Showing posts with label SEE interpreters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SEE interpreters. Show all posts

Monday, March 14, 2011

The irresponsibility on posting a video a call for the destruction of SEE interpreters

Diversity. That is what I see whenever I see deaf and hard of hearing people communicate in a variety of ways such as signing in SEE, PSE, ASL, cued speech, writing, and speaking and listening. Just as I see diversity among people with hearing loss whether born with it or acquired it later on life. But to make a video siren call advocating for the destruction of SEE interpreters (Signing Exact English) is not only irresponsible but smacks of what you could call it as a "hate crime" (as much as I loathe to use those words) in action. And how ironic that has become.  If anything, somebody could mistaken that video as a call to arms to threaten SEE interpreters.

Not a smart move.

SEE interpreters provide a valuable service to deaf/hh people who use SEE. The same kind of valuable service on having ASL interpreters for deaf/hh people who sign in ASL. The same goes for cued speech users by using transliterators. And even oral interpreters (i.e. lipreading). As ALDA would say, WHATEVER WORKS! There is no "right" or "wrong" way to achieve effective communication, only that different methods work best for different people and that need to be recognized. But to seek for the destruction of SEE interpreters and get universities and colleges to ban or stop teaching SEE courses are actions that speak of recklessness and irresponsibility. Such an attitude and group think run the risk to be marked as an extremist.

Be smart. Don't play dumb.