‘We forgot about the deaf!’

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My mind often gets baffled, and today’s example comes courtesy of the Arts and Cultural Council here in Rochester.

Next Wednesday, they are hosting an event called “Perspectives on Accessibility.”

Billed as a wine-and-cheese “evening of networking,” the event features a panel discussion “exploring multiple perspectives on accessibility and inclusion in the arts and culture community.”

Topics to be discussed include:
– Increasing accessibility through design and renovation projects;
– Efforts local arts and cultural organizations are making to create accessibility at events and performances;
– Marketing to diverse audiences; and
– An exploration of the challenges performers with disabilities face in local venues.

Panelists include:
– Lisa Helen Hoffman, owner of LHH Consulting specializing in audio described theatre for the blind, who has “a keen understanding of the satisfaction of broader access and independence for people who are blind or visually impaired”; and
– Chris Henning, Assistant Technical Director of Nazareth College Arts Center, who “is deeply familiar with all aspects of the renovation, including accessibility issues.”

Apparently that’s it, just those two people.

“Hello? Arts and Cultural Council? Hi, it’s the deaf calling. What about us?”

But I’m not surprised. Twenty years ago this spring, when we opened the Deaf Artists of America Gallery in downtown Rochester, it launched a heyday of accessibility for deaf people in the arts. But DAA expired in 1995, and these days the deaf community mixes with the arts & cultural community as well as oil mixes with water.

It’s obvious that if we don’t stay vigilant and make sure accessibility happens, it won’t happen. The hearing world will not do it on their own. And if we feel left out and start to complain, they will think we are shrill and strident and demanding, and an expensive group to serve, as well!

I just wish that all large arts events would provide interpreters as a matter of course, even if no deaf people end up attending. You may think it’s a waste of money, but you will be giving deaf people something you take for granted; the ability to get up and go do something at the last minute.

As it is now, we must ask for interpreters well in advance, and if something better comes along, we must say no, sorry, we’ve already made arrangements for an interpreter, we have no choice but to go.

In regard to next week’s event, it seems the idea of “accessibility” is limited to blind people and wheelchair users, those who can still carry on a conversation and balance their refreshments without the need to bring in outside parties (interpreters) at $50 an hour.

An announcement of this event at http://www.artsrochester.org/news/pr012808FebNetworkingEvent.htm gives no indication that an interpreter will be provided. There is nothing there that makes me feel welcome as a deaf person at this event.

How ironic … not only are we denied access to local arts and cultural events, we are denied access to this “accessibility” event!

I feel as if deaf people are forever destined to sit at the children’s table and beg for crumbs from the grownup’s (hearing) table. Access is granted grudgingly, and deaf people instinctively brace themselves any time they summon up the nerve to broach the subject. “Yes” is always a nice surprise.

I wrote to Christy Post at the Arts & Cultural Council to express my opinion on this matter and to ask for more information on the council’s Cultural Diversity Advisory Committee, which provided “considerable input and participation” in planning this event. I want to know how many deaf people are on the committee and what this group is doing for the deaf and hard-of-hearing population.

So far I haven’t heard back from her, but I’ll give it some time. I think they’re running around their office right now going, “The deaf! The deaf! We forgot about the deaf!”

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