Interview

I have been involved in studying different aspects of deaf studies for several years. It is something that really interests me. In 2009, I interviewed an employee from Hearing, Speech and Deaf Center of Cincinnati. I find this information very important, and helpful for providing resources.

Interview:

On Monday, July 6^th of 2009, I interviewed an employee , who happens to be the Operations Manager of Community Services for the deaf , at the Hearing, Speech and Deaf Center of Cincinnati. The mission of this center is to help the community by supporting individuals and families to overcome obstacles of communication.

1.      How long have you been involved within in the deaf community?

            I have been involved in the Deaf Community since August of 2000.

-          I selected someone who was actively apart of the community of deaf citizens. She will have a lot to share with me considering the nine years she has experienced already in this field.

2.      What is your job title and what types of things do you do on a typical day?

            My job title is Operations Manager of Community Services for the

Deaf.  Most of my day is spent coordinating a schedule for 13 staff interpreters and several contract interpreters.  I also have administrative duties here at the center of Hearing, Speech, and Deaf.

-       Her job intails lots of duties, but it sounds like it would be fun. I think it is very interesting that the Center of Hearing, Speech and Deaf contracts out interpreters for local and district events, and works with community to go outside the center and truly get involved.

3.      What was required of you to work in this job field?

            It was required to have knowledge of Deaf culture and fluency in American Sign Language, among other administrative skills

-          It sounds like to me that it is required to have a deaf studies certificate, along with business skills. However, even though she might not have had all the skills, it sounds like she has developed more skills just being in the community and a staff member at the center.

4.      Where did you receive your education?

             Cincinnati State, here in the city of Cincinnati.

-       It is interesting to know that other colleges and community colleges offer American Sign Language too as a field of interest.This is an important language and it opens an individual to learning new skills and being apart of other cultures and communication.

5.      How much time until fluency, in American Sign Language, was achieved?

            It took several years to achieve fluency with exposure to American Sign Language in the community.

-          I imagine it was very difficult to come into an atmosphere in which American Sign Language could be advanced. I imagine she had a lot of background knowledge of American Sign Language but that new skills had to be developed. When taking classes you are not able to learn everything possible about the language. Just think a person learning English can learn the language throughout their whole life, and are constantly learning new words and vocabulary.

6.      Did you grow up learning American Sign Language, if so by whom? Please give details.

                        No, I didn't know any sign language before I started an ITP. (interpreting)

-          Many people get involved into this field, whom are not familiar with the language of signing. I think this is because people are interested in learning to communicate with all people,but I also think people who have deaf family member also are involved in deaf studies inorder to better the obstacles their family faces.

7.      What inspired you to become involved in the deaf community?

                        I started classes at Cincinnati State, when I encountered a Deaf parent at a   schooI worked in. I started getting involved through school and the job I currently  hold here at the center.

-       I was interested in deaf studies after trying to communicate with an individual that is a customer, of the pharmacy in which I work. I have witnessed two individuals who come to the pharmacy who are deaf. I thought it would be an awesome experience to be able to communicate with them without writing everything out on a piece of paper. One week after having class in American Sign Language, one of the individuals came in and I was able to ask him his name. Although he fingerspelled his name very quickly, I was able to get him to slow down and I was able to understand. My boss was very impressed and he wants to now expand his skills and be taught sign language. It was just an all around awesome experience and it makes it well worth the time I have dedicated to this class.

8.      In what ways do you communicate with others? If the use of technology is a factor please indicate how the tool works and is used.

 Friends?

Family?

Co-workers?

Members of your center?

                I communicate mostly by phone, through email and text messaging, same as                    many individuals.

-       I thought that computer tools would be more commonly used, or pictures to help deaf patients at the center to express there thoughts or feelings.

9.      What would you want all members of the hearing community to know about working with deaf members of our same community inorder to be more sensitive and accomodating?

                        I would want the hearing community to be more sensitive to the needs

             of others.  Not to make assumptions of another person's communication needs.

-       This is something I just read about. I think people make the assumptions that deaf people should have to read lipreading and adapt to the hearing culture. I think that is a bunch of bull. We are all individuals on this earth and diversity in people is what makes our country and world strive. Working together and being multicultural is a rewarding thing and we should be acceptive of all cultures and diversity and embrace differences.

10.  What do you suggest for new signers? (activities, involvement, etc)

           New signers, I suggest volunteering in community events.  Getting

exposure in the community through Silent Dinners, Deaf Professional

Happy hour, Deaf zoo day..etc.

-       I think being a member of a culture and being involved in other cultures helps you to learn the language by being exposed to it outside the classroom setting.

11.  What should a beginner know about deafness/ American Sign Language?

        There are so many different people, different levels and modes of communication.  Be respectful of their language and their culture.

-       I think this is very important. No matter what the differences are between people I think you should always be respectful and this goes outside the differences of being deaf and hearing.

12.  What are some events you enjoy going to in the deaf community?

                       I enjoy attending Silent Dinners and mostly the Deaf Zoo Day.

-       Unfortunately, I missed the Deaf Zoo day due to work, but I will be attending the St. Rita’s festival and I would love to attend a silent dinner. Being exposed to the language outside the classroom is benefical to learning the language.

13.  What was the most interesting or mind-opening experiences that you have incountered through the ability of signing or working with the deaf?

          My most mind-opening experience that I have incountered is the deafs willingness to help.  Deaf people understand we are learning their language, and in many instances they are willing to help you adapt to the culture and the learning and mechanics of signing.

-          I have also noticed this in the lab at the University of Cincinnati and with my experience at the pharmacy with a customer. The customer taught me new signs and corrected the mechanics of my signs.