#raimi

Hi!

For Deaf people, this is an overwhelmingly positive change. Using a naturally accessible language for otherwise-abled Deaf people means equal access in basically every area of life. Communication is the most challenging barrier for most d/Deaf people navigating a hearing-majority world, and having everyone sign lowers that barrier significantly.

You can look into real-life examples of this like Martha's Vineyard if you want some historical inspiration. Hearing people would sign even when deaf people weren't present--it wasn't just signing for access, Deaf culture was part of the island's culture.

Blind accessibility gets a little more complex. Sign language can be and is adaptable to blind people: tactile sign language, haptics, and Protactile being the major techniques. (DeafBlind people do have their own unique culture and accessibility challenges related to dual sensory loss.)

Deaf spaces tend to be more accessible to other disabled people since many disabilities are comorbid with hearing loss. However, sometimes designs with Deaf accessibility in mind can neglect Blind accessibility. (A prominent one being light alarms with no audio component.)

The best way to make a world accessible to Deaf, Blind, and DeafBlind people is to have visual, auditory, and tactile cues for information readily accessible and available. Normalize interpreter teams for specialized needs (eg., haptics or Protactile), and the use of Deaf or Blind accessibility accommodations by abled individuals.

Finished Doc Ock portrait (number 7)

Day 4 of drawing 100 pieces of OC art until I reach critical mass

- jax (fictive)