Are you planning to visit a friend or family? Maybe there is a concert that you have been anticipating and have wanted to attend for months and the chance to do so has finally arrived. How does it make you feel knowing you will be able to finally attend it? It is good to know that social events can be a major boost to our mental health.
Did you know that about 32 million people attend concerts in the United States every year and many more people spend their holidays with family? Interacting with others has always been a part of human existence and is something that humans need no matter the challenges they have.
Many deaf and hard-of-hearing people love attending social events. The thing is many of these events don’t make special arrangements to cater to their needs.
For the first forty-five years of the Super Bowl’s history, there were no closed captions. This meant that for those years, the deaf community did not get the full Super Bowl experience.
Deaf people deserve to participate in social events and activities but how do they do it? This and many other related questions will be answered in this article.
The Importance of Social Events and Activities
Image by EducationSector on Openverse
Even though the generations that make up the 18-34 age bracket have been accused of loving to stay indoors, more than half of them say they have exciting experiences when they participate in social events.
Such events aren’t just about living in the moment. They really serve a purpose in the larger society.
Firstly, social events help people network. Have you wondered why your friend has a guy for everything? It might be because he or she has networked. They must have engaged in social events long enough to be comfortable with interacting with new people.
Secondly, these events might motivate you. Some people get inspired to try out new things when they go to events. A child who is shy when addressing a crowd might overcome that fear in a book club where they have to read in front of a crowd.
Thirdly, attending social events teaches you new trends. Yes, there are social media trends, but if you really want to know what a society is interested in, an event is where to start.
Finally, and possibly, attending social events, improves your mental health most importantly. It takes away stress which is a major source of anxiety. Attending an event where you aren’t pressured to do anything slows down your mind. It will also improve your mental health by increasing your self-esteem.
On a more general note, social activities are healthy in most cases because they improve people’s quality of life. Deaf people need these benefits as well which is why, with all the challenges they face, they still engage in these activities.
How Deaf Individuals Participate in Social Events and Activities
What would it be like to attend the swearing-in of a new president or governor as a deaf person? It is possible for people who are hard-of-hearing to enjoy these events and even participate in them. Let’s take a look at how they accomplish this.
They Interpret
Deaf and hard-of-hearing people are good at taking care of members of their community. In a social event, people who are hard-of-hearing can, and usually do, interpret sounds to those who don’t understand what is happening.
For example, in the 2023 Super Bowl, Rihanna performed during halftime and there was an ASL interpreter, Justina Miles, who is hard-of-hearing. Justina’s performance was hailed as a game-changer for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
There are many other members of deaf communities who with the help of hearing aids, can hear the world around them. Such people are vital in social events because they bring more life to such activities.
They Mobilize
If you ever attend a social event and see one deaf person, there is a chance you will see another. They easily mobilize, going to events and activities together. They do this for many reasons, including safety, and communication. Those with better hearing get those with worse hearing up to speed on what is happening.
Social events are usually more fun when you go with a friend. That rule also applies to deaf people.
When the organizers of an event or activity invite deaf people, they communicate with each other and show up for such an event. One place where this is seen is during elections. Deaf people mobilize themselves, organizing transportation if necessary, so they can vote.
They Organize
If you have ever had doubts about how helpful deaf people can be, get rid of those thoughts. They are as -if not more- resourceful than people with good hearing. Since they must overcome unique challenges daily, they are skilled at planning.
When a deaf person is on a team of organizers for a social event, they bring a unique perspective that can only come from a unique person.
For this reason, people who organize large events have begun to include members of the deaf community in their planning process. It helps in designing an event where all sorts of people can participate.
They Use Technology
With an increasing diffusion of technology throughout the world, the deaf community has more options when it comes to participating in social events. They can use video relay services and speech-to-text software on their phones to know what is going on.
There are organizations out there that are constantly searching for ways to reduce the gap between individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who hear just fine.
Conclusion
Deaf people need and deserve all the benefits of attending social events as much as people who have good hearing. However, the way they participate in social events is different from their hearing counterparts.
They need interpreters who will convert what is happening in such events into ASL. They also need technology, like video relay services and virtual captions. There are many other things they need to enjoy these events.
While more organizers are being more inclusive, more can be done for this community that wants to simply enjoy their lives like anyone else.
Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals participate in social events, they can participate more if their unique needs are included in the planning process of these events. You can facilitate such inclusion by learning ASL today. Utilize the ASL learning resources of SignBee Academy.
Thumbnail Photo Credit to: Image by Karl Baron on Openverse
