everyday in a world full of hearing people. My action is to bring awareness of the unjust struggles that the deaf community faces.
According
to The Online Recruitment Resource,
"56% have experienced discrimination in the workplace due to being deaf or
hard of hearing" (Onrec). Why is that even an issue in the first place? Just
because many of us are able to hear and/or communicate with others through our
mouths does not make us any better or superior than those who can't. In an
ideal world, that 56% wouldn't exist, but it's not a perfect world; either way
those numbers should be less then half of that. It's absurd that many deaf
individuals do not get the support that they need in order to find a job. Their
lives and happiness suffer from the discrimination that they face every day.
According to the article, "Deaf Discrimination: The Fight for Equality Continues," the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees equal access and protects the individual's rights. There have been many instances where deaf Americans have not been accommodated with (Callis). Lydia Callis also states that, "There are cases where deaf people die after the hospital withholds a critical medical diagnosis." Imagine if you felt discomfort or pain and you weren't able to tell anyone, not even that nurses that are there to help you. The deaf Americans happened to die due to the fact that there wasn't any interpreter in the building; the lack equality kills and that's heartbreaking.
When I refer to the "deaf community" I am including the people who are fully deaf, hard-of-hearing, and everyone in-between. There are ways to help a deaf person out. If you can't communicate through sign language, don't bother mouthing your words or shouting because that won't help at all. Try writing what you want to say or texting it on your phone will help. Trust me, have patience. "Simple considerations such as captioning [or subtitles], transcription, or sign language interpreting services can help break through the language barrier to protect the rights of deaf Americans" (Callis). It would be great if everyone learned the basic alphabet or even take a course educating themselves on the community. It's important for the deaf community to get just and equal access from fellow hearing people. Deaf people can do everything and anything a hearing person can do (either than the obvious).
 |
| Global Deaf Connect by Nancy Rourke |
According to the article, "Deaf Discrimination: The Fight for Equality Continues," the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees equal access and protects the individual's rights. There have been many instances where deaf Americans have not been accommodated with (Callis). Lydia Callis also states that, "There are cases where deaf people die after the hospital withholds a critical medical diagnosis." Imagine if you felt discomfort or pain and you weren't able to tell anyone, not even that nurses that are there to help you. The deaf Americans happened to die due to the fact that there wasn't any interpreter in the building; the lack equality kills and that's heartbreaking.
When I refer to the "deaf community" I am including the people who are fully deaf, hard-of-hearing, and everyone in-between. There are ways to help a deaf person out. If you can't communicate through sign language, don't bother mouthing your words or shouting because that won't help at all. Try writing what you want to say or texting it on your phone will help. Trust me, have patience. "Simple considerations such as captioning [or subtitles], transcription, or sign language interpreting services can help break through the language barrier to protect the rights of deaf Americans" (Callis). It would be great if everyone learned the basic alphabet or even take a course educating themselves on the community. It's important for the deaf community to get just and equal access from fellow hearing people. Deaf people can do everything and anything a hearing person can do (either than the obvious).
Supporters
of this community:
 |
| Angel Reynoso |
 |
| Chantal Reynoso |
"I remember there was a time when my brother got home
from being out with friends he had encountered a guy who was in a gang. My
brother was communicating through American Sign Language with his friends and
the guy got offended and aggressive when he saw them. The guy assumed my
brother and his friends were "throwing" gang signs. This just comes
to show that people need to be educated about the deaf community. Today, there
is still more education and outreach than ever that is required for the deaf
community to seek society's acceptance. Kristin Poston, the Employment Task Force
Board Liaison for the National Association of Deaf wrote, "Society is
slowly but surely accepting us. In many colleges, and secondary school they
have introduced ASL and deaf culture in their curricula."
 |
| Silvestre Reynoso |
"My name is Silvestre, I'm deaf. Yes mostly everybody
discriminated against me at college or work because they think I can't do
it or can't hear somewhere safe. My hands are so good skilled anything plus I'm
pretty good at skating. I wanted to prove them look at me, I can do it. People
mostly see me all the time they [have] never seen deaf skater I feel proud of
myself. And they did respect me only [after I] show them I can do it if [I] don't
show them then they are right. But yeah that's life too hard for me, [but] I
always fight on my own to show them.
How I talk to them? I always write paper or type phone like
communication. Sometimes I don't understand what he/she says I asked "What's
that?" I really hate gangs because gangs saw me when I talk with my deaf
friends in American Sign Language; they jumped me. I told them "I'm deaf I
can't speak." They said, "Oh I'm sorry I didn't know you are
"mute"' some of them call me "retard," that's strong word.
A long story in my life. Thank you my dad, mom, brothers, and sisters I love
you with all my heart. Thanks for supporting me."
References:
"1 in 4 deaf
people have quit their job due to discrimination." The Online Recruitment Resource.
Totaljobs, 25 Aug. 2016. Web. 20 Apr. 2017. <http://www.onrec.com/news/statistics-and-trends/1-in-4-deaf-people-have-quit- their-job-due-to-discrimination>.
Rourke, Nancy. Global Deaf Connect. 2011. Oil on canvas. Nancy Rourke: The Latest Expressionist paintings. 3 Oct. 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2017 <http://www.nancyrourke.com/globaldeafconnect.htm>.
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