Empowerment for Deaf-Blind People From Guidelines p.201-232

Empowerment Deaf-Blind People Should be Involved in Decision Making In daily interactions When providing SSP service At DB community classes At DB organizations In the Deaf community In general

Social Roles & Expectations Expectations for Deaf-Blind: Limited job opportunities i.e., blue collar vs. white collar Right of DB to choose their careers Privilege is based on: gender, class, age & Race Disability??

Privilege Language: English is a second language for most Deaf-Blind English is a first language for people in authority Therefore, often people unconsciously look down on Deaf-Blind people as less knowledgeable, less capable or less sophisticated . Going through an interpreter is a make-shift means of communication – often interpreters are not fluent bilinguals; or lack skills or knowledge in interpreting for the Deaf-Blind. Therefore language is one communication disadvantage

The Environment A Deaf-Blind friendly environment makes a statement. It says “Deaf-Blind people belong here” Environment includes lighting, background (walls), pathways, signage, textural markings, furniture & space Equipment: Braille TTYs, accessible computers, CCTVs etc.

Budget Budget Add Ons to serve the needs of the Deaf-Blind: Reader software for computers Interpreters CCTV TTYs Braille equipment Communication Facilitators for Videophones On-going ASL instruction for staff members who are not yet fluent Educating others about the value of equal accessibility

Time Time and convenience embody and reflect privilege Someone had to: Arrange for interpreters Assistive listening devices Arrange tables and chairs Arrange SSPs & rides We look at Deaf-Blind people as requiring too much time but if the system was set up so they would not have to plan for all that

Information Flow Communication within agencies should be set up from a Deaf-Blind center Deaf-Blind people often left out of the loop therefore we must spend more time filling in the necessary background information thus faulting their Deaf-Blindness rather than lack of appropriate communication system Deaf-Blind people should be at the center of the information flow

Power & Authority If Deaf-Blind people are to have power and authority: Humility and honesty: if we don’t know what to do, ASK! Collaboration vs. Competition Participation vs. Separation Reflection Training

Tokenism Tokenism is different from hiring someone with potential. Hiring a person with potential, with a plan in place for mentoring. Tokenism, is for show, it may be at the level of: Employees not really qualified Jobs-not a real position Insufficient support Programs that looks good on paper but don’t really help Participation- chosen by hearing sighted-people who will not “rock the boat” Involvement-asked for their input but given limited information & time to discuss the issues Or hiring people who are most like us??

Recommendations Hire Deaf-Blind professionals Select & prepare interpreters Give Deaf-Blind people information on an on-going basis Encourage assertiveness Consider various strategies depending on the individual Education & Communication

Moving Forward All Deaf-Blind people need the basic services listed below: Regular Support Service Provider Services-SSPs Adequate transportation Quality interpreting services A community, a social likfe, camps, recreation, Orientation and mobility services and Jobs