My friend Kelsey has become a huge activist for making the world more accessible for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. While I've always agreed with her and loved the work she was doing, I never really thought about how we really don't consider the needs of others. That is, until my friend's graduation.

Being the early bird I am, I was able to snag seats in the front row for myself, friends, and family. So obviously I had a great view of the stage. I noticed there was a woman on the stage doing sign language for the entire ceremony, including all the names of the graduates. At first I thought this was great and was so pleased to see that George Mason was doing this until, I noticed something else.

There were two large projections going on behind the stage so those who weren't as close could see the speakers and the graduates. Each screen had a different angle that both focused on the speaker. If the implication is people cannot see the stage from a certain point away, why would there not be a camera always on the woman doing sign language? There was no guarantee that those that cannot hear would be in the front row seat where I was located because there was no reserved seating. I saw numerous higher up reserved spots for those in wheelchairs but none for those who need to see the translator. Why do we need to see two different angles of the speaker? Why is that necessary? It is not at all necessary.

I now see what Kelsey is saying; we are doing enough to say we are doing something to make it more accessible, but we are not actually trying. This issue, even on the scale I saw it, could be remedied if we actually tried. Honestly, how hard would it have been to point the camera at the translator? It isn't difficult. It shouldn't be some great burden or annoyance to make sure everyone can enjoy the events they are at. I work for Events Management, that is literally the goal when you host an event. You make the clients and customers happy, and after seeing that indifference, I was not happy.

I think as a society we need to stop being so selfish. Some would argue having a projection of the woman would be a distraction. How about we not focus on your discomfort about the world not being tailored to you? Why should people be forced into not being able to fully experience life because we don't care?

The sad part is, I shouldn't have been thrilled to see a translator. Having a translator at a big event like that should be the norm. We shouldn't applaud a fish for swimming, which is ultimately what having a translator should be. It should be a natural and reasonable request. So I finally understand why Kelsey is so passionate about this, and frankly, I think I have become the same.