Finding My Way

By Kaycee Summers

While I attended several different programs for students with hearing loss during my elementary and middle school years (center-based, my neighborhood school and a school for the Deaf), for high school I was “mainstreamed”. I was the only deaf individual attending my local school and one of only a few with hearing loss in the entire school district. I struggled all through school with accommodations and appropriate class placement. High school was no different.

Growing up, I was often asked what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go to college. I wasn’t sure. During high school especially, I felt as if my life was at a crossroads. I was unsure of my own identity and my ‘deaf’ status. I knew I wanted to go to college but I was scared of graduating; I saw the world as a cruel place for those with hearing loss. While in high school, I applied at hundreds of places for part-time work, and faced regular rejection. I was unclear about my options for college, career and other opportunities for a deaf person.

In my junior year, I attended a summer program called Explore Your Future (EYF) at the National Institute for the Deaf (NTID), one of the colleges at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, New York. During the week at EYF, I was able to sample different potential careers, meet many different deaf/hard of hearing students from all over the nation, and learn about RIT/NTID. I discovered that we were a varied group with different life journeys and backgrounds, but sharing one goal in common: attempting to navigate our future. It was very empowering.

I fell in love with RIT/NTID after my week at EYF. I applied to RIT instantly as I knew that the campus was the perfect fit for me. I received my acceptance on Christmas Day; it was the best Christmas present! Fast forward to high school graduation, now I was excited to start my next chapter. I was no longer dreading graduation because I knew where I wanted to be. I was headed to a place of opportunities.

Freshman orientation week was overwhelming with so many incoming students just like me, starting a new big step in this adventure we call life. 16,000 other undergraduates started along with me. What I didn’t realize was that I now had more access to my education and campus life than I had ever had before. I could choose between a sign language interpreter or live captioning along with a trained note-taker for each class. RIT had many events, clubs, guest speakers and other events on campus, and I could request access services for all of them. I could even request an interpreter to attend my group project meeting. I was fine with the school size; I was overwhelmed at how accessible everything was and how ‘normal’ and included I felt. For the first time since I could remember, I did not have to fight for accommodations or class placement, and I didn’t have to educate anyone on hearing loss and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) law. It was a dream.

Along the way, I met so many individuals with hearing loss who have had an impact on society, helping to break down barriers for themselves and clear the path for future generations. These role models have helped me get to where I am today.

Coming from a community with little knowledge of deafness and little access to inclusion of daily life situations, moving to Rochester was a culture shock to me. I went from having to have my family be my “go-between” to a place where everywhere I went, people knew at least basic signs such as “thank you”, “can I help you” and “have a good day”. Whether I declared my hearing loss or not, everywhere and everyone was so accommodating. Restaurants, stores, and other businesses have many visual boards and signage with announcements to ensure that no one is missing out on information. Medical facilities have interpreters on call that show up within 15 minutes or less. I felt a wonderful sense of independence and was very comfortable in my new community.

As my final year creeped up on me, I needed an internship to complete my degree requirements.  I flashed back to my experiences in high school. Would anyone want me as an intern because of my hearing loss? I had gotten so used to access at NTID that I worried I would not receive the same accommodations through the internship or in future employment. I applied to several places and secured an interview with the New York State Division of Human Rights (NYSDHR) as a Human Rights Intern.

After the interview was scheduled, I declared my hearing loss and asked for accommodations for the interview process. I had a Video Relay Interpreter (VRI) on my laptop throughout the interview. When offered the intern position, my supervisor asked what kind of accommodations I needed to allow me to do my job as an equal member of the staff. I received a work cell phone with access to a VRI provider so I could make and receive phone calls from clients. My supervisor and co-workers were always ready with pen and paper for interactions and questions. When I had intake meetings or meetings with a client and lawyers, I had access to VRI for the entire duration of the meeting. I worked with three different interns who were so accepting of my hearing loss. They helped me when I had communication barriers. I even became really good friends with one of the interns after the internship ended!

As an NYSDHR intern, I was responsible for answering phone calls, conducting case analysis and briefs, maintaining client intakes, assisting clients with filling out their complaints, and investigating cases and other evidence to determine whether there was probable cause that an act of discrimination had occurred, which is a violation of basic human rights. As a part of case investigation, I partook in meetings with clients–the person who filed the complaint, and respondents–the organization or company that the case was filed against, along with their lawyers if they had one. The meetings were never with both the respondent and the complainant together, but individually held. We made recommendations for further action if it was determined that there was probable cause that discrimination occurred. I have learned that while we are in the 21st century and have progressed a lot as a society, discrimination still occurs all over.

I proudly graduated Cum Laude from RIT this past spring and am now enrolled in a Masters Program. RIT/NTID provided me with the resources, access, opportunities and education which has shaped me into the person I am today. I discovered myself and my Deaf identity. I gained life-time role models, networking professionals, a wonderful education, professional work experience and most importantly, confidence and independence. I understand what accommodations are available, and which work best for me. I no longer worry “who will hire me, and what job I can get?” but rather enjoy my new reality: “Which job offer is best for me and which should I take?” I am ready to take on the world!  ~

Editor’s note: The author grew up in Colorado and was active in Colorado H&V. She’ll be visiting her birth state and surrounding region on behalf of RIT/NTID for the 2019-20 school year.