Deaf Discrimination on ABC's "What Would You Do?"

Summary

In a social experiment at a coffee shop in Morristown, New Jersey, two deaf actresses apply for a job and face blatant discrimination from the manager, who refuses to hire them due to their hearing impairment. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf, one of the largest colleges for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, collaborated on this scenario to highlight the ongoing challenges of workplace equality. The video captures various public reactions, from silent witnesses to those who challenge the manager's decision, ultimately prompting a discussion on discrimination and the importance of standing up for what's right.

Takeaways

• 😲 The video script depicts a scenario where two deaf women, Hannah and Maya, face discrimination while applying for a job at a coffee shop in Morristown, New Jersey.
• 🙅‍♂️ The manager at the coffee shop openly rejects the job application of the deaf women, stating that they would not be hired due to their deafness.
• 📹 The discrimination is exposed in a staged scenario with actors, aiming to provoke reactions and responses from bystanders and to raise awareness about workplace discrimination.
• 🏫 The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in Rochester, New York, is highlighted as an institution that supports deaf and hard-of-hearing students, emphasizing the importance of equal opportunities in the workplace.
• 🤔 The script raises the question of what bystanders would do when witnessing such discrimination, prompting viewers to consider their own reactions.
• 👎 Some customers and even individuals in recruiting and human resources roles are shown giving advice that supports the manager's discriminatory stance, suggesting a lack of awareness or empathy.
• 🙌 One customer stands up against the discriminatory manager, advocating for the deaf applicants' right to apply for the job, demonstrating moral courage and support for equality.
• 📈 The video script highlights the ongoing issue of attitudinal barriers faced by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, despite legal protections like the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• 🗣️ The president of NTID, Gerry Buckley, emphasizes the need for continued education and awareness to break down attitudinal barriers and promote inclusivity in the workplace.
• 👥 The video concludes with a message from the deaf students at NTID, urging viewers to speak up against discrimination and to support the rights of deaf individuals to equal opportunities.

Q & A

What is the setting of the video script?

The setting is a coffee shop in Morristown, New Jersey, where two deaf women are attempting to apply for a job.

Why does the manager reject the job applications of the deaf women?

The manager rejects their applications because he believes that being deaf would make it difficult for them to work in the kitchen.

What is the legal context mentioned in the script regarding discrimination against the deaf?

The script refers to the Americans with Disabilities Act, suggesting that the manager's actions could be illegal due to discrimination.

What role does the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) play in the script?

NTID is mentioned as the school that helped develop the scenario and is a college for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, emphasizing the challenges they face in finding equal opportunities in the workplace.

How does the script address the issue of attitudinal barriers?

The script highlights the ongoing attitudinal barriers by showing the manager's discriminatory behavior and the reactions of customers, emphasizing the need for further education and change.

What is the significance of the hidden camera in the coffee shop?

The hidden camera is used to capture real reactions to the discrimination without the participants knowing they are being filmed, revealing genuine attitudes and behaviors.

What is the role of the customers in the scenario?

The customers play various roles, including witnesses to the discrimination, some who stand up against it, and others who offer advice that could be considered discriminatory.

How do the reactions of the customers with HR backgrounds differ from the expectations of their professional roles?

The customers with HR backgrounds surprisingly advise the manager not to hire the deaf applicants, which contradicts their professional roles of promoting fair hiring practices.

What is the turning point in the script where a customer challenges the manager's decision?

The turning point occurs when a man, just taking a coffee break, intervenes and challenges the manager's decision, advocating for the deaf applicants' right to apply.

What message do the deaf students from NTID convey at the end of the script?

The deaf students convey a message of the ongoing struggle for equality at work and the importance of speaking up against discrimination.

What is the purpose of the 'What would you do' segment in the script?

The purpose is to provoke thought and discussion about discrimination, to challenge viewers to consider their own reactions in similar situations, and to raise awareness about the experiences of the deaf community.