Social media has both benefits and drawbacks. In the past, the world was divided into isolated groups with their own cultures, countries, and regions. Thanks to platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, we can easily share ideas and connect with people from other places. However, despite technological advancements, some minority communities still struggle to access these platforms, including those who are Deaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will focus on social media and the experience of the deaf community in Chile. As every place has its unique landscape, it’s important to examine how social media affects different communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Deaf Community in Chile<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The Sign Language of Chile is called Chilean Sign Language, or Lengua de Se\u00f1as Chilena (LSCh). It\u2019s the primary language used by the Deaf community. The government also made it one of the official languages of Chile in 2010. According to the NSS health organization, over 62,000 people in Chile use LSCh. A more recent statistic from 2017 estimates the percentage of Deaf people is 22-32%. The highest population of Deaf people, according to Joshