Public Events Should Remember the Deaf

I am the proud father of a terrific 8-year-old boy. He also happens to be profoundly deaf and communicates solely through the use of sign language. Every year we look forward to attending the Point Mugu Air Show, and in most years past we’ve been fortunate to have a sign language interpreter at the event, provided by the base.

We were disappointed to discover at last year’s show that there was no interpreter, and because of that, I started to make some calls to the base about two weeks before this year’s event. I had hoped to find out if they would have an interpreter but could never get an answer.

Well, I took my son and his deaf friend to the Point Mugu 50th Anniversary Air Show and, unfortunately for the second year in a row, they had no interpreter for the deaf. Fortunately for my son and his buddy, my signing skills are passable enough for them to get the gist of what was happening. But what about the dozens of other deaf folk we saw at the show? Who told them what type of jet was flying by? Or what direction to look for the next stunt? Or why the runway had just burst into flames and black smoke?

It’s sad to think that even though this was a government-sponsored event, and even though the Americans With Disabilities Act is almost seven years old, people with hearing impairments--who are vital members of our community--are still being ignored or excluded.

I guess I’ll start working now on getting an interpreter for next year’s show.

NICK SPINA

Ventura