Home of the Free and the Brave...

 7/5/2022

Independence Day here in the United States of America is celebrated annually on July 4th. There are many patriotic songs American citizens enjoy the feeling of patriotic pride. Facebook is a widely used social media along with Twitter, Instagram, and so forth. One day, I was scrolling on my Facebook feed. One of my cousins' wife posted a photo of a simple white background with thick black font stating "Home of the free and of the brave".  The light turned on brightly realizing that with all of the rights we have been fighting for - freedom in the old days. It was for the way of life such as religious choice. Up to now, women fought for the right to vote, black fought for civil rights, slavery was freed, LGBTQ+ fought for their identity rights, American citizens fought for their children's education rights (IDEA), and now reproduction rights. 

There are so many more to fight for. Deaf/HH people and American Sign Language (ASL). 

Deaf/HH people want to work. They still struggle to be employed to this day. They applied for so many positions and still see the positions still being open and/or choosing hearing employees. They were rejected literally almost every job they applied. 

ASL is allowed in some places and a few places would discourage it.  Although ASL is becoming a highly popular foreign language taken by college and High School students throughout the country,  Deaf people struggle to be employed because of their hearing status. I applaud companies that were willing to hire a Deaf/HH employee. 

What are the benefits of having Deaf employees? 

1. They have wider perspectives
2. They have good eye and hand coordination
3. They have good dexterities 
4. They are sensitive to movements
5. Their feeling and touch sensories are stronger
6. They can read and write along with knowing ASL
7. They can help other Deaf clients
8. They are great with forklift machinery
9. They are usually good with technology

To thank businesses and organizations that employ Deaf/HH people. Let's recognize companies that had hired Deaf/HH employees in the past and present. What companies had Deaf/HH employees: 

1. Kodak
2. IBM
3. HP
4. SAIF Corporation
5. USPS
6. Amazon
7. State and federal jobs
8. UPS
9. Fedex
10. Printing companies 
11. Video communication companies (Purple, Convo, Sorenson, etc.)
12. Northwest Human Services
13. Bridges Oregon
14. Colleges and Universities:
1. Portland State University
2. Portland Community College
3. Tillamook Bay Community College
4. Iowa Central Community College
5. New Mexico Central Community College
6. Linn-Benton Community College
7. Western Oregon University
8. Gallaudet University
9. and many more
15. Salem-Keizer schools
16. Portland Public Schools (apparently they just hire Deaf/HH assistants - not teachers) 
17. Santiam Hospital
18. 7-11 Gas Station in Keizer, Oregon
19. Safeway
20. Create A Memory, Salem, Oregon
21. Target
22. Woodstock Coffee, Portland, Oregon

I feel that recognizing businesses that are not Deaf owned hire Deaf/HH employees would make a difference. I feel with the number of growing ASL learners can utilize their ASL skills applying for a position at these businesses. Deaf/HH people would have a good place to work and they would be able to work with other ASL users. 

Let's fight for Deaf/HH people's rights to work by recognizing these businesses. The federal laws aren't helping much. The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination including hearing. 

This also will help Deaf/HH prospective employees to find ASL-friendly jobs. 

Please feel free to email me to add the list on employers who would hire Deaf/HH employees. funkbekka@gmail.com