Deaf Awareness in September | Who does it include?

A Fanie Dreams perspective on Deaf culture, sign language, hearing loss, disability and communication access

September is widely associated with Deaf awareness and provides an important opportunity to recognise Deaf history, culture, identity, language, achievements and rights. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about sign languages and the communication barriers experienced by many Deaf people.

Fanie Dreams fully respects the importance of this awareness. But we believe another question should also be asked: Does Deaf awareness adequately include the diversity of persons who have hearing loss, including people who are deaf but do not use sign language as their primary method of communication?

This is not a question intended to divide people. It is a question about inclusion within inclusion. There is considerable diversity among people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss. Not everyone shares the same identity, communication preferences, cultural background or experience of disability.

Some people identify strongly with Deaf culture and use a sign language as their first or preferred language.

Others do not use sign language.

Some became deaf or developed significant hearing loss after acquiring spoken language.

Some communicate primarily through speech and speechreading.

Some use hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Some rely heavily on captions.

Some use text messaging, speech-to-text technology or assistive listening systems.

Some use several communication methods depending on the situation.

Their experiences may therefore be very different. Yet they may all encounter barriers to communication, information and participation.

So, where do they fit in?

A person who communicates primarily through speech, speech-reading and hearing technology may look at a Deaf awareness campaign strongly focused on:

• Deaf culture;

• sign language;

• Deaf identity;

• Deaf history; and

• learning sign language,

and reasonably ask: “Where do I fit into this awareness campaign?”

That person may not identify with Deaf culture. They may not use or understand a signed language. They may identify primarily as a person who has hearing loss, or as a person with a hearing disability.

Their concerns may include:

• captions on television and digital media;

• accessible public announcements;

• hearing loops and assistive listening systems;

• favourable conditions for speechreading;

• accessible telephones and communication technology;

• communication in noisy environments;

• reasonable accommodation at work;

• accessible meetings and training;

• hearing technology;

• employment discrimination; and

• equal access to information and participation.

These are legitimate issues for people who have hearing loss. They should not be regarded as less important simply because a person does not use a signed language.

This does not diminish Deaf culture or sign language. Recognising this diversity does not mean that sign language receives too much attention. It does not mean that Deaf culture is less important. It does not mean that Deaf identity should be replaced by a disability identity. And it does not mean that people who use sign language should have to defend their language or culture. Deaf culture and sign languages have an important place in awareness and advocacy.

At the same time, Deaf awareness and hearing-related accessibility are not necessarily the same thing. Sign language awareness is an important part of Deaf awareness. But it is not necessarily the entirety of communication accessibility for every person who has hearing loss.

Communication is individual. One of the most important principles of inclusive communication is that people may need different ways of accessing information and communicating.

For one person, the most effective method may be a signed language.

For another, it may be speech-reading.

For another, captions.

For another, hearing technology.

For another, written communication.

For another, speech-to-text technology.

For another, a combination of methods.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognises communication broadly, including spoken and signed languages and other accessible modes, means and formats of communication. It also recognises the importance of enabling persons with disabilities to communicate through forms of communication of their choice.

This supports a simple principle: There should not be one communication method that is automatically regarded as the correct method for every person who has hearing loss.

The better question is: “What communication method or combination of methods enables this person to access information and participate equally?” Different identities can coexist. People who have hearing loss are not one homogeneous group.

A person may identify as Deaf.

Another may identify as deaf.

Another may identify as hard of hearing.

Another may identify primarily as a person with a hearing disability.

Another may simply describe themselves as a person who has a hearing impairment.

People may also change how they describe themselves over the course of their lives. There is no need to create a hierarchy between these experiences. A person can have a Deaf cultural identity. Another person can identify primarily within the disability-rights framework. Another may not strongly identify with either and simply regard hearing loss as one aspect of their life.

All deserve respect.

September and disability awareness can complement each other. Rather than seeing different awareness periods as competing with each other, perhaps we can see them as complementary. Deaf awareness can provide an important platform for:

- Deaf culture;

- sign languages;

- Deaf identity;

- Deaf history;

- linguistic rights;

- Deaf achievements; and

- the experiences and priorities of Deaf communities.

While broader disability awareness can provide additional space for:

- accessibility;

- reasonable accommodation;

- employment;

- education;

- assistive technology;

- communication access;

- universal design;

- equity;

- participation;

- self-representation; and

- the rights and experiences of persons with disabilities, including persons with hearing disabilities.

This does not exclude people who have hearing loss from Deaf awareness. Instead, it creates more opportunities for different experiences to be recognised. We should not create another division. It would be unfortunate if the conversation became: Deaf culture versus disability.

Sign language versus hearing technology.

Deaf identity versus disability identity.

That is not what Fanie Dreams is advocating. The goal should not be to choose one side. The goal should be to recognise that different people may have different experiences and needs. Awareness intended to promote inclusion should not unintentionally create another form of exclusion.

A person who does not use sign language should not have to conclude: “This awareness is not really about me.”

And a person who does use sign language should not have to fear: “Recognising other communication methods threatens my language or culture.”

There is room for both.

What does Deaf awareness mean to Fanie Dreams?

Perhaps Deaf awareness should include:

• Understanding the diversity of people who have hearing loss.

• Celebrating Deaf culture and sign languages.

• Respecting different identities and communication preferences.

• Promoting accessible information.

• Supporting reasonable accommodation.

• Challenging discrimination.

• Recognising the individual rather than forcing everyone into one identity or communication model.

The result would not be less Deaf awareness. It would be more inclusive awareness.

A Fanie Dreams perspective

Fanie Dreams does not believe that one communication method should define every person who has hearing loss. We do not believe that every person who has hearing loss must identify in the same way. We do not believe that Deaf culture and disability rights have to compete. And we do not believe that recognising sign languages should make other communication methods less important.

Our position is simple -

Different people have different communication needs.

Different people have different identities.

Different people may choose different ways of communicating.

But everyone should have the opportunity to access information, communicate effectively and participate equally.

Perhaps the question we should ask this September is therefore not: “Which communication method represents people who are deaf?” but “Are we creating a society where every person who has hearing loss can access information, communicate effectively and participate equally?”

That is a much bigger conversation.

And perhaps it is one worth having.

Fanie Dreams

www.faniedreams.co.za

www.faniedreams.co.za

Disclaimer: This article expresses the perspective of Fanie Dreams for peer support, discussion and advocacy. It is not intended to diminish Deaf culture, sign languages or the legitimate advocacy of Deaf organisations and communities. It seeks to encourage broader inclusion of the diverse communication needs, experiences and identities of people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have hearing loss, including persons who may experience hearing disability.