Kathie says:

Hi!

On behalf of all of the normal “Kathy/Kathie’s” of the world I’d like to apologize for how you were treated by that woman. We `Kathy/Kathie spelled with a `K“ girls are of a different breed than those who spell their names with a `C`

There is absolutely no excuse for her behaviour towards you and the Deaf Community, especially considering that she works in Human Resources!

Like the others have said before you, go and file that complaint, not only with the BBB but also your local human rights commission and labour relations board… this sort of thing should not be tolerated!

Deaf Pixie says:

cuong aka buzz,

I don’t agree with you about one number should not remove posted. Let Cathy or Don J Young’s business failed of A.D.A and EECO,too.

I think bad idea to removed the posted that Geo made a posted.

Think about Employment office told him to remove their post by Don J Young’s business. They will find out later about Cathy’s comment is very discrinination!

Make sense? :???:

h... says:

this vlog brought up my old job-hunting memories. I had few encounters like that. Made me mad. :mad: After rejections from about 20 companies, I finally found a job at a college. I dont work there anymore. I now have a different job with a nonprofit agency. Hopefully I continue working there till I retire because I dont want to start over. I believe it is FAR harder to find another one nowdays. Anyway, dont give up, keep plugging, dude.

Jo says:

Ya know I thought a lot about this situation. Geo you also know I always think about every situation you have and will encounter, in your daily “got to do” things. This is not new to you and it WILL happen again. I also know you love your vlog and someday your dream is to do this full time WELL……….As usual I have a suggestion. (have you ever known me not to have one? LOL)
It seems to me that the public so desparately needs to understand the “deaf”. Have you ever even considered this: Now I am not so sure how to go about this but I think if you are interested we can all put our thinking caps together and figure out where to start. How about finding companies, schools, government offices, hospitals, anyplace where the average person has contact with. Set up speaking engagements. You be the voice of the deaf. You show them that being deaf does not warrant discrimination. This can always start out as a freeby or perhaps a donation and work its way up to it being money. Believe me Jack and I know people that do this and they make thousands. This way not only would you be out educating the world you could also put plugs in for your vlog. AND make money too boot! Let me know all what you think and OH yeah…..you too Geo. You know I raised you to believe you have no handicap because of your deafness..you have advantage and to always use it, when warrented! You go Geo. I luv ya

Jrae says:

I agree 100% with LaRonda (#13) and Jo (#66). The hearing world needs education about deaf people. There are programs teaching about other cultures in schools aren’t there? Are there programs given about Deaf culture? I don’t think so.

Local libraries often have special programs around February to celebrate Black History Month and many have expanded to include other cultures, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen Deaf Culture included in any of these. Maybe Deaf Culture events could be tied into these programs already in place. Or maybe Deaf History Month (March 13- April 15) might be a good time to begin the process.

I hate to admit this, but until a year ago I was totally unaware of d/Deaf culture – TOTALLY – and I’m over 50 years old! (But in my defense, I’d never met a deaf person to interact with before and never needed to know about Deaf Culture, and was never exposed to deaf history or culture in school.) One year ago I started to take ASL classes because I work with a deaf man and wanted to be able to chat with him. That’s when I started to learn about deaf history and culture. I was shocked that I had never been taught about this before… shocked!… and then embarrassed. How could be as old as I am and be so totally clueless. I wondered … am I the only hearing person so uninformed? Well, I found out my husband was equally clueless and when I asked around at work, I found that most of my co-workers were as ignorant as I. Sad, but true … You have a great personality and outlook and might be just the person to help bridge this gap through education. Good luck Geo in whatever you do!

L says:

Geo,
I didn’t mean to walk into THAT company but I do agree with someone else’s comment who said that you should send your resume in telling them how you could benefit their company AND how you would overcome any barriers they might perceive. I know that it is not right what they did but in order to educate you have to deal with the stupid questions and deal with those who THINK you can’t do a job as well as a hearing person. You have to be the bigger person and show them that you are personable, intelligent and MORE than capable, that being Deaf has no bearing on whether or not you can do a good job. Even though it is easier to be mad and want to put in complaints (which is also good) I wish you would send the company a letter and a resume showing them what a great candidate they passed up because they were incapable of looking past the Deaf part of you. REmember Cathy is only the HR person but may not represent the way the whole company thinks. Perhaps the Big Boss needs to receive your letter and resume so he/she knows what is going on. Yes complain to BBB and to the employment agency but take steps to educate by showing them what you can do….no you don’t have to want to work there to do that. It is easy for people to discriminate not just against Deaf but to judge those of colour, weight, sex, sexual orientation but if those who are “different” don’t take the moral higher ground then we all end up frustrated and no one changes because we don’t know any better. Cathy just is narrow minded and has no idea how you could work in that environment,,, you need to tell those kind of people how you could. Ask to send in your resume, tell them you are Deaf and also tell them how it should be no concern to them when considering you for a job. The job market is tough and yes there are ignorant people out there but you just need to be the kind of person who is willing to take the time to educate so that hearing people will understand. Truly if you are not taught you cannot know. Deaf culture is not widely known but in order to teach others you need to be willing to also accept those with faults, who are ignorant as to how you could possibly perform the job. Do I make sense? I know what I want to say but it is hard to get down in this forum. You appear to be so friendly and personable and adaptable and prospective Job people need to see that too. When they just hear you are Deaf they are frightened.. and have no idea how THEY would deal with it. Discrimination is wrong but if you give people the knowledge then maybe they will see Deaf people in a different way. Truly I wish you the best in this difficult time looking for a job and hope you understand what I mean when I sat hearing people act ignorant because THEY are afraid of how to overcome the language barrier. Some are just plain ignorant no excuses too but many just need to work along side a Deaf person or have a positive experience with Deaf to change how they think.

