By: P.L. Jones
Imagine visiting a foreign country where everyone speaks a language other than yours. While there, you become ill and you're rushed to a local hospital. You're seen by a team of medical professionals who you can't understand. They, likewise, have no idea what you're saying. Fortunately, the country you're visiting has a law stating that foreigners must be provided with an interpreter in this kind of situation. But when you request an interpreter, your request is denied. Eventually, you find yourself completely confused as doctors and nurses prepare you for what seems to be some kind of surgery! You have no idea why you're having surgery or even what kind of surgery you're having. This sounds like a nightmare, right?
Sadly, this nightmare is reality for some Americans. The United States of America estimates that at least 1,000,000 of its residents are functionally deaf * and as a progressive nation, Federal laws have been established to protect the rights of the Deaf population. For example, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 makes it illegal for agencies that receive federal funds to discriminate against deaf employees. This law also requires health care providers to ensure that effective communication takes place between the provider and the deaf patient. In other words, Doctor's Office's and hospitals must provide interpreting services to Deaf patients. However, in many states these laws are completely ignored.
Instead of being treated as equal to their hearing counterparts, Deaf people are often openly discriminated against in job interviews and quite a few even find themselves in the frightening situation mentioned at the outset of this article. Can you imagine being rushed into surgery with no clue as to why you're even being operated on?
Instead of being treated as equal to their hearing counterparts, Deaf people are often openly discriminated against in job interviews and quite a few even find themselves in the frightening situation mentioned at the outset of this article. Can you imagine being rushed into surgery with no clue as to why you're even being operated on?
Jay Isch, the Assistant State Representative with the Deaf Grassroots Movement of Louisiana, took a moment to discuss our Deaf population's struggle to be heard. Check out what he had to say about the problem and proposed solution to this epidemic.
Heard: You wear a lot of hats these days. Can you provide us with just a few of your titles?
Jay Isch: I'm the Advocate and Interpreter Coordinator for Deaf Focus, a Board member of ILEEAD, the Governor-appointed board member of the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf as the Deaf Representative, and the Assistant State Representative with the Deaf Grassroots Movement of Louisiana.
Heard: Wow. So how long have you lived in Louisiana?
Jay Isch: Since February of 2014.
Heard: What kinds of challenges do many of our local Deaf residents face?
Jay Isch: Communication Accessibility, employment discrimination, lack of competent leadership in education, language deprivation, early intervention, lack of awareness from the general pulic. There's also a lack of enforcement of some ADA guidelines and state laws, such as ACT 250.
Heard: So, there are laws that have been created to ensure that Deaf people are treated fairly, right?
Jay Isch: Yes, but they are not being fully enforced and there are legislative actions needed to fill the gaps. There are a lot of issues within the Law Enforcement Agencies as well as their officers. We need to mandate some kind of sensitivity training to fully understand our (Deaf people's) needs.
Heard: Would you say that most of the organizations and businesses within our community are in compliance with these laws?
Jay Isch: I would say yes for the most part, but there are Doctors, Hospitals, and legal settings that do not fully understand the needs of our community when it comes to interpreting. News Stations, for example, are not fully captioning their programming (live feeds often come uncaptionied) and this is mandatd by the Federal Communication Commission. Additionally, Law Enforcement Officers require sensitivity training to understand our disability and our needs.
Heard: So, what more can local businesses and organizations do to support their Deaf clientele?
Jay Isch: Hospitals need to understand that Video Remote Interpreting does NOT effectively work. It would only work for EMERGENCIES. We have the right to effective communication. Hospitals also need to understand that they have to cover the interpreting expenses and it is tax deductible.
Schools, likewise, need to listen to Deaf professionals when it comes to Education- we have 130 years of proven research proving that bilingual cirriculum (Education with English AND American Sign Language) is effective and would not take away from the Deaf children's literacy skills. I grew up in an All-Deaf school that believed in bilingualism. There are so many kids across the country that are delayed in their education due to the school system relying heavily on their auditory issues, Deaf children are visual learners and they need a visual learning method in schools with a certified Teacher of the Deaf (TOD). Louisiana lacks the long term investment in TOD and Educational Interpreters. Schools needs to understand that Deaf children need to be around their peers for their own mental and emotional well-being.
