Summerville Community

Equal Accessibility & Support Everywhere, Inc. (EASE) recently hosted a powerful immersive event at the Rollins Edwards Community Center, where hearing community members had the unique opportunity to experience the world from the perspective of Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals. This event not only offered hands-on simulations but also provided a platform for open dialogue, allowing attendees to learn directly from the stories and lived experiences of d/Deaf community members.

Event Highlights:

• Interactive Accessibility Simulations: Participants engaged in immersive activities that replicated the daily experiences of those who are d/Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, using assistive technology such as noise-canceling headsets, visual alerting systems, and closed captioning devices. These exercises gave hearing attendees an authentic understanding of accessibility needs and communication barriers.

• Stories of Inaccessibility: Members of the Deaf community shared personal stories of times when they encountered significant accessibility challenges in various environments—workplaces, schools, healthcare settings, and public spaces. These firsthand accounts highlighted…