Miss-Delectable
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- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
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http://www.stargazettenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060326/OPINION02/603260324
Why are theaters and school plays giving the deaf community a hard time? I have given this some thought, and maybe if I speak up and give some insight on what the deaf community has been struggling through to gain equal access to enjoy what the hearing community takes for granted, you will begin to understand.
Hearing people don't have to worry about asking for an interpreter so they can enjoy the event they are going to attend, they just go and enjoy. A deaf individual has to call in advance and ask for an interpreter and more times than not will get one of the following responses:
"No, it will be too hard to get one."
"No, it costs too much to hire one."
"No, it would be too distracting for others."
"No, we don't do that sort of thing, and we won't do that sort of thing."
When an interpreter is provided, we are told where to sit in the theater.
Just recently, I went to the play "Annie" at Broadway Middle School. When I went to purchase my ticket, I was asked if I wanted to sit in the "deaf seats." When I went to my seat, I found the "deaf seats" were all the way on the left side of the theater. The interpreter stood on stage, just above the stairs. It was extremely difficult to watch the interpreter and see the activity on stage. This situation made me feel as if the deaf community was being stuffed into a bag and tossed to the side - out of sight, out of mind.
Title III of the ADA clearly states, "No individuals shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases or leases to, or operates a place of public accommodation."
Elmira cannot turn its head away from the fact that there is a handful of deaf parents that are trying to be good parents for their children.
I have been lucky these past years as my hearing children went to school in Pine City. They always provided an interpreter for me. This made me feel like I was a real parent to my children and I truly appreciated them for their understanding.
I think the rest of the area should follow their example and stop the discrimination of the deaf community.
Why are theaters and school plays giving the deaf community a hard time? I have given this some thought, and maybe if I speak up and give some insight on what the deaf community has been struggling through to gain equal access to enjoy what the hearing community takes for granted, you will begin to understand.
Hearing people don't have to worry about asking for an interpreter so they can enjoy the event they are going to attend, they just go and enjoy. A deaf individual has to call in advance and ask for an interpreter and more times than not will get one of the following responses:
"No, it will be too hard to get one."
"No, it costs too much to hire one."
"No, it would be too distracting for others."
"No, we don't do that sort of thing, and we won't do that sort of thing."
When an interpreter is provided, we are told where to sit in the theater.
Just recently, I went to the play "Annie" at Broadway Middle School. When I went to purchase my ticket, I was asked if I wanted to sit in the "deaf seats." When I went to my seat, I found the "deaf seats" were all the way on the left side of the theater. The interpreter stood on stage, just above the stairs. It was extremely difficult to watch the interpreter and see the activity on stage. This situation made me feel as if the deaf community was being stuffed into a bag and tossed to the side - out of sight, out of mind.
Title III of the ADA clearly states, "No individuals shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases or leases to, or operates a place of public accommodation."
Elmira cannot turn its head away from the fact that there is a handful of deaf parents that are trying to be good parents for their children.
I have been lucky these past years as my hearing children went to school in Pine City. They always provided an interpreter for me. This made me feel like I was a real parent to my children and I truly appreciated them for their understanding.
I think the rest of the area should follow their example and stop the discrimination of the deaf community.
