Deaf & Hard of Hearing Accessibility and Representation
What is deafness?
“Deafness refers to the inability to understand speech through hearing even when sound is amplified. Profound deafness means the person cannot hear anything at all; they are unable to detect sound, even at the highest volume possible.”
What does it mean to be hard of hearing?
“Hard of Hearing refers to an individual who has a mild-to-moderate hearing loss who may communicate through sign language, spoken language, or both.”
Sign Language is the language used by most deaf and hard of hearing people. Sign language is a visual language that comes in many different forms of American Sign Language and British Sign Language.
Being able to have control of a language should not be a luxury, but unfortunately, it is for many deaf and hard of hearing people. Only “Twenty-five percent of parents use sign language to communicate with their deaf child.” This is often due to a lack of resources and access to education in sign language. This puts deaf children at an incredible disadvantage. They are losing a language in the time when they should be learning it.
Worldwide only “Two percent of the world’s Deaf population has access to education in sign language.”
English is also a language option for deaf and hard of hearing people learn. It is acquired “through spoken, written, and visual supplemental approaches.”
With the internet, it has become much easier to learn sign language through online learning with videos and other resources at our fingertips. However, it is important young deaf and hard of hearing children get the specialized education they deserve. General education is not enough to help these children excel.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing People in the Media
Recently, films and television series have written in characters who are deaf or hard of hearing. This is fantastic and important representation in the media.
“There’s this body of research and a term known as ‘symbolic annihilation,’ which is the idea that if you don’t see people like you in the media you consume, you must somehow be unimportant.” - Nicole Martins of Indiana University
Despite this representation, these characters are often played by hearing people. Unless these people are fluent in sign language, there is often a mix-up in how signs are expressed. Deaf and hard of hearing people who speak sign language fluently are the best people to represent themselves. Deaf and hard of hearing actors deserve the opportunity to play themselves and get recognition.
No deaf actor has ever been nominated, let alone won, an Academy Award for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, or Best Director. This is not due to a lack in talent, but due to a lack of actors due to the difficulty to get a job in films that either do not have deaf or hard of hearing characters, or do, but prefer hearing actors.
Ellwood, Gregory. ‘Shape of Water’ Takes Four Critics Choice Awards Including Best Picture And Best Director. theplaylist.net/shape-of-water-critics-choice-awards-20180111/.
Mackenzie, Carina. “Switched At Birth.” 'Switched at Birth' Sign Language Episode: What Did You Think?, screenertv.com/news-features/switched-at-birth-sign-language-episode-what-did-you-think/.
NYLE DiMARCO
Nyle DiMarco is a deaf model and activist for the deaf community. He first gained attention as the first deaf winner of America's Next Top Model cycle 22. He "was born into multigenerational deaf family and was taught American Sign Language and English from birth." Nyle wants to "ensure Deaf children receive the same opportunities he did." This means getting them the education they need and educating their parents, who may not be deaf, on how to provide accessibility for their deaf child. Nyle represents the message he wants to spread, "that Deaf children can grow to be anything they want".
IG: @taylormillerphoto
THE MOVIES
Going to the movies should be an enjoyable experience, yet for many deaf and hard of hearing people it is just frustrating. Many different movie theater chains or individual theaters do not provide the right accessibility for those who cannot hear the movie's dialogue. There are limited showings of films with closed-captions on screen and the devices used to provide individual closed captioning are difficult. The captions often do not align with what is being said or screen. Besides this, the devices are often positioned in a way that taints the movie theater experience once viewers have to position themselves in a way to view both the caption device and screen at the same time.
Nyle himself has complained about this issue, saying that when he went to see Black Panther he could not enjoy such a landmark film because the English captions would not align correctly. Also, no captions would appear on his device when the characters spoke Xhosa, they appeared on screen. Nyle would have to reposition himself every time the characters switched between English and Xhosa. Nyle said he left the theater in frustration. No one should have to feel as though they are left out.
Call out institutions like movie theaters that do not make their environment accessible for everyone. Call or go in person and ask them why they have not improved their closed captioning systems or have later on screen closed caption showings.
1 Step is doing our part by bringing attention to this issues and demanding accountability. Do the same so that we can make change happen together and ensure everyone is included in fun experiences like going to the movies.
ACCESSIBILITY
Accessibility for those who are deaf and hard of hearing is a necessity. It allows for everyone to be included so everyone can have a good time no matter what the event or activity. Below is a list of what you can do to make sure an event you host is accessible to those who are deaf and hard of hearing if the event will also include hearing people who cannot sign ASL.
1. Movie Night
When watching a movie with friends, include captions to make the movie enjoyable for anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing.
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2. Big Event or Small Party
It is best that for a big event, or even a small party, where there will be hearing and deaf or hard of hearing people there is an ASL interpreter so everyone can communicate and understand what is going on.
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3. Social Media
If you post a video with sound on social media, include captions so that all of your friends or followers can enjoy the video. VideoEdit is one of many free apps that allow captions to be added to videos and follow what is being said. If captions cannot be added to the video because no words are spoken, include a description of the video in the caption.
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4. Emergency
If a deaf or hard of hearing person is in a state of emergency calling 911 is not always an option. Unfortunately, in the United States, very few states accept 911 texts and those that do only accept texts from certain carriers. Contact your state representative today to enable 911 operators to receive texts. No deaf person or hard of hearing person should remain in a state of emergency due to inaccessibility.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Inaccessibility is still a big issue for the deaf and hard of hearing communities. Speak to your representatives about ensuring proper protection for all of their constituents, which means enabling 911 to receive texts. While this may be a difficult process of reminding representatives, it is important. In your daily life, you can ensure accessibility by making sure deaf and hard of hearing people are included in conversations, events, social media, etc. Learning ASL, or at least the basics, is best for communicating with the deaf and hard of hearing community. With the internet, there are more resources available to learn ASL easier. If possible consider donating to the organizations listed below, but if not there are plenty of things you can do for the deaf and hard of hearing communities that will help make our world accessible for all. These organizations also offer fantastic resources for deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing people can utilize.
National Association for the Deaf
American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC)
Council of American Instructors of the Deaf (CAID)