Anonymous says:

:mrgreen:

Jo says:

Hey just one more quick reason to hire deaf people! Their productivity far surpases those of the “hearing” population. WHY??? Think about it. How ,amy tmes does a hearing person stop and to talk, to listen or visit their coworkers. How much time is wasted on gossip. How many times are hearing workers interupted by noise, ringing of their phones or like i said just to listen. Does a deafie do this?? That is why at Geo’s last job they hate to see him go. He ALWAYS turned in the workload of anywhere from 3-6 other workers combined. This is a stated fact about him by a superior to me. So in the end they do not hire 1 deafie how many hearing do they need?

Deaf Pixie says:

Shoot, I mean I say earlier about Deaf Employment.. it is not right grammer. :oops: I mean to say “Deaf employer.” The Employment office often cluess about deafie.

Jrae says:

Jo & Deaf Pixie — I am not angry with your comments, but I just want to make this point, because I see this happen all of the time between different groups and types of people. Please be careful not to lump all people into the same category. I agree many hearing people do spend too much time not being productive at work, but this is not a function of their hearing, it is a function of their work ethics and personality. I am hearing and I do not spend company time gossiping and goofing off. I only know 2 deaf people. Each of them is totally different. One is a very hard worker and the other is a goof off. If I judged all deaf people by the example of the person who goofs off, I’d think all deaf people are bad workers who would rather spend their time text-messaging and playing computer games instead of being a productive employee. I KNOW this is not true. Each person (hearing or deaf, straight or gay, black or white, etc.) has their own personality and value system. We should not judge an entire group on the actions of a few. Peace.

Deaf Pixie says:

Jrae,

Well, you are correct. I never work with other deafie again. I have bad experienced and I like to be alone and working.

Some deafie sometime not being honesty with hearing. I think what I think about Jo’s comment is part of true,too.

We are not perfectistion to debate to against deaf employee or hearing employee to against Deaf. That’s depend on what is the case of gossiped. I once learn about co worker stabbed my back. I was stunned. It is not acceptable to label on me. it was very nasty message. I know it is hard to hear what the person say about me nasty. I moved on.. the co work is no longer work and left because of me. I have no idea why co work need to attack on hearing or deaf employee.

Time to change and move on and doing your best as you can.

Thank you for sharing!

Jo says:

re: deaf person that has a job………..
Sounds like you need a nap. Are you always this angry? Just reading your comments I hear the nager in your writings. I hope something nice happens to you soon so you can put on a Happy Face. :lol:

Deaf person that has a job's supervisor says:

Seek Geo,

My colleagues has brought your dilemma with a recent incident to my attention.

I want to assure everyone that “deaf person that has a job,” isn’t an angry person. I personally can’t see her angry as I have known her for many years.

But I do understand your and hers perspective… so I will try to be fair and present some good information below :o)

I think her intentions was to try to help out with brainstorming some ideas how we could fight an ignorant society unfortunately is a rampant problem infecting the global environment.

I have been slapped in my face with discrimination on a regular basis. I think your situation is relatively common what the average Deaf person goes through at least once in their lifetime, if not more.

I do feel your frustration, believe me and we have a dream together to overcome such ignorance in this world.

I thought what would help (Of course reflecting based on my opinion and experience) plus I have worked for a Disability Law Firm in the past as a legal advocate for the Deaf and also work as a CDI in many situations.

I know it is a disgusting world out there but if we take steps to do something about it… the world would probably be a better place.

1) It sounds like Cathy has no experience in working with Deaf people and probably is totally clueless about the ADA, Section 504, etc.

Often, whomever answers the phone is normally an entry-level person.

Be honest how much would that person be familiar with the laws? Sure, there will be times that the person is familiar but often that is not the case.

2) Normally it is always recommended when a person applies for a job is when they call any company is to directly ask for the HR Department and explain that you are interested in applying for a position.

Sometimes it helps to send a resume via online first without identifying being Deaf at first.

3) If the HR Department gets your resume and realizes that you are Deaf… of course each Deaf person has two simple options (1) I would like to request a sign language interpreter for an interview OR (2) I feel comfortable communicating on my own.

4) If the HR doesn’t seem to be knowledgable about the law, then bring it up gently that there is the ADA Title III or Section 504 which requires reasonable accommodations to establish effective communication.

I find that if you speak gently and nice, it is almost a very good chance that you can what you need.

Keep in mind that hiring an interpreter is one of the options of auxiliary aids under the ADA.

A company may say that writing/typing back and forth may be effective communication.

Of course, we know that often that is not the case.

We have to convince why an interpreter is important for effective communication especially a job interview.

5) If the person in HR gives you a hard time, always ask for a supervisor and keep escalating until the top HR person of that particular company.

If you reach a road block then you definitely have pretty good case to file a complaint with EEOC or DOJ.

6) Always keep a log of whom you spoke with, date, time, and what did you discuss about.

You might need that information when you file a complaint with EEOC or DOJ.

Yes, a lot of companies are terrible following the law but there are many good guys out there as well.

I want you to know that my team is in full support of your situation and wish you the best in securing a job.

I hope you do overcome what Cathy did was wrong and follow up with appropriate resolution (i.e. speaking to a supervisor, filing a complaint, etc.)

I wish you the best in finding a job and knowing you will succeed!