Deaf ideology | Marika Kovacs-Houlihan | TEDxUWMilwaukee

[@IIoveasl10]

Great presentation. I am a hearing person. I also am a special education teacher. . Back in 1984, I started working with handicapped kids.....and one day, my director came to us and said: we are going to receive deaf kids. Well, I started learning ASL....being physically handicapped, I had to adapt it for one hand. I learnt French sign language and learnt Israeli sign language. I volunteer today in Israel with deaf blind adults. I think Sign language should be thought in school as a mandatory language. It is a beautiful language, and it does serve if you meet a deaf person. Just something to think about.

[@Sweenece]

As a special ed teacher I hope dont use the vocab "handicapped" in your teachings. Its outdated.

[@Zabzabzab]

@@Sweenece AGREED. I literally squirmed when I read that a special education teacher referred to those children "handicapped".....

[@PioneerGrrrl]

@@Zabzabzab Agree--I think using the term 'handicapped' missed the point of the presentation.

[@nellieb.611]

I think when he said handicapped, he was referring to himself , not to the children. As in HE felt handicapped that he didn’t know ASL…

[@azores15]

@@nellieb.611 I think he is unable to use one of his hands, at least to the extent that he can't sign with both of them.

[@keramiroberts6695]

Have to agree that TED have really let the side down in the filming of a visual language.

[@Sophia-jo8tv]

TEDx specifically are independently organized events at each location so TED isn't hiring the production company, if any, in charge of filming the event. The organizers are, and sometimes whoever was hired is inadequate; unfortunately.

[@kirstycollins4237]

So great. I went deaf 5 years ago and got a cochlear implant. The necessary mask wearing for the pandemic has rendered my lip-reading useless. I'm finally learning Australian sign language. I'm learning to be deaf! These videos are fantastic! I cannot survive without sign language.

[@nathanhalim7378]

are you still learning Auslan? how did that go?

[@matthewhohenbery2287]

Do you have clear masks, if you do have to still use them in Australia? I heard the government is very strict down there.

[@slowfire2]

Why does the camera keep shifting to being far away, making it way harder to see what she's saying?

[@claudiadahan-woods4068]

This is what i was thinking! I can't see her signing

[@obriensign]

OMG, I've only watched two minutes so far, but I have to stop and comment. THANK YOU for using ASL on stage and NOT signing in a more English order (which, unfortunately, many presenters are apt to do). THANK YOU for giving your interpreter a script that follows the nuances and meaning of your message, rather than word-for-word. THANK YOU for this truly amazing presentation (that I know is going to be great for the last 15 minutes, even though I've only seen 2 minutes so far. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!

[@CarolineATorge]

Perfectly said!!! A wonderful presentation and message in every aspect... Thank you!!!

[@imjustsayin100]

maybe setting up the camera for deaf folks can see.

[@pjcheryl]

soda soy11 agreed. How silly to make the camera zoom out. Ugh.

[@heatherknight546]

Soooo true

[@winros3042]

My sentiments exactly come from a CODA!

[@ASLCoach]

Target audience was hearing.

[@samgray49]

I am not deaf, but am an ASL user, and this women is actually funny, but the interpreter is kind of leaving out her jokes. I do with they had the camera for those who are deaf, and not just for the cool, I want to see this women do ASL but have no idea what she is saying in ASL people.

[@melaniepthornton]

Great video. My only concern is that Deaf people continue to push back about being identified as Disabled, but by doing so it sends the message that being Disabled is a bad thing. Many Disabled people have a positive identity and have Disability pride just like Deaf people have Deaf pride. Let's work to embrace diversity in its many forms and not diss other groups of people.

[@JenniferKGraf]

Thats exactly what I thought especially with the wheelchair and the broken wheel 🫠

[@Sarah-kq6pu]

Just echoing the sentiment that it is very ironic and odd that this was filmed from a hearing perspective rather than a Deaf one. A person trying to understand her signing would struggle with these camera angles. No reason the filming shouldn't have been straight-on to see her better. Also, it was cool to see ASL used instead of PSE or SEE. That's kind of rare in hearing world.

