Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!385!14.0!Ann.Stalnaker
From: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Deaf and/or Hearing Impaired
Message-ID: <17895@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 28 Feb 91 16:04:38 GMT
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org
Distribution: misc
Organization: FidoNet node 1:385/14.0 - Fingers Talk, Lawton OK
Lines: 43
Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP

Index Number: 13744

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Ah, I believe you've been my relay operator a few times!  (grin)
 I live in Lawton, so...

Let me point out something - I feel the term "deaf and hearing impaired"
is very improper as I think it should be "deaf and hard of hearing."

My personal preference would be to use "hearing impaired/speech
impaired".  Hearing impairment includes all types of hearing loss
and it does not make sense to use it with the term "deaf".  I know
this is a very controversial issue but if you look both of those
words up in the dictionary, it definitely explains the meaning of
hearing impairment.

Also, I'd like to ask a few things about the relay service in Oklahoma.
When the service was first started (almost 3 years ago), the operators
identified themselves by numbers, i.e., Operator 501, etc.  However,
I've noticed that in the past year, the operators are using their
names which to me is not very professional.  I recently spent several
months in Dallas and had the opportunity to use the Texas Relay Service
quite a bit and liked the way they identified themselves - "This
is Agent xxx."  I've always felt a relay service should be operated
similar to any other operator service such as the AT&T long distance
operator or the information operator where they are very professional
and business-like as they never identify who they are.

Please don't get me wrong in the impression that I'm cutting down
the Oklahoma Relay Service as that is not my intent.  I think all
of you do a terrific job.

I'll let the others give their comments now that I've stated mine.

Oh...if I might add one more little item, the announcers on the TDDs
that are provided by the state say "This is a TDD call for the hearing
impaired", so where does the "deaf" come into it????  To me, it's
really irrevelant to add more terms than are necessary.

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!385!14.0!Ann.Stalnaker
Internet: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org