Over the weekend I was blessed with the wonderful opportunity to teach my first class as Director of Communications at the Chetwyn Rodgers Drive Development Center on Chicago's West Side.
Little did I know that a third of the class would be hearing impaired! I saw the sign language interpreter as soon as I walked in, thinking to myself. "Why is she here?"
It then dawned on me that Pastor Rodgers told me beforehand that a sign language interpreter would be there for some of the students. Boy was this a learning experience for me! I reallly felt bad that I had dropped out of my sign language class last summer because I was actually learning and it really was a lot of fun. I allowed other things to distract me and now I am embarrased by it.
But with all that said and done, I still had a good time communicating with the students and helping them understand a little about behind the scene production of the radio industry.
I must admit I was wondering how hearing and speaking impaired students would fair in a communications industry when they are referred to as having a disability.
How could they possibly have a talk or music show, let alone produce something behind the scenes when they can't communicate with their voices?
All of that nonsense went right out the window when one of the students raised their hand when I asked the question "Why did they want to be in radio?" One of the students said he wanted not just to work in radio, but to OWN the radio station!
Boy did that take me out of the box on my thinking!
There's a market for every kind of listener, even though the listening is of a different kind. So the next time you see someone who is hearing or speaking impaired, try to have a conversation with them. Many can read lips.
Besides meeting someone with a special gift, you'll probably learn something you didn't know. I know I did. The best thing about it, they even gave live testimonials about the seminar after it was over with. They may not have been able to voice it (The voice you'll hear is that of the sign language interpreter) but you sure could see the joy in their faces.
Feel free to express your opinions! That's what blogging is all about!
