Frequently Asked Questions
Deaf Sensitivity Readings
What does a Deaf sensitivity reader do?
The sensitivity reader reads your draft. While he reads, he
- Checks that Sign language is correctly translated or described.
- Reviews how Deaf identity is portrayed,
- gives feedback when ableist/audist language is used.
- May correct (or suggest) references to Deaf culture or Deaf history.
- Most importantly, helps writers from continuing negative stereotypes about Deafness.
The author chooses whether to accept the suggested edits or not.
Why would I need a sensitivity reader for my Deaf character?
If you are not Deaf or have not lived Deaf experiences, then you are likely writing harmful stereotypes into your story without realizing it. There may be language that you are using that Deaf people and Deaf culture view as disrespectful.
Writing harmful stereotypes about a community, with or without knowing it, can spread false information which harms that community. It also takes away their power. However, ensuring that your characters are written with strong representation gives the community their power back. This creates a positive change that opens doors of success for a community as a whole.
What makes Blair qualified to sensitivity read for Deaf issues?
While Blair could list authors and book titles, he feel it’s better to leave with impressions: How often has it been that an author writing a Deaf character creates the stigma that Deaf people are below average in intelligence for not understanding? Not to mention the overuse of ASL being compared to playing an instrument, etc. Surely you’d want to steer clear of being audist.
Blair is a Deaf person and has read many stories with highly false and problematic scenarios regarding Deaf people. Blair is also an aspiring author with Deaf characters of their own.
But what about children’s stories? Blair has two kids. One is Deaf and the other is a CODA (child of Deaf adult) and he reads to them regularly (both in ASL and spoken).
What is Ableism?
Ableism is discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities.
What is Audism?
Audism is discrimination or prejudice against individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Working Together
What formats does Blair work with?
- He prefers Google docs for editing with clients. This approach is more collaborative and allows him to use the comment section.
- Blair is flexible for those who do not want to use Google docs. He only has Pages, but I can convert files to and from Pages and Microsoft Word.
What is Blair’s Process?
He (as an artist) likes to use color coordination with editing. He likes to call this the red light and green light process, and it looks like this:
Blairs Stance on AI
Blair is fully against AI, but since there is so much more that can be said on this topic, follow this link to read a full statement.
Please reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns.
What if my character has a different level of Deafness?
Many people have different levels of Deafness that may not identify as Deaf. Although Blair does have severe to profound hearing loss, he has had hearing aids since the age of six years old. American Sign Language is his second language due to his parents choices.
Straddling both worlds gives him a nuanced understanding and can help you solidify your character in whichever world they are in or facing.
Blair can also help pinpoint a characters Deafness level, to help with story progression.
What genres does Blair have the most experience with?
Blair engages with many different genres regularly and can offer advice for nearly anything, but tends to lean towards the following:
- Fiction
- Fantasy
- Historical fiction
- Horror fiction
- Romance Graphic novel
- Manga/Comic
- Children’s literature
- Anything LGBTQIA+
- & more
Which program does Blair use/prefer?
For his personal writing, Blair uses Scrivener. He finds it offers a well defined organization that works well for him, plus he likes their changeable color themes.
Blair is now a Scrivener Affiliate! if you’d like to give it a try, click on the Scrivener photo. If you need a code type in “Blairdsr”
Blair Being Deaf
Does Blair identify as Deaf or as Hard of Hearing?
Growing up, Blair was told that he is Hard of Hearing. At the time he did not know any other identity.
Now with maturity, he has found his Deaf identity.
What is Blair’s Deafness level, exactly?
Blair was born with a lower level of Moderate-severe and has progressed to profound hearing loss. Blair is completely Deaf in his right ear.
Is Blair fluent in ASL?
Yes. He learned later on when immersed into the Deaf community.
Does Blair have Hearing aids, Cochlear, or nothing?
Blair wears one hearing aid in his left ear. However when he is alone (home alone, not working, or driving alone) he takes his hearing aid out.
Can / Does Blair speak?
Instead of learning Sign language, he was put into speech therapy. Blair’s speech therapy progressed from the second grade until he graduated high school.
As an adult, he can now pick and choose when to voice vs. when not to. This is a Deaf superpower.
Don’t see the answers your need?
Ask me anything!
Please.
Blair loves to answer them.