Last month, Chaos Candle Company, deaf-owned business was contacted by a producer from "Good Morning Washington" 7NEWS (ABC), about a making an appearance on their small business spotlight.
Excited about the opportunity to share my journey, I requested a simple accommodation: a Sign Language Interpreter. However, I was met with a disappointing response— "We are unable to provide an interpreter."
I compromised myself to do the segment using my voice and requesting a meeting with the host before hand however I am deaf. How were they going to communicate to me? We would not be able to have a natural conversation live on the air. I feel that it would have been 40 mins of dead air and awkwardness.
Note: I turned it down after seeking out advice; see next blog post
The response isn't just disheartening; it's a violation of my rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA, signed into law in 1990, is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
Title III of the ADA requires that places of public accommodation, including television studios and production companies, provide auxiliary aids and services when necessary to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities. This includes providing qualified interpreters, written materials, and other tools to facilitate communication.
In my case, as a deaf individual, effective communication means having access to a qualified Sign Language Interpreter. Denying this accommodation not only limits my ability to fully participate in the segment but also sends a message that my needs as a deaf person are not valued.
By not providing the necessary accommodation, the TV producer is effectively excluding me from a public platform where I have the right to share my story. This isn't just about one appearance; it's about the broader issue of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their disability, have equal access to opportunities and are treated with dignity and respect.
Disability rights are human rights. It's time that all businesses and organizations recognize and respect that.
#deafowned #deaf #deafownedbusinesses #asl #signlanguage #accessibility #DeafAwarenessMonth