Having a sign language interpreter available 24/7 is nice and necessary in some instances but not necessarily in all instances. There comes a time when a deaf person relishes his/her own independence and freedom on communicating with other deaf and hearing people on a more individual and personal basis. Although sometimes I get the feeling that some deaf people purposely use an interpreter as a way to create this "wall" between themselves and hearing people rather than finding a way to deal directly with hearing people. Or it could be the simple fact that they are overly reliant on such interpreters and do not really know how to break away from that kind of mindset. The same can be said from the hearing person side as well when it comes to using an interpeter. Eye contacts between a deaf and hearing persons get reduced when interpreters are used. Ironically, interpreters become the focus during the communication process between deaf and hearing people. I believe this type of interactive dynamics provides a limiting personal relationship and understanding to develop.
There is a common occurrence depending on a particular situation where deaf and hearing people would experience a common fear called, "communiphobia" - the terrifying fear that sets in when deaf/hard of hearing individuals and hearing individuals attempt to communicate with each other. And as a result of that fear many deaf people rely exclusively on sign language interpreters which helps with the communication process but still can act as a barrier between deaf and hearing persons where bonding and better understanding become limited. Bonding and understanding are done better when individuals share the same language while communicating in real time such as ASL to ASL, or speaking English to English, or, in this case with the UbiDuo, writing English to English.
If you watch Noah Bucholtz's Part 2 Series on how he communicates with hearing people you will see how personal bonding on creating friends occurs on a much more personal level using the UbiDuo to communicate in real time rather than be dependent on using an interpreter. More eye contacts mean more "human-like" connections that have more meanings during real time, interactive conversations. The importance of having personal, interactive, real time conversations without a third person creates a welcoming atmosphere. The realization of unlimited potential when a communication barrier is removed. This potential was realized for Peter Downey who was promoted 3 times because he was able to use the UbiDuo on a daily basis where he works at Sam's Club. Using the UbiDuo allowed him to increase his interaction with his Sam's Club customers, co-workers, and supervisor. Peter now supervises his group of employees. All without the need of having an interpreter 24/7. So, ask yourself this question, is having an interpreter 24/7 really necessary in every instances? Maybe ask these people that question the next time?
3 comments:
Unless we have support, we are doomed to the deaf 'way' and area, with no recourse to ever change that situation. It is clear the mainstream is not going to learn sign language to faciliate the odd deaf they come into contact with,and also clear a lot of deaf prefer to stay away from hearing and be 'woith their own' Most prefer to get back into the main swing of hearing life, they need support for that. However the UK state does not recognise social interaction for deaf as a right, not, will empower that. I suspect the USA is the same, they may help deaf financially to get by but NOT underpin their social lives UNLESS the deaf show a desire to take any advantage of it. It is not all interpreters not all deaf sign. Deaf culture I fear will maintain itself at the expense of access, as they always do.
When they're in the working profession they will most likely deal with hearing people whether it is their bosses, supervisors, co-workers, customers or clients. It's a matter of moving up the ranks in their career and whether they are willing to take on more responsibility by showing the initiative to prove themselves. Having an interpreter 24/7 is not the answer to everything. There are always areas that does a better job or a preference to do a certain way when it comes to communicating. Anybody who thinks that sign language interpreter 24/7 for all things is the answer is daft.
People need support to start out, unless they are gregarious enough to jump in at the deep end. 24/7 no, maybe people don't need PRO-terp support but people who want to facilitate access. Be-frienders etc ? No employer I know would entertain an 3rd party in the workplace, they would refuse you the job first. They would assume you are incabale of doing a job without help. I do recall a terp was provided full time at an university for one deaf student, and the cost of that support was 4 times the University course fee. Perhaps deaf need confidence training, so they are prepared to step outside their comfort zone. Personally I had no option, I HAD to make first and second even third effort, or I would not have been able to socialise at all, maybe the 'Deaf' need more urgency forced on them ?
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