Elisa Nuevo Vallin: Steps to unlearn Audism (BSL)

Today, I want to address a crucial topic that demands our attention – the urgent need to unlearn audism and reshape our perceptions of deafness.

This article aims to shed light on the importance of supporting a culture of inclusivity, respect, why this matters, and what we can do about it.

What’s Audism, anyway?

Audism is the discrimination or prejudice against individuals based on their ability to hear, has deep-seated implications that affect the lives of the Deaf in various aspects. Audism often manifests itself in various forms; From assumptions about communication abilities to limited accessibility, and its effects can be profound.

Here are a few practical examples illustrating the implications of audism:

Social Exclusion:
Scenario: Friends exclude a Deaf individual from social gatherings, assuming that communication barriers would make interactions difficult.
Impact: Audism in social settings results in isolation, affecting the mental well-being and sense of belonging for Deaf individuals.

Assumptions in Employment:
Scenario: A Deaf individual applies for a job, but the employer assumes they cannot effectively communicate and automatically rejects their application.
Impact: Audism in employment practices limits opportunities for Deaf individuals, hindering their career growth.

Deconstructing stereotypes

One crucial step in unlearning audism is to challenge stereotypes associated with deafness. Contrary to common misconceptions, deaf individuals are not just “the deaf”. They are a dynamic and diverse community contributing significantly to various fields; They are artists, professionals, educators, you name it!

Dispel these stereotypes, and you will be a step closer to a more respectful understanding of the richness of talent and capabilities within the Deaf community

Learn by heart; Sign Language is a legit form of communication

Language plays a pivotal role in the deaf experience, yet audism often marginalises sign languages. It is essential to recognise and value sign languages as rich and legitimate forms of communication. By doing so, we break down communication barriers and encourage an inclusive environment.

Learn basic British Sign Language vocabulary:

Educational inclusivity

Unlearning audism starts in the classroom, and it involves:

• Adopting inclusive teaching methods. Example: Incorporating visual aids, interactive activities, and group discussions in lessons to accommodate various learning preferences.
• Providing resources that cater to diverse learning styles. Example: Offering audio, visual, and written materials to accommodate to different learning preferences.
• Ensuring that deaf students have equal access to educational opportunities. Example: Implementing the use of sign language interpreters in lectures and providing captioning for audio content. Ensuring that classroom environments are acoustically friendly and utilising technologies for better sound transmission. Offering note-taking assistance or providing transcripts for recorded materials.

Every student deserves that, right?

Advocate for technological innovations

Tech is our friend in this fight. From captioning services to video relay services, technology has the potential to enhance accessibility for the Deaf community.

The assistive technology delivers the right solution to unlearn audism and makes things simple for everyone. Learn more about assistive technology here.

Allyship: The Secret Sauce

We all need a squad, and allies play a vital role. Listen up, learn, and speak up for equal opportunities for the Deaf community. Be willing to challenge audist attitudes when encountered.

Remember that unlearning audism is an ongoing journey to reshaping societal perspectives where the world does not see deafness as a limitation but as a vibrant and valuable part of human diversity.

So, are you in? Let’s do this!

Elisa was born and grew up in Santander, Spain until the last summer when she moved to London. She is a CODA and has a website and fanpage on Facebook where she uploads videos in Spanish Sign Language about her trips, recipes, culture, and the Deaf Community. She works for Deaf Umbrella as their Digital Campaigner.