How PR Pros Can Be Allies to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
April is National Deaf History Month, a time when many focus on increasing awareness of Deaf issues, individuals, and culture.
As PR professionals, we can play a key role in effort in April – and all year along. It begins by understanding how we can be a better ally for the community, which represents about 3.6% of the U.S. population, or about 11 million people.
Fortunately, we have a resource in Mickey Carolan, a Grand Rapids-based author, public speaker and longtime board member of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. The West Michigan nonprofit offers interpreter services and American Sign Language classes.
Carolan has written three books that celebrate the lessons he learned from his Deaf parents. The most recent is his newly released memoir, “Mom Dad Not Hear: 30 Powerful Stories and Lessons about Leadership, Life, and Love from My Deaf Parents.” The book has received several positive reviews and endorsements. He also has written two children’s books inspired by the lives of his parents.
Carolan wants to help people learn to communicate in a respectful way to the Deaf community. He notes that language describing people with disabilities related to hearing continues to change.
“In the very beginning, there were quite a lot of derogatory terms associated with the community but that has evolved as more people have become educated,” says Carolan. “There are certain nuances and descriptions that fit in the deaf and hard of hearing community.
He adds that the term “hearing impairment” can be a trigger word for the deaf and hard of hearing community and their allies. And he notes it's always best to ask people about the language they want to use when describing their disability.
“The safest way is to ask someone how they identify, but that's across the spectrum, whether you are talking about deaf and hard of hearing, or how people identify in other ways,” says Carolan.
About The Author
Shandra Martinez, the owner of the Shandra Martinez Communications in Holland, is a member of the WMPRSA board and serves on the DEIA and Membership committees.
