We Got the Beat!

We got the Beat!

When I was 13, I attended the Black Tie Bar Mitzvah of the Year.  I felt a little insecure not knowing the Saturday Night Fever Dance Floor lyrics. I prayed the room wouldn’t dim too much, as I relied on my friend’s visible speech from their lips as they sang along to The Go-Go’s hit, “We Got the Beat!”

When I was 13, I attended the Black Tie Bar Mitzvah of the year.  I felt a little insecure not knowing the Saturday Night Fever Dance Floor lyrics. I prayed the room wouldn’t dim too much, as I relied on my friend’s visible speech from their lips as they sang alGot to The Go-Go’s hit, “We got the Beat!”

All I wanted was a sense of belonging, immersing myself in the pulsating energy of music at parties. As a young teenager, I’d study tape covers, memorizing verses to keep up sporting two hearing aids.

Sign this Note!

Hold onto your headphones, because KIDZ BOP, the architects of kid-friendly hits, are pushing boundaries like never before. They’ve elevated their craft by releasing ASL music videos that are electrifying the online realm. with an astonishing 3.25 million subscribers, they’re not just reaching ears; they’re embracing hands too – those that dance to the beat using American Sign Language (ASL).

Get ready for the enchantment. KIDZ BOP’s Sign + Dance Along series extends a special invitation to an all-inclusive dance extravaganza. Picture this: you’re singing your favorite melodies, grooving to the rhythm, and here’s the twist – you’re also signing in ASL. The dance floor has expanded, becoming wilder and incredibly cooler.

Imagine a jam session where everyone, no matter their rhythm, is invited to dance with pure joy. And when a deaf child synchronizes with the beat through ASL, it’s a revolutionary shift. They’re not mere spectators; they’re integral to the melody, dancing to the core of the song. 

 

Universal Rhythm 

Communication barriers can be among the most isolating forms of discrimination for those with disabilities. Time we honor and applaud these individuals as true change agents.

ASL interpreters and ASL-rich videos are dismantling the walls of ignorance is resonating universally. We’re celebrating an exquisite language. seamlessly weaving ASL into mainstream entertainment. Our collective resonance with these inclusive masterpieces turns us into advocates for a culturally diverse and accessible landscape that resonates with the human soul.

By amplifying ASL within the fabric of popular culture, we’re not just savoring music – we’re transforming it into a universal language where every voice holds significance, regardless of its mode of expression. A moment for the world to sign into a world when every note counts.

 Are you with me to end this party on a high note?

Are You With Me?

The Care You Deserve

Get the care you deserve

“Did you understand what the doctor said?”

“No, I couldn’t hear him properly because of his mask. It’s difficult for me to understand since I can’t read his lips.” As I pondered, a thought crossed my mind.

“Why don’t hospitals provide their staff with see-through face masks to assist everyone, including those who rely on lip-reading?”

Can a deaf person call 911? Are you familiar with E911? Do I really need to call two numbers—one for texts and another to make or receive calls?

It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? Yet, for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, this is the harsh reality they face today.

What options does a deaf person have when they can’t hear the technician on the other side of the room during a CT scan? They can’t have a family member be present in the room either, as it’s a radioactive environment.

They feel lost, scared, anxious, unable to communicate, and worried about potential negative test results or inconclusive outcomes due to their inability to hear instructions. Unfortunately, the healthcare system often falls short when it comes to meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities, resulting in unfair and discriminatory treatment.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University highlights this issue, revealing that people with disabilities are significantly more likely to experience discrimination in healthcare settings. This discrimination manifests in the form of inaccessible facilities and equipment, as well as inadequate communication with healthcare providers.

It is imperative that we strive for inclusivity and accessibility in healthcare. By addressing these shortcomings, we can ensure that every individual, regardless of their abilities, receives the care they deserve.

 

Let’s get this right…universal access

They say without health you have nothing. I believe that without access to care, you have no road to health.

Tasks as simple as getting an appointment can be an obstacle, with many healthcare providers choosing to deny care to people with disabilities, and even use “discriminatory excuses to strategically discharge them from their practice.”

There are however regulations by the ADA set in place, such as the requirement of all medical practitioners to provide “full and equal access to their health care services and facilities” for people with disabilities.

We must hold to the ADA regulations to create the equal and safe space everyone deserves in healthcare and beyond.

Are You With Me?