What Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People Are Fed Up With

Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals have been vocal about their frustrations with various forms of discrimination and inequality. Here are some of the issues they are disheartened about:

Audism and Hearing Privilege

One of the most persistent issues Deaf individuals face is audism, a form of discrimination based on one's hearing status. They often encounter hearing privilege, where hearing individuals assume a superior status over their Deaf counterparts. This is particularly evident on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, where the frequency and nature of such discrimination can be quite eye-opening.

Deaf individuals are sick of being told they need to be "fixed" through invasive cochlear implants, speech therapy, and other similar treatments. They often feel that these interventions are imposed without their consent, leading to a sense of disempowerment and loss of personal agency.

Communication Barriers

Communication plays a crucial role in ensuring inclusivity and equality. However, Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals often face significant barriers. For example, they are tired of CI activation videos where hearing people showcase technology without proper understanding of its impact. Similarly, sign-supported music videos are often poorly executed, adding to the frustration of the Deaf community.

Another issue is the frequent emphasis on lipreading. Deaf individuals are tired of hearing people insisting on lipreading during communication, which is not always a reliable method for effective interaction. They are also frustrated when hearing individuals refuse to communicate on equal terms by writing, gesturing, or using typing apps, instead relying on lipreading or verbal communication.

Lack of Accommodations

The lack of accessible technology and accommodations is another significant concern. Television sets often come with built-in captioning, yet many people still do not use it. Public spaces should have captions turned on by default, but this is often not the case. Online videos, particularly those from businesses and media outlets, should be captioned as well. Airplanes, movie theaters, and video streaming services are among the areas where captioning is still not consistent, despite being a well-known solution.

Deaf individuals face an uphill battle to get captioning turned on, often requiring lawsuits and continued advocacy. The lack of willingness to turn on these simple accommodations is a clear indication of a lack of consideration for the needs of the Deaf community. It is not rocket science to turn on captions via a remote control, yet many people still cannot be bothered.

The history of closed captioning dates back to the 1970s, with the first use of closed captions in programming. The captioning technology has improved significantly over the years, yet the implementation remains inconsistent. This inconsistency stems from a lack of awareness, motivation, and advocacy. It is time for society to recognize the importance of these accommodations and make them a standard feature in all media and public spaces.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals are not only fed up with these issues but are also fighting for their rights, representation, and recognition. They are demanding equal access to technology, proper communication accommodations, and fair representation in decision-making processes. It is essential for society to address these concerns and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all.