In stark contrast to the lack of BSL seen at official government events here in the UK, an American firefighter sent out a message for Deaf people in America and beyond at Joe Biden’s inauguration today.
Andrea Hall, a firefighter and union leader, led the Pledge of Allegiance, and as she recited the words, she also signed them simultaneously in American Sign Language (ASL).
Georgia Fire Captain Andrea Hall leads the Pledge of Allegiance. pic.twitter.com/Yslvt4pgvJ
— JCCIC (@JCCIC) January 20, 2021
Biden’s Presidential Inaugural Committee has made accessibility a priority and is providing ASL interpretation, live closed captioning and audio descriptions for the day’s events.
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Fred Trull
January 21, 2021
The reason for this is that the United States is a country with different laws to ours. The American Constitution governs everything they do and that Constitution makes support for disabled people mandatory. There is consequently a large signing Deaf contingent of Americans who have a legal right to be provided for.
The other thing is there are probably more deaf people in the USA than the entire population of the UK. That’s a lot of people to make a fuss.
Finally is the uniquely British fact that a really small number of people in this country rely on BSL and so Government support is minimal. There are just not enough people asking for it, just a few making a lot of noise.
Different horses, different courses. How on earth can you compare?
Tim
January 21, 2021
There are plenty of BSL users, but we don’t need to debate what the true number is, because even if it were tiny, it would not be a reason for them to be treated less favourably than other deaf people.
Fred Trull
January 21, 2021
I didn’t say “BSL users” I said “People who rely on BSL”.
It’s not the same thing.
Tim
January 22, 2021
They’re not mutually exclusive, either. My point stands.
Hartmut
January 22, 2021
There is no ASL interpretation at the inauguration at all.
The signing of the Pledge of Allegiance by the firelady is only a token, delivered by a hearing in signed English coached and rehearsed beforehand. It was done clumsily. Much better should be having a Deaf person present the National Anthem together with Lady Gaga and a genuine ASL interpreter on the stage next to the lantern throughout the whole inauguration.
The US NAD appears to be unsuccessful to press the Inauguration Committee to include ASL in the program.