American Sign Language
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (189793)
Boise, Idaho
February 19, 2019 7:44pm CST
Tonight on the news was a story about deaf people in our community. There are about 200,000 deaf in Idaho with only 175 qualified sign language signers. Without qualified people in this industry people who are deaf in some cases have had the wrong limb amputated, have taken their medications wrong and many other dangerous situations have been encountered.
The problem is that many may think this is a easy career to get into but it takes talent and several years to master this language. Some don't give it long enough to be certified in this language and so sub standard signers are being used due to the shortage.
Is there a shortage like this in your area?
4 people like this
6 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
21 Feb 19
I am not really sure if there is or not.
2 people like this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
20 Feb 19
I wonder what accounts for the deafness of so many people in one state.
The erroneous diagnosis that consequently leads to amputation is a gross malpractice. A sad story for those affected indeed.
Sign language, in such a case as this, must be given priority in health care education.
Yes, we have deaf here my country but we have appropriate health clinics, doctors to the barrios, and medical care provided. There are also work in establishments, like a restaurant, or a manufacturing company, that specifically created for the deaf and the mute, even the blind.
Here's hoping your state could work everything out, for the sake of those affected.
Good discussion.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (189793)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Feb 19
A large population. I thought it was an interesting subject for discussion also.
2 people like this
@shaggin (74988)
• United States
8 Mar 19
That is really scary to think of all the things that can happen to people who aren't understood correctly from using sign language. I wanted to learn sign language when I was in school but it was tough to remember the signs so I quit.
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
8 Mar 19
Wow. That is sad. ASL is a hard language to learn - but those hired as interpreters should have to pass some sort of fluency tests
