The Power of Listening: Three Perspectives from the Deaf Community

More than 466 million people in the world are deaf. The three people in this article want readers to know a little bit more about Deaf culture and how the Deaf community is handling the pandemic.

Leslie Decker teaches at the University of Arizona. She is proud of being Deaf and wants people to call her Deaf. Leslie emphasizes the large community that is incredibly diverse. Deaf people around the world meet in their own groups to participate in Deaf culture.

Gerald Brown coaches varsity track and girls basketball at the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind. Gerald reminds readers that each nation has a different sign language. For example, British Sign Language is used in Britain, and Mexican Sign Language is used in Mexico.

Daniela Maucere is a freshman at University of Arizona. She is majoring in film and television, is hard of hearing, and is a CODA (child of deaf adult). Her emphasis is on the impact COVID-19 has had on the Deaf. She reminds people not to panic when trying to communicate with a deaf person. Grab a paper and pen or use a phone to communicate.

You can read the entire article here.