Amy Cohen Efron wrote this excellent piece. This is very controversial, and it's about time someone shed light on this issue. Just this winter, an innocent Deaf man was tased to death by Law Enforcement here in Pennsylvania, and if you follow the links in this article, you will be appalled how we treat our Deaf and Hard of Hearing citizens.
So, what's the deal with this? Well, watch the clip she included from Switched at Birth and you will experience this from the view of a Deaf person. Also, when you handcuff a Deaf person, you take away their voice...their voice is the language they speak with their hands. Be informed. Be aware, be compassionate and sensitive to your fellow citizens. xpressive handz.
http://www.deafeyeseeit.com/2012/01/10/switched-at-birth-emmett-arrested-and-handcuffed/
An excellent comment was left below the article suggested that Law Enforcement and First Responders have Deaf awareness training yearly.
I would love to see Switched At Birth here in the Uk. Sounds like an excellent show.
ReplyDeleteI have read how over your way this happens, and looking at that video clip from a different view point is scary. I hope something can be done to address this properly, very soon. I hope the law enforcements are watching this programme too, to get an educational lesson from it.
If you have a computer that can stresm, here is the link to watch online at your convenience. :-)
ReplyDeletehttp://abcfamily.go.com/watch/switched-at-birth/SH55120583/VD55160671/starry-night?lid=abcf_betahf
Due to me being outside of United States, I'm not able to watch it tells me on their website.
DeleteOH, Liz, I had no idea it wouldn't be allowed for viewing regardless of where we are. Internet FAIL !
DeleteFor a Deaf (or deaf) person, every encounter with the police is very much like finding a lion sleepimg in your path. You never know if you can get through the encounter safely and you never know what might trigger an attack.
ReplyDeleteYes, I chose the word 'attack' with some thought. Far, far too many times Deaf people are attacked by police without justification, simply because we do not always respond as the police officer expects.
David
Thank you, David, for sharing your experience and your thoughts. Hopefully, we can change this by talking about it and giving the exposure it needs.
ReplyDeleteYes certainly internet fail. Tried a few sites that were recommended but fell to the same restriction.
ReplyDeleteThe only place I have been able to watch a few of Season 1 to see what the fuss is about with this programme is through You Tube. I have only managed to watch 1,2,3,5,6 there of Season 1. But because of rules, then these who show them there get their You Tube account closed down.
From what I have watched and been able to follow, I think its a good series. I think us Brits would get into that easily if given the access.