Deaf advocates call for sign language interpreters at Trump’s coronavirus briefings

Carl Sorrentino, who is deaf, says the lack of sign language interpreters at White House coronavirus briefings isn’t just an inconvenience, Newsday reports.

It could be dangerous.

“For the majority of deaf people, including me, English is not our first language,” Sorrentino said in a written message, according to the publication. “American Sign Language is our first language. So, most of the time, we acquire information quicker through sign language.”

Melissa Greenlee, who is deaf, called the apparent decision to forego sign language interpreters at the briefings “risky and senseless,” CNN reported.

“If the deaf community is without the information they need — such as social distancing orders, stay at home orders, hygiene orders and mask wearing orders — those very people become a risk to themselves and the community they live in,” Greenlee said, according to the network.

In March, the National Association of the Deaf and National Council on Disability sent letters to the White House requesting interpreters at the briefings, WUSA reported.

There has been no response, CNN reported.

Actress Marlee Matline, who is deaf, also posted a plea to the White House on Twitter for interpreters.

“News & press conferences around the country during this Coronavirus Emergency have sign language interpreters standing next to the speakers, providing ACCESS for millions of deaf Americans. Can you do the same, PLEASE?” Matlin wrote.

“Whether we believe his information or not, a deaf person should have access to that,” said Loretta Murray, director of Mill Neck Services in New York, Newsday reported. She called the lack of interpreters at briefings “disgusting.”

Some deaf people have trouble reading English, making closed captioning a poor option, according to the publication. As Sorrentino noted, English can be almost a second language to people used to conversing in sign language. Captions also can sometimes be incorrect.

Numerous city and state leaders across the United States have sign language interpreters at their own briefings, and some have become stars in their own right.

Jimmy Mitchell, who interprets for Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitts, has won kudos from viewers for his animated expressions, KFOR reported.

But he says it’s all part of accurately conveying information from the governor and other officials to viewers, according to the station.

“If I’m looking very stern and very serious, then that tone is conveyed to the audience,” Mitchell said, KFOR reported. “If I’m showing that I’m angry because the speaker is angry, then that is what is conveyed. Because all of those emotions are really equal to what a spoken language person would use in inflection.”

This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Deaf advocates call for sign language interpreters at Trump’s coronavirus briefings."