IN THE MONTH LEADING UP TO THE 2018 FALL ELECTIONS, "HERE AND
NOW" IS COLLABORATING WITH WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO ON THEIR
BEYOND THE BALLOT SERIES, A PROJECT THAT HAS REPORTERS
TRAVELING AROUND THE STATE TO TALK TO ISS TO PEOPLE ABOUT THES
THEY FIND MOST IMPORTANT.
WE ASKED TWO MEMBERS OF WISCONSIN'S DEAF COMMUNITY HOW
THEY THINK THEIR LEGISLATORS ARE DOING IN RESPONDING TO THOSE
ISSUES.
THEY WERE SPEAKING THROUGH AN INTERPRETER.
- I WANT TO SEE WISCONSIN BECOME MORE OPEN TO HAVING DEAF
PROFESSIONALS, ACCESS TO LICENSING HERE.
THERE'S SO MUCH RED TAPE TO GO THROUGH TO GET LICENSED IN THE
MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY.
OFTEN WE HAVE PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM,
BUT WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING THEIR LICENSING HOURS, THE RED
TAPE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERCOME.
- I HAVE TWO.
ONE IS MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AND SECOND ONE IS INTERPRETERS,
PARTICULARLY AROUND THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, LICENSURE,
CERTIFICATION, ET CETERA.
SOME INTERPRETERS ARE WORKING WITHOUT CERTIFICATION AND
LICENSURE IN THE STATE.
AND THAT PUTS PEOPLE IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.
WE TALK ABOUT GOING TO THE HOSPITAL OR HAVING CRITICAL
SURGERY OR GOING INTO THE COURT SYSTEM.
THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT IF AN INTERPRETER
MISINTERPRETS, OUR LIVES CAN BE DESTROYED.
IT HAS A VERY NEGATIVE EFFECT.
THERE'S A LOT OF MIXED MESSAGES, A LOT OF DIFFICULTY KNOWING WHO
ARE THE TRULY QUALIFIED INTERPRETERS WITHIN THESE REALMS
OF OUR LIVES AND HOW OUR LIVES ARE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED AND HOW
WE CAN GET OUR VOICES HEARD THROUGH THESE INTERPRETERS AND
WORKING WITH THESE INTERPRETERS.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE DIDN'T MENTION BECAUSE OFTEN
WE'VE BEEN BRUSHED ASIDE HISTORICALLY.
HE IS ASKING HER WHAT SHE NEEDS.
WE DID HEAR ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH THING, THE LICENSURE
THING.
WHAT HAPPENED?
THERE WAS NO FOLLOW-UP.
THERE WAS NO FOLLOW-THROUGH ON ANYTHING.
SO THEY KNOW ABOUT IT, BUT THEY DON'T REALLY HELP US ACHIEVE
WHAT WE NEED.
DORI, I AGREE.
THIS IS BRIAN.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE DEAF COMMUNITY ON, DEAF,
HARD-OF-HEARING, DEAF/BLIND COMMUNITY IS NOT LOOKING FOR A
HANDOUT.
WE JUST WANT APPROPRIATE LAWS TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATION AND GIVE
US OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK, TO PROVE OURSELVES.
WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY TO MAKE BIG DONATIONS OR HOST
POLITICAL PARTY ACTIVIST GROUPS.
BUT WE'RE HUMAN.
AND WE HAVE RIGHTS.
- FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT wpr.org/BALLOT.