Sometimes, people assume Deaf parents lack confidence before communication has even begun.
I've noticed how quickly a conversation can change when someone realises I'm Deaf.
At school, at appointments and in everyday situations, questions may be directed elsewhere, information simplified, or people may seem unsure how to communicate with me.
What often gets missed is that hesitation can be mistaken for a lack of confidence when communication isn't fully accessible.
The difficulty isn't necessarily the parent's confidence. It may be the way communication is being handled.
When people communicate with me directly and access is in place, I can participate without having to work around those barriers.
Being Deaf doesn't make me less confident as a parent.
I shouldn't have to work twice as hard to be heard.
REFLECTIVE QUESTION
How might inaccessible communication affect the way we perceive someone's confidence?