[@phitjade]

Chills! I LOVE this! I've advocated for this type of thing for so long! Adjust the world to accommodate deaf & EVERYONE benefits (gains). Before I even saw the comments though I thought, "I wish I could send this to my deaf friends without them having to use the CC."

[@GrahamLloyd-f6e]

Marikaa Kovas - Houlihan is an excellent signer! Thank you!

[@gerriebell2128]

Of course she is, it is her first language, her “native” language!

[@tgbrowning5036]

Amazing! I had that same experience (offer of a wheelchair) in Phoenix. I told them I was deaf, not paraplegic! Didn't help.

[@jennylynnmason2839]

Love this! Just wish the camera would stop change angles, missed some of the speech.

[@jshill1391]

+JennyLynn Dietrich - Yes, it seems as if the camera person was unaware or understand for Deaf: Less movement is the best.

[@BuffTaanJai99]

There's closed captions - it isnt the same though, i understand. Ted talk videos have issues with moving during ASL ive noticed

[@murphbee]

I was never exposed to deaf culture until I met my daughter -in-law whose father and only sibling are both deaf. It has been a gift to get to know these men and I’m working at learning more of their language as it isn’t fair to my DIL and her mom to always interpret and to them that the onus of our conversations is making themselves known in a language that the are functionally unable to participate in.

[@GrahamLloyd-f6e]

This is a beautiful presentation. Thank you Marika Kovacs-Houlihan!

[@chanelleatkinson6195]

I have just started to learn BSL and already I'm in awe of this. I have grown up taught to love and appreciate all sign languages and personally I feel they are far more expressive than most verbal languages. I do find it mind bending that people view deaf people as somehow lesser or disabled? Every experience I've had with a deaf person made me feel I was desperate to learn the language. Even not knowing more than a handful of signs as long as you pay attention to the whole person you get a real sense of them as a person, their personality and a rough idea of what they are trying to say - if you just try to listen with your eyes! I've been watching and reading as much as I can about deaf culture and as a hearing person I have to say its self me feeling ashamed of how hearing people generally have treated the deaf. Trying to "fix" or "change" or make them speak - all this time has been wasted when personally I feel sigh lessons should have been put in all schools. In Wales and Ireland they want to teach their children Welish and Irish to preserve the culture because the language is part of who they are. Why isn't sign viewed the same? Deaf people are part of our community and part of us as people! I wish I could have learned from a young age and I wish I had the privilege of knowing more deaf people. The few experiences I've had taught me about myself and exposed me to the most beautiful and expressive languages I've ever known. When I see someone sign I feel privileged to be with them and I wish I was better as signing so I may be able to be part of it.

[@stuartpixley8012]

I'm fascinated by Deaf culture even though I'm just hard of hearing and have other disabilities. I must say that I do wonder whether this makes sense -- I too have a culture and have had all of the same experiences that the speaker describes. Why does she have the privilege of not being disabled and I do not? Why am I lesser and she is not?

[@zennish75]

A talk about being deaf and signing and the camera angles are from the side. You can't tell me that you didn't know she'd be signing this speech. It's a visual language that must be seen head on.

[@PeacefulThoughts303]

This was a terrible video. It's on deaf culture and the video moves everywhere. How about next time you set the camera IN FRONT of the person so we can see the sign language? Rude.

[@slowfire2]

Yes, give the camera team a Deaf coordinator or something like that, in order to learn how to shoot sign language lectures!

[@dereksmith2879]

I was just about to say the same thing. I can't see the sign language because they keep changing the camera angle. It was terrible. The content was really interesting but... Please stop moving the camera!

[@chelsey8737]

Ive seen that every ted talk where the presenter is signing has awful camera angles and no regard for reading those signs. Just for me personally, Im trying to learn asl so being able to see all of the signs would help me learn a lot

[@coachbronco]

@@stefenrasmuson7768 That is called a hearing privilege. Look it up

[@petrolhead0387]

@@stefenrasmuson7768 What a ridiculous comment, this video was wasted on you. You think she was just sharing her experience with hearing people? I am deaf and like to know what experiences other deaf people have had. Do you not talk amongst your friends about your own experiences in life? Just because we are deaf doesn't mean we had the same experiences, or dealt with them the same way.

[@koda440]

amazing! I'm new to the Deaf community (in school to become an Interpreter), and loved how this was so eloquently stated. Hearing viewers have no excuse NOT to watch this, and I'm sharing with all my deaf friends :)

[@austinsmith1505]

I'm a hard of hearing individual and trying to learn ASL it's very difficult to be hard of hearing and learning the language that I should been doing from the start I'm inspired by people like Markia Erin and others that have met over the course of my journey and who I want to be . My goal is to along with teaching special education teach ASL classes In a high school setting I am who I am I love being identified as hard of hearing because it has open so many doors in my life that I never would though possible like being able to interact with my community is a blessing both as a member and alley to them

[@jeffholub9601]

Austin Smith, HH intend rock between deaf or hearing world. But I hope you find it to fit your crowd. :)

[@bonnieschwebke3192]

Well done job, Marika! ! Hope your presentation will impact the society to UNDERSTAND and to learn how to treat everyone equal, no matter what!

[@akramdeaf]

i am proud of the Deaf Ideology and identity

[@clairee4939]

Proud me too 😊

[@blessedgh]

Just Amazing, so blessed by your open heart and know that we're all in this together. Agree totally with all you've said.

[@sofiahubbard4570]

Hello Ms. Marika. Thank You for brining all thoese points to the table. All of those points are important and all of them go with the Ideology of Deaf People. I do agree with you: We all need to get educated about this topic, and we all need to react with respect and acceptance if nothing else, towards Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People. Therefore, YES: We all must react in a different-positive-respectful way from now on. Thank You!

[@shannonhensley2942]

I had no idea that the CDC considered deafness as a disease that is news to me. And it obviously needs to change. But the speech was amazing. Im hard of hearing and new to ASL, so i did need to use the subtitles for some the conversation. And I noticed right away that it was oral to text. In order for subtitles to work there has to be written speech that becomes video text. I was able to get what was going on but others might not. TEDx Talks has a lot of deaf speakers but they don't have good subtitles.

[@PioneerGrrrl]

They also list topics like arsenic, hurricanes, I understand she's trying to make her talk interesting to the audience but she needs to disclose just how broad the CDC website really is. Yes the medical view of deafness is and has always been problematic. But she acts surprised the CDC works with many topics.

[@zoeparm]

Incredible presentation, and incredible woman. This can be applied to so many things. Not only Deaf culture, but for many other things. People need to be open minded, and accepting of other cultures. We are all human.

[@ruberv.6477]

Wheel chair for my disabled suitcase lmao 😂 😂😂

[@christinemeleg4535]

I am slowly losing my hearing, hearing aids only help a little, an implant is not an option, the ear piece causes trouble for me, so now I am learning ASL, my third language. That is correct, I actually speak two others. I tell people I am not disabled, I speak another language. I guess they never heard of being multilingual! just speak several languages, when they expect English(my second language) I speak Hungarian, my first language. Now they are at a disadvantage

[@strugglingcollegestudent]

I wish the camera faced her. But just to throw it out there just because deaf is on the CDC website doesn't mean they're calling you diseased, they do more than their name. ADHD is also on there and all of the symptoms are actually listed in both English and ASL. So only respect for the CDC

[@michah321]

yeah but when I wear my glasses I can see so much better and I love that. . and hearing things is really cool. why keep that from anyone? there's nothing wrong with it if someone doesn't want to, but it's really cool to hear things.

[@michah321]

@@clairee4939 there should never be negativity towards the deaf community, I agree. Not teaching a child to sign?? That's insane and primitive, like forcing kids to only use their right hand. I can also see being deaf as its own kind of peacefulness. That being said, having the option to hear when you want to is awesome, because it's like experiencing something that's hard to explain why it's awesome.

[@meredithbelk]

While I agree with all the other comments posted about making this video available do the deaf community by the poor filming in shifting of angles, I can speak to the fact of her getting off of an airplane and being met with a wheelchair. I used to work for a company that did just that and we never knew what we would encounter when we got there we just knew that the flight had a passenger that had marked that they needed Services we did not know until we got to the gate if they would be blind deaf or in need of a wheelchair and we had to carry a wheelchair with us to every gate so it's not that they are being inconsiderate it's that they are doing their job

[@jaydeeellis3653]

Ted talk please maintain a central camera angle! This is a visual language and so much is missed when you’re swapping angles, zooming in and out, and filming from the side!

[@kayleemiddlebrook7305]

Great empowering video for Deaf/HOH people! Thanks for the video.

[@Correlationable]

This is the challenge - inclusion. The Deaf Community must become as inclusive of other deaf individuals and hearing individuals as they seek from them. Though I never learned any sign language, I was pre lingually deaf. My parents were advised by the experts in the early to mid 1950's to institutionalize their deaf, retarded and incorrigible son. I learned to hear well with hearing aids and those began to wane in effectiveness, I was able able to transition to bilateral Cochlear Implants. My speech and hearing skills were good, despite the deafness. But I was not immune to the same issues that the culturally deaf individuals faced. When I missed things, sometimes folks would think their was something wrong with my brain. I have doctoral level education and yet found employment mostly difficult to obtain. I believe that I am a smarter person because I was deaf. It forced me to sense and understand more than the average person would to discern what is going on around me. It made me a phenomenal analyst. Yet when I take with others about Deaf employees, the number one issue that would pop up - "their anger." It was alarming and disarming. Hope these insights help.

[@lauracooke2515]

This need caption because it is difficult to see her signs when the camera angle changes or isn’t close to the presenter.

[@isabelfernandes5003]

It’s available

[@sign4uall]

Turn your captions on. KZbin offers them. Look for the CC on your screen.

[@michael__liu]

I just watched this video cause a college class made me watch it

[@ASLMasterTutor]

The filmer did a poor job making sure that Deaf people can't read her signs!!!!!

[@claudiadahan-woods4068]

I was literally just thinking this... It's so inaccessible hahah

[@peaceiswithjesus8568]

Thank you so much for sharing your story!

[@sarahshah4298]

This was so powerful thank you

[@PioneerGrrrl]

at least the high school counselor wanted you to work with numbers. I was told to become a hairdresser even though i was in an honors class and wanted to go to college.

[@davidprince4844]

Marika, you rock! Champ! Thank you for sharing your presentation to everyone! You're amazing! I can't say more! You, you, rocks! Hugs, hugs and hugs!!!!! Ga to sk

[@kczmonkey03]

Woah.... the voice interpretation is all wrong 😣😖 Missing so many of her communication points!!!!!! I wonder if they are reading a transcript given to them my the speaker or not. The ASL and the English are different presentations all together based on what I’m seeing and what I hear in English.

[@gabrielyazzie5792]

Marlene Medina SHES missing all her emotions, she’s skipped over so many great points of conversation. Thank you for seeing this too!!

[@kczmonkey03]

Gabriel Yazzie Ah! I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way. It drives me crazy how the interpreter refuses to say “negative connotation” when she signs “NEGATIVE” so emphatically multiple times. She said “stigmatized”, yes. She glosses over some parts, makes her numerous anecdotes not funny, and then the airport story..... the interpreter finally changed her register to catch the humor of this story, but she curses.... “damn suitcase”...... during a TED talk?? I really hope this was a collaboration between the presenter and her voice interpreter and that they discussed how she would voice for the presentation with her consent. Sigh.

[@melp3784]

Yes, we are all connected.....eventually! :-) Thank you!

[@modiulelawson9790]

Why show the signer from the back? Please show from the front for understanding signs.

[@TheLastHiccup]

THANK YOU for making a stellar presentation, Marika! However, I must propose that Dirksen Bauman from Gallaudet University whom coined "Deaf Gain" does not make him an expert of what is being Deaf. He will be always hearing. He is like William Stokoe who took over Robert F. Panara as chair in English department because Robert was Deaf. Bauman is no ASL nor Deaf expert.

