Examples Of Accessibility For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing People

Accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People in the US
Have you ever wondered how many Deaf people there are in the US? Well, let me tell you. There are approximately 11 million people who are deaf or hard of hearing, compared to the 100s of millions of hearing people in the US. When living in a “hearing world” doesn’t have as much accessibility for deaf people. They have to fight for it when hearing people have everything already there. Though recently you can see examples of accessibility in the Super Bowl. They had three Deaf or Hard of Hearing individuals sign the National Anthem, Lift every voice, America the Beautiful, and the half-time show. While some may assume that Deaf people don’t need any more resources, I believe that they

It can be effortless to add accommodations to your place of work if someone needs them. The ADA does say it is required but you should still want to add it as a helping hand. Donna Batten gives some examples. She says “Examples of reasonable accommodation include making work areas and nonwork areas such as lunchrooms and restrooms, accessible; modifying work schedules; modifying equipment such as computers and desks; and providing interpreters for blind or deaf workers.”(Batten, 8) This here gives us examples of accommodations that can and should be added. The ADA says specificity “……..an employer must provide "reasonable accommodations" unless they would impose "undue hardship" -- defined as actions that are "unduly costly, extensive, substantial (or) disruptive" or that would "fundamentally change the nature of the job."(Hirschman, 3) It says “must” which means there shouldn’t be room for discussion but people think that they can fight or make stuff up. If it is needed by someone, no matter who it is, then it should be there. They shouldn’t have to require

Though I disagree with that completely. It is needed most of the time and not given when asked to or it is tough to access. I have done my research and it says “This service is required under federal mandate to provide accommodation or auxiliary services for persons who require said aids for disability accommodation.”(Mena Report, 1). This is talking about Sign Language Interpreters. It is required under FEDERAL MANDATE to provide them, yet here we are where people are still making a big deal about it. Even with the Super Bowl that just happened. They have to broadcast the interpreters on YouTube. Not everyone has access to that. Why is it so hard to have accessibility? There are even ways to make your work environment more accessible. Carole Martinez says “Make sure any necessary information such as opening hours, points of interest within your venue (reception desk, restrooms…) can easily be read and identified with the proper signage.”(Martinez, 2). It can be very simple and you can easily start with one thing at a time too. Anything is better than