Barriers, Privilege and the SSP Role Chapter 4.1.4

Overview DB people face many barriers. The cumulative effect of these barriers can be devastating. Access (through SSP service, available, qualified interpreters, transportation and effective technology) is the answer.

Barriers (Oppression) & Results

Access Communication access is often not available for DB people. – Accessible print – Qualified interpreters – Qualified SSPs – Accessible media and – other entertainment Transportation is also often not accessible.

Isolation The results of these barriers are: – Severe isolation, – Severe gaps in information with which to make (informed) choices and decisions, – Loneliness, depression, and anger, and – The DB person becomes less and less employable.

“Vulnerable” Lack of information makes one vulnerable to financial scams. Loneliness makes one vulnerable to unhealthy relationships. Oppression attacks the sense of self-worth and self-esteem.

Lack of Access and Service Providers Service providers such as case managers and vocational rehabilitation placement people can fee overwhelmed. They are trying to make up for a society that is not accessible. The results aren’t good. They include burnout, blaming the victim, paternalism and apathy. Currently there is great need for access advocacy for DB people.

Privilege

‘Privilege’ is the concept of unearned advantage. SSPs have an unearned advantage over DB people vis-à-vis access to information and transportation. It is tempting to misinterpret the results (e.g. superior knowledge) as being ‘natural’ (i.e. that SSPs are just superior to DB people).

Role It’s important to remember we are not smarter than the DB person; we just have an unearned advantage. It’s also important to remember that as SSPs, it is our role to mitigate that advantage and to provide information to the DB person.

Looking As SSPs we are often privy to information about a DB person that we would not know if it were not for having vision and our role. For example, we may be in a DB person’s home and see the inside of their house. Any advantage we gain should belong to the DB person, not to us.

For Example If we use the restroom, we should not snoop. What we see in the home is private and, of course, we keep it to ourselves. If we notice things the DB person may not be aware of, such as a salt shaker that has fallen off the table or a letter that has fallen behind a chair, that information belongs to the DB person whose home we are in. We should mention this information to them.

Information, not Doing You will notice in the previous example that the SSP should inform the DB person, not pick up the salt shaker or letter for them. This is a subtle difference but it is important. It is not just a question of role, it is an issue of both power and of responsibility.

Systems of Hierarchy

Victims of Unfair Discrimination The barriers facing DB people (including attitudinal barriers) victimize them as a group. Trying to ‘rescue’ DB people rather than focusing on removing barriers is a losing game. It is a hopeless task and ironically disrespectful. (More on this later.)

Individualism

Burnout This happens in agencies that are focused on ‘serving the disadvantaged’ and are underfunded, understaffed and overburdened. Staff members end up becoming apathetic and/or blaming the people they serve. The focus in such agencies is on the victims of unfair discrimination rather than on removing the social barriers in their way.

Removing Barriers Barriers to full civic participation are a societal issue. Individuals and even agencies cannot ‘fix’ the exclusion of DB people. Together, however, we can create real change.

Systemic Social Solutions

Since the biggest barriers for DB people are access to communication and information, the biggest social solutions include interpreters, communication technology and SSPs. The laws are in place and in some instances so is the funding, but for DB people the systems have yet to be implemented. Thus there is a need for concerted, qualified systems advocacy.

SSPs as Part of the Solution Barriers 1. Seeing merchandise available for purchase 2. Reading the price to make choices 3. Reading mail, newspapers and bills 4. Negotiating streets, aisles and finding check stands 5. Communicating with clerks Solutions 1. SSP describes the merchandise 2. SSP reads the price to the DB person 3. SSP reads the mail, etc. to the DB person 4. SSP provides sighted-guide through streets and stores 5. SSP provides light interpreting

Community as Part of the Solution While it is true that “DB people” constitute a diverse category, they face common barriers. Metaphorically putting their heads and hands together they become stronger. DB people coming together at the AADB, in retreats and camps, as well as in local or state organizations, offers an opportunity for mutual problem solving, learning, leadership and renewal.

Alliances

Resources & Self-Advocacy What are the resources we have as privileged (sighted/hearing) people and how does this relate (prove useful) to DB people? The first, of course, is information. The second is transportation. We can put these resources at the disposal of DB people so they can advocate for themselves.

Self-Advocacy The concept of ally is different from that of rescuer. The rescuer (think life-guard) does the work (swimming) for the victim. The ally stands beside the person in the struggle, often providing resources, but not directing the moves.

DPN / ADA In the “Deaf President Now” movement of 1988 it was deaf people who made it happen with the support of interpreter-allies (who put their skills at the service of the deaf students, faculty and community members). In 1992 the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed as a result of activism on the part of disabled people themselves. In both instances, media attention helped.

DPN Demonstration

ADA Demonstration

Ownership We, as service providers, do not own the problems that are created by the barriers. They are barriers for the DB person and become their problem, but we can be allies. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was a law enacted by Congress, senators and representatives acting as allies to disabled people.

Voice But it was disabled people themselves who identified the problems, the priorities and the solutions. It was disabled people who marched, rallied and communicated with the media. Allies facilitate the change by making sure DB people have access to information.

Presence Allies, like venture capitalists, invest resources in the project but do not themselves direct the project. They know it is not theirs. Ultimately, allies want the project to succeed and to come to a successful result.

Collective Action Ironically, it is especially difficult for DB people to organize collectively towards action and to communicate with the media. It is therefore especially important to support DB people in groups and organizations where they gather for mutual support, to exchange information and plan, because this is the foundation of self-advocacy.

Conclusion The DB Community is in its infancy. Advocacy for DB peoples’ right to access is in its infancy. SSP service is a foundational service for DB people at the level of interpreting services. We can be allies by developing our professional standards and ethics, and by volunteering. SSPs can be important allies to DB people in their efforts for equity.