By Karen Nickel
Dialog Reporter
Deaf world cash Photo: Karen Nickel / The Dialog
I felt nervous and very uncertain going into the ASL constituency group’s, “Deaf World” event, but soon realized that was the point of the exercise. Presented by Deaf and hard of hearing students to reflect their experiences when trying to communicate with the hearing world this event put me into their shoes and asked me to learn from the experience.
Viktoriya Mikhaylova, support staff for the ASL constituency, explained through an ASL interpreter what she and 13 volunteer students hoped the hearing world would learn from their event. She began by telling me about her role in the ASL Group, “We work with students who are Deaf to alleviate fear and stress they might have on entering a college environment.” Mikhaylova said, “Some students might not have experience with interpreters or a formal school environment. We can encourage and support them in their transitioning into college and can assist them in their studies”.
During the event, students who could hear tried to communicate with, and understand, volunteers who communicated using ASL.
My experience began with acquiring ‘Deaf World cash’ for any fees and purchases. I was then escorted to court where I tried to communicate with the judge regarding a mock shop lifting charge. I was found guilty and had to pay the court a fine. Following court, a visit to the doctor’s office entailed using a Video Relay System to an ASL interpreter. I was able to explain through the interpreter that I ate too much Halloween candy. The doctor was able to tell me not to eat any more candy and that I would feel better soon. I then had to pay for the interpreter. My experience of Deaf World ended with a visit to the pet store and the purchase of a cat.
It might sound easy, but it definitely was not. Each scenario revealed how difficult it can be to navigate in a world that doesn’t always provide the accommodations needed to participate in it fully. It was an important lesson and I’m grateful that Deaf World allowed me the opportunity to borrow their shoes to learn it.
