Note: In this article, identity-first language (such as Deaf person, autistic person), instead of person-first language (such as persons with disability, persons with autism), and language that aligns with the social model of disability is adopted.

I have had the pleasure to be involved with the disabled community for the past 10 years. In that time, I have embarked on a journey of self-reflection and personal growth as I interact with a wonderfully diverse group of communities. A common query I receive from members of the non-disabled community is to check if certain terminology is “right or wrong”, not realizing that their question, despite good intentions, has led them into a complex and constantly evolving arena. 

The fact is I don’t always know what terms to use.  What has worked for me is to constantly be asking, reading, and reflecting. A lot.

This piece will not be a manual of right and wrong language, but a sharing of how my understanding of language as a non-disabled person has been shaped and lessons I have learned through the years of interacting with the disability community in different capacities: both personally and professionally.

Accept that there is no standard checklist.

One of the first things that we must understand is that different people have different preferences in the language used to describe themselves. I see these preferences varying by many factors such as where it is used, who it is used with and the context of the topic and more. Whether one agrees or not to use a particular term might also be dependent on the state of mind and mood at that point of time. 

The disabled community is varied and diverse.

“Why can’t the whole community make up their mind and be more consistent?” This is a common comment I encounter and I remember having the same frustration in the earlier years. Some Deaf friends who code switch between signing and speech for their communication modes have shared that they usually identify as Deaf (with the capital D to convey pride in their culture) but in some settings, they will choose to say “hard-of-hearing” because they do not want the other party, such as a potential employer, to assume that they don’t use speech as they are unlikely to understand what it means to be “Deaf”.

My reflection from these anecdotes is that this desired convenience to have a standard checklist is only to our own benefit, and proves to be unfair to the person or community to be addressed. Everyone interprets the same set of words differently. Some disabled people choose to stand firm on a fixed set of preferred terminology, making it a point to explain and educate people of the values behind the choice. But not all situations provide such an opportunity for education. Others pick their battles to fight. I have seen how asking to be addressed in the way they prefer is an everyday battle for my disabled friends. It can drain them out very much especially when they are constantly being gaslit with accusations of being narrow-minded in nitpicking semantics and neglecting the more important main context of the topic being discussed.

Power dynamics play a major role.

Ableism exists. Disabled people are operating in a world that defines them as lesser than, objects of pity rather than the result of a society that excludes them by design. This language is often internalized because it is ever present in our society. Even when a disabled person looks to adopt their own language, they might encounter what a friend of mine experienced.

An autistic friend shared that one of his lecturers disagreed with using identity-first language for the autism community and insisted that in class and in formal settings, person-first language as in “person with autism” should be used. The lecturer has quoted years of experience working with special needs to know this to be the most appropriate approach. This was even after my friend explained his values behind identity-first reference which is largely advocated for in the international autism community. When people higher up in the power hierarchy dominate and influence the narrative, the minority and the marginalised might have to assimilate out of necessity to survive, and are forced to accept something against their own beliefs.

Our language conveys our internalized feelings and perceptions.

The words we use to describe disability convey our perceptions of disability. I have found it useful to understand the values and beliefs behind people’s choices instead of looking for a standard checklist of right and wrong for each “type of disability”. The question is therefore not whether this word is right or wrong, but more fundamentally “what values and belief of mine am I conveying when I say this” or “what does it sound like to others?”. Here are 3 examples to unpack the meaning behind common things we say about disability.

When we use defective-related terminology such as hearing-“impaired”, “suffering from autism”, we are saying that there is something wrong with these individuals and they need to be fixed to become “normal” by society’s standards. However, there are many people who see their conditions as part of their identity, integral to their development as an individual rather than being something that needed to “be overcome”. Their disability is an important factor that influences both their strengths and weakness like any other person being shaped by experiences throughout their lives. To imply that something needs to be fixed is to pass judgment. Similarly, wheelchair users are often described as “wheelchair bound”, implying a sense of tragic confinement. But there are those who see their wheelchair as an extension of their body and feel enabled and liberated by it.