[@kayleneknight306]

Good explain.

[@deontaekurtz6800]

This is amazing, thank you!

[@IvanHerenchakJones]

the camera angles make it impossible to understand at times. also the interpreting is so scripted it made me turn off the volume after the first two minutes because the message is greatly skewed.

[@lisarodrigues6131]

I agree. The interpreter was always almost a full sentence behind so it was very frustrating to listen to her.

[@apostolic7rox]

I wondered the same thing. But maybe the interpreter has a longer processing (lag) time. Some people are really good at giving themselves enough time to processing before spitting out what they saw. There times if the interpreter is right on the speaker, there will be more errors. Processing time helps reduce the amount of errors whether voicing or interpreting.

[@amazingxadina959]

The interpreter and the presenter spend weeks working together to make sure she was getting the message that the presenter wanted across. I worked personally with both of them while both of them prepared for this talk.

[@Synelnog]

interpreting simultaneously is incredibly difficult and not the best way to interpret...lagging is totally and completely normal in the interpreting process. Between watching, processing what the message is and trying to figure out what words to use and then voicing ... lagging WILL happen (and not to mention...doing this non-stop) lagging and being somewhat behind is deff not a weakness :)

[@c.s.griffel4890]

@@Synelnog ^^^ wanted to say the same thing!! Good lag time is important voice to sign and sign to voice!

[@dendrite9000]

This is probably an artifact of my own ignorance as a hearing person but how is lacking the ability to hear not a disability? Would not being able to see be considered a disability by the Deaf community?

[@NuRevealYoga]

I would like to use this video for a Continuing Education Course for an Inclusivity for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Class. May I use the video for profit? I did send a media request before with no response.

[@mattp6347]

This is real asf..

[@Kiko_D_Awesome]

I enjoyed hearing her pregnant story but I think it would have more breath taking if she ended it just before that story, anyone agree with me or disagree I'm curious if its just me.

[@FOLIPE]

People have to stop using the word ideology so lightly. It is a concept with a definition.

[@miramirror2383]

A hearing person who doesn't know sign langauge in a world full of Deaf signers has the 'disability'. Something to think about.

[@miramirror2383]

I was talking about in terms of language, I would also like to point out that being able to hear doesn't mean you're super powered. Hearing doesn't equal intelligence, knowledge, physical strength or determine your IQ.

[@miramirror2383]

What about those who are increasingly self aware? Let's just say for arguments sake that being deaf makes you much more vulnerable; what if they have hearing friends/family around them?

[@miramirror2383]

Well I'm hearing and I can't do that because I actually rely on sight more than hearing if I can help it. I would also like to point out that humans learn to adapt with what they have to survive and live in their surroundings; which is 99 percent of deaf and blind people do. The ability to hear is not a super power, it's just another sense that aids us in survival; a severely mentally retarded person with hearing as good as a dog is not 'super powered'.

[@morgd1781]

No, because a hearing person can learn to sign, but a deaf person can't learn to hear.

[@keramiroberts6695]

The point is that disibility is being unable to communicate... Not being deaf or hearing. I'm a wheelchair user. I'm disabled without my wheelchair... But with it I am not. The social model of disibility means that society creates the disibility not the function or condition of the person.

[@LibbyLael]

What an excellent presentation!--There's $$$ to be made off deaf kids who can't read/write. Replace speech therapy sessions with literacy/recess. Calling the Deaf "dumb" because they can't read/write. Think twice - literacy might've been withheld from the Deaf by the Audists. Whose fault? :-)

[@lobeckman]

anyone know if the interpreter is certified? I'm an IPP student and need to observe an interpreted presentation, but the interpreter must be certified.

[@jeffholub9601]

Lauren Beckman IPP mean?

[@lobeckman]

@@jeffholub9601 Interpreter Preparation Program

[@VladimirYesayan]

Deaf people trying to undermine the importance of hearing. What would you say if someone blind was making similar case about vision.

[@robinorlowski9045]

I don't think she's trying to undermine the 'importance of hearing' But I think any perspective carries privilege.

