[Editor’s note: The article you are about to read first appeared in Dailykos.com on 12/08/10. The thread referred to in the first sentence is taken from a discussion that followed a different article. Reviewing this may be helpful in establishing context.] Judging from this thread, not many people are aware about how their comments can offend and hurt those who are deaf and hard of hearing, and…
Day: December 11, 2010
Hearing Privilege
Hearing privilege is a concept that’s come up often in discussions in and around Deaf Echo posts that deserves to be called out and looked at in depth. I also find that it has personal relevance: some uncomfortable situations have come up with my family that made me think of this important concept. Let me…
Is Honesty Always the Best Policy?
“Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honor, I lose myself.” ~William Shakespeare As a child, my parents taught me to always be honest. As a child, I would try and get away with lying—and always got caught. Disappointed Mother: “Why did you lie?” Me as a Child Testing My Boundaries: “Um……” Eventually,…
Stuff Deaf People Like #6: VP Numbers
Deaf people often possess a painstakingly curated collection of videophone numbers. This is more a reflection of the highly fragmented video relay service (VRS) industry and its practices than any predilection towards numerical hoarding on the Deaf person’s part. The FCC requires that any person who uses a videophone must register for a telephone number…