Newsgroups: bit.listserv.deaf-l
Date:         Thu, 15 Oct 1992 02:59:26 IST
From:         Lew Golan <LEW@TAUNIVM.BITNET>
Subject:      hype

     About Schreiber's claim that "deaf people can do anything hearing
people can do...except hear":

I said it's hype.

Katie says:

>  he's reading the phrase too literally.

     If it isn't literally true, it's hype. That's exactly what I said.

>  context is
>  everything when considering whether something is a handicap or
>  someone is capable or incapable of doing something.

     In what plausible context could a deaf person be capable of
functioning as a TDD relay operator today?

>  why not just enjoy a sense of solidarity that the phrase can
>  impart to receptive participants?

     If the hype is only for internal consumption among the deaf, that's
one thing; at one time or another, most people put on rose-colored glasses
and indulge in wishful thinking. That practice is fairly harmless if it
isn't overdone (which it often is by people who withdraw into their dream
worlds).
     But if the claim is aimed at hearing people, with the intent of
improving their perceptions of the capabilities of deaf people, it's
counterproductive. Few people believe hype.
     And, in particular, employers are among the most skeptical people on
earth; there's no way they'd believe or be impressed by such an obviously
overblown claim.
     On the contrary, they would view anyone making such a statement as
being naive, immature, and ignorant in the ways of the world. (Which, by
the way, is the way some deaf people come across -- sometimes with good
reason.)

     Remember that classic campaign for Avis?  "We're only No. 2, so we try
harder." It had the ring of truth. And it worked phenomenally well, because
people believed it. It was a breath of fresh air in a world of hype, where
everyone and his brother shrieked "We're number one!"
     Likewise, a little change in Schreiber's sentence would have made a
world of difference in believability and effectiveness.
     Suppose he had said:
     "Deaf people can do almost anything hearing people can do...except
hear and a few other things."
     Now that's a true statement. And I think that deaf people can take
just as much pride in the truth as in the original hype. More, in fact,
because they know it's true.
     More importantly, hearing people -- and especially employers -- would
pay more attention and be more open-minded about the abilities of deaf
people. As an honest statement, it's more worthy of consideration --
something that is more likely to trigger a realistic appraisal of a job's
requirements and an applicant's qualifications.
     When deaf people put their capabilities (which are considerable, but
nevertheless occasionally limited) in a realistic perspective, employers
are more likely to give them the respect and consideration they deserve.
     The important thing isn't whether deaf people can do anything hearing
people can do, except hear.
     They obviously can't.
     The important thing is whether a specific deaf person can do a
specific job.
     More often than not, she can.

Lew Golan, Tel-Aviv University <lew@vm.tau.ac.il>
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU