One of the big commonalities we have faced as a state during this quarantine is that we are all watching the updates from both President Trump and Governor Hogan’s press conferences. Hopefully, you have noticed that at many of these updates, there has been a Sign Language Interpreter present, and clearly visible on the camera. Sign Language interpreters are the best way to interpret the speech for the Deaf community to understand, better than the closed captions. This helps make sure that everyone has access to the same, time sensitive information. When an interpreter is not available, the Deaf community has been turning to social media to get the information second hand. CNN has reported that the National Association of the Deaf and the National Council on Disability has been sending multiple letters to the White House to make sure ASL interpreters are at the almost daily White House coronavirus task force briefing.
As a state, Maryland has a very large Deaf community, even larger because of Maryland School for the Deaf and the close proximity to the largest Deaf university, Gallaudet in D.C. Because of that, us Marylanders have a responsibility to learn at least the basic ASL signs. This is even more important right now. With the order to wear masks in effect, the Deaf community is no longer able to read lips, making communication between the Deaf and hearing community even more difficult.
If you still need to buy a mask, invest in a mask with a transparent window so that Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, who rely on communication through their ability to read lips and facial expressions, still can do so. Without these masks, the communication barriers just keep getting bigger, so many people already do not know even the basic signs. During a crisis, research has shown that the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community are underserved and do not get as much information as the hearing community does, during this pandemic, we need to make sure it is not the case. The interpreters help on a larger level, but they are not always present on a personal, everyday level, like trips to the grocery store or picking up takeout.
As much as the masks are hindering the ability to lipread and conversations between a Deaf and a hearing person, they are also hindering the signed conversations between two Deaf people. During an ASL conversation, the facial expressions is where grammar and tone is found, yes there is a reason the interpreter makes those faces. With the transparent masks, everyone will still be able to stay safe, while communicating in the most effective way.
Founder of Safe’N’Clear, a company making masks with the transparent window, Anne McIntosh, says that these masks will really help everyone. She says “The human smile is such a necessary part of our ability to connect with others, especially when social distancing says we cannot hug, shake hands, kiss, or wrap our arms around another person’s shoulder. As social beings, we need to feel ‘connected’ and ‘in relationships’ with others and the smile is our way to communicate ‘community to others”.
If you can’t get your hands on a mask with a transparent window, do your part and learn at least the basic signs. We are all looking for new hobbies at home anyway. This is a skill you can use whether you are in the customer service industry and can use it to help customers, or just an everyday citizen.
