Which Airport is Most Deaf-Friendly?
Posted on: April 22, 2009No Comments
When we think of being “Deaf friendly,” the picture that comes to mind is the image of the hearing world able to communicate with us in sign language, everything made accessible for Deaf people in their patronage as customers just like everyone else. That picture-perfect imagery is almost always jolted by reality over the lack of understanding of Deaf culture. As a result, Deaf leaders have to spread the gospel of Deaf awareness, which makes American Sign Language (ASL) classes and inviting ASL students to meet at Starbucks Deaf Coffee chats necessarily beneficial. The exposure to Deaf culture brought more people into the community who know enough sign language to serve Deaf customers, effectively making the environment Deaf friendly.
Let’s take a look at airports, and which ones are the most “Deaf-friendly.” But how can an airport be Deaf-friendly if not all the employees know sign language, if only a ratio of 3 to 100 employees know sign language, does it make the airport “Deaf-friendly” regardless of the low ratio turnout? Not necessarily, there are other ways to being “Deaf-friendly” such as introducing new equipment technology that is Deaf-friendly. The technology advances which actually aids Deaf people, for instance. Entering into a Deaf friendly atmosphere greatly reduces the everyday stress of having to haggle over services without the benefit of visual aids, through ASL skills by airline employees or the television monitors showing scheduled arrivals and departures, anything that has been outfitted exclusively for deaf and hard of hearing travellers for alerts, flight information, announcements over the paging system.
People do possess some signing skills, but the airport is a special place where travellers need to be accomodated through Deaf friendly technology, too. It’s not just about going up to the airline counter and announcing that you are Deaf and need special accomodations. Deaf friendly environments provides immediate access for all of us, without forcing us to request special service except in regulated circumstances.
Some of you have travelled extensively, and have touched many airports. We would like to hear about your experiences at Deaf friendly airports.
Which airport is, and why? Carry on a debate in the comments, and please keep it clean!
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I have been recently flew pretty often in the East Coast from Maryland to South Florida.
The Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) airport seems have the most deaf-friendly airport with the TSA agents, who are very receptive and well-grounded toward me and other deaf airline passengers. The airline employee at the U.S. Airway seems very nice with me as a deaf person, instead of patronizing.
The West Palm Beach International airport seems most unfriendly to deaf people. Same thing with the Fort Lauderdale airport.
Robert L. Mason
April 28th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I travel approximately 20 weeks annually for my DoD job and more for pleasure. The only thing that I felt frustrated during my travel is their inability to somehow subtitle their public broadcasts especially when it comes to last minute situations, emergencies, et cetera.
The only deaf-friendly technologies I have noticed at the airports are the occasional closed captioned TVs and TTYs.
However, almost all interactions I have had at various airports has went smoothly and to my satisfaction. Granted, some employees have had little or no experience with deaf customers but I do notice their effort ensuring I have everything I need and answer all my questions in a professional demeanor.
May 6th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
SFO seems to lead the pack with multiple displays that show boarding times and groups clearly on the screens and gate changes are visual. This is not only good for Deaf but it also helps the hearing as Airports are notoriously loud and even the hearing folks have a hard time hearing the PA announcements. People should thank Colin Piotrowski for all his hard work at bringing SFO up to speed in accommodating the Deaf and Disabled.
May 21st, 2009 at 2:32 am
I have a part time at LAX at night time for AVIATION SAFEGUARD as Crowd Control Agent.In the morning I work as Independent Living Skills Instructor for blind people. On weekends I take ASL Classes at Evans Adult Community School. In my uniform I have my “I LOVE U” pin, so, when deaf people looked at It… They know they have a friendly HAND there… I send them through the Priority line, so they Do not wait in the line, I tell them What they need and What they need to Do.
If U see me working there and U notice my I LOVE U pin..please, just say Hello… remember U have a friend there.
Xavier