[@Lala-cd5oj]

wondering can you tell me who was your Interpreter? Name please?

[@DeafJennyWitty]

BEAUTIFUL!! Celebrating BEING DEAF!! I love it!! Wouldn't be hearing for a million bucks.. being Deaf has given me more 'senses' Peripheral vision etc. etc.. body cue reading of people.. esp those who are unaware of their own body cues.. lots of fun making up stories as I walk through public! lol

[@koredetails5173]

Nan we over here with it

[@gailbrunsdon3429]

WOW! well done! thank you and now I feel much better because we are in same boat with different experiences!!

[@Weirdpoe]

STOP moving the camera around! I want to see the presenter and her ASL since I will not be listening to the interpreter. My ASL language is not meant to be a cameraperson's project to play around with.

[@lcrread]

Wonderful presentation.

[@georgemartin2758]

Love this

[@judiththomas9995]

What a shame my deaf daughter cannot enjoy this. The visuals are too unclear and there are no subtitles. This is orientated to a hearing audience only. Sad!

[@washycrab4003]

There are closed captions in the video player. Look for the "CC" icon. They are on most youtube videos

[@5281940]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!! THAT WAS GOOD Yes love it

[@TheCyberDeaf]

Er. Can we have some man-made subtitles, instead of the ugly automatic subtitles, for all those deaf ppl from other countries? :P thanks :)

[@DeafSweetMind]

Thumbs up! Love this vlog. Thanks so much for it! :)

[@paintergirl06]

awesome! I loved it! loved the baby story :).

[@savvysavannah1529]

LOL. Ah, yes, the infamous switch between deaf and blind. I'm completely blind, and often people will speak louder to me because they think I'm also deaf. Or else I'll be asked if I know sign language. It sounds like an interesting language, but no... I only know spoken English and Braille.

[@azores15]

I sometimes have my doubts about a few of these "deaf challenges" anecdotes. Some of the incidents reported seem unlikely but are reported by a suspiciously large number of deaf people. No, I am not being naive, and I don't say this with a hint of irony. The two most common examples: 1. being offered a wheelchair at the airport. 2. being given a braille menu Most people know the difference between deafness and blindness, even most stupid people. They know that braille is for blind people. They also know that deafness does not prevent people from walking.

[@apostolic7rox]

azores15 I would disagree. I am not deaf but an interpreter. I have encountered many, normal average hearing people, that did not realize deaf people do not read Braille. They were shocked but once they thought about it, they saw their error. In my opinion, it is not something most hearing people think about. Their interactions with the deaf community is so limited that their views can get skewed very easily.

[@azores15]

Brittani V - I should have specified that I was talking primarily about people being offered wheelchairs at the airport. I think most people who report this are either telling a falsehood or not telling the whole truth. I don't believe that a deaf person walks (key word) into an airport, tells someone that they can't hear, and then gets presented with a wheelchair. A more likely scenario is that someone informs the airport in advance that a handicapped individual will need assistance, and then some crucial information (ie, the specific condition of the traveler) gets lost in the process.

[@apostolic7rox]

azores15 Ah yeah, I can see that.

[@Synelnog]

You would be surprised how many people have no clue what deafness means. Im an interpreter myself and I can tell you from personal experience that I have had people ask me if I was deaf lol true story. People are not as educated as we'd like them to be about deaf culture.

[@gardenmaniac1553]

azores15 , no, most people do not. I worked for a blind couple. Nearly every day people would start yelling at them as if they were deaf.

[@catherinegiuntoli-dubois7155]

Outstanding!!

[@gussmiles9888]

Wow! Fantastic.

[@lynnshort2927]

ZI love the talk, but the camera man is awful! I need to see the woman head on to understand her! No far away shots! No other Ted Talks film like this person did!

[@hudsoncaceres6820]

she is a very talented ventriloquist

[@charliev4156]

Hudson Caceres There is no ventriloquists here. Do you mean interpreter?

[@oreo-postraphe]

​@@charliev4156 Four years later, apologies. Got lost along the way But yes, that is indeed the joke