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From: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: question RE signers and signing
Message-ID: <17196@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 25 Jan 91 16:29:26 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 JC> Unfortunately, deaf people will never receive medical care equal 
 JC> to that received by hearing people until the system is in the 
 JC> hands of deaf people.  That won't happen, of course.

You know, if a Doctor or a member of the Board of a hospital
became deaf, all of a sudden I'll bet the services to the deaf in
THAT hospital would improve 100%.  They won't become sensitive to
the needs of others when it just doesn't affect them...but there
are federal regulations as you pointed out, not to mention
humanitarian concerns they SHOULD have...
I think the only thing that prevents real disasters and tragedies
is the presence of people like that EMS worker Rob Carr (hope you
got to see his msg to me) -- individuals like that who are
humanitarian enough to see the need, and willing to respond to it
by doing that little extra that might be required (like learn
sign) to be ready when the need arises to help.
And as for TDD's not working...that's pure beauracratic stupidity!
If they spent the money on the equipment and can't even use it,
they should be made to look ridiculous...but unfortunately people
wouldn't even be aware except the HI people affected...perhaps
that's the kind of thing, if the hospitals are unresponsive that
should be brought to the attention of the local papers (?)

--Fran     

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