Very long time ago, I commented to a Deaf friend “Wow you must have worked really hard on your own to get through the 4 years in University”, knowing there was little support and accommodations in the local higher education environment. His response was “I did, but that is not what we should have to go through.” It is not uncommon that we applaud and give excessive credit and hype to a disabled person for doing everyday ordinary tasks such as going on public transport, getting a good academic qualification, securing a stable employment. This is what the community categorises as “inspiration porn”. This stems from having low expectations of the disabled person in terms of his capability and his fundamentals rights to be part of society. By calling them “brave”, “strong”, and “inspiring”, even if well-intended, we are effectively implying that the reason why every other disabled person who has not been able to do these things that come so accessible to non-disabled individuals is because they haven’t been working hard enough and they need to be braver and stronger. This diverts attention away from the responsibility of society to minimise or remove barriers so that disabled people can participate on equal grounds like anyone else.

Lastly, when we use euphemisms such as “special-needs”, “differently-abled”, “

we are conveying that we are uncomfortable with one’s disability and that we want to erase it, put it out of sight and mind and not talk about it. We must also be aware that language is always evolving. A term good for today might evolve into a derogatory term when society starts to attach negativity and stigma to it, shaping what the word represents into something quite deviated from what it originally intends to be. 

Show that you have done your homework and are willing to learn and share.

One approach I have adopted is to make sure there is a segment for me to convey my understanding and respect for the diverse preferences within the community together with why I have adopted a particular approach for that context. This could be part of the introduction when I do a verbal presentation, or a dedicated segment in a research paper or an article (such as my opening note in this article. When we as allies of the communities demonstrate an authentic effort to learn and understand, the community involved will usually be accepting and give constructive feedback, instead of reacting negatively. It is also important not to be defensive when being corrected and disagreed with. At the same time, as allies helping to spread awareness, it works best when we communicate with encouragement and positivity instead of being aggressive and self righteous to others who are still new in their learning journey or portraying ourselves as being more “woke” than others.

In Singapore, many of us grow up with the charity mindset towards disability. We believe the right thing to do is to help these less unfortunate because we are more, and we have more. We might be so motivated and assured by our own good intentions that we might fail to realise the implications of our actions, thoughts and beliefs. The best way to help keep these in check, is to go through that journey of community immersion, form authentic friendships with disabled people, not seeing them as beneficiaries of your goodwill, and develop your own approach informed by these experiences. This journey will be unique to you, and will not be without ups and downs. And these values and beliefs inside of us will come out to be the “right language” we are looking for.

For over a decade, Nix has done disability & accessibility work in advocacy, research, special education & disability arts in close allyship with Deaf, Blind & Autism communities. As Equal Dream’s director, she leads her team to pioneer & sustain disability accessibility solutions in Singapore.

This op-ed was first published on B-Side’s Social Impact column in 2020.

B-Side is an online publication unveiling behind-the-scenes stories of creatives making waves in Southeast Asia.

The post “Did I Say It Right?” first appeared on Equal Dreams.

Terence Lew

Singaporean award-winning designer raised in Singapore and worked over 22 years as an art director, creative director, communication strategist and data analyst in different organisations locally and overseas such as Singapore Management University, Walz Solutions, USPS, Havas Worldwide and EURO RSCG etc. To the extent that I can be pretty considered as a “Jack of all trades” on Design related or attaining towards a “polymath” one day able to teach UX/UI design / human-centric interaction in institutes of higher learning. Hopefully?

PS4 Gamer, Resident Evil fan, Domokun collector, IT gadget addict, a former triathlete/ironman, dragon boater and rock climber, a former sign language instructor and a SUSS graduate with first-class honours in BA of Visual Communication with Business; almost killed me. Really yes. Currently, a goofy scholar without any expectations at all studying Master of Management in SUSS will be graduating in one year and half years.

I am a senior UX/UI designer specialising user interaction and strategy in the telecommunication industry for six years. Presenting at the delightful spot among uniformity and style to craft experiences that go beyond Design regardless of online (mobile, interaction etc)  or offline (print and strategy). I also love to deliver at the fulcrum of simplicity and intellectual purity to craft delightful brand experiences. I am producing the nexus of innovation and sustainability to save the world from a bad design with accurate answers. Nothing attempted, nothing earned.

