Latest news with #AmericanSignLanguage
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Deaf Woman Films Video in Apartment—Everyone Warns Her About the Same Thing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When 34-year-old Rikki Poynter shared a video filmed inside her apartment, she didn't realize it would go viral for an unexpected reason. Content creator and disability advocate Poynter was prepping a quick dinner the night before a flight, and unbeknownst to her she'd left her microwave timer beeping in the background. In a video shared on July 9, Poynter, who is deaf, responded to a comment left on a previous TikTok: "You have something beeping in your apartment Rikki." Her reply video, cheekily captioned: "Deaf person can't hear jack in her own apartment," shows her investigating the noise. "Flashbacks to when people on Snapchat kept telling me my smoke alarm batteries were dying," she wrote in the video caption. Pictures from Rikki's TikTok where she shared how she found the unexpected beeping noise. Pictures from Rikki's TikTok where she shared how she found the unexpected beeping noise. @rikkipoynter/TikTok Speaking to the camera, she says: "Let's all figure out what it is together, shall we." As she walks around her apartment, hunting for the source of the sound. A few button presses on the microwave later, and the mysterious beeping stopped. "I didn't expect 1.2+ million views and a bunch of comments to come from it," Poynter, from Nebraska, told Newsweek. "I'm someone who is often stuck in the 300 view jail so it was surprising to me." Read more Server gets note from table mid-shift, what it says leaves her "sobbing" Server gets note from table mid-shift, what it says leaves her "sobbing" What started as a playful moment became a subtle commentary on how everyday experiences are shaped differently by disability. Her original video hadn't been about the beeping at all—it was about discrimination between people with different types of disabilities, an issue she regularly tackles. But the microwave timer became an unexpected punchline. In 2024, study by NORC at the University of Chicago study for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that 37.9 million Americans have hearing loss in both ears. While bilateral hearing loss grows exponentially after age 35, leaving one in three people ages 65 to 75 and about three out of four people age 75 and older with some form of hearing loss. "I didn't originally plan to share the video," Poynter said. "It just so happened I forgot I had the timer on... and then I wanted to keep the sassy going. Over the last decade, Poynter has built a platform focused on advocacy, accessibility, and connection—especially for deaf people who, like her, grew up without access to American Sign Language or proper support. It is estimated that around one million people throughout the U.S. use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate as their native language, making it the third most commonly used language in the U.S. after English and Spanish. ASL is used by the deaf, hard-of-hearing and those with communication disorders, giving people an essential tool for communication. Despite this, 98 percent of deaf people do not receive education in sign language, and 72 percent of families do not sign with their deaf children. "I want people to know that they have a community that's out there waiting for them if they would like to be in it," Poynter said.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Mess up, fess up, dress up,' properly done
Opinion It's a phrase that is likely familiar to anyone who has worked in the corporate world and undergone media/communications training: 'Mess up, fess up, dress up.' The succinct six-word slogan is an encapsulation of what needs to be done to restore public confidence after a major mistake or transgression has taken place. If followed swiftly and directly, it's strategy that can mitigate damage, reset intentions and allow for the error/misdeed to be left behind while still ensuring its implications are neither forgotten nor ignored. During the past week, NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine (St. Johns), the provincial government's minister of families and minister responsible for accessibility, has delivered an absolute clinic on the application of 'mess up, fess up, dress up.' It's an example politicians of all stripes would do well to observe and, should the need ever arise, emulate. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine Here's how it breaks down: Mess up: the mistake has been made. In Fontaine's well-documented case, while speaking at a June 26 graduation ceremony for Indigenous women, the minister was caught complaining about having to share limited space onstage with an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. The unfortunate and ill-considered 'hot mic' comments were captured and later broadcast by the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), resulting in immediate backlash, including demands from the deaf community for government action to combat audism — discrimination against people who are deaf or hard of hearing — and calls from the Opposition Progressive Conservatives for Fontaine's removal from cabinet. Fess up: own up to the mistake. Upon the release of the recording of her comments, Fontaine issued numerous apologies, both verbal and written, directly to the affected parties and to the public at large. She also told the Free Press her office was reaching out to community organizations to listen and learn. (The process of limiting damage and repairing relationships was almost derailed by the revelation that APTN journalists had been blocked from following Fontaine on social media in the wake of the broadcast of her comments; to her credit, however, upon learning of social-media snub, the minister immediately directed her staff to reverse the decision). Dress up: declare publicly what will be done to correct the mistake and ensure no such wrongdoing occurs in the future. Last Sunday, Fontaine followed her earlier apologies with a social-media post announcing she and her staff will undergo deaf and deaf culture training 'to deepen our understanding, confront gaps and ensure our actions reflect true respect and inclusion, not just intention.' Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. The statement, delivered alongside an ASL interpreter, also included a pledge to appoint a deaf or hard of hearing 'matriarch' to join the Matriarch Circle of advisers, hire a dedicated ASL interpreter for all government departments and introduce amendments to the Accessibility for Manitobans Act to enhance protections for the deaf and hard of hearing community. 'I take full responsibility for my words, full stop,' she said in the social-media post. 'I'm human. I made a mistake, but I will do better and I will keep showing up and continue the work of building a truly inclusive Manitoba for everyone.' By promptly following the 'mess up' with what appears to be a sincere effort to fess up and dress up, Fontaine has effectively put a lid on what otherwise could have developed into a controversy with the potential to damage the NDP government. While it remains to be seen how fully the minister follows through on her promises, she has laid the groundwork for a positive outcome after an unfortunate and unnecessary misstep. And in so doing, Fontaine has provided a teachable moment for politicians everywhere.
