Comments on: “We have met the enemy and he is us” http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/ Thoughts, ideas, and narratives from a deaf firefighter Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:14:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Ableize disability resource http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-24759 Ableize disability resource Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:16:43 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-24759 Been looking around your blog for a place to put this but can't find one so I will pop it in here and see where we go with it, feel free to move it if there is a better slot or better still create a new post using this thread. I an a disability auditor in the UK, part of my job involves inspecting lifts in building for button height, tactile controls etc etc, however, it struck me some time back that while lifts have emergency phones or call buttons to alert somebody in the event of getting stuck in say a broken lift, the controls if pressed by a deaf person offer no assurance that somebody has received the call and knows you are stuck, the deaf user could be stranded there wondering if the dam emergency button is working at all. A simple text message that appears beside the button that reads 'We have received your call for assistance and help is on the way' would do wonders for a deaf person trapped alone and pannicking. This could even be connected to a call centre and be updated from the centre with regular meassages to offer assurance. Anybody else thought of this? Been looking around your blog for a place to put this but can’t find one so I will pop it in here and see where we go with it, feel free to move it if there is a better slot or better still create a new post using this thread.

I an a disability auditor in the UK, part of my job involves inspecting lifts in building for button height, tactile controls etc etc, however, it struck me some time back that while lifts have emergency phones or call buttons to alert somebody in the event of getting stuck in say a broken lift, the controls if pressed by a deaf person offer no assurance that somebody has received the call and knows you are stuck, the deaf user could be stranded there wondering if the dam emergency button is working at all.

A simple text message that appears beside the button that reads ‘We have received your call for assistance and help is on the way’ would do wonders for a deaf person trapped alone and pannicking. This could even be connected to a call centre and be updated from the centre with regular meassages to offer assurance.

Anybody else thought of this?

]]> By: Editor http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-23535 Editor Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:30:32 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-23535 Your blog is great- this is just the sort of thing that would be great on Firelink.com. If you're interested please email us at info@firelink.com- hope to hear from you! Your blog is great- this is just the sort of thing that would be great on Firelink.com. If you’re interested please email us at info@firelink.com- hope to hear from you!

]]> By: Glen http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-23393 Glen Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:44:48 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-23393 How great that you took an RIT class. If only you could hear calls for help, the sound of an impending collapse or the sound of a downed firefighter's PASS sounding. I'm in favor of giving everyone a chance but not if the risk of your "reasonable accommodation" places others in harm's way. This is more PCBS. How great that you took an RIT class. If only you could hear calls for help, the sound of an impending collapse or the sound of a downed firefighter’s PASS sounding. I’m in favor of giving everyone a chance but not if the risk of your “reasonable accommodation” places others in harm’s way.
This is more PCBS.

]]> By: Susan http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-23151 Susan Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:38:34 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-23151 Hats off to you for putting aside other peoples biases and reaching for your goals! Hats off to you for putting aside other peoples biases and reaching for your goals!

]]> By: William http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-22775 William Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:51:25 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-22775 HI, I was reading an old debate posted online firehouse forum and i notice you said that you passed your fireone course , I know as well as you do that interior fire fighting is off limits but tell me if you were to go on a hazmat call are you allowed to pack up ? I recently passed my EVOC course in Md but im am having a n issue of radio communications . Needless to say brought up some old wounds please email me at billyboy14623@hotmail.com Thanks HI,

I was reading an old debate posted online firehouse forum and i notice you said that you passed your fireone course , I know as well as you do that interior fire fighting is off limits but tell me if you were to go on a hazmat call are you allowed to pack up ? I recently passed my EVOC course in Md but im am having a n issue of radio communications . Needless to say brought up some old wounds please email me at billyboy14623@hotmail.com
Thanks

]]> By: Mary Wilson http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-22618 Mary Wilson Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:15:57 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-22618 I can see why they are acting that way. I have noticed that alot of people who are hearing they tend to feel embarrassed when they meet a Deaf or Hard-Of-Hearing person. I felt that way when I went to the store and Deaf people were signing. Now I feel different because I was in a situation where I ws a foster sister and the 3 kids could hear but couldn't talk I started to learn Sign Language and I love it. I also see what is happening with the person who wrote the blog up at the top. I suggest that he tells the people who are acting like that tell them to STOP. People act on impulse and usually don't think. Make them think about what they are doing,they are hurting him by shutting him out. I can see why they are acting that way. I have noticed that alot of people who are hearing they tend to feel embarrassed when they meet a Deaf or Hard-Of-Hearing person. I felt that way when I went to the store and Deaf people were signing. Now I feel different because I was in a situation where I ws a foster sister and the 3 kids could hear but couldn’t talk I started to learn Sign Language and I love it.

I also see what is happening with the person who wrote the blog up at the top. I suggest that he tells the people who are acting like that tell them to STOP. People act on impulse and usually don’t think. Make them think about what they are doing,they are hurting him by shutting him out.

]]> By: Ryan Balboa http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-22424 Ryan Balboa Fri, 16 May 2008 06:41:16 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-22424 I think this is totally wrong. I am a firefighter and I am deaf in my left ear but my dept doesn't know or atleast I don't think they know. I do the job just fine and I am moving my way up the ranks. I tried going career for the county I volunteer in and they said no because of my condition which I totally ridiculous and I think they are discriminating because of embarassment or something. Just keep on fighting and don't let it bother you. Use your curse as a gift. I think this is totally wrong. I am a firefighter and I am deaf in my left ear but my dept doesn’t know or atleast I don’t think they know. I do the job just fine and I am moving my way up the ranks.

I tried going career for the county I volunteer in and they said no because of my condition which I totally ridiculous and I think they are discriminating because of embarassment or something. Just keep on fighting and don’t let it bother you. Use your curse as a gift.

]]> By: Really? http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-22240 Really? Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:58:36 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-22240 Chesire Cat, How pathetic of too many volunteer firefighters undermine other hard-working deaf volunteers from being part of the community to fight off fires! Why bother to volunteer if the bunch of people do not want you or other deaf volunteer firefighters. How resilent and persisent you and other deaf volunteer firefighters have been. Keep fighting to prove how worthy you and other deaf firefighters! If not possible for all of you, deaf firefighters to resolve this systematic prejudice and harassment. Let's call the deaf militants to kick their rear sides for all good! Chesire Cat,

How pathetic of too many volunteer firefighters undermine other hard-working deaf volunteers from being part of the community to fight off fires!

Why bother to volunteer if the bunch of people do not want you or other deaf volunteer firefighters.

How resilent and persisent you and other deaf volunteer firefighters have been. Keep fighting to prove how worthy you and other deaf firefighters!

If not possible for all of you, deaf firefighters to resolve this systematic prejudice and harassment. Let’s call the deaf militants to kick their rear sides for all good!

]]> By: Karen Putz / DeafMom http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-22239 Karen Putz / DeafMom Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:04:20 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/deaffirefighter/2008/04/21/we-have-met-the-enemy-and-he-is-us/#comment-22239 This reminds me of an article I read about a doctor who is blind-- she's required to prove herself over and over each time, to prove that she's capable of holding that degree that says "Doctor" on it. The same thing for an ER nurse that I know-- the docs who know her leave her alone and know she can do the job, but she has to keep proving herself to the new docs who come in each time... This reminds me of an article I read about a doctor who is blind– she’s required to prove herself over and over each time, to prove that she’s capable of holding that degree that says “Doctor” on it.

The same thing for an ER nurse that I know– the docs who know her leave her alone and know she can do the job, but she has to keep proving herself to the new docs who come in each time…

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