In short, I aim to investigate overall design processes —and design itself— as a non-dogmatic practice. I am stressing the form, stretching the concepts up to corrupting rules, addicted to pixel measurements, and “misuse” of different tools. I like to conceive user needs as a system and medium. I specialise in UX/ UI modular systems, interface design and art directing online and offline. My humble superpower is a constant drive to retain possible solutions very manageable, both in format focusing on the user journey to execute the best solutions.

I will love to share with you about the junction of simplicity and purpose to craft experiences beyond Design to make your Design for your brand more sustainable efficiently. Let’s chat, I reckon?

Catch up with you then.

Designer saved Equal Dreams by logo

You can reach him at his email: terocker@gmail.com. 

The post Terence Lew – Our logo designer first appeared on Equal Dreams.

Hearing the voices of the Deaf

Equal Dreams

Founded: February 2020
Working with: Marginalised communities (such as Deaf and Hard of hearing, Blind/Low vision/ persons with vision-impairment, Autistic communities)
Mission: Disabled communities have equal rights to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Hina (age 35), who works in the administrative line, is born deaf. She feels that although there is frequent media coverage on stories of disabled people pursuing their dreams and aspirations, these stories are often told from an angle of inspiration. “Some people might feel that such articles are commendable as they can inspire and move readers. However, such stories are in fact what we call “inspiration porn”. They are unacceptable.”

The term ‘Inspiration Porn’ was coined by the Australian disability activist, Stella Young. Inspiration porn refers to using stories of disabled people to inspire non-disabled community – the objectification of one group of people (in this case the disabled) for the benefit of another group (the non-disabled).

Sharing Insights of Deaf Parents

Hina said “Disabled people are no different from others – we all face the same worries in life such as our future, friendships, relationships etc. Disabled people can do so much more than what society assumes. There is no need for media articles to make it overly inspirational.” Recently, she has published a series of Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day specials on Equal Dreams Facebook page. The objective was to share with netizens stories and insights of ordinary Deaf people in their parenthood journey. From conceptualisation to editing, Hina is in charge of the whole process. Every video is about 10 minutes long. All interviewees are also Deaf and all interviews are conducted fully in sign language.

Equal Dreams was founded in February this year. Hina and Equal Dreams’ founder, Nix Sang (age 38) are long time friends. In “a democratic society, based on justice and equality”, communities such as the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Blind/vision-impaired, Autistic communities should have equal rights to pursue their dreams and aspirations. This is the mission of Equal Dreams.

Nix said in the interview that everybody should have equal opportunities to pursue their passions. “Society tends to put a label on certain communities. But (for example), who is to say a blind cannot be a designer, or a deaf cannot pursue a career in media?”

She also said that one can only truly understand their own passion and strength when they have the opportunity to experience it. “(After having the opportunity to experience), if they like it, they can choose to continue to pursue it, if they realise they are not suitable, that is alright too. The skills and experience gained during the process would definitely add value to other aspects of their lives.”

Taking Hina as an example: she has always been interested in content creation. Since 2012, she has tried to produce videos during her own travels. Hina loves sharing stories about the Deaf community. Every time she travels, she will specially visit businesses and shops run by Deaf people to know more about the local Deaf culture. However, due to work commitments and dance training outside of her day job, Hina did not have much time to pursue this interest.

It was not until when her dance training had scaled down recently did she find an opportunity to continue this passion project. One day, Hina shared with Nix about her ideas on content creation. It was agreed that Equal Dreams would be a good platform to share daily lived experiences of the Deaf community.

Access to Information for the Deaf community is Essential

Hina also said that contents using sign language are not common here in Singapore. This is not the case for overseas content, where once you do a simple search, you can easily get results of many Deaf-produced online contents. “I hope that the ordinary stories of the local Deaf community can be seen and heard too, and not be out of sight and out of mind, or be drowned out by inspiration porn”.

