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The absolute state of this from @thismorning. So many media faux pas around covering deafness in two minutes (h/t @QueerCantHear for making me aware of this).
Let’s unpack this, shall we? #BoredOfAudism
THREAD: https://twitter.com/thismorning/status/1319324638069968896
Let’s unpack this, shall we? #BoredOfAudism
THREAD: https://twitter.com/thismorning/status/1319324638069968896
So @EamonnHolmes introduces the segment with an intro which includes the words ‘suffers from hearing loss’, and we’re off to a great start(!) Yikes.
In fairness, this most definitely wasn’t written by Eamonn, but a reminder that #deaf people do not “suffer” from hearing loss. I ‘suffer’ from audist attitudes, inaccessibility and poor media representation.
Many deaf people, like me, are proud of their deafness, @thismorning.
Many deaf people, like me, are proud of their deafness, @thismorning.
In the same vein, @thismorning decided to run with the strapline of ‘coping with a hearing impairment’.
If you’re covering a story about deafness, use the terms which the deaf person in question uses.
‘Hearing impairment’ is often avoided because of its negative implications.
If you’re covering a story about deafness, use the terms which the deaf person in question uses.
‘Hearing impairment’ is often avoided because of its negative implications.
For a more detailed explanation as to why ‘hearing impaired’ is generally avoided by #deaf people, have a read of this excerpt of an article by @UW: https://bit.ly/2TjjxxB
The negative undertone is also why some people, like me, prefer ‘deafness’ over ‘hearing loss’.
The negative undertone is also why some people, like me, prefer ‘deafness’ over ‘hearing loss’.
While I sympathise with Josie’s situation, and the difficulties faced by her brother around face masks, hearing people should *never* speak for #deaf people, on issues of which they have no lived experience.
Read this thread on The One Show’s recent blunder to find out why: https://twitter.com/liamodelluk/status/1301801563980263424
Read this thread on The One Show’s recent blunder to find out why: https://twitter.com/liamodelluk/status/1301801563980263424
I appreciate that they likely focussed on Josie because she is the famous TV personality in this instance, but she should not have been the leading voice in a story about deafness. We should be hearing from her brother, first and foremost, of course.
Also, much like the One Show clip, which wasn’t captioned when it was shared to Twitter, @thismorning have failed to add subtitles to their clip about deafness, too. The inaccessibility is laughable when you consider what the video is discussing. #BoredOfAudism
Twitter’s auto-play feature plays videos without sound, @thismorning. In captioning your social media videos, you’re not only making it accessible to #deaf people, but you’re also boosting engagement and interaction from other users too. Accessibility benefits everyone.
END.
END.
Correction: it was in fact @charlhyde who informed me about This Morning’s blunder, not @QueerCantHear - sorry, Jasper!
“This is not advocacy, nor is it representation. It's a failure – from both the individuals and the broadcasters – to recognise their hearing privileges, and how best to support and represent the deaf community.”
You might want to read this, @thismorning. https://liamodell.com/2020/10/24/attention-media-hearing-people-dont-speak-for-us-josie-gibson-face-masks-eamonn-holmes-ruth-langsford-rachel-shenton-the-one-show/
You might want to read this, @thismorning. https://liamodell.com/2020/10/24/attention-media-hearing-people-dont-speak-for-us-josie-gibson-face-masks-eamonn-holmes-ruth-langsford-rachel-shenton-the-one-show/
Adding to this thread to include this tweet from Holly, which makes another excellent and important point relating to the sunflower lanyards mentioned in the package. https://twitter.com/hollyvlogs/status/1320119167274700800
They’re for hidden disabilities, not for saying you’re face mask exempt (though your hidden disability/disabilities - which could include deafness - may mean you do not need to wear one).
In her tweet, @hollyvlogs has pointed out another reason why #deaf and disabled people need to be at the centre of stories about them. When they are, inaccuracies like these are easily avoided. https://liamodell.com/2020/10/24/attention-media-hearing-people-dont-speak-for-us-josie-gibson-face-masks-eamonn-holmes-ruth-langsford-rachel-shenton-the-one-show/
