Being deaf in discriminating hearing world (long)

[Laungel]

It IS hard. Usually all we need is a chance and then we prove to be excellent workers. I know of one elementary school principle who was given a hard time when he wanted to hire a deaf teacher. Parents threw a fit, "how will she be able to communicate?" She signed, lip-read, and spoke very well. Parents were trying to pull their kids out of her class. Two years later, parents are requesting that their children are put INTO her class- she has the highest test scores, the best behaved kids, and the most interesting stories. The only thing parents sometimes dont like is when the kids pick up ASL and start signing behind their backs!

The worst part is when this discrimination comes from the very people who should know better. I worked at an Independent Living Center once and did so well I was promoted immediately. Problem was they never trained me or even told me what all my job duties were. So naturally I failed to complete every job duty since I didnt know I was supposed to do it. After I left, they were telling people that they had to let me go because of MY communication difficulties!

However, I think for the most part it is not intentional discrimination as much as ignorance. People are afraid of what they dont know. Unfortunately we have to prove ourselves before their minds will change.

 

[pek1]

Hi I think so consider about to my life. I curious about to interest to you. I think so you are point to try better against to law. I think should better law stronger to deaf ..

Huh? What? You write funny.

 

[melissa]

I am very surprised that the neighbours just came into your house without being asked- my family (hearing) would be very surprised and shocked if that happened here. I also feel angry for the OP, that the neighbours knew she is deaf and called out 'hello' then make assumptions about how she treats her child based on the obvious lack of response!

I'm hard of hearing, and all of my jobs so far have required using the phone to some extent. I haven't found a job I like yet...I've done website work (basic typing and customer service, photo editing), and general office work. The office employers said 'Are you alright with the phone?'--I said yes, as I do and can use a regular telephone in my daily life. I struggle sometimes though, especially understanding strong accents, and it was very different, and difficult understanding when I had to make calls/answer the phone all day. I think in future I'll apply for jobs which don't require using the phone all day. If I apply for a job and they want me to answer the phone/make phone calls, either a big or small part of the job, can I just say 'I can't do that part, sorry' and still get the job? Or will they say I'm not qualified...?

I have depression and it affected my office job greatly. I was unable to concentrate or remember and follow instructions well, even with writing everything down. In the end I quit because they said my work wasn't up to standard and if it didn't improve they wouldn't keep me there. I was doing the best I can with what I had. Unlike my hearing, which is pretty much constant, there is a possibility depression can improve and will no longer be an issue. I struggle to understand the fine line between discriminating against me because I couldn't do something, for a health condition they knew about, or me just not being able to carry out the duties due to this.

 

[sallylou]

It's not polite to make fun of someone's writing. Smithtr may speak a language other than English as his/her first language. If I can't understand someone's post, I ask for clarification. Even those of us who speak and write English well post unclear comments sometimes.

 

[shel90]

It's not polite to make fun of someone's writing. Smithtr may speak a language other than English as his/her first language. If I can't understand someone's post, I ask for clarification. Even those of us who speak and write English well post unclear comments sometimes.

I agree...some people are just heartless.

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

Seconded...

His posts make sense to me when I sign them to myself. Took me awhile to decipher them until I realized why he was typing the way he was.

 

[whatdidyousay!]

how about starting a house cleaning business? you can made your own hours . My niece is not deaf or HOH but she does not like to be around people. So she started her own house cleaning business and she was making good money! You and your husband could work together. You could also take care of people plants when thet go away on vaction, and go shopping
for the people . If they were gone along time they will some fresh food .

 

[Bottesini]

Huh? What? You write funny.

It is no more polite to make fun of someone's writing skills than it would be to make fun and denigrate a person for something such as a deformed hand, or extraordinarily poor social skills.

 

[CJB]

It IS hard. Usually all we need is a chance and then we prove to be excellent workers. I know of one elementary school principle who was given a hard time when he wanted to hire a deaf teacher. Parents threw a fit, "how will she be able to communicate?" She signed, lip-read, and spoke very well. Parents were trying to pull their kids out of her class. Two years later, parents are requesting that their children are put INTO her class- she has the highest test scores, the best behaved kids, and the most interesting stories. The only thing parents sometimes dont like is when the kids pick up ASL and start signing behind their backs!

The worst part is when this discrimination comes from the very people who should know better. I worked at an Independent Living Center once and did so well I was promoted immediately. Problem was they never trained me or even told me what all my job duties were. So naturally I failed to complete every job duty since I didnt know I was supposed to do it. After I left, they were telling people that they had to let me go because of MY communication difficulties!

However, I think for the most part it is not intentional discrimination as much as ignorance. People are afraid of what they dont know. Unfortunately we have to prove ourselves before their minds will change.

It's great this Deaf teacher is such a great teacher, but I can't stop thinking of how minorities are constantly forced to be the best at whatever they want to do and constantly pressured to prove themselves. And even then it's often seen as the exception, e.g. "this Deaf teacher is great but Deaf people in general are stupid." Drives me nuts.

 

[shel90]

It IS hard. Usually all we need is a chance and then we prove to be excellent workers. I know of one elementary school principle who was given a hard time when he wanted to hire a deaf teacher. Parents threw a fit, "how will she be able to communicate?" She signed, lip-read, and spoke very well. Parents were trying to pull their kids out of her class. Two years later, parents are requesting that their children are put INTO her class- she has the highest test scores, the best behaved kids, and the most interesting stories. The only thing parents sometimes dont like is when the kids pick up ASL and start signing behind their backs!

The worst part is when this discrimination comes from the very people who should know better. I worked at an Independent Living Center once and did so well I was promoted immediately. Problem was they never trained me or even told me what all my job duties were. So naturally I failed to complete every job duty since I didnt know I was supposed to do it. After I left, they were telling people that they had to let me go because of MY communication difficulties!

However, I think for the most part it is not intentional discrimination as much as ignorance. People are afraid of what they dont know. Unfortunately we have to prove ourselves before their minds will change.

I have heard of such stories regarding teachers who are deaf in the public schools. I used to work at a public school and I was constantly being watched by my coworkers to see if I could do the job or not. It made me so sick to my stomach and I got fed up so I teach at a Deaf school and I feel like I am just me and being measured by my ability to teach not by my hearing loss. I think most public school administrators are idiots when it comes to Deaf ed.

 

[DURAY]

my deaf teacher once was pulled out from the study hall room since the kids were making noise and since she was deaf, the other teachers walking by can hear. Time to install VP in the classroom and the interpreter can sign for any noise.....
Be a Professional. Not a deaf Professional.
VR or DORS can help. they have job placement specialist.

I have heard of such stories regarding teachers who are deaf in the public schools. I used to work at a public school and I was constantly being watched by my coworkers to see if I could do the job or not. It made me so sick to my stomach and I got fed up so I teach at a Deaf school and I feel like I am just me and being measured by my ability to teach not by my hearing loss. I think most public school administrators are idiots when it comes to Deaf ed.