Is America becoming more deaf-friendly?

Bebonang said:
Maybe some hearies can be friendly but I doubt it. Most hearies have no idea what deafness is like and will try to imitate us and make fun of us with sign language (hearies make up the sign words). That was rude. As for finding jobs or having services when we need help, no way would they try to help us get them. In the store, that is a different approach to being friendly to help the shoppers to select the kinds of clothes or materials and very few are not that friendly. So far, I don't know if our hearing world is friendly or not in spite of discrimination against Deaf people. :scratch:
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I can't speak in terms of being deaf, but I can agree from experience.
Being of a different ethnicity, it is hard to see people make fun of you, the way you look, and the language/way you speak. Sometimes, I'll just be walking along with my mother and a group of people will take one look at me and speak a bunch of gibberish very loudly and giggle away while pointing at us.
Discrimination is evident, even if it's in small, clever ways
And have faith, there are hearies that are friendly and willing to listen
*raises hand* :)
 
shel90 said:
In social interactions, maybe but in corporate America, I dont think so.
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Of course not. Big companies care about the majority. They cater to the majority. It's more economical from their standpoint.
 
Frisky Feline said:
I am more comfortable to be around those minority of people than white people who have more understanding about deaf people. Its my experience. I guess I lived in DC for 12 years. I loved living there. i wish i didn't leave there in the first place. lots of diverse people are everywhere in DC MD and VA.
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Come back! We'd love to have you! :wave:
 
I haven't noticed any big differences in how people of different races treat me... :hmm:
 
If America has become more friendly to the deaf.....

-then every deaf individual would have jobs and not having to gone through many hardships to get a job.
-then deaf individuals would not be denied for an interpreter for doctor appointments, school meetings, etc.

There are so many stories of deaf people being denied, so if you asked me if America has become more friendly to the deaf, my answer is no

There are just a minority of people who are friendly to the deaf, not the majority :)
 
CJB said:
Of course not. Big companies care about the majority. They cater to the majority. It's more economical from their standpoint.
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I am talking about as far as giving deaf people opportunities for jobs in the higher positions. I think corporate America is full of selfish people.
 
Cheri said:
If America has become more friendly to the deaf.....

-then every deaf individual would have jobs and not having to gone through many hardships to get a job.
-then deaf individuals would not be denied for an interpreter for doctor appointments, school meetings, etc.

There are so many stories of deaf people being denied, so if you asked me if America has become more friendly to the deaf, my answer is no

There are just a minority of people who are friendly to the deaf, not the majority :)
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Good points and so true.
 
Yeah, Shel, and the VRS industry is the latest glaring example.
 
Cheri said:
If America has become more friendly to the deaf.....

-then every deaf individual would have jobs and not having to gone through many hardships to get a job.
-then deaf individuals would not be denied for an interpreter for doctor appointments, school meetings, etc.

There are so many stories of deaf people being denied, so if you asked me if America has become more friendly to the deaf, my answer is no

There are just a minority of people who are friendly to the deaf, not the majority :)
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No offense Cheri, but I'm betting you are young.

When I first learned signs I was a kid. Before ASL was a recognized language. Stokoe had yet to be hired by Gallaudet. My best friend at the time was CODA. We were suspended for 3 days for so much as signing "Hello" to each other at recess.


When we were in town with his mother a cop wanted to talk to her about something, forget what. When we explained it was our mother and she was deaf the cop replied, "Yeah, well tell the dummy to pay more attention next time."


Come to think of it "civil rights" as you know it wasn't around yet. Martin Luther King had yet to get involved. There was no one to complain to about the cop's behavior.



On the other hand I'm not telling you to lack fervor. That is what is needed.

As you point out, just because you traveled a long ways doesn't mean you're home.
 
I know that prejudice is alive around me, after all, my family has some messed up views on d/Deaf and sign, but I really think it is getting better with each generation. Not because we are younger then our older generations, but since we communicate more now. I really think the viewpoints have been changing the most since the internet has taken hold. People are able to communicate with anyone, anywhere, at any time. This global link has allowed kids to dispel outdated mis-information and to question things that up tell now have been answered by locals that may not know the answer or would look in a book written 10-20+ years ago. It allows those that would normally never meet up and discuss things to do so instantly and without physical prejudice to blind them. While on line, most can’t tell the color of your skin, your age, or If you have physical differences. Everyone is judged off of his or her beliefs, intelligence, and statements.
As for what I would love to see in the future for Deaf friendliness would be ASL taught to the masses in pre-school to say 8-12th grade. Think about it, in (some parts)Canada, kids are taught English and French. A friend of mine in Italy knows 3 languages, and another friend of mine in Portugal said that every school kid is taught a minimum of three languages as a requirement to graduate. If we taught Sign as a standard when growing up, think about never having to find a translator, or worry if you can find someone to help you at the store, or having to write everything down just to get something fixed on your car. If the general public knew even basic sign, or a hybrid like SEE it would make the world more open to those that can’t hear.
 
FYI - Deaf people needs to be more proactive if they want to go up in the corporate world.

You have to TAKE IT INTO YOUR HANDS. Not fall over and be passive.

If you are the ones who fall over and be passive, you're probably not cut out for the higher uppers in the corp world.

Just saying.
 
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