2013 was an interesting year to be a campaigner for deaf interests. Lots happened, but did anything really change?
What’s it going to take for politicians and big businesses to sit up and take notice of deaf people?
Let’s take a look at what happened in 2013.
NDCS were granted a debate in Parliament to talk about cuts to services for deaf children, over one hundred MPs signed up to a motion to support British Sign Language and Sir Malcolm Bruce got the UK’s deaf organisations together to agree on the wording of a Bill (which, as expected, failed to get time in the chamber).
Another BSL Bill made progress in the Scottish Parliament and then the Lib Dems passed a motion at their annual conference for the recognition of BSL as an official language. Plenty of MP’s supported the campaign to improve the availability of lip reading classes.
Social media became important with over 11,000 people joining the Spit The Dummy Group and 2,000 joining the Pardon Group. Online petitions attracted thousands of signatures.
A petition opposing Access to Work changes was supported by over 4,500 people (including Labour Big Beast MP Tom Watson) and was then followed by Stephanie McDermid’s petition calling on LOVEFiLM to stop being needlessly obstructive and let deaf customers know what films have subtitles on them or not. 12,000 backed that one.
I’m sure 2012 was nothing like as successful as that; but has anything really changed? Is anyone really any better off yet?
Deaf people of all kinds still feel like second class citizens when they use public services. Deaf people still lay confused and scared in hospital beds not knowing what’s about to be done to them.
For most, there isn’t a lip reading class for miles. Sign language lessons are prohibitively expensive so parents of deaf children can’t learn it and communicate with their kids.
Audiologists get away with dishing out hearing aids for one ear only. Deaf children struggle on in class without enough support and are then castigated for being tired as their grades and confidence tumble. LOVEFiLM still don’t care what you think.
So what’s going to change?
To make progress in 2014, I think campaigners have to step away from the computer and step on to the streets.
Without feet on the ground, banners and placards, ignoring a deaf campaign is as easy as closing the internet browser or deleting an email. Too easy.
Should 2014 be the year when deaf people and their supporters become a lot harder to ignore?
Should 2014 be the year when deaf campaigners are found protesting publicly until their demands are met?
Is it time to meet on the streets and show the world we’re here?
Or is it the case that protests just don’t work? Remember the huge demonstrations in support of fox hunting or opposing student tuition fees? Weren’t they a waste of time? Is it much safer and much less hassle to fight from the keyboard?
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
To see our previous ‘Questions’ – and the answers our readers have given – just click here!
By Andy Palmer, Deputy Editor. Andy volunteers for the Peterborough and District Deaf Children’s Society on their website, deaf football coaching and other events as well as working for a hearing loss charity. Contact him on twitter @LC_AndyP (all views expressed are his own).
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Andy. Not him, me.
January 8, 2014
I honestly don’t think that marches and demonstrations are appropriate for us. If there are 150,000 Deaf people in the country then why have we >never yetonline< protests. Although I applaud the BDA's attempt at getting up a petition to the Government, it has to be pointed out that these rarely succeed. In fact out of all the petitions that have ever been filed only one or two have gained a debate. One of those was about petrol prices, a topic that had the entire country seething. So I think the BDA is being just a little bit cynical here, there is no chance whatsoever of getting 100,000 signatures to this petition.
Here's a plan : There are 650 MP's in this country. Consequently there will be deaf people in those constituency who could write to their MP asking… support for deaf people, bsl/lipreading classes… the Communications Bill and so forth. Surely it must be possible to find 650 deaf people willing to write to their MP?
In fact if we can organise a demonstration we can organise a write-in campaign. It would be much easier. This is a tool that hasn't been developed yet but there is great potential.
Tim
January 8, 2014
“…and Sir Malcolm Bruce got the UK’s deaf organisations together to agree on the wording of a Bill (which, as expected, failed to get time in the chamber).”
Why does LC keep putting this bully and Shampion of Deaf people up on a pedestal?
The guy voted to strip Deaf people of social security and to visit unfair tests, humiliation and stress on us.
Editor
January 8, 2014
Hi Tim,
That issue was addressed in Andy Palmer’s interview with Malcolm Bruce, obviously our readers will all have different points of view on him and we respect your opinion.
In terms of his recent work with Deaf campaigners and groups, he has been active in working with them and we’re reporting that – just as we report on all kinds of people and news stories which our readers will have varying opinions on.
Thanks
Charlie (Editor)
Andy. Not him, me.
January 8, 2014
The software has unfortunately amputated the bit between the > in my message.
What I am trying to say here, want to be quite clear… is not that we should not have demo’s but that in the past people have tried and it has proved impossible to get enough people in one place to make a good show. It’s pathetic if only three mums and a dog turn up. In PR terms it will do more harm than good.
I’m not saying we should not try but essemtially I don’t think it could work on a National scale. Locally is a different matter because even 200 will make an impact. But Nationally we should be looking for something like 10,000 and I don’t think it can happen.
