I’m in DC for the Deaf history Conference at Gallaudet, a gathering that will honor the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Kendall Green and the subsequent history of what has since become Gallaudet University and its affiliated schools (MSSD and KDES).

On the way to campus, it was really remarkable how the surrounding area has changed, even since my last few visits. There’s now a spiffy new charter school on Florida Avenue, just catercorner from the infamous Em-Kay Liquor store. Across the street from this spanking new school is an abandoned lot, next to the Burger King. There’s a billboard there advertising a future high-scale housing development. On Florida Avenue across from campus, some of the houses have been renovated or replaced, and they look much better. That isn’t to say that the entire area has been 100% gentrified, but it’s definitely well on its way.

Once I got to the hotel at the conference center, I went up to the counter to check in. Recalling my experiences from my last visit, I didn’t have high hopes. But to my surprise, the clerk was able to read my signs, and to sign back to me. It wasn’t outstanding, and she’s hearing, but it was a *major* improvement over last time, when I had two totally clueless clerks who couldn’t sign worth shit. Obviously someone with some influence was tipped off as to the situation, and things have changed. This is good, considering there are quite a few deaf people coming into town for this conference.

I still think hearing employees should be partnered with deaf employees wherever possible, and definitely until the hearing employee’s ASL skills are fluent enough, not just at “survival level.” Still, this is an improvement. So to whoever realized a change was needed, many thanks!