The Deaf Grassroots Movement rallies took place on May 4th, 2016 across the country.The rallies went exceptionally well because of the great people that make up national Deaf Grassroots Movement. It will go down in history that the Deaf, Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing and Hearing supporters participated in the historic event. Social media was exploding with live images of the rally from all 50 states. I applaud to those organizers who set the ground work for these rallies. People became Deaf empowered at the end of these rallies. I can imagine how proud they were of themselves because I am one of them too. Even though the rallies across the country is over, we still have a lot of work to do, we need to roll up our sleeves. We must continue our efforts. It is time to wake up and it is time for all of us to come together for our rights and equality. Let's all work hard to remove the barriers faced by the Deaf community when accessing services and employment.
Time again and again, people violates the A.D.A. laws that are written but NO MORE! Anybody that try to break the laws or try to discriminate the Deaf, Deaf-Blind or Hard of Hearing, please contact your state of Deaf Grassroots Movement. They will help advocate on your behalf, advise you and support you. Do not be afraid! DGM CAN help regardless if people stand up for themselves or not but we ENCOURAGE people to stand up for themselves. After all, we, the Deaf Grassroots Movement are the watchdog non-profit organization.
We demand all agencies to change the "hearing impaired" to the appropriate term DEAF or HARD OF HEARING. The "hearing impaired" is culturally distasteful and has a negative, derogatory connotation. It is degrading and less humane term. Please help the Deaf community to make this change and to boost people's confidence to be proud of who we are. We need to remind to the ignorant people that deafness is not a burden or obstacle. We need to overcome the prejudice and ignorance of those who do not understand what the Deaf can do. We need to prove them wrong.
The truth is we cannot separate ourselves from hearing society at all. We shouldn't have to though. A community that excludes even one member is no community at all. I want the world to be one big community. I love the Deaf community, it defines who I am. It strengthens me and makes me a better person. It gives me a sense of belonging. Without it, I would feel empty inside. The Deaf community adds a spark to my life, a spark I can share with everyone including the hearing community. I know a lot of DDBHH people can relate to this. Deaf people need not be altered by technology to fit into a hearing community. Respect ALL communication modes preferences. Be welcoming to all.
"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world... would do this, it would change the earth." - William Faulkner
