I am 17 years old, and both of my parents are deaf (mom and step father). I have personally seen how often deaf individuals are overlooked in everyday situations. Whether in schools, stores, hospitals, Airports, or public places, many people simply don’t know how to communicate with someone who is deaf—and that leads to exclusion, frustration, and unequal treatment. My parents, like millions of others, deserve the same respect, access, and understanding as anyone else. But too often, they are ignored, misunderstood, or left out of important conversations simply because accessibility is not prioritized. One major reason for this is lack of education and awareness. We believe this needs to change. 
📚 In Schools We call on schools to: Recognize American Sign Language as a valid language that fulfills graduation requirements Offer ASL classes as part of the standard curriculum
Teach basic deaf awareness and communication skills to all students Schools have the power to create a more inclusive generation.   🏥 In Hospitals & Healthcare This issue becomes even more serious in medical settings. Deaf individuals—especially pregnant women—often face major communication barriers in hospitals and doctor’s offices. Without qualified interpreters, patients may: Struggle to understand their medical care. Be unable to fully express their needs.

Feel excluded from important decisions about their own bodies. This can lead to fear, confusion, and situations where care does not fully reflect what the patient wants. We call on healthcare providers to ensure consistent access to qualified interpreters or reliable communication services so deaf patients receive safe, respectful, and fully informed care.   ✈️ In Airports & Travel Air travel can be especially stressful for deaf individuals. Important updates—like gate changes, delays, or boarding announcements—are often made over loudspeakers with little to no visual backup. Without clear visual alerts, deaf passengers may: Miss flight changes or boarding calls Become confused or delayed while traveling
Feel anxious and excluded in already stressful situations We call on airports and airlines to improve accessibility by providing clear visual announcements, captioned screens, and better communication support for deaf travelers. 
🏪 In Public Places & Everyday Life Deaf individuals also face challenges in daily situations, including: Stores and restaurants where staff cannot communicate effectively
Emergency situations where critical information is not accessible
Lack of captions or visual alerts in public spaces
Being ignored or spoken around instead of directly to them These barriers make everyday life harder than it should be. 
⚖️ Our Call to Action We call for: Greater accessibility in schools, healthcare, Airports, and public spaces. Better education on deaf awareness
. Wider use of interpreters, captions, and communication tools This is not just about language—it’s about equality, safety, and respect. 
Everyone deserves to be heard, understood, and included.