Mick Canavan
January 8, 2014
I really believe that If Deaf people campaign in isolation then they will not be able to defend their rights and/or services. 2014 is the time for any Deaf activist/campaigner to make links with other organisations and political groups and present a united front to this govt and their backers.
Single ‘issue’ campaigns are everywhere, ranging from the environment, to saving hospitals, schools, legal aid and on and on and on, but this just allows the govt to pick us off, one by one. It’s only when we join up the dots and realise that if we really want equality then we have to ensure that EVERYONE has equality. If you ignore the rights of other minority groups and oppressed people then you have no right to campaign for Deaf equality…by definition, equality can only exist if everyone has it. You can’t have a little bit of equality, it’s all or nothing.
The Deaf community are not alone, many political groups hold the idea of equality very close to their hearts and campaign vigorously for equal access etc There is a new national party called ‘Left Unity’ whose aim is to try and bring all of these disparate groups together to try and defend the NHS, our schools, prisons, benefits etc etc….If we don’t work together we are screwed. This government is on a political crusade to privatise everything it can and destroy all state services as quickly as they can and they really do not care about you or your rights. Neo-liberalism, neo-conservatism, call it what you will BUT the Tories and their lapdogs, the liberals, are representing a corporate class and they are NOT representing you.
So, demonstrating is a good thing to do, but as someone else has said it is easily ignored by those in power. Now strikes, that’s a different matter!
peace
Monkey Magic
January 8, 2014
I agree with some of the comments made for and against here. I think it could be good to make a physical presence as campaigning via the net is easy to ignore. The physical presence of a deaf person with no interpreter makes the point beautifully, only then does the penny drop that access is a 2 way thing and without it everyone is ‘dis abled’. How often have you seen the look of terror on a hearing person’s face when presented with a deaf person they can’t communicate with? How much do they panic and apologise profusely for their inability? Now, imagine the terror of deaf people en mass!! Maybe we do need to resort to simple, and slightly dirty, tactics to get it realised that communication is everyone’s responsibility. Are deaf people sending BSL letters to MP’s, ATW and the NHS for example? Perhaps it is a mistake to resort to English because that just makes it easier for hearing people to miss the point perhaps?
Jen Dodds (@deafpower)
January 8, 2014
Great point, Mick. Definitely something to consider.
Andy, you said “Nationally we should be looking for something like 10,000”, which I agree with, but you added “…and I don’t think it can happen.” which I disagree with. The FDP’s 2000 BSL march attracted 9,000 people. Nationally, there were 3 other BSL marches (and loads of local ones) in 1999, 2001 and 2003, each which attracted 3,000-6,000 people, I think, so it wasn’t an isolated incident.
Think positive, please!
Andy. Not him, me.
January 8, 2014
I agree it looked promising back then. I was a member of FDP and I thought we could take it further. But the problems of assembling so many people for a march are considerable.
And since then we have had 9/11, 7/7 and people being kettled at demo’s. Things are different now.
Jen Dodds (@deafpower)
January 8, 2014
People were kettled at demos back then. I know this from experience!
Did you come on any of the BSL marches? I’m interested in what you think the problems in assembling people might be (not in relation to 9/11, 7/7 etc, which I agree complicates things)..?
Nothing is impossible.
Andy. Not him, me.
January 8, 2014
It’s the distance and time that is the problem.
We are numerous over all but we are also spread around the entire country. To gather a large number of people, for example in Trafalgar Square would mean that many of them would have to travel large distances.To make large numbers you need everyone and his brother and his auntie.
For example although it is quick and easy to get from Manchester to London it’s a lot harder to get there from Durham or Keswick, not to mention those in Scotland. If people only have to travel for an hour it is a lot easier and more affordable.
I didn’t come to the FDP demo’s because realistically to get to London from Cornwall is 4-5 hours travelling each way. That’s a whole day so it doesn’t leave time for anything much in London. Especially not getting busted whilst on a march.
I would have to travel up on the previous day and probably stay two nights. Nowadays it will cost the thick end of £200 even doing it as cheaply as possible. I’m sure I won’t be alone when I say I can find a better home for 200 beer tokens.
Jen Dodds (@deafpower)
January 8, 2014
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. There were loads of coaches to bring people to the BSL marches, for example.
If everyone was negative about the distance, no-one would have come, but there were lots of can-do people who…. did travel. Deaf people travel all over the world to see each other, after all!
QOBF
January 8, 2014
I ‘see’ what you are saying with a lot of saddening, in particular where you stated ‘second class citizens’ ( I actually felt better reading this as I thought we were past 3rd class!)
Deaf people are fighting, can I ask what are the interpreters doing to support us? Should it be them that marching on?
With, quite frightening, we are almost facing of possible extinct of Deaf club/community, this battle will be long and difficult but we need to be ‘united we stand, divided we fall’ as the saying goes! How can we do that if Deaf clubs are disappearing?
My better half don’t read or aware of this and don’t really like the FB, so how many other Deaf people are actually reading this, have access to FB or register with STDC? How do we reach them?
But again we have TO find a way to united or we fall!
