Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility: Deaf and Hard of Hearing

We often assume that most individuals see, hear, move, work, live the way we do. This is not the case. People who are deaf or hard of hearing, have an invisible condition that is easily overlooked or minimized by the hearing world.

According to the National Institutes of Health "About 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears. More than 90 percent of deaf children are born to hearing parents. Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report some trouble hearing." More than 1.5 billion people worldwide are currently affected by hearing loss in at least one ear. Many hearing parents feel their child's deafness is a disability to be fixed. Those in the deaf community feel their deafness is a beautiful part of who they are.

Evelyn Glennie - is a Grammy-winning drummer and composer. She lost nearly all of her hearing by the age of 12. She has released 12 albums, performed with musicians such as Björk and is currently the only percussionist to have a successful solo career.

Gertrude Ederle - lost her hearing at a young age after a bout of measles. In 1926 she became the first woman to swim across the English Channel, besting the male records by 1 hour and 59 minutes. She won 2 individual bronze medals and a gold medal as part of a freestyle relay team at the 1924 Olympics. She set a total of 29 separate national and global amateur records.

Halle Berry - actress best known for her roles in Catwoman, Monster Ball, and the X-Men Film series lost most of her hearing in her left ear after a domestic violence attack. 

Marlee Matlin - Diagnosed with profound hearing loss at 18 months old, she has 20% hearing in one ear and is complete deaf in the other. Until the 2022 Oscars that included an Oscar win for actor Troy Kotsur from the film CODA, Matlin was the only deaf performer who had won an Academy Award for her performance in the 1986 film, Children of a Lesser God.

Millie Bobby Brown - Eleven from Stranger Things is totally deaf in her right ear.
 

When possible, it is always best to learn from Deaf creators and educators. 

In another story of inclusion from pop culture; The Barbie Movie is offered on Max in its standard version as well as an ASL version with an interpreter signing throughout the movie. What an amazing tool of inclusivity.

Starting in January, 2021, The White House has an ASL interpreter at all Daily Press Briefings.

White House Enlists ASL Interpreters For Daily Press Briefings

Sign and dance along with Savvy on KidzBop, which now includes signing in many of their songs.

Meet Savvy from KidzBop

Naturally, we want to be heard, and understood. It's what our customers want as well. So, when a customer comes in who is deaf or hard of hearing, we must work to understand them to the best of our abilities. Things to consider when you're talking with a customer who is deaf or hard of hearing.

• Speak clearly and at a normal pace.
• Do not raise your volume or over enunciate.
• Look directly at the person while speaking.
• Do not turn your head or cover your mouth.
• Try to keep your face well-lit.
• Grab some paper and write out your conversation, particularly if clarity is needed.
• Use this awesome resource from Gallaudet University for more ideas.

Staff Meetings and Large Room Programs

It is important to keep in mind that staff and customer abilities are not always visible. 

• When in a large room for programs or staff meetings, a microphone is ideal. This will amplify the speaker's voice in a way that makes the delivery more accessible to those who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is understandable that using a microphone may cause some discomfort, however, it is imperative that we not lose our message due to some discomfort.
• Use assistive listening devices, closed captioning, or a sign language interpreter when it is possible. Include printed materials of your information, if allowed.
• Don't assume a Zoom or Teams meeting is a good alternative. With spotty internet, delays and errors in live captioning, and varying technology levels, these can be just as difficult for a deaf or hard of hearing person. This does not mean don't create a virtual meeting or program, just prepare for the best possible outcomes.

American Sign Language (ASL) is its own language with its own unique structure, grammar, and idioms. It is not, as many non-signers believe, a way to speak English. ASL and English are separate languages. It is important to know this distinction.

The Risk of Language Deprivation by Impairing Sign Language Development in Deaf Children

"Do not view us as disabled people, just view us as deaf." - From the above video.

Black American Sign Language (BASL) is a dialect of American Sign Language (ASL). In the 2011 American Community Survey, completed by the Census Bureau, 11 million Americans considered themselves deaf or hard of hearing, and Black people make up 8% of that population. Carolyn McCaskill, founding director of the Center for Black Deaf Studies and Gallaudet University, estimates that 50% of Black deaf people use Black ASL. Too often Black ASL users are lead to believe that their language is a lesser version of contemporary ASL. However, many scholar agree that Black ASL is more aligned with early ASL, which was a conglomeration of French Sign Language and Martha's Vineyard Sign Language (in the early 1800s, Martha's Vineyard had the largest per capita population of deaf people, and they developed their own language that became known as Martha's Vineyard Sign Language).

Audism - discrimination against a person who is Deaf or hard of hearing. According to the Calgary Association of the Deaf in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, "It holds the belief that a hearing person or a deaf person who behaves in a manner more similar to a hearing person (in appearance, communication and language use, and/or function) is more intelligent, qualified, well-developed, and successful than another individual who may be culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened or hard of hearing and may prefer to use ASL/LSQ sign language or has an accent in the production of spoken language due to hearing loss, or uses a communication accommodation unfamiliar and dissimilar to hearing people."

Capital D Deaf - culturally deaf

CODA - Child Of Deaf Adults

Deaf Culture - Deaf people who use sign language and share in Deaf culture (not trying to change status and live in hearing world).

Simcom - speaking and signing at the same time.

True Biz - an A.S.L. expression meaning "seriously" or "real talk." 

Voice Off - Signing without speaking, typically the preferred method of communication.

Outdated and Obsolete Language

Deaf and Dumb or Deaf Mute - the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, first used the term dumb, in association with deaf because he felt deaf people weren't capable of being taught, learning, or of reasoned thinking. This later developed to encompass non-speaking or "silent" deaf people. It is still used today, though it is not appropriate or accurate, as a way that hearing people view deaf people. Instead, simply use deaf.

Hearing Impaired - this term has fallen out of use because most deaf people do not see their deafness as being impaired in any way. Many embrace their deafness proudly. Instead use, deaf or hard of hearing.

Person with or Someone with Hearing Loss - Hearing loss is a clinical term used in the medical profession. Many people would not refer to their own deafness as hearing loss. It is best to use deaf or hard of hearing. Even better, ask the individual what they'd prefer.

For TikTok Users:

@itscharmay - Black American Sign Language (BASL)

@cheyennaclearbrookxo - Star of Deaf U on Netflix

@lizzytharris - Deaf/Hard of Hearing Influencer

@brittany.gillies - Deaf Influencer

@101signlanguage - Learn to sign with Deaf ASL experts

@chrissymarshall_ - Deaf/Cochlear Implant user