There has been a recent trend in the media regarding awareness and appreciation for the deaf community, and at the helm currently is the very talented and obviously overwhelmingly attractive model and "Dancing With The Stars" icon, Nyle DiMarco. DiMarco became widely known and adored after winning season 22 of "America's Next Top Model." DiMarco, a graduate of Gallaudet University, was a freelance model until producers of "America's Next Top Model" reached out to him to audition — not knowing before his audition that he is, in fact, deaf. DiMarco was the first deaf contestant on the show and after winning, he vowed to use his success on the show to help hearing people understand that being deaf does not restrict you from accomplishing all that you want to. In fact, the close-knit Deaf community holds the mindset that being deaf is simply a different, visually oriented, way of living rather than a handicap or disability. Deaf and hard of hearing individuals uphold their own culture and their own language — Sign Language (in Nyle's case ASL or American Sign Language). They do not view themselves as needing to be fixed.
He says it best himself in an interview to MTV ...
"I hope my win helped shatter misconceptions about Deaf people. I hope my win will make people realize that we’re as normal as can be. I also hope my win will inspire Deaf people to do whatever they want to do in life! The possibilities are endless."
DiMarco's competing on "Dancing With The Stars" is very much helping to support and raise awareness for his cause. He admitted himself that he never danced growing up and was initially nervous to compete on the show because he didn't want to "reinforce misinformed deaf stereotypes in front of a large audience." Well, it turns out that he had nothing to be nervous about because he is currently the frontrunner of the entire competition — all without being able to hear the music. DiMarco explained on the show that he is able to dance in sync with partner, Peta Murgatroyd, by taking visual cues from her as well as following the beat of the music. In a recent dance, DiMarco decided to allow the hearing viewers to get a little insight on what it's like to be deaf by adding a section in complete silence to his Pasodoble. The judges were so inspired by his statement that it had longtime judge Carrie Ann Inaba in tears.
As a minor in Deaf Studies at Holy Cross, I have been given the opportunity to be taught by amazing professors to disregard misconceptions that the world has put on deaf individuals, but I hope that icons like the brave Nyle DiMarco are able to help permanently set aside these misconceptions.
Go to his website for more information!
