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S.M.A.C. Personalities - Living with challenges
Telling it like it is!

"I have witnessed first hand how misunderstanding causes pain and exclusion for people of all abilities. Through friendships and a life time of learning, I realize we must change this. SMAC is all about Simply Making Attitudes Change. We have to be proactive.

"You know the old saying "the more things change the more they stay the same." That is why I believe we as a people must not change things. Attitude affects the way we are in the world. If we don't take a positive attitude, then we don't have a positive experience.

"The SMAC Experience gives participants an opportunity to examine their individual beliefs and make self adjustments. My personal goal is to help people understand this basic universal law and transform each individual's experience of life. When we change our attitude the world changes around us. I encourage you to discover the SMAC advantage and get the SMAC Attitude working for you."

Lea Nicholas

Click name-links to visit our Personalities who are living with challenges every single day

• Darrell
  
  Darrell communicates using American Sign Language. He answers several questions including, "Darrell, what are the biggest barriers for you?"
  
  
• Julianne Acker-Verney
  
  The founder of Accessible Media Formatting of Atlantic Canada, answers the question: "Is it ok to say 'see you later' to a blind person?"
  
  
• Pete Macdonald
  
  "Pete, should you hold the door for someone in a wheelchair?"
  
  

What should people understand about interacting with you?

"I am deaf - that means I can't hear! I can still see and understand. I have the same feelings as anyone else. I communicate in my language - ASL (American Sign Language). I happen to think it is a beautiful way of communicating with your hands. Some people treat me as if I can not communicate; that's just not true, I have no problem communicating. Others may not know my language, but I don't hold that against them."

What are the most common misconceptions of people you meet?

"When deaf people write they write in ASL. This is a sort of short hand so people think that we are uneducated. Again, this is not true; it is just the language we use which is a little different than the spoken word, but it is still quite expressive and makes sense when you understand it. People often assume deaf people can read lips. This is not always the case. People think that they have to yell. Some people think I will hear them if they talk slowly. I am deaf - none of this helps me to understand people. In fact, it makes communication that much harder.

"To communicate with me, relax, don't be uncomfortable, use simple gestures or write things down and don’'t forget to smile."

Darrell, what are the biggest barriers for you?

"Communication Communication Communication!

"It's frustrating when programs are not closed captioned or when events do not have interpreters available. I face these barriers when I go shopping, go to meetings, medical or dental appointments, and when I have to do some banking."

Can you give us some examples of these barriers?

"When I tell people I am deaf (by pointing to my ear) they sometimes become frustrated, disgusted, or they may just walk away. Sometimes people approach me from the back and I don't hear them so it scares me. People should always approach me from the front. People sometimes say that deaf people can't drive or that deaf means you are deaf & mute or deaf & dumb."

How does this affect you?

"There is still a lot of ignorance of deaf people. Society just does not take the time to understand. It is hurtful and frustrating when people react to my hearing impairment negatively. We are as capable as anyone else."

What can society do to help?

"Society needs to become more aware and get rid of these common misconceptions. There are numerous tools for communicating with deaf people.

"Here are a few things that can help: Provide interpreters at events. Use TTY devices or 711 relay service. Technologies such as computers, videophones, cell phones, Blackberries, and Treos will aid communication. Alarms with strobe lights will keep all of us safe. These things will make our world more inclusive and accessible for people of all abilities."

Julianne Acker-Verney
Research Analyst & Policy Advisor, Feed Nova Scotia

"Julianne, is it ok to say 'see you later' to a blind person?"

Absolutely! Actually, I like terms like "See you later" because of the predictability that comes along with them. It is, after all, one of those terms that provide both parties with a shared understanding of what will happen next: we're parting now, but look forward to meeting up again in the future. In fact, I haven't "seen" anyone in a long time - including me! - but I frequently use words like see, watch and look.

I "see" lots of things and people in the run of my day, I "look" at everything before I buy it and I "watch" my TV without being anywhere near it. I also cook by touch, bake by smell and vacuum in my bare feet to make sure I'm doing a thorough job.

As Julianne says, "Life is such an adventure!"

Pete Macdonald of Pictou County

"Pete, should you hold the door for someone in a wheelchair?"

Yes, you should hold the door; for anyone for that matter! I was raised to believe that you should always hold a door open for someone when possible, it's only common courtesy.

The only difference between someone in a wheelchair and someone who walks through a doorway is that people in wheelchairs use their hands and wheels as momentum. As you wouldn't open a door when someone walks halfway through, you shouldn't do it for someone in a wheelchair.

I use the door to help me get through. The best approach when you find yourself in these situations would be to ask if the person needs help, rather than jumping right in and doing it.

Watch for more SMAC Personalities asking questions about living with challenges in the near future!

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Call today for your SMAC Experience - 902-754-5321

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