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Lantana woman helps hearing-impaired
As Tropical Storm Ernesto puffed its way through Palm Beach County last week, Amy Hair stepped in front of the television cameras to update residents on the storm's path.
She warned of flooding and of heavy winds. She cautioned residents to be careful when driving. And kept people posted on the latest details about shelters and school closures.
But Hair never said a word. She spoke using only her hands.
For the past 14 years, Hair has served as an interpreter for the deaf at the county's emergency operations center. She uses sign language to tell deaf residents what top emergency managers say during news briefings, which are broadcast live on local television stations and the county's government channel.
"If you put an interpreter in the shot, it's just like turning up the volume," Hair said.
Closed captioning often moves across the screen too quickly. Sometimes, part of the message is lost or not understood.
In emergency situations such as tropical storms and hurricanes, it's critical that the deaf understand every word, said Silvia Garcia, a department coordinator for the Deaf Service Center of Palm Beach County.
"In deafness, it's a totally different language," Garcia said of the captioning. "They may read the words, but not understand the meaning right away. And in an emergency, that's not appropriate."
There are an estimated 170,000 hearing-impaired residents in the county. Eight to 10 percent of those are deaf, Garcia said.
Hair, who has a contract with the county to interpret during storms, said she missed two televised briefings during Ernesto because county officials did not call her.
Her absence frustrated Allan Karp, a board member of the Florida Association for the Deaf, who said he called the county to complain.
"If you turn the volume off the TV, can hearing people hear that?" Karp said. "If you have an interpreter, she's like our voice."
Chuck Tear, the county's emergency management director, said Hair was immediately put on the air when officials realized the briefings weren't reaching the deaf community.
But like all of the department's expenses, Hair's position will be evaluated in upcoming months to determine whether it's necessary — particularly given technological advances such as closed captioning, he said.
"Through automation, there was a discussion as to whether or not that is a position that needs to be maintained," Tear said. "If there is truly a need, she'll be here. If there's not, I have a responsibility to be fiscally sound."
Tear said Hair will be paid about $500 for her work during Ernesto.
Hair, who lives in Lantana, started working with the county's emergency management department after Hurricane Andrew hit the state in 1992.
As Andrew was closing in on Miami-Dade County, Hair said she got an alarming e-mail message from a teenage boy she met at a social for the deaf. The boy's entire family was deaf and didn't know a hurricane was headed for the state.
"He said, 'What's going on? People act crazy. Long lines,' " Hair explained. "I told him it's very dangerous. He had no clue."
There were many complaints from the deaf community after Andrew because captioning wasn't working properly, Hair said. That's when the county asked her to interpret, she said.
When interpreting, Hair always wears a dark, solid shirt, never stripes. It's easier for the deaf to see her hands, she said. And she never wears rings or nail polish, which could distract people trying to understand what she's saying.
Hair, who is certified in interpreting and transliterating, is known for being very expressive. She uses her face and mouth just as much as her hands to interpret what's being said.
Hair's animated style has brought her much attention, turning her into somewhat of a local celebrity. And she doesn't shy away from it.
The 45-year-old mother of three glows when she talks about all the political figures she's interpreted for, including President George W. Bush, former President Clinton, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Vice President Dick Cheney. She has an album filled with photos of her smiling with the famous.
After each of the storms, Hair said she receives dozens of e-mails from people thanking her. People recognize her from television. And her children "love seeing mom on TV," she said. "They love to tell their friends."
Hair decided to major in sign language after meeting a group of deaf people at a Blue Oyster Cult concert in Rochester, N.Y. — where she grew up.
Hair works at Berkshire Elementary School, which has about 40 deaf students, she said. Before that, she worked for 14 years interpreting at John I. Leonard High School. She's also interpreted Broadway plays.
"It's been an excellent career for me," Hair said. "I'm never without work. Deaf people are deaf nights, weekends and holidays, too."
As Tropical Storm Ernesto puffed its way through Palm Beach County last week, Amy Hair stepped in front of the television cameras to update residents on the storm's path.
She warned of flooding and of heavy winds. She cautioned residents to be careful when driving. And kept people posted on the latest details about shelters and school closures.
But Hair never said a word. She spoke using only her hands.
For the past 14 years, Hair has served as an interpreter for the deaf at the county's emergency operations center. She uses sign language to tell deaf residents what top emergency managers say during news briefings, which are broadcast live on local television stations and the county's government channel.
"If you put an interpreter in the shot, it's just like turning up the volume," Hair said.
Closed captioning often moves across the screen too quickly. Sometimes, part of the message is lost or not understood.
In emergency situations such as tropical storms and hurricanes, it's critical that the deaf understand every word, said Silvia Garcia, a department coordinator for the Deaf Service Center of Palm Beach County.
"In deafness, it's a totally different language," Garcia said of the captioning. "They may read the words, but not understand the meaning right away. And in an emergency, that's not appropriate."
There are an estimated 170,000 hearing-impaired residents in the county. Eight to 10 percent of those are deaf, Garcia said.
Hair, who has a contract with the county to interpret during storms, said she missed two televised briefings during Ernesto because county officials did not call her.
Her absence frustrated Allan Karp, a board member of the Florida Association for the Deaf, who said he called the county to complain.
"If you turn the volume off the TV, can hearing people hear that?" Karp said. "If you have an interpreter, she's like our voice."
Chuck Tear, the county's emergency management director, said Hair was immediately put on the air when officials realized the briefings weren't reaching the deaf community.
But like all of the department's expenses, Hair's position will be evaluated in upcoming months to determine whether it's necessary — particularly given technological advances such as closed captioning, he said.
"Through automation, there was a discussion as to whether or not that is a position that needs to be maintained," Tear said. "If there is truly a need, she'll be here. If there's not, I have a responsibility to be fiscally sound."
Tear said Hair will be paid about $500 for her work during Ernesto.
Hair, who lives in Lantana, started working with the county's emergency management department after Hurricane Andrew hit the state in 1992.
As Andrew was closing in on Miami-Dade County, Hair said she got an alarming e-mail message from a teenage boy she met at a social for the deaf. The boy's entire family was deaf and didn't know a hurricane was headed for the state.
"He said, 'What's going on? People act crazy. Long lines,' " Hair explained. "I told him it's very dangerous. He had no clue."
There were many complaints from the deaf community after Andrew because captioning wasn't working properly, Hair said. That's when the county asked her to interpret, she said.
When interpreting, Hair always wears a dark, solid shirt, never stripes. It's easier for the deaf to see her hands, she said. And she never wears rings or nail polish, which could distract people trying to understand what she's saying.
Hair, who is certified in interpreting and transliterating, is known for being very expressive. She uses her face and mouth just as much as her hands to interpret what's being said.
Hair's animated style has brought her much attention, turning her into somewhat of a local celebrity. And she doesn't shy away from it.
The 45-year-old mother of three glows when she talks about all the political figures she's interpreted for, including President George W. Bush, former President Clinton, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Vice President Dick Cheney. She has an album filled with photos of her smiling with the famous.
After each of the storms, Hair said she receives dozens of e-mails from people thanking her. People recognize her from television. And her children "love seeing mom on TV," she said. "They love to tell their friends."
Hair decided to major in sign language after meeting a group of deaf people at a Blue Oyster Cult concert in Rochester, N.Y. — where she grew up.
Hair works at Berkshire Elementary School, which has about 40 deaf students, she said. Before that, she worked for 14 years interpreting at John I. Leonard High School. She's also interpreted Broadway plays.
"It's been an excellent career for me," Hair said. "I'm never without work. Deaf people are deaf nights, weekends and holidays, too."