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
ZP Better Together Earns Top Score on 2025 Disability Index® for Sixth Consecutive Year
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZP Better Together (ZP), a leader in accessible communication solutions for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, proudly announces that it has once again earned a top score of 100 on the 2025 Disability Index®, marking the sixth consecutive year the company has received this honor. This recognition reaffirms ZP's ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable workplace for individuals with disabilities. The Disability Index is a nationally respected benchmarking tool that evaluates businesses on their disability inclusion policies and practices. The index is considered the gold standard for assessing corporate commitment to disability inclusion across various dimensions, including culture, leadership, accessibility, employment, community engagement, and supplier diversity. 'This sixth consecutive score of 100 is not just an achievement—it's a reflection of who we are,' said Sherri Turpin, CEO of ZP Better Together. 'We don't treat accessibility and inclusion as a checklist. It's embedded in our DNA, in how we design, lead, hire, and serve. I'm beyond proud of our ZP team, whose collective passion and purpose continue to drive change and foster equity across the communities we serve.' With a top score, ZP earns the distinction of being recognized as a 'Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.' This benchmark enables organizations to assess their progress toward inclusive excellence and pinpoint areas that still require improvement. Learn more via @DisabilityIN at 'As we release this year's Disability Index report, we celebrate the continued progress made by businesses around the world. Today, hundreds of the world's leading companies are using this tool to benchmark and drive their disability inclusion efforts. Together, we are creating a global economy accelerated by disability inclusion,' said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN. ZP continues to lead in its core service areas, which include Video Relay Service (VRS), Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART), and On-Site Interpreting, while adopting inclusive practices at every level of operation. Its tagline, 'Every Conversation Matters,' emphasizes ZP's mission to connect communities and promote communication equity, regardless of the setting. As the global disability inclusion landscape evolves, ZP remains dedicated to promoting policies and practices that reflect its firm belief: everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. To learn more about ZP Better Together and its commitment to accessibility, please visit To view the American Sign Language (ASL) version of this press release, please visit here. About ZP Better Together ZP Better Together is a communications solution provider dedicated to delivering the highest quality and most innovative communication services to meet the unique needs of each Deaf and hard-of-hearing individual. Our commitment covers hardware, software, and in-person solutions across four key areas: Video Relay Service (VRS), Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART), and On-Site Interpreting. These four pillars form the foundation of our belief that every conversation matters. Whether at home, on the go, at school, or in the workplace, our mission is to bridge two worlds with innovative, accessible communication solutions, creating more opportunities for our Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. For more information, please visit ZP Better Together. About the Disability Index® The Disability Index® is the leading independent, third-party resource for the annual, confidential benchmarking of disability inclusion policies and programs in business. Now trusted by over 70% of the Fortune 100 and nearly half of the Fortune 500, the tool helps companies determine data-driven actions that can achieve tangible business impact. About Disability:IN Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Together with the world's leading companies, Disability:IN drives progress through initiatives, tools, and expertise that deliver long-term business impact. Join us at
Boston Globe
7 days ago
- General
- Boston Globe
Most teens — girls especially — see college as key to jobs and life skills, AP-NORC poll says
Advertisement The survey also found that many teens think it will be harder for them to achieve major life milestones, like Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up For Ry-n Uyeda, 17, the biggest concern about college is the prospect of being away from her home in Waianae, Hawaii. Uyeda is already taking college-level courses in high school and hopes to play softball at a university on the West Coast. Uyeda said she wants to develop time management skills and endurance to handle the pressures of being a student-athlete, but she hopes the college experience does not change who she is. 'I want to remember where I came from and the values that I've learned from here,' said Uyeda, who attends Waianae High School. 'Going to a new place with new people in a new environment, I just want to still be myself.' Advertisement Seven in 10 teenage girls in the survey said it was at least 'very' important to them to graduate from college, compared with 54 percent of teenage boys. The disparity reflects a growing gender gap in college degree completion. In 1995, young men and women were equally likely to hold a bachelor's degree. Since then, a gap has emerged, with 47 percent of US women ages 25 to 34 completing a bachelor's degree compared with 37 percent of men, according to Teens raised in households with higher incomes and parents who went to college themselves are also more likely to view higher education as important. Jalena Crawford, a 16-year-old high school junior, said she hopes to attend Grand Canyon University or Arizona State University to become a professional American Sign Language interpreter. She said her plans have been encouraged by relatives with college degrees, and it would be 'weird' not to consider higher education. 'I didn't really start thinking about college until I started liking ASL. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do,' Crawford said. Most teens see a college education as a vital step for their future career prospects, although they see other benefits as well. About seven in 10 teenagers said completing college is 'extremely' or 'very' important for getting good jobs, and about six in 10 teenagers said a degree is valuable for learning necessary life skills. About half of teens see college as key to either becoming a more informed member of society or forming their personal identity, according to the survey. Advertisement Teenagers have many of the same life goals as adults, such as But few teenagers believe those goals have gotten easier to achieve for their generation compared with their parents. About seven in 10 teenagers believe owning a home has become harder to achieve for them compared with their parents, according to the poll. Just over half of teenagers say it's become more challenging for their generation to raise a family. About half say that about having a good standard of living, having a successful career, or traveling the world. Fewer, about four in 10, say it's grown harder to graduate from college or be able to pursue what they enjoy. Evarist Bego, 22, graduated earlier this year from the University of Southern California with a joint degree in business and film. He said he recalls wanting to go to college and then work his way up in his chosen industry, but 'that's just not how it works anymore.' It's harder than he anticipated to find a job, which he said may be partly due to the creative industry he chose. He sees mostly temporary positions, like internships or fellowships. 'So many jobs that I see are entry-level, but then they require three-plus years of experience. I have interned in school, I had some experience, but it's not enough,' he said. The AP-NORC poll of 1,060 teens ages 13-17 was conducted April 30 to May 14, using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based Advertisement
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Why are more teen girls in America betting on college, and what's holding boys back?
