Growing Awareness of Sign Language

Uber is Partnering with Communication Service for the Deaf

Ubering and Lyfting is not only a trend by now, but it is a great tool for many. Everyone around the world is constantly on the go and using Uber as a quick and cheap transportation alternative. Do you? Most of us communicate with our Uber drivers with ease, verbally. However, have you ever drive with a driver that did not speak your language? You probably used google translate. What would you do if your driver is Deaf or hard of hearing driver? How would you communicate with him or her?

I recently received an email from Uber which made me and many others, happy! Uber’s app will be providing video support guides in American Sign Language. The app contains short videos of a man and woman signing simple words such as: HELLO, THANK YOU, PLEASE, and your spelled name. It is a great tool to use even when not driving just to practice spelling your name.

Uber’s partnership with the Deaf community comes at the perfect time when Deaf awareness is at its peak. It comes at a time when Deaf advocate Nyle Dimarco has won both America’s Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars as the first ever Deaf male, changing the perception many have on Deaf people. As well as the increase number of baby sign language classes and courses being offered which is creating a big impact in the parenting community teaching parents the importance and benefits of language acquisition.

It’s amazing to see ASL being recognized not only as a legitimate language but also as a culture with a proud and empowering community of distinct individuals.

If you ever enter your Uber or Lyft car and your driver is Deaf or hard of hearing:

• Don’t become flustered or anxious! It may be a little shocking at first and that is ok. Note that Deaf people are great drivers, just because they can’t hear does not mean their driving skills are impaired. Deaf drivers are cautions and their visual perception has been heightened as a result of being Deaf.

• Use the Uber app! The app will notify you that your driver is indeed Deaf or hard of hearing, which does not mean you will have a difficult situation but rather a different and new experience on your Uber drive. The app even invites you to start a conversation with your driver by teaching you how to sign a couple words such as your name, hello, thank you, turn left/right, yes, no, goodbye.

• Enjoy the ride! By now you will have learned a couple signs through either the app or your driver. It’s a new and fun experience that you can tell your family and friends about and might even spark some motivation to learn more signs or even take a sign language class.