Thank you. 🙏🏽

Just read your substack post sharing the convo you had with a rabbi. Thank you for sharing. Very insightful.

🤣

Likewise. Love your user handle. Still have the Malibu? :)

Stunning.

Sweet. 💜

This is his first photo. He came into our lives when he was just 9 weeks old.

Las Vegas :)

It feels like 20, but it’s actually 10.

🤣

Gallaudet x Coca-Cola Announcement YouTube video by GallaudetU

m.youtube.com/watch?v=FRbF...

Where are you located?

Impressive! 💜

🤣

Adorable!

DMing you.

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🎉

✊🏽

🤣

🤣

@rivjoy.bsky.social I really appreciated the way you inquired. Many operate from a place of entitlement, stuck in B&W thinking, unwilling to examine how the privileges they possess shape their views.

It takes real awareness to pause, reflect, and ask questions with an open mind.

You must also trust that the Interpreter is ethical and will keep all of your confidential medical info private.

In settings like these, I’d much prefer the avatar.

Another example: The Deaf/Interpreting communities are tiny. Most of us know each other.

Imagine you have a doctor’s appt and request an interpreter. You won’t know who you will be assigned until they show up at the doctor’s office. It could be someone you don’t like.

(cont)

So much out there is not accessible to us.

If I have to choose between not having access to something or watching an avatar translate for me, that’s a no brainer.

That said, there are many instances where this kind of technology would be extremely useful, especially in light of the fact that we have a nationwide shortage of skilled, ethical and culturally competent/humble ASL interpreters.

(cont)

Is it a good thing?

That depends on how the technology is used.

ASL interpreters don’t only translate info, they also serve as cultural mediators. As long as deaf people (whose primary language is ASL) exist, human interpreters will be needed.

(cont)

I should also note that facial expressions are incredibly important in ASL. Most of the signing avatars I’ve seen so far have stoic, expressionless faces, something that clearly still needs improvement.

🤬

💯

Despite feeling unsafe, I will continue to post here. It’s critical that we all continue to resist, speak up, and fight back.

That said, I encourage folks not to use their full names here. Even better, protect yourself by using an alias.