100 Decibels

Tag: deaf

  • Are Caption Glasses Truly Accessible for Deaf Individuals?

    There’s been recent buzz about caption glasses, with some in the Deaf community feeling they exploit rather than empower. As a Deaf individual who communicates in ASL, I wanted to share my perspective.

    What Caption Glasses Offer

    Caption glasses can provide one-way access to information—primarily converting spoken language into English captions. While this may be useful in some contexts, it doesn’t create an inclusive environment for ASL users like me. Conversations require two-way communication, and captions don’t allow me to contribute equally.

    Free or Affordable Alternatives

    Many free apps offer similar or even better voice-to-text capabilities:

    • Otter AI
    • Microsoft Translator
    • Google Transcribe
    • Apple Live Caption

    Other tools include:

    • Apple Notes
    • Google Docs
    • Cardzilla

    These apps are either free or far more affordable than the steep price of caption glasses.

    What’s Missing? Sign Language Access

    Relying solely on captions ignores the importance of sign language for full inclusivity. Tools like VRI On-Demand (Video Remote Interpreting) can bridge this gap, allowing real-time conversations in ASL.

    What’s Your Experience?

    Have you tried caption glasses or other tools? Do you know of accessible solutions that prioritize sign language? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

  • What is a creative outlet? (And how do I leverage it to make an impact?)

    I asked Chat GPT this question and this is the response I received:

    A creative outlet is a means of expressing oneself and channeling creativity. It can be any activity or medium that allows individuals to explore their imagination, emotions, and ideas. Examples of creative outlets include painting, writing, playing an instrument, dancing, crafting, and photography. Engaging in a creative outlet can bring joy, fulfillment, and a sense of personal expression. It can also serve as a way to relieve stress and explore new possibilities.

    It’s pretty accurate in what I do. I love what I do because it is an outlet where I can manifest my creativity. With the ability to connect and converse with people sparks my creativity whether they’re roadblocks, barriers, or conflicts. Like diamonds, they are a result of being under pressure. Creativity is like that under some kind of restriction and results into something beautiful out of it.

    As a Deaf person, the problem isn’t me being Deaf or even Deafness itself. It’s the systemic barriers being imposed. In my case, I’m referring to audism. It’s always been there long before it even had a name. Like death, it’s inevitable. So, we just need to learn to manage it with tools and resources with a community. It’s a team effort and requires a community to make it through.

    However, it’s deeper than that. It’s all from within. Our drive, perseverance and more importantly, our mindset. What drives our mindset though is finding and understanding our why. By focusing on audism, we’re just simply banging ourselves against a wall. Like I mentioned, death is inevitable. So, what do families do in preparation for death? They get life insurance, critical illness, wills, estates and a funeral plan.

    With audism, we create inclusion and access by raising awareness about Deaf Culture, teach ASL, provide ASL interpreting services, and so on. There are many ways Deaf people and allies with entrepreneurial spirits pushing through to create solutions getting over the hurdle.

    This goes back to what I love I’m doing. Creating stories, creating solutions that matter and creating impact. My creative outlet is an opportunity to transform Deaf lives and the community through meaningful conversations.

  • Day One

    A couple of weeks ago, I started following some fathers or dads with social media accounts. Since I’m a dad, of course, I was curious to know what others were doing. I was intrigued. What triggered me to look for accounts for ideas and inspiration is that I am Deaf and a dad. Hence, you see me use these together Deaf dad. Just pronouncing this rolls off my tongue well. It’s like music and beats on my tongue. Anyway, yes, as a Deaf dad, I bump into other parents at my toddler’s school. These parents are not Deaf and they don’t know ASL. So, there is usually some barrier imposed between us each time we’re there in person. Kind of like a glass wall between us where we make eye contact, smile and wave. Then give the thumbs-up gesture on how we’re doing then we move on to doing what we have to do with our kids.

    These parents have never met or known Deaf people or the community. Or are aware of what values lie within being Deaf and using ASL as a natural language. There have been times when we say we like to get together to learn ASL. Usually, this doesn’t happen. So, this is where I come in. I’ll be more active and intentional with my presence on social media as a Deaf dad. Of course, the most important thing, I want to do as a Deaf dad is to be there for my kids. As well as be there for my spouse. Be the Deaf dad I want to be for my family. I’m not gonna lie, it’s hard. Hard to do while working a full-time job, doing freelance work, and Deaf dad duties.

    So, this is my Day One post. Or maybe Week One. Originally, I wanted to post weekly blogs and as I started, my fingers just rolled into typing Day One. So, I’ll roll with it.

    Thanks for reading this far! This is the beginning of my blogging about my Deaf dad journey here. Actually, I think I’ll go with Deaf dad diary. Will roll with it as well. Anyway, comment below! So I can get to know you and what you’d like to learn as I go!

  • Wrapping Up 2022

    As we are wrapping up 2022, as a Deaf parent myself, it appears things aligned. It’s as if life is working things out on its own with my inner manifestation. “What was your inner manifestation?” you may wonder. I wanted to create and be in an environment where Deaf people can thrive with hearing people. And, sure enough, here I am!

    A little background in a nutshell (will try!): I was born Deaf but my parents didn’t know till I was 2. I didn’t learn ASL till I was about 8 years old. This was about the same time I started to bloom at the school for the Deaf and then graduated from a Deaf school. After graduating, I:

    • Attended community college and got my A.A. (graduated with honours!)

    • Got my B.A. at UBC (and graduated with an average of 69% which included the courses I failed)

    • Completed my M.A. at Gallaudet University by defending my thesis called “What is Privacy in Deaf Space?”.

    • Also, I got accepted into a Ph.D. program at the University of Manitoba (but I dropped out after a semester and a half).

    Meanwhile, I was already working to pay off my 6-figure student loan racked up. I took up several jobs doing:

    • Contract work teaching in universities

    • Working full-time as a manager at a social services agency. This is where we had Deaf people at the leadership level including Deaf people on the front lines.

    While working the full-time jobs I mentioned, I:

    • started freelancing doing ASL translations

    • co-founded 100 Decibels: A Deaf Mime Troupe

    • was a landlord for a rental property (later sold).

    With all this happening, I was able to pay off my student loans.

    Then something amazing happened, got married and had kids. My spouse is hearing and our kids are… Deaf. Both have the same thing I have – bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. I had the opportunity to take parental leave for a year to bond with them while they were little. Then an opportunity came up. I took a job at a Deaf-owned and Deaf-led startup. Even more so, my spouse and I enrolled our oldest toddler at a school for the Deaf (where they hired a Deaf principal!)

    So, this is where I am today – in an environment where it is Deaf-led and Deaf-owned. It’s very fascinating how this is coming to and I’m grateful for this journey I’m in. So, back to the question, What was my inner manifestation? The drive I had in me was to contribute what I have to offer by showing Deaf people have value in the world. Back then I did it for myself only. Now with a growing family (hearing spouse and Deaf toddlers), the things I do in life are myself AND my family. Most parents of Deaf children, I’m still learning and rolling in with the punches. The journey doesn’t stop here. We’re wrapping up 2022 and entering into the new year 2023. The best is yet to come!

    What’s next for me here is to connect with parents of Deaf children. And share a bit about my journey and some things I’m learning as a Deaf dad to my Deaf kiddos and husband to my non-Deaf wife. Looking forward to connecting with new folks in the new year! See you all next year!