When asked about plans for future contents, Hina said “I have many ideas, such as stories of the experiences of Deaf people who went through mainstream education. I also want to produce Singapore tourism contents, using sign language to introduce to the international Deaf community our local attractions and delicacies. But all these have been stalled due to COVID-19.”

Equal Dreams currently does not have full time staff. Hina feels that because the Equal Dreams team is formed by like minded friends with the same vision and values, they are closely knitted. “In the team there are both Deaf and Hearing members [article expanded this as those with normal hearing levels]. Everyone has their own strengths and can contribute in different areas and also learn from one another in the process.”

Besides providing a platform for some of the marginalised communities to pursue their passion projects, Equal Dreams also provided Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) interpretation and live speech to text services during the COVID-19 and General Elections period. Information becomes accessible so that the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community can also receive the same information real time as others.

Nix opined that some hearing people do not understand the importance of Deaf access services such as sign language interpretation. “If hearing people can access first hand information about the latest COVID-19 measures through national TV, why shouldn’t the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community be able to access this information at the same time? Why do they need to wait for media information or official transcript that is only available after the announcement? This would be unfair to them.”

Sign language Interpretation service is not an act of charity

Nix also said that some people may view sign language interpretation as a voluntary or charity service. “Some organisations tend to ask for very low rates for the service. Some even feel that such services should be provided for free.” But Nix emphasised that these accessibility services are professional services. At Equal Dreams, there are also Deaf interpreters – interpreters who are Deaf themselves. This is a legitimate profession. “Our society needs to progress. We must not continue the traditional mindset that work related to disability is always about doing charity work, and that the disabled communities are always to be helped and saved.”

“We are disabled by the society we live in rather than our disabilities.” Hina expressed during the interview that the barriers faced by the local Deaf community are not due to the physical condition they have. “People tend to put labels on the Deaf community. This is what limits our potential. But these labels do not represent us. If Singapore wants to be like what our pledge declares, to be ‘one united people’, ‘so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation’, then we must no longer ignore the voices of the marginalised communities.”

Generations of Promise, Staying True to the Pledge

[The following is a summarised translation of the introduction of the special column]

Our tightly clenched right fist to left chest, we recite our pledge.
“We the citizens of Singapore
Pledge ourselves as one united people
Regardless of race, language or religion
To build a democratic society
Based on justice and equality
So as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress
For our nation”

Perhaps, you have not recited the National Pledge often after you have left school, or might have even forgotten some parts of it. But around us, there are many who have been quietly working to pursue the vision stated in our Pledge.

In this National Day Special, Zaobao features 6 community groups with various missions such as promoting interfaith harmony, pursuing social justice and equality. What is common among them is that they bring people of different backgrounds together to build a better Singapore.

Today’s prosperity and harmony is the fruit of generations of Singaporeans coming together, working hard towards a common goal and vision.

From here on, we must stay true to the promise stated in our Pledge.

Original Mandarin article available at Zaobao website.

We at Equal Dreams would like to thank journalist Chua Wei Qian and his team from Zaobao for this feature!

The post Zaobao National Day Special – Interview with Equal Dreams first appeared on Equal Dreams.

“Six minutes turned out to be a few hours till late night.”

Watch our in-depth behind-the-scenes interview with our Deaf interpreters, Jessica and Andrew, including their funny anecdotes, on how they work behind the scenes to bring the Deaf and Hard of hearing communities full access to information! Let us all put inclusivity and fairness into action, as we all continue to advocate the importance of equal access of information to the State as part of the official protocol.

Descriptive transcript of the video here

Want to include Deaf interpreters in your content?

Reach out to us at services@equaldreams.sg!

The post Deaf Interpreters at Work – Behind the Scenes first appeared on Equal Dreams.

An unlikely friendship then blooms between these two total strangers.

This is my film review of Feeling Through, the first short film to star a DeafBlind actor, Robert Tarango, in a lead role.

The other day, I had a chance to watch the screening, Feeling Through Experience. It consists of three parts: the film, the “Connecting the Dots” documentary, and a panel with the cast and director including Q and A.

