Bridging the Gap Between Deaf and Hearing Individuals

by Tess Renault
Editorial Assistant

When I was in college, one of my most memorable courses was Intro to Deaf Studies. Early on in the semester we had to attend an event called “Deaf, Deaf, World,” in which hearing students like myself would be paired with deaf individuals. Within these pairings, we had to carry out what would seem like simple role-playing scenarios: ordering takeout, booking a flight, buying clothes. But it was intimidating. Beyond the phrase “Hi, my name is Tess” and the alphabet, I had no other knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL). That was not going to get me very far—no one would have the patience to wait as I spelled out every single word. I found myself wishing for my professor, who was fluent in ASL, to come over and be the middleman. But that was the whole point of the event: for hearing students to understand the communication barriers deaf individuals encounter on a daily basis.

Fortunately, there are more and more services that are bridging the gap between the deaf and hearing communities. ASL Services, a call center in Kissimmee, Florida, is a great example. Since 1989, the call center has been serving deaf and hard of hearing individuals by connecting with or dispatching ASL interpreters depending on a client’s needs. Relying on FaceTime, Skype and other video relaying sources, interpreters have become increasingly accessible. Says ASL Services founder, Angela Roth: “Years ago, a deaf person might have to wait an entire day for an interpreter to arrive. We now have a one-hour commitment.” Ordering food, making a doctor’s appointment and even attending a theatrical performance have become easier to accomplish than ever before.

The Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc. (CSD), an international nonprofit organization, offers deaf and hard of hearing individuals another resource: Vineya. Named after the once large deaf community on Martha’s Vineyard, an island off the coast of Massachusetts, Vineya is an online marketplace for scheduling ASL interpreters and translators. Currently, Vineya has 1,900 certified interpreters and offers its services in all 50 states. Additionally, the web-based nature of Vineya allows its customers to choose an interpreter—either in person or over a video connection. These various options allow deaf individuals to have more control over their communication needs.

Developing technology has also enabled interpreters to virtually follow their clients just about anywhere. Recently, ASL Services connected interpreters to deaf students who were studying abroad in Israel and Japan. Through the means of a video connection, interpreters based in the United States were able to assist the students, despite being on different continents.

Essentially, today’s booming technology is making it simpler for deaf individuals to communicate within an increasingly digitized and global society.

Did You Know?

Disney World has employed consultants to come up with new signs for its characters and other Disney specific terms during ASL-interpreted parades and shows that the park offers. For instance, to sign Mickey Mouse, you would curl your fingers in a C-shape, place them on top of your head and smile.