When they hear “civil rights advocacy,” most people think of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his peaceful protests for African American equality. However, the civil rights struggle extends to all marginalized groups, including disabled people’s communities. The Deaf community has a long history of advocacy work, such as its late-1980s activities referred to as the “Deaf President Now” movement. Throughout such efforts, interpreters for the Deaf have played a…
For centuries, Deaf people faced harsh oppression and were denied fundamental rights. Some of the earliest discourse on Deaf individuals comes from the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who claimed that Deaf people were incapable of learning and critical thinking. This false and ill-informed belief contributed to the view that the Deaf were “non-persons,” discrimination that prohibited them from buying property, marrying, or securing a job. Fortunately, the tide turned during the…
The hearing population tends to overlook many circumstances that present difficulties to Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. Job interviews, professional conferences, sports games/practices, and traveling may pose challenges for non-Hearing folks. Nevertheless, accessibility options–such as an English to ASL Interpreter or Translator–can help Deaf/HOH individuals overcome barriers and receive equal footing. Organizational leaders, then, should turn to a local provider of interpreting services. Businesses and individuals around Leesburg, VA,…
According to the CDC, hearing loss affects 14.9% of children in the United States. While hearing loss may vary from mild to severe, students who are Deaf and hard of hearing encounter unique challenges in classroom settings. However, with the proper accommodations, including ASL video remote interpreting, TypeWell, and CART services–provided by their Northern Virginia teachers, they can achieve academic success. At HIS Sign, our ASL interpreters provide support for…
HIS Sign is now offering Virtual Interpreting Services (VIS) to assist our clients and the deaf community.