SAN ANTONIO – Emma Faye Rudkin, a two-time former Miss San Antonio and founder of the nonprofit Aid the Silent, is speaking out against the neglect deaf people and those with hearing disabilities are facing during COVID-19.
Through her social media platforms, Rudkin is challenging businesses and person who can hear clearly to show their lips and join the movement #ClearToBeClear.
“I’m not asking (people) to not wear a mask. I’m promoting that they wear a clear mask,” Rudkin said. “If that’s not an option, then (businesses and individuals can) come up with a different way to communicate.”
Clear face masks have become readily available online, including Aid the Silent’s website. Participants are asked to take a selfie wearing their clear face covering and post a picture on social media using the hashtag #ClearToBeClear and #ShowYourLips.
In an emotional video shared last week on Rudkin’s Facebook page, she shared her frustrations while interacting with those who wear a face covering, as she claims it was left her feeling isolated and mistreated by business.
“What is happening in our world is (we’re) not being aware of people with disabilities,” Rudkin said on her Facebook video. “We’re not being involved in a conversation on how to protect and advocate (our community with disabilities).”
Rudkin’s 12-minute video comes after her negative experience during COVID-19 while visiting a gym where she’s a member. The name of the gym was never disclosed by her.
“They kept changing the the rules,” Rudkin said. “So, I don’t understand what’s happening. It’s not on the website.”
She asks businesses to update their signage daily if there’s been a change.
“Please, try to explain to me what’s happening,” Rudkin said.
Rudkin is now using her own experiences to draw attention to the violation of the American with Disabilities Act or ADA that some businesses and hearing people may unknowingly be committing.
“Literally, it feels like our independence (for deaf or hard of hearing people) has been shipped away from us,” Rudkin said. “Fear, if that motivates us, we lose compassion.”
According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, during the response to any medical disaster setting, including COVID-19, civil rights remain in effect and cannot be waived. To provide effective communication when briefly interacting with deaf or hard of hearing people, the Department of Justice asks people to be willing to exchange notes. According to the ADA’s website, more complicated interactive communications, such as a medical visit, it may be necessary to provide a qualified sign language interpreter.
“We have got to get in the game of not letting this tragedy, the brokenness in our world and the pandemic all the sudden freeze us, and give us the excuse that we don’t need to keep fighting for disabilities,” Rudkin said in her Facebook video.
The #ClearToBeClear movement encourages businesses and hearing persons to purchase a clear masks or clear face shields, write down rules of a business and any updates, caption or interpret virtual information, including on platforms like Instagram or Facebook, and to not refuse service to deaf or hard of hearing people as this directly violates the ADA. Guidelines that follow those released by the Center for Disease and Control on July 14, 2020. Those guidelines can be read here.
Rudkin said clear face masks or shields allow for the deaf and hard of hearing people to read lips and facial expressions that in turn adds meaning and context to the information received. It’s a point that she will be sharing this week with Governor Abbott’s Committee for People with Disabilities as an appointed member.
“Children that have hearing loss and depend upon non-verbal (communication) (and facial expressions) are really going to suffer.,” Rudkin said. “Most of the sign language is happening on the face.” Rudkin also plans to submit a request for accommodations to be granted for people with disabilities in public spaces, such as grocery stores.
For the ADA’s requirements for effective communication, click here.
For more on Aid the Silent’s mission to advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing community, click here.
