For those who do not know, I am studying to become a Sign Language Interpreter.
That means I will be working with the members of my local Deaf community and becoming involved in promoting awareness for deaf people. Every day there are deaf children being brought up in a way that is not in keeping with deaf culture. Hearing parents try to force their deaf kids to learn to read lips and speak, and to not use sign. I'm not saying that all hearing parents are like this, but many are. Some deaf kids grow up lip reading and speaking until they go to college. It is only then that they learn about the heritage of the deaf people. A great history they have to call their own.
Throughout time there have been amazing deaf individuals who changed how deaf and hard of hearing were looked at. True it is a disability, but harder to comprehend because you cannot see the "problem". A blind person is noticeable right away because of a walking stick or Seeing Eye dog. A person in a wheelchair is known right away as 'disabled'. A child with Downs Syndrome or MS can be diagnosed with just a look in their direction, but a deaf person can look just like you and me. It is only once you try to get their attention, that you understand they cannot hear you.
I understand that many people do not care about sign language. Most likely they do not care for any language besides their own. But knowing another language of any kind is more desirable in the job front today than it ever has been. Deaf people are consumers too. Knowing sign is a sure way to make the deaf community decide to cater to a business with employees who sign. It’s the same way with Spanish speaking consumers going to bilingual places of business to spend their money.
So just think about it. You can talk with your mouth and your hands. Learning ASL is a great way to expand your horizons both physically and mentally.
:) Until next time blogland
~Nina
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