A deaf-blind student’s perspective on accessibility - Sanna Paasonen
From Merja Saarela
views
comments
Related Media
1
00:00:04,000 --> 00:00:09,000
Hello everybody, I am Sanna Paasonen.
2
00:00:10,380 --> 00:00:13,500
I’ve been asked to share my personal views on accessibility.
3
00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:20,500
I am currently studying towards my second master’s degree at the University of Jyväskylä.
4
00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:26,500
I completed my previous master’s degree at the same university, graduating in 2008.
5
00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:29,500
My studies for the current degree began a year ago, in autumn 2019.
6
00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:36,000
When I compare my earlier and current studies, I must say that many things have changed now.
7
00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:39,000
I’ve noticed that starting my current studies was much easier.
8
00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:43,500
Today, a lot of information is available in electronic format.
9
00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:47,500
Completing my first degree was really challenging for me
10
00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:50,000
because of my sudden blindness during the first year of studies.
11
00:00:51,000 --> 00:00:55,000
I am congenitally deaf, and Finnish Sign Language is my mother tongue.
12
00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:00,500
So, I mainly use Finnish Sign Language.
13
00:01:01,000 --> 00:01:03,500
At the beginning of my studies, I used the university’s general interpreters.
14
00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:08,500
The following spring I lost my sight. I was even nearly blind,
15
00:01:09,000 --> 00:01:10,500
so I could no longer use the university’s general interpreters.
16
00:01:11,000 --> 00:01:14,500
I had to start ordering educational interpreters for myself.
17
00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:22,500
My educational interpreter’s tasks also include guiding in different learning environments
18
00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:30,480
and describing the environment around me. Or the interpreter describes PowerPoint presentations in lectures.
19
00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:32,000
It means that the interpreter is not only my ears but also my eyes.
20
00:01:38,000 --> 00:01:42,000
Nowadays I have personal interpreters at my disposal right from the beginning.
21
00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:47,000
In addition, I can use so-called verbatim interpreting.
22
00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:59,200
My first degree programme was a class teacher training programme for sign language users.
23
00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:09,000
When I became blind, I moved to groups taught in foreign languages, because this problem was not evident yet, unlike now.
24
00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:11,500
My current major subject is Finnish Sign Language, which is a visual language.
25
00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:16,000
In my major subject, contact teaching is often implemented in Finnish Sign Language.
26
00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:21,400
Teaching would thus normally be based on sight, which would make my situation very difficult. That is why I need verbatim interpreting.
27
00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:34,500
Verbatim interpreting is different from the general idea of interpretation between spoken and signed language, for instance, Finnish Sign Language.
28
00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:41,000
Verbatim interpreting repeats other people’s signed speech for me.
29
00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:47,400
For example, I cannot follow group discussions if I cannot distinguish signing due to the light that comes through the window behind the signer.
30
00:02:48,000 --> 00:02:36,130
Or if the signer is sitting in the dark.
31
00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:55,000
Or if the lecturer is standing too close to the screen, I cannot follow.
32
00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:59,200
That is why I also need verbatim interpreting in sessions provided in sign language.
33
00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:04,200
– Even though Finnish Sign Language is our common language.
34
00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:10,000
In the same way, I need verbatim interpreting in today’s distance learning.
35
00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,000
For example, when people speak at the same time.
36
00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:19,000
It is difficult to follow the discussion because the screens are so small.
37
00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:23,200
I prefer to use verbatim interpreting so that I can focus on one screen.
38
00:03:24,000 --> 00:03:29,000
The interpreters repeat the comments of students and lecturers visible in the other screens.
39
00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:31,000
This makes following easier also for my eyes, compared to having to follow many small screens at the same time.
40
00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:39,200
I earlier mentioned that I have a combined vision and hearing impairment.
41
00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:46,500
It is important to remember that also in Finland we as people with vision and hearing impairments are very different individuals.
42
00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:50,000
There are currently about 800 of us in Finland.
43
00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:52,500
The Finnish Deafblind Association has about 400 members,
44
00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:56,000
most of them older people.
45
00:03:56,500 --> 00:04:07,000
The consequences of vision and hearing impairments vary between individuals, which must be taken into account in solutions related to accessibility.
46
00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,000
You can see that I use Finnish Sign Language.
47
00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,500
That is because I have grown up in an environment where FSL is used as a mother tongue.
48
00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:23,000
Because of my birth deafness and later acquired blindness, my communication has been based on sign language.
49
00:04:24,000 --> 00:04:28,000
Self-expression is also easier for me through a visual sign language.
50
00:04:29,000 --> 00:04:32,000
In teaching sessions and other situations, I express myself through Finnish Sign Language.
51
00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:34,000
It also means that I use sign language interpreting as the interpreting method.
52
00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:39,000
But it is different for people who have grown up in a Finnish-speaking environment
53
00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:42,500
and become visually impaired later in life.
54
00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:45,500
Then their communication method is based on spoken language.
55
00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:51,000
An example is auditory verbatim interpreting.
56
00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,120
Speech-to-text interpreting can also be used
57
00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:57,000
via, for example, computer, with speech-to-text interpreters by your side.
58
00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:02,000
Speech-to-text interpreting can also be used during distance learning.
59
00:05:02,100 --> 00:05:07,000
Let’s get back to this distance learning.
60
00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:16,000
I have noticed the same problem as during my first master’s studies.
61
00:05:17,000 --> 00:05:20,000
It has been especially important for me to get the learning materials before the lectures.
62
00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:25,200
That is because I cannot simultaneously look at the PowerPoint during the lecture.
63
00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:29,110
I have the same problem in distance learning because the background colour is white and the text is black.
