Three Deaf Teens Helping to Buck the Trend on Restaurant Ordering

Here's something that's changing for deaf people who must order their food either by writing it down or by pointing their fingers at the menu at restaurants or fast food places. Three teens describe the reality:

Typically, when deaf people go into restaurants, they need to write stuff down or communicate with a device. The students found some restaurants were not even willing to work with them.

“When I write it down on a piece of paper, most of the time, I will get the wrong order,” said Williams, a junior. “Some won’t even look at where I’m pointing on the menu,” Jacobson said.

“I feel really awkward,” said Klein, a sophomore. “I feel like a totally different person.”

However, the three deaf teens as part of their school project did a survey of surrounding restaurants and fast food places in terms of "deaf friendliness" by ranking them.

The three put together a project to change all that. They rated different places on how they were treated and also on other amenities, such as lighting or willingness to make gestures.

Now, as a result of their efforts the national chain TGI Friday’s is considering making the video mandatory for all of their 600 restaurants.

Good deeds do not go unheard.

Educate them! And not whine about it.