My Deaf-Blind cultural encounter

"Deaf ahead.. Deaf-Blind behind!" That recent strong statement was from a Deaf-Blind person whom I've met at an event last Feb. The reason I went was part of my cultural encounter assignment. There was a list of potential group encounters and I chose to visit a Deaf-Blind event hosted by Northern California Association for the Deaf-Blind (NCADB). I learned a lot from this productive visit and I've decided to share what I learned here.

Some Parallels. Vision loss varies in range and severity like hearing loss and ASL is used for primary mode of communication in both groups. While Deaf persons take advantage of mobility and new technology, Deaf-Blind persons find themselves trying to keep up in terms of equal access. They often feel they are "forgotten" and often have to advocate for themselves. They strive for communication and information and social interaction like anyone else. They continue to need SSP (Support Service Providers) and volunteers and equal access in their daily lives.

Topics discussed here: Entrance, SSP (Support Service Providers) aka "intervenors" or "interpreters" for Deaf-Blind and Usher Syndrome, Greeting, Communication Aids (Email, ZoomText, videophone, Sidekick, Blackberry), Videophone: Communication Facilitator (CF) and VRS, Political and Social, NCADB 45th Anniv. in Fremont this May, Mobility, Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS), and Final thoughts.

Note: I produced this vlog for The Expatriate: The DeafBlind’s Musing and Confessions of a DeafBlind Mother. Thank you.

All apologies for no subtitles since I found out I signed way too fast for subtitles to catch up as they zipped by. I will try to develop a transcript if really needed it by request. I also edited the vlog to a reduced length.

Special thanks to Sook Hee Choi from LightHouse.