@hifi_deafie: The future of accessibility is having options. It’s flexible and fluid. And it’s designed in a way that meets a wide range of preferences. Deaf people aren’t a monolith. No disability or culture is. We are capable of creating systems that surpass the limitations we’ve been conditioned to accept. – (Video description: Leila, an Asian woman with long brown hair and a black shirt with a rose on it, sits on a gray couch in a room with dark green wallpaper) TRANSCRIPT: In my last few videos I talked a lot about the topic of Deaf patients who might not want an interpreter at their doctor appointments. Interestingly, some of you discouraged me from advocating for the right to waive an interpreter, because for so long we’ve been fighting to push for our ADA right to an interpreter. Now, you don’t want to risk confusing the doctor’s office into thinking that an interpreter isn’t necessary. I get that. I want to clarify. I personally do prefer to have an interpreter most of the time, but there are certain situations where I’d rather not have one. And, observing that fear of – “if you’re advocating for your right to no interpreter, that will affect my right to an interpreter” That’s a scarcity mindset. As if only one of us can win. So there’s this resistance of push and pull. There’s also the fear of creating confusion at the doctor’s office at the variety of preferences. But that IS the point. Deaf people have different preferences, yes. Disability is not a monolith. We should be advocating for the approach of “not one size fits all”. Which means we should push for flexibility, providing us with options, collaborating with us. To me, the systemic approach with a black-and-white policy is very cold and rigid. I’d love to shift to a more human approach where the patient is engaged in the process, and the provider understands each unique situation. They can accommodate what works best for us. I don’t want to compete with your accommodation preferences. I want us both to win. And I think we can. The future of accessibility should look like having options, having flexibility, being fluid. That is the future I’m envision

Signbrat04🆘🇺🇸 | ASL fluent :

Same- with my job.

Padraic Pearse Saich :

that is what ADA said, deaf get the final say what qualify accommodation for their disability right if the pick paper to write because ADA said that can not force deaf individual to accept an accommodation without our consent.

kcryebread :

yep! you’re right!!!

🐦‍⬛ Tribalmoon_ ✊🏽👐🏽🤟🏽 :

I have the same fear, deep down inside. If I go to my doctor appointment (or concert or whatever), and I’m arriving after someone else just refused an interpreter, that office or event is going to think I might not want an interpreter. That’s a real fear. People suck, man. They want easy outs. But you’re also correct; gaining options doesn’t - or shouldn’t - take options away from others. The world is not made of pie. Having my option doesn’t take away yours. Someone on Reddit asked what type of captions we prefer, and I said I prefer the captions that follow the speaker. Some other redditor went off about how horrible that was and hoped that never became an option because she hates it and doesn’t want it. She didn’t understand the idea of having multiple options. I never said “I think this caption style should be the only one” - I said “this is my preference when it’s available.” But she couldn’t respect my preference because she thought it took away from hers. My fear isn’t that you choose not to always have an interpreter. My fear is what the companies will do with that difference. I had a male interpreter show up for a OB/GYN appointment and said no thank you. Asked the guy to wait outside. I didn’t bother talking to the office, I just asked the interpreter. More options, please! :)

James Emerson :

Sunny :

Alexa 🫶🏼✨ :

People are forgetting that ADA law, which still needs refinements , is fought for the autonomy of people with disabilities. We should have the OPTION to use our accommodations as we see fit. 🙃

Signbrat04🆘🇺🇸 | ASL fluent :

Same.

Padraic Pearse Saich :

again, what you said already incorporate into law of ADA since passed the law... just Disability lawyers are suck at it