Today as I was going through the Walmart line, the cashier felt the need to ask me 20 questions. Finally she got to the one, "Where do you work?" and I shared that I work at the elementary school. "Oh, so you're a teacher!" she said. "No, actually I'm an interpreter for a Deaf student," I explained. Upon saying this, the Walmart lady gave me a look of disdain and in the most condescending tone said, "Don't you know that they read our lips??"
AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wanted to either cry, laugh, or both!!! I clarified to her, "No, not always, and definitely not when they're 5 years old!!!"
It KILLS me when hearing people think that all Deaf people automatically read lips, as if they are born with the skill! On the contrary, NOT all Deaf people read lips, and even great lip-readers are still not 100% accurate and often still use interpreters. Also, lip-reading is a learned art that takes much, MUCH work.
But apparently the Walmart lady thought she knew more about my field than I did;)
So, along with recognizing that not all Deaf people read lips, here are a few other quick tips (some review, and some new) to file away:
1. The Deaf Community is a cultural/linguistic minority group. Basically that means they have their own culture and language. Deaf people generally preferred to be viewed as such, instead of as a disabled group.
2. American Sign Language (ASL) is NOT English put to motions. It is a separate, visual language that has its own grammar, rules, and structure.
3. The term "Hearing Impaired" is generally a negative term to the Deaf Community. While some individuals may claim the label, it is best not to use it unless you know someone wants to be called it. The terms "Deaf" and "hard-of-hearing" are generally acceptable.
4. Just like any group, you can’t put Deaf people in a box- some use their voice; some don’t. Some wear hearing-aids; some don’t. Some read lips; some don’t.
2. American Sign Language (ASL) is NOT English put to motions. It is a separate, visual language that has its own grammar, rules, and structure.
3. The term "Hearing Impaired" is generally a negative term to the Deaf Community. While some individuals may claim the label, it is best not to use it unless you know someone wants to be called it. The terms "Deaf" and "hard-of-hearing" are generally acceptable.
4. Just like any group, you can’t put Deaf people in a box- some use their voice; some don’t. Some wear hearing-aids; some don’t. Some read lips; some don’t.
5. When using an interpreter it is important to just speak naturally and directly to the Deaf person. Look at the Deaf person, not the interpreter, and refrain from saying things like "tell him"/"tell her" to the interpreter. Also, no need to shout! :)
6. Generally speaking, Deaf people do NOT wish they were hearing. They are happy the way they are, and the last thing they want is to be pitied!
7. Deaf people are just as smart and capable as anyone else. Some famous Deaf people you may have heard of are Marlee Matlin, Beethoven, and Helen Keller. There are also many Deaf people successfully living and working in YOUR area!
7. Deaf people are just as smart and capable as anyone else. Some famous Deaf people you may have heard of are Marlee Matlin, Beethoven, and Helen Keller. There are also many Deaf people successfully living and working in YOUR area!
Thank you for this! My son Ronan is hard of hearing. He has severe hearing loss in his left and moderate in his right. He uses hearing aides and I am trying to decide what the best way to communicate with him is. It's an awesome thing you do. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteYou know how I feel about Marlee Matlin. ;)And yeah, LOVE what you said about lip reading! Everyone thinks I must be an EXCELLENT lip reader. Ummmm, nope! A++
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing - just finished this up! :) Always glad to learn more about what you do & your passion for helping the deaf community! A bloggy friend of mine has a daughter who just started teaching a class of deaf students - she has about 12 students in grades K-4! Can you imagine??? She is having a really difficult time with it, but she's sticking with it because the kids wouldn't have a class if she quit. :(
ReplyDeleteI pretty much agree with #5 especially since I went to college. People were afraid to look at me when they want to talk to me. Until I finally told them "hey you can talk to me not to the interpreter." ;) Thanks for your notes!!
ReplyDelete