Human Rights and Awareness For The Deaf Not Just During Times Of Crisis

International Week of the Deaf

Human Rights and Awareness For The Deaf Not Just During Times Of Crisis

Social distancing and mask mandates are especially important during these unprecedented times. However, face coverings have unintended consequences for vulnerable populations causing discrimination against those who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Healthcare workers, educators, and business organizations can reduce barriers to inclusion for the deaf and hard-of-hearing by providing an inclusive environment that supports the rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals by using an ADA effective face covering. The ability to read lips and see facial cues enables those who are deaf and hard of hearing to thrive and reach their full potential while maximizing their participation and contribution to society.

Face coverings also impact other visual communicators like individuals with learning disabilities, autism, dementia in aging populations, developmental language disorders in young children, and other types of communication disorders.

The International Week of Deaf People (IWDP) is an initiative of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and was first launched in 1958 in Rome, Italy. It is celebrated annually by the global Deaf Community during  the last full week of September to commemorate the same month the first World Congress of the WFD was held.

The IWDP is celebrated through various activities by Deaf Communities all around the world. These activities and events welcome the participation of all members of deaf communities, which include families of deaf people, professional and accredited sign language interpreters, peers, as well as the involvement of various stakeholders such as national governments, national and international human rights organizations, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities.

Safe’N’Clear, Inc. is a woman-owned, deaf owned company founded in 2012, with the goal of helping members of the deaf and hard of hearing community realize their full human rights with the use of an FDA approved, ADA effective surgical grade medical mask designed exclusively for visual communication.