Mick Canavan
January 8, 2014
Interesting points all round. However, I just thought I’d ad something else. I have been on many many marches and I’m afraid 99% of them were just ignored by the govt/council/employer – so I now personally think that marches are a waste of time as regards getting govts etc to change their minds. For example, the biggest ever demonstration in Britains’ history (against the Iraq war) attracted over a million people! Blair just said he thought they were all wrong and he went to war anyway! So if you think that marching will change anybodies mind, forget it. However, there is another side to this argument too. Many people say they like to go on marches becuase it is good to hook up with like minded people and that when together they feel much more powerful! This feeling lingers on after a march and people say that it motivates them to continue their political work. So, sometimes it might be good to march even though you know you will be ignored.
If you want publicity for a cause and want to make a point by perhaps getting on TV (maybe the news) then I think there must be hundreds of ways for small groups, or maybe even individuals, to create ‘co-ordinated’ events all over the country. So for example, if the govt are screwing us over the provision of interpreters then 100 Deaf people all co-ordinate a visit to their local Tory MP (they have to meet people once a week in their constuency) and simply walk into their office without warning it’d really confuse and embarrass them! Especially if you had one person sneakily filming the whole thing. Just go in, sign to them and when they start spluttering and apologising because they can’t talk to you just sign to them non-stop! tell them a story, tell them anything you want, just KEEP SIGNING!
You haven’t broken the law (check the filming bit – perhaps they would have to wait outside) because you have the right to visit your local MP. If they can’t understand you, well that’s their fault! Eventually the MP will simply not know what to do – then you stand up and make a grand exit.
Or why not go with an interpreter and arrange it so that the interpreter is ‘gagged’ as a protest – with a large amount of tape over their mouths!
You get my point…TV exposure seems to have more effect than marching.
P.S I just thought of two ideas of the top of my head..they may be rubbish but I’m sure you lovely people could do better!!!!
Jude
January 9, 2014
What Jen said! And don’t forget that there are a not insignificant number of hearing people who would turn out as well. Trainee and qualified interpreters, CSW’s and others who hold both the rights of the Deaf community but equal rights and justice for all dear.
Mick Canavan
January 9, 2014
….and parents, grand parents, uncles and aunts, brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews…sons and daughters…..that in fact is probably the largest group of all (in terms of numbers)..don’t forget em.
Andy Palmer (Deputy Editor)
January 9, 2014
Thanks everybody for your comments!
lucasnadienNadien Lucas
January 24, 2014
Should hearing people fight for their rights in 2014. . .the difference is what!
Stephanie McDermid
September 22, 2015
Read these comments with interest, over a year later. The Lovefilm/Amazon campaign WAS successful and we’re heading for 100% accessibility in the next 12 months. I find this article quite defeatist and insulting to all the people who supported the campaign.
Andy
September 22, 2015
Hello Stephanie – thanks for your comment. I’m sorry that you find it insulting which of course it is not meant to be. The article is meant to provoke comment and present two alternative points of view. One is that online campaigns weren’t working and the other that boots on the ground doesn’t work either so its best to stick to online campaigning. It’s called The Question to provoke debate on an issue.
With respect to your campaign, at the time LOVEFiLM were even ignoring letters from the CEO of Action on Hearing Loss and from MPs. Malcolm Bruce received no reply. There was a feeling that they were simply getting away with ignoring the campaign to subtitle their content.
They refused to respond to you on twitter and I think you were even blocked by their PR person.
One of the pivotal moments in the campaign, although I admit I have no insider knowledge, was when comedian Mark Thomas took direct action and shamed the company in public. It was on that day that LOVEFiLM announced they would begin subtitling content. https://twitter.com/lc_andyp/status/466320858836119553
Of course it was your campaign and petition that raised the profile of the issue and put pressure on the company, combined with Mr Thomas’s direct action that helped it along. Maybe the answer to the question is these campaigns are best when they are a mix of online and direct action.
I count myself as one of the people who supported your campaign and having read the article back I don’t feel insulted now. I personally did try and promote the campaign and think The Limping Chicken did its share in highlighting your work to our readership and as widely as possible.
We got in touch with you initially and asked you to write about the campaign and then I followed it up regularly.
http://limpingchicken.com/2014/05/13/deaf-news-tv-comedian-targets-lovefilm-offices-in-direct-action-over-subtitles/
http://limpingchicken.com/2014/01/09/deaf-news-pressure-lovefilm/
http://limpingchicken.com/2013/11/27/stephanie-mcdermid-success-in-my-subtitling-campaign-with-john-lewis-spurred-me-on-to-take-on-lovefilm-join-the-fight/
http://limpingchicken.com/2014/05/16/11044/
Going back to the original article, I am sorry that you are offended by it. It is interesting though that we have this debate in the same week that the campaign, Stop Changes to Access to Work, are going on a march, again. Stop Changes to Access to Work also began as an online petition and like the LOVEFiLM campaign, are taking it to the streets.
Finally, congratulations on the success you have had. You’ve made a massive difference and many hundreds of thousands of people will appreciate the effort.