The world is full of situations like this, in which
accessibility is not provided, whether due to an unqualified interpreter or
some other situation with inadequate communication. Trust me. I've been
there! I've tried so many times to educate people to provide for Deaf
people's right to clear communication in public situations. This is not a
first, but its significance is that now the whole world has seen the shocking
situation in which a man without qualifications in interpreting, and with a
long record of instability and even violence, was placed near the President of
the United States and other world leaders. Maybe this was some kind of karma, a
terribly unsafe and inappropriate situation caused by lack of concern for
qualified interpreting accessibility. This situation has impacted the whole
world! There are so many questions for the governments, security staff,
committees, attorneys, and Deaf people – why was an unqualified interpreter
there?
Once I performed my show in an auditorium full of
elementary school children, and I noticed they weren't laughing at the funny
parts. I knew it must be because of the inadequacies of the voice interpreter,
so I asked the staff there to use a back-up interpreter (as usually there are
two interpreters working as a team) and I performed the bit again. The kids got
the point and laughed and laughed. I decided to stick with the 2nd
interpreter for the rest of the performance. Later on, I talked with the 1st
voice interpreter, and she admitted that it was her first time voicing for a
live performance. I learned something from this experience, and
afterwards, I made sure that a fully certified & experienced voice
interpreter was selected for this position.
Most staff in charge of hotels, airlines, restaurants,
and other such venues are not familiar with Deaf customers. When I
request a simple tactile alarm clock at a hotel, most people have no clue what
it is. Airline staff sometimes panic when they learn that I am a Deaf
passenger. They keep asking me if I can lip-read. This gets to be an annoying
question! Restaurant staff give me funny looks when I simply ask for pen
and paper to give my order. Is it so difficult to understand that I'd like to
write my order? Do they think I am going to secretly rob them?
I always enjoy sharing my stories with various
communities, such as the Disability, Diversity, Multicultural, Deaf, Hearing
and Interpreter communities. In one of the shows I do, I love to make people
laugh as I explain what I've been through while traveling over the last 15
years.
Presentation:
Adventuring
in American Sign Language: Trix ’s Travels
(excellent for all
audiences, Deaf-Culture Educational)
Trix's newest show, Adventuring in ASL: Trix’s Travels, features hilarious true
tales. As a Deaf person traveling among hearing people, Trix has experienced
incredible ups and downs, adventures, snags, crazy-making moments, and eventual
happy landings. Trix draws you in as she encounters misunderstandings, missed
flights, embarrassing times, exciting challenges, and a growing sense of
travel-savvy. Take a ride with Trix, and see for yourself! (YouTube Video
Preview: Trix’s Travels)
Now, due to the event with the fraudulent interpreter,
the world has finally been hit hard as it realizes what happens when
communication issues are not carefully considered. Deaf communities have spoken
out. This has INSPIRED me, and I say, "Good for them!" I support the
complaints and look to join the worldwide Deaf community to seek improved
service quality. The more people who recognize that Deaf people have rights and
Deaf people can speak out, the better. Deaf people "Can do!"
Thank you all for thinking of me and allowing me to share
my thoughts with you all.
