Seeing is believing
Having to write a reflection paper based on an article on invisible versus visible disabilities for my medical aspects of disability counseling class some weeks before, I did a little social experiment when the packed bus stopped at the school for the blind. I was asked to move my seat away from disabled and elders seating section. People tend to conform to logic of "Seeing is believing" - whatever information they see is available to them, for example, with visibly disabled people. As for Deaf being, we need more ASL marketing to become more visible in society rather than invisible.
Excerpt:
"Seeing is believing. Allan Appel from TCPalm (FL) News addressed in his article, “Invisible disabilities come in many forms” (Sunday, February 17, 2008, that people often cannot determine hidden disabilities in people. The author argues that the international blue symbol of a wheelchair to represent disability often gives people misperceptions about disabilities having to be visible in nature. While this article explores the common problems of hidden disabled people having to face, this is something I agree into seeking for proactive measures to educate more people about other people potentially having invisible disabilities."
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11 comments:
I haven't had time to read your article yet, but being late-deafened, this is a real hot issue with me.
kw, will you explain why?
What laptop did you get?
There is some blur but I understood all. Thanks for sharing!
I signed to the salesperson instead of pointing at my ears when I browsed at the ATT store yesterday. :) That was a nice change for me.
Anon, I purchased a very nice Sony laptop, however, I couldn't upload my vlog to youtube so I had to switch to Google and the results was yucky. Thanks.
Most late-deafened people learned to speak when they could hear, therefore they talk like hearing people with no detectable deaf voice inflections.
When you lose your hearing you do not lose your ability to speak. Occasionally maybe your voice gets a little more nasally. Mine has, but the only people who have noticed it are people who knew me before. Once in awhile someone asks if I have an "accent" but no one ever guesses I can't hear.
You would think this might be a good thing, and maybe it is. I don't know. Deaf people act like it's a terrible insult to have "Deaf voice," but I'll tell you sometimes I envy it. People constantly forget I can't hear because I "talk so well."
When I ask for accommodations, they forget and tell me how you'd never know I couldn't hear. This is the bane of late-deafness-- how well you blend in. People constantly forget we can't hear. Alot of times when out in public I don't use my voice at all if I can get away with it, because if I don't use my voice, people WILL remember I'm deaf.
Ironic??
Other times, if I'm with a friend who has "deaf voice" I let HER do all the talking for both of us and I pretend to be non-oral. She actually hears better than me anyway.
I do have some funny stories about that-- the special treatment I've gotten when people thought I couldn't speak. What an eye-opener! Being treated like a five-year-old cuz someone thinks I don't speak.
I'm the same person here, whether I speak or don't speak or how well I speak. It doesn't frickin' matter. I assume I would be the same if I had been born deaf, instead of having gone deaf at a later age.
Either you are slowing down with your ASL or I am getting better. I understood a little more today-- and thanks for transcribing too.
I'm off to an ASL game night tonight, where I get to play kiddie games like in kindergarten.
Also-- I have three friends with MS who have been shouted at for using Handicapped parking. They don't "look" handicapped enough. (sigh)
Kim
KW, thanks for sharing, I really appreciate that. Especially from a perspective of a deafened person. Indeed, people respond to what is salient to them. Often they don’t accommodate the unexpected. Funny about the deaf voice part and esp. the paternalistic special treatment imposed upon us sometimes, now you know!
I'm off to the Lighthouse deaf/blind social in a few. It should be interesting.
kw, forgot to add, I'm signing the same speed and it's you that is picking my signs up. Good news. Smile.
I get it. Here's a story for ya
http://djembeslappin.blogspot.com/2008/03/yes-mike-i-get-it.html
I have a few more. If I were younger I'd write a book. I mean, this would make a GREAT study for some sociologist. It's truly been shocking how differently people have treated me when they thought I couldn't speak. More later.
It is very interesting to see between INvisible disabilities and Visible disabilities. I am "invisible disabilities" person as they thought I am normal hearing person till they approach me to talk with me, I would point my ear, my hear would nod "no" that can't hear, they did not realize that I am deaf, they do not know what to say or how to communicate with me.
Unless I am talking with my ASL to another deaf, then I would become "Visible disabilities" so people would notice my deafness immediately, they will know my disability. That is simple.
Thanks for sharing, keep coming more.
kw, thanks for blogging about this post. I just posted my comments there.
jac, true. Once we sign, we become visible thus giving people time to prepare. Often they don't know how to accommodate still. Need more public education about ASL communication.
Good observations
I am more focused on that attitude of the bus driver to you. That was uncalled for and I hope you will think seriously about filing a complaint, if not for yourself, but for other people with invisible disabilities. Chances are good if he treats you this way, the others receive the same approach.
People with invisible disabilities often report getting dirty looks from able-bodied pedestrians when they park at the handicap spot. It doesn't matter if they have the handicap permit
About that guy who is now deaf-blind He sounds like a fiercely proud person used to be independent. To concede to these handicaps may indicate "weak"
I would like to read your report, if you decide to share. That'll be an interesting one to read :)
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