‘It’s about a whole culture’; ‘CODA’ Oscar wins mark historic night for Deaf community
The Oscars were memorable for many reasons on Sunday, one of them being for a historic win by “CODA” star Troy Kotsur, who is the first deaf male actor to be nominated for — and win — an Academy Award.
Kotsur won best supporting actor for his role in “CODA,” a drama centered on a girl who is the only hearing member of her family. The title is an acronym meaning Child of Deaf Adults. “CODA” also won awards for best picture and best adapted screenplay.
“This is dedicated to the Deaf community, the ‘CODA’ community and the disabled community,” Kotsur signed during his acceptance speech. “This is our moment.”
For Phyllis Bullon, president of Fort Worth-based Signs2go Interpreting, having the film recognized on stage to millions of viewers is significant for spreading awareness about the Deaf community.
“Sharing the awareness is massive,” Bullon said. “People that haven’t seen the movie will, now because of the Oscars, maybe go and watch the movie and go, ‘Oh wow, they really go through this. They really experience this.’”
Bullon grew up with deaf family members and, since she was a young child, has been involved with the Deaf community. She’s been a certified interpreter since 1996 and, after doing various interpreting assignments in the community, later started Signs2go Interpreting to make a professional development workshop available in North Texas.
“This movie shines a light on — it’s not just about disability, can’t hear, it’s about a whole culture and way of life and way of communicating,” Bullon said. “This movie brought it out there, and it’s, that was, yeah, that’s cool.”
Interpreting need in Texas
One issue Bullon has seen is a shortage of certified interpreters. Out of the around 1,630 certifications issued in Texas, Bullon said there are only around 1,200-1,300 interpreters available because some may hold multiple certifications.
In a state with about 3.8 million deaf and hard-of-hearing residents, interpreters are in high demand. Bullon said all interpreters need to be skilled, punctual, ethical and confidential.
Bullon said Tarrant County College has a good training program along with Collin College. Other areas in Texas offering interpreting training include Tyler, San Antonio and the Cy-Fair area.
“There is a massive need for good quality, high-skilled, ethical, confidential interpreters,” she said.
The following are some services available in North Texas.
Signs2go Interpreting
- info@signs2gointerpreting.com
- 817-294-7446
Signs2go, located at 7307 S. Hulen St. in Fort Worth, offers sign language interpreting and certification maintenance professional development workshops for already certified interpreters. Bullon said they also have a library with over 10,000 resources open by appointment on Saturdays.
Signs2go used to offer sign language classes during the summer, but Bullon said it’s not currently happening because they’re looking for an adequate instructor. Although she said she could teach it, Bullon feels it’s best to let a deaf instructor teach it.
“I don’t think that hearing people should take away a deaf person’s highly qualified right to earn a living,” she said.
Hired Hands
- 720 W. Harwood Road, Hurst
- 817-236-3323
Located in Hurst, Hired Hands is a certified interpreting service with a staff of both full-time and part-time interpreters. Hired Hands has a large, diverse team able to handle any interpreting assignments. According to its website, this includes business, medical, legal, mental health, educational, social services, conference, theater, and religious needs.
Deaf Action Center
- 3110 Cedar Plaza Lane, Dallas
- 6320 Southwest Blvd. Suite 205, Fort Worth
- Phone: 214-521-0407
- Videophone: 214-377-1898
Dallas-based Deaf Action Center offers advocacy services, housing resources, technology services and more for the deaf and hard of hearing. Deaf Action Center has served the North Texas area for over 30 years. The center also offers deaf-run interpreting and an introduction to American Sign Language classes.
Fisher Interpreting
- bfisher@fisherinterpreting.com
- 817-575-9843
Fisher Interpreting also provides interpreting services with a mission that includes educating providers who are hearing on the needs of providing sign language for clients, employees, students and patients. The founders, Bobby and Amy Fisher, started the service in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and work to serve the deaf community in the Metroplex.