I did not particularly enjoy the documentary and the live chat with the panel – I was neither an educational nor informative person to begin with, but I did really enjoy the heart-warming film screening.

What was interesting about the film was that they cast a real-life Deafblind person to play the role of the Deafblind character, Artie.

I first learnt of this Feeling Through Experience screening from a friend. Subsequently I saw the publicity message posted by Equal Dreams on their Facebook. As a Deafblind person, who is unable to watch captions or listen to audio description with my screen reader, I must say that the whole experience is accessible, from the point of registration till the screening itself. I truly enjoyed the film very much.

“I got you.”

That particular scene, where apologetic Tereek said that to Artie as he steadied Artie whose cane accidentally hit the construction barrier, was quite touching. That moment when Tereek no longer felt frustrated afterwards – that spoke volumes to me because it meant that Tereek did not see Artie as a burden but as an ordinary person who simply stumbled just like everyone else.

Human connections – that is what the film touches on.

Not DeafBlindness, not disability per se, but the most basic yet powerful way to connect to a person.

I loved that scene where Tereek stubbornly insisted on the uninterested bus driver to give an affirmative response on assisting Artie to his destination stop. In this world where my needs as a Deafblind person are often not understood, I know there will be people like Tereek who will always come forward to help regardless. This sort of connection coming from a stranger, beyond disability barriers, warms my heart.

Very heart-warming. Nothing can replace our innate human connections, be it a tap, or a hug. The world can be a better place if we take the time to show a little more understanding, be a little more patient.

But what really left an impact on me was that touching scene towards the ending, where Artie embraced Tereez in the bus before they parted.

That moment of the realisation that we are all not alone in this world.

At the end of the day, no matter what happens, we still need each other. Everybody needs help and we all can help one another.

I strongly encourage you to catch this beautifully-connected film screening that will even warm the see hum* of your heart. You can still catch this Feeling Through Experience screening, which will air online in celebration of their 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act this 16 July (Thursday), 4pm PT/7pm ET, which is 7am, this Friday 17 July, Singapore time, so do make sure to sign up (it’s free by the way) on this link: www.feelingthrough.com/register to catch it!

On accessibility and such

The registration for this online screening event was very simple which only required my name and email address. The organisers made arrangements for viewers who use a Braille display or need audio descriptions by providing a transcript via a livestream text. Wanting to experience it with everyone else, I did not read it prior to the screening. On the day of the screening, the transcript was well-presented with not only the dialogue but also very detailed descriptions that included background sounds as well as action; those detailed on what was going on. I was thus fully immersed in the film.

In retrospect, this film screening made me appreciate the provision of full access for people with diverse needs. A colourful and noisy world actually exists, not only for the sighted and hearing communities but also for me and all the Deafblind community.

That said, I was reminded of my own earlier experience of watching a theatre play, “Not In My Lifetime“. It was also fully accessible to me, with the help of live note-taking (post-show) and tactile touch tour including the tactile layout representation of the stage and set-up prior to the play.

I applaud the improvements of late in the local theatre scene where access is fully provided to the disabled audience through touch tours, audio descriptions and sign language interpretations. I wonder, for the Deafblind audience, would these local theatre & film companies make their transcripts readily available so that we would be able to enjoy the films and plays in real-time equally well just like others?
I look forward to that day.

*see hum refers to cockles in Hokkien dialect.

About the author:

Tan Siew Ling is fully Deafblind, having lost both her sight and hearing to a neurological condition, Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). She carries a screen reader with a Braille display, which she fondly names it as “Bear Bear”, everywhere she goes. Her humour, wordplay, and love of puns keep friends on their toes. She enjoys reading books in her free time and loves to pen down her thoughts, often on a whim, which can be entertaining at times, on her social media. When she is not writing or reading, she can be seen doing insanely 72kg leg presses or swinging a 20kg kettlebell to and fro.

The post Feeling the Feeling Through – A Film Review by DeafBlind Author, Ms Tan Siew Ling first appeared on Equal Dreams.