When the deaf world first came into my field of vision, I found it scary to start a conversation with a deaf person. I experienced a high threshold. That's why I have a lot of understanding for hearing people who also suffer from that threshold. But let's please work together to lower those thresholds! Because that is sorely needed, as I discovered recently.
At Utrecht Central Station, I walked to the toilets. Two police officers arrived at the same time as me. The toilet attendant pointed to a man and said, “That's the man. He's deaf...” Later, I found out that this deaf man had been caught doing something illegal. That's why the police had been called.
Help, a deaf man
But here's the thing. One of the police officers replied: “Oh, is he deaf? Well, there's nothing we can do about that. Just let him go.” For a moment, I thought: did I hear that right? Yes, I did! Those words, ‘there's nothing we can do about that,’ still echo in my head. How can you say that?
It sounds like you're talking about something worthless that you can just toss aside: we can't do anything with that. The police could have said something like: Oh, is that man deaf? Well, then we have to we a problem, because we don't know sign language. Those two police officers actually stumbled over the communication barrier they hit head-on.
Sign Language
Dutch Sign Language has been an officially recognised language since 2021. The House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously (!) passed a law to this effect. It is understandable that not all hearing people will be proficient in sign language within a few years. But at the very least, one would expect a respectful response from people who represent the authorities.
I am not writing this blog to cast the police in a bad light. The national police force management has received a letter from me with explanations and the necessary tips. And I trust that they will take action on this. In other countries, all emergency workers and law enforcement officers are required to take a basic course in sign language!
Lowering the threshold
The main purpose of this blog is to make us aware of the communication barrier that many of us often experience when interacting with deaf people. Being aware of this barrier prevents you from responding inappropriately or even condescendingly. It helps you realise that: I First of all, I have a problem! And how do I deal with it?
What helped me enormously was that deaf people helped me overcome my inhibitions. I learned so much from them! “We don't bite, you know.” That's how our attitude apparently comes across to them. So no, don't be afraid of deaf people. And do you find communication difficult? Deaf people understand that better than anyone. And they are very keen to help you learn to communicate with them. Together, we can lower the threshold.
Martin Visser works as a sign language minister for the Interchurch Deaf Ministry and is secretary of the Bijbel NGT foundation.