64
00:05:32,030 --> 00:05:38,000
For my sight condition, white text on dark background is better.
65
00:05:39,000 --> 00:05:42,410
I use a screen reader on my computer.
66
00:05:42,410 --> 00:05:44,000
In the magnifier application, I can enlarge the font to the appropriate size
67
00:05:45,000 --> 00:05:48,300
or change background and text colours.
68
00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:54,200
Anyway, during distance learning, I can’t change them while I’m also following the interpreter.
69
00:05:57,000 --> 00:06:00,000
If I reverse the colours to read the slide presentation, I can’t see the interpreters.
70
00:06:01,500 --> 00:06:01,700
That is why this is rather challenging.
71
00:06:02,500 --> 00:06:09,380
It would thus be really important to get the materials in advance via email or Moodle.
72
00:06:11,000 --> 00:06:18,040
Going through the materials beforehand makes it easier to follow both face-to-face and distance lectures.
73
00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:28,000
For a sign-language user with a visual impairment, lip-reading has also been difficult.
74
00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:30,000
For example, when using sign language, some things or concepts may be lacking
75
00:06:31,000 --> 00:06:33,450
because I cannot lip-read the differences between concepts.
76
00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:36,350
Also in this case, it is important to get the materials in advance.
77
00:06:37,000 --> 00:06:42,000
This way I can more easily follow the interpreter by linking the new, written concepts to the signs.
78
00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:44,000
Otherwise I may have a hard time keeping up.
79
00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:50,000
Sometimes when my sight is worse or when I’m completely blind, I use sign language in a tactile way,
80
00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:53,300
in other words, as a communication method completely based on the sense of touch.
81
00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,000
Then the information received through the lip area is missing completely.
82
00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:02,310
Again, it is extremely important to receive all the materials in electronic form in advance.
83
00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:11,000
Comparing my first degree studies with my present studies, I am truly happy about the significant improvement regarding access to information.
84
00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,560
Nowadays it is so much easier to get study-related information electronically.
85
00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:21,300
The university library provides plenty of e-books.
86
00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:29,330
Compared to my previous studies, my workload is now more in line with that of other students.
87
00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:34,380
Earlier I had to use a “reading television” for reading.
88
00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:38,000
It was really slow: reading a big font size line by line takes a lot of time.
89
00:07:39,020 --> 00:07:44,360
Students with a visual impairment spend clearly more hours on each course unit than other students do.
90
00:07:45,000 --> 00:07:47,410
One can consequently ask if it is fair.
91
00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:50,000
It is a difficult question
92
00:07:51,000 --> 00:07:53,000
because the situation is inevitably challenging.
93
00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,000
Fortunately, there are e-books that are quicker to read.
94
00:07:57,000 --> 00:08:00,000
Reading is certainly more laborious for us, as well as bound to a physical location.
95
00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:07,000
We cannot relax and read on the sofa but need to sit at a large computer screen
96
00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:12,000
because our sight is not good enough for reading on a phone or tablet.
97
00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:18,000
However, it is a different story if someone can listen via a speech application.
98
00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:25,000
As regards accessibility, it is delightful to notice how easily you can find information on the university website.
99
00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:28,000
For example, the menus.
100
00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:34,000
I don’t always need to ask an interpreter to describe the lunch menu in the queue –
101
00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:38,000
I can check it online in advance.
102
00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:46,520
Easy access to pieces of information also promotes participation.
103
00:08:47,000 --> 00:08:49,000
Earlier, information used to be found in printed form on the walls of the university main building.
104
00:08:50,020 --> 00:08:52,000
I was not able to read it there, so I easily missed things.
105
00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,000
Information must be available in electronic format
106
00:08:57,000 --> 00:09:02,000
so that everyone can choose the most suitable means of receiving the information.
107
00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:05,000
These means include listening to speech,
108
00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,000
visual reading and Braille, among others.
109
00:09:14,000 --> 00:09:15,550
A little more about books. We should remember at least one thing:
110
00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:22,620
If the library of an educational institution does not have a specific e-book or other learning materials,
111
00:09:23,020 --> 00:09:27,080
print-disabled persons can order them from the Celia library.
112
00:09:28,000 --> 00:09:34,000
But the process between ordering and receiving an e-book is rather challenging. It can last as long as three months.
113
00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,000
It would be important to plan early enough what books are needed in each course unit
114
00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:41,000
and use readily available e-books, when possible.
115
00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:44,000
Alternatively, the student or teacher should order the materials in good time.
116
00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:48,370
From the perspective of time management, careful reflection is needed.
117
00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:59,480
Taking exams at home is easier because there you are surrounded by your own aids.
118
00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:04,000
You need to anticipate exactly how a person with a visual impairment can have equal opportunities to take an exam requiring physical presence.
119
00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:11,000
The aids must be in order and individual solutions must be considered.
120
00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:17,000
These were the most essential issues that came to my mind
121
00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,240
and that I wanted to share with you.
122
00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:28,540
If you want to know something more,
123
00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,270
please contact me by email, for example.
124
00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:36,510
I will be happy to answer in Finnish, Swedish or English.
125
00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:49,500
My email address is sanna.paasonen@gmail.com.
126
00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:54,000
I can tell you more about such topics as different communication methods, aids,
127
00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:58,000
or our sign language. I also know more about Finnish Sign Language from the perspective of accessibility
128
00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:02,550
and from the perspective of deaf people or those with a combined vision and hearing impairment.
129
00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:08,410
I wish you all good luck in your work.
130
00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:12,000
Accessibility is truly important, let’s fight for it!
- Tags
-