At a time when many adults are questioning the value of a college degree, American teenage girls are moving in the opposite direction—with conviction. According to a new AP-NORC poll, seven in ten girls aged 13 to 17 say graduating from college is 'extremely' or 'very' important to them. In comparison, only 54% of boys share that level of belief—underscoring a growing gender gap in academic ambition that mirrors trends already playing out in college completion rates. The survey, conducted this spring among teenagers aged 13–17, also reveals that teens in general remain more optimistic about college than adults. In a similar 2022 poll by UChicago Harris/AP-NORC, only about 4 in 10 adults said graduating from college was 'extremely' or 'very' important. Girls are leading the way For Ry-n Uyeda, a 17-year-old from Waianae, Hawaii, college is not just a goal—it's personal growth, independence, and self-definition rolled into one. She is already enrolled in college-level courses and hopes to play softball at a West Coast university. 'I want to remember where I came from and the values that I've learned from here,' Uyeda said. 'Going to a new place with new people in a new environment, I just want to still be myself' as reported by the Associated Press. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like MacBook Air M4- now available at ₹83906* MacBook Air M4 Undo A gap that reflects national trends The gender gap in teen aspirations echoes what's already happening in American higher education. In 1995, men and women were equally likely to have a bachelor's degree. Today, 47% of US women aged 25–34 hold one, compared to just 37% of men, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of census data. The poll also found that teens raised in households with higher incomes and with college-educated parents are more likely to consider a degree important. Personal interest fuels purpose Sixteen-year-old Jalena Crawford says her interest in college began with a newfound passion. 'I didn't really start thinking about college until I started liking ASL. I was trying to figure out what I was going to do,' she said as reported by Associated Press. Now a high school junior, she hopes to attend Grand Canyon University or Arizona State University to become a professional American Sign Language interpreter. Her aspirations have been bolstered by relatives who earned degrees. To her, not considering college would be 'weird.' More than a job ticket For many teens, college is still seen as essential to employment, but it also represents something deeper. According to the poll: About 7 in 10 said college is 'extremely' or 'very' important for getting a good job. Around 6 in 10 said it was valuable for learning necessary life skills. About half said it helps in becoming more informed or forming personal identity. Yet, life feels tougher for their generation Alongside these ambitions is a sobering awareness: teens know they're entering a world where milestones like homeownership, raising a family, or enjoying financial stability may be harder to reach than they were for their parents. About 7 in 10 teenagers believe owning a home has become more difficult. Just over half say raising a family or achieving a good standard of living will be harder for their generation. Nearly half say the same about having a successful career or being able to travel the world. College alone doesn't guarantee stability Evarist Bego, 22, graduated this year from the University of Southern California with a joint degree in business and film. Despite his credentials, he's struggling to find steady employment. 'So many jobs that I see are entry-level, but then they require three-plus years of experience. I have interned in school, I had some experience, but it's not enough,' he said. His story echoes the concerns of many teens: college may still be a necessary step, but it no longer guarantees a clear path to success. What's holding boys back? The gender divide in teen college ambition has left educators and policymakers asking deeper questions. Are societal expectations, academic environments, or peer norms discouraging boys from pursuing higher education? As more girls step forward with clear plans and purpose, there's growing concern that boys may be falling behind—not only in degrees, but in long-term opportunity. Still betting on college, despite the odds Yet amid their concerns, America's teenagers, especially girls, continue to view college not as a luxury, but a necessity. They're driven by passion, purpose, and the hope that higher education will still be worth the investment. Even as the economic terrain shifts beneath their feet, they are choosing to believe that college remains one of the strongest levers of upward mobility, and they're determined to pull it. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
