Policy and Governance

Voting is how we select our leaders and our government officials. It is incredibly important to ensure that as a collective, our voices are heard and we have some say in what happens. It is our way of supporting our democracy.  There are many ways we can extend suffrage such as preventing voter suppression by repealing discriminatory voting laws and ending voter intimidation. You can get involved with your local politics by keeping track of the bills that are currently being discussed. Get involved with communities in need so that you have a more well rounded understanding of what those communities need and how you can help their voices be heard. You can also donate or volunteer with voting rights groups and encourage those around you to vote! I think for us as future interpreters, this would require us to find out how to be an ally to the Deaf community. Not just an ally, but an effective one. We need to fight against things like the government trying to overturn Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which is currently happening. I am registered to vote, and have and will continue to motivate my loved ones to ensure their voices are heard and we are aiming to help others. 

     For this prompt I decided to research Jean Massieu School of the Deaf (JMS). I achieved this through the USDB  and Utah Deaf History websites. Their goal is to celebrate all communication modalities and to encourage students to discover what education works the best for them. They are providing resources to Deaf children and the Deaf community as a whole. One person stated that the creation of this school saved their family from having to decide between mainstreaming their Deaf children or moving out of state to be able to attend a Deaf school. They also work closely with mentors in the Parent Infant Program (PIP) which advocates for Deaf and HOH infants, and their hearing parents. This program guides these likely overwhelmed parents and helps them not only understand their options for their Deaf child as they approach a school age, but also allows them the opportunity to learn ASL through a Deaf mentor. This, in turn, provides more jobs within the Deaf community. This organization has been fundamental to the community as a whole. 

     Because JMS advocates for the Deaf community, policy and governance is a large part of that. According to a 2020 article, JMS merged with Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind (USDB) in 2006 to ensure more educational options for their communities. However, an issue arose in which students who scored above 85% on their academic tests were required to then switch to a mainstream school where they may not have an interpreter. This caused them to jump into action and change the policies in place. In 2009 HB 296 passed legislation which then allowed education freedom and choice for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students. 

     I have volunteered with JMS in the past, and had a great experience. That was where I first learned about the PIP, which I found fascinating. I really admire this organization and all they have done, so I would absolutely work with them again in the future.