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EMPOWERING PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

SignNexus sets the standard for excellence and efficiency when accommodating the diverse communication and cultural needs of individuals who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing.

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SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING

SignNexus is a distinguished interpreting agency that specializes in American Sign Language, International Sign, and other sign language modalities. On-site and Remote Sign Language Interpreting Services are available to help organizations fulfill their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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CART SERVICES

SignNexus offers Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services, also known as Realtime Captioning, for live events. Remote Captioning Services are also available to facilitate ADA compliant accessibility for virtual events on any platform.

 

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SignNexus Interpreters and Captioners have extensive experience in a variety of specialized settings.

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Monthly Archives: February 2014

When Will the Oppression Stop?

Deaf-Injustice-legal-NYCImagine a police officer suddenly approaches and grabs you. This officer does not speak the same language as you, and as you try to communicate– to find out what the heck is going on–the officer becomes increasingly aggressive. How would you feel? Scared? Isolated? Confused? Powerless?

This scenario is not as uncommon as you may think, and it occurs right here in America. Deaf individuals attempting to interact with hearing authorities, emergency responders, or hospital staff are denied basic access to communication and, in some instances, their lives are put into jeopardy.

Deaf Oppression

Best-ASL-Interpreter-NYC-legalRecently, the story of California resident Jonathan Meister made headline news. Profoundly deaf, Meister was loading some personal items into his car at a friends house when the police arrived on the scene for a reported burglary. Because he was unable to hear the officer’s orders, Meister did not comply with their requests. The police allegedly approached Meister and detained him by grabbing his arms behind his back which, for a person who uses ASL to communicate, can be extremely disempowering. Meister, panicking, pulled his arms away and attempted to let the officers know he was deaf. The police mistook his gesturing for aggression and used tasers and brute force to subdue the man. Beaten until he was unconscious, it turned out Meister was completely innocent of any wrongdoing.

A few months ago, 64 year old Pearl Pearson alleges he was punched in the face until his eyes bled for failing to obey orders from Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officers that he could not hear. In February 2012 a deaf man named Robert Kim sued the City of Bridgeton, MO after he was tasered by police during a roadside incident in which he had fallen into life-threatening diabetic shock. Unable to communicate, and in a state of disorientation, the man was berated by an officer and tasered at least 3 times before receiving the medical attention he so badly needed.

Deaf in a Hospital

ASL-interpreter-hospitalA hospital stay can be a frightening experience for anyone, but imagine how powerless it feels to be in a medical setting where you cannot communicate. A recent example of this occurred over in the UK when a deaf couple was not provided an interpreter during the birth of their son. The couple claims the London hospital did not provide a sign language interpreter during the labor or birth of their child, nor during the 8 day hospital stay that followed; although they were told repeatedly that there was an interpreter on the way. Because they were denied access, their monumental life event became a frustrating, confusing nightmare.

deaf_hearing_interpreter-1While the Americans With Disabilities Act requires equal accommodation in public settings, hospitals have been charged time and time again with neglecting the needs of deaf patients. Many people assume it is acceptable to write messages back and forth with a deaf patient. This is incorrect. Some individuals who use sign language as their primary means of communication are not familiar enough with written language to have an important medical discussion on paper. Without an interpreter available, a deaf person who uses ASL to communicate simply can not receive the same level of care as a hearing individual– this is not equality.

Deaf & ADA Rights

deaf-oppression-ada-rights-infoA few years ago in Florida, a lawsuit was brought against Baptist Medical Center by seven hard of hearing patients who claim they were denied their ADA rights. The patients all reported feeling neglected, isolated, and afraid when they were not provided sign language interpreters during their hospital stays. The plaintiffs were not seeking financial compensation in the case, they just wanted to make sure no future patients endured the same treatment.

In recent news, we have seen the tragic story of Alfred Weinrib, an 82 year old deaf man from Long Island who died after 3 hospitals failed to give him his diagnosis. Weinrib died of malignant melanoma without ever being told he had cancer. Over the course of 7 months, Weinrib was denied basic human rights, even attempting suicide after his pleas for assistance using the bathroom went ignored by employees at the facility. This is sick. And wrong. And absolutely not equality.

Deaf Oppression: Suicide

deaf-cooperation-friendship-equalitySuicide attempts are not that unusual among deaf individuals who are unable to communicate. When they feel trapped and alone in an institution that does not respect them, it can be hard for people to see any alternative. A few years ago, the family of Shawn Francisco Vigil filed a lawsuit after Vigil attempted to hang himself in a Denver jail, and then died a few days later. Vigil, who was serving a one month sentence, was segregated from the general prison population because he was deaf, and was never provided an interpreter for any interactions which occurred within the jail– including a mental health screening. Had he received the same preliminary treatment as hearing prisoners, and not been forced into a form of solitary confinement, it is possible this 23 year old man could have rehabilitated himself and gone on to live a successful life. But now we will never know.

The Americans with Disabilities Act provides legal protection for deaf Americans, yet it’s a constant battle to have these rights recognized. Deaf individuals aren’t asking for special treatment, they only want access to the the same quality of experience hearing people have. Communication is especially important in situations which are already traumatic, isolating, and stressful. Times of personal crisis are not when we want to be advocating for our basic human rights.

When does the oppression stop? When will our society accept that deaf people can do literally everything hearing people can do, except for hear?  It is 2014 and there are more than half a million people in the United States who rely on American Sign Language to communicate. Deaf children in schools, deaf patients in hospitals, and deaf citizens of the world deserve equal opportunity. People should never suffer because of a simple communication barrier.

Five Reasons to Learn ASL Together

ASL-Lessons-NYCValentines day doesn’t just have to be about romantic love–  love can be between friends and family, too. It is just a nice day to remind people you care about them, no heart-shaped box required.

This Valentines day, why not give the person you love a different kind of gift? The gift of a new language!

Here are 5 Awesome Reasons to Learn ASL With a Partner

1. Chocolates, flowers, jewelry… those are all OK. But memories last a lifetime! There is nothing more valuable than sharing a new experience together.

2. Sign language is fun to learn and better with a friend. There are sure to be plenty of smiles!

3. Knowing ASL gives you a new way to communicate with your friend or lover. Silent communication has many advantages, for example you could converse in a crowded bar, or tell your partner something private on the subway.

4. ASL is intimate! There is a lot of eye contact, and you have to really focus on the other person’s face and body language.

5. Sign language is poetic and emotional. A true language of romance!

ASL Lessons NYCI am offering a deal on partner ASL lessons from now through Valentines day. For $75, I invite you and a friend to discover the silent world of American Sign Language together. In your one hour love-themed lesson, we will cover some basic signs and fun phrases you can both use for years to come. 


I AM RUNNING A TWITTER CONTEST THIS WEEK! ONE LUCKY COUPLE WILL WIN A FREE ASL PARTNER LESSON. CLICK HERE  FOR MORE DETAILS. The winners will be announced on TUESDAY 2/11/14. ENTER TO WIN!