Another need is Vocational Rehabilitation. This is a must since many are oppressed in the workplace to the point where they feel they can't do anything and settle on living with government assistance. We have a very unique disability where we are physically able to do the job and most Deaf people usually work hard to keep their jobs. We also have a huge problem with employers not hiring Deaf people as soon as they set up an interview and find out that the applicant is Deaf and will need an interpreter for the interview.
Schools, likewise, need to listen to Deaf professionals when it comes to Education- we have 130 years of proven research proving that bilingual cirriculum (Education with English AND American Sign Language) is effective and would not take away from the Deaf children's literacy skills. I grew up in an All-Deaf school that believed in bilingualism. There are so many kids across the country that are delayed in their education due to the school system relying heavily on their auditory issues, Deaf children are visual learners and they need a visual learning method in schools with a certified Teacher of the Deaf (TOD). Louisiana lacks the long term investment in TOD and Educational Interpreters. Schools needs to understand that Deaf children need to be around their peers for their own mental and emotional well-being.
Another need is Vocational Rehabilitation. This is a must since many are oppressed in the workplace to the point where they feel they can't do anything and settle on living with government assistance. We have a very unique disability where we are physically able to do the job and most Deaf people usually work hard to keep their jobs. We also have a huge problem with employers not hiring Deaf people as soon as they set up an interview and find out that the applicant is Deaf and will need an interpreter for the interview.
Heard: Why is it important for hearing people to be aware of the needs of the Deaf in their community?
Jay Isch: It is very, very important. Imagine yourself living in a world where everything is switched. A world full of Deaf people and you're longing to understand a word everyone is saying. There are many misconceptions about Deaf people in the public that needs to change. The system is to blame for that. We are unintentionally and consistently being "dumbed down" because nobody is listening to the Deaf professionals. We know what is the best for our people and the system needs to realize the long term damage they're causing when they don't listen.
Heard: Do you feel hopeful that one day the hearing and Deaf communities here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana will be more united?
Jay Isch: I long for unity and understanding across the country. As a minority group, we have been oppressed for more than 200 years, and many Deaf people have fought hard for the recognition of our culture, our identity, and our rights as human beings and tax-paying citizens- but they haven't lived to see complete equality.
Heard: If I want to learn more about Deaf rights, is there a website I can go to?
Jay Isch: There are multiple resources about Deaf advocacy. Here in Louisiana, Deaf Grassroots Movement (DGM) of Louisiana strives to provide transparency with vital information, events and updates on facebook. 'DGM of Louisiana'. We also are working together with several other small organizations serving the Deaf including the Advocacy Center of Louisiana in New Orleans where we have been raising awareness among their staff attorneys. Deaf Focus is a very active advocacy group as well, based in Baton Rouge, you can visit their website at www.deaffocus.org. If there are any specific information that you want to read about or whatever - You can always email me and ask. I will be more than happy to help you find the information and/or guide you to the appropriate information.
Thank you so much to Mr. Isch for taking a moment from his busy schedule to make us aware of what challenges our Deaf family members, friends, and relatives face.
Do you have a Deaf friend at work or school? Most likely the challenges listed above are things they've got to worry about every day. It's likely that they long to be seen for who they are as to opposed to being seen as their disability. It's also likely that every day, they have to fight for their right to be heard. You have the privilege of fighting right alongside with them. The first step may be to take a second and learn about Deaf culture. Learning about their culture/way of life will make you aware of the Deaf community's rich history and many languages.
Do you have a Deaf friend at work or school? Most likely the challenges listed above are things they've got to worry about every day. It's likely that they long to be seen for who they are as to opposed to being seen as their disability. It's also likely that every day, they have to fight for their right to be heard. You have the privilege of fighting right alongside with them. The first step may be to take a second and learn about Deaf culture. Learning about their culture/way of life will make you aware of the Deaf community's rich history and many languages.
Have you learned anything about Deaf culture by interacting with Deaf friends or family members? If so, please feel free to share what you've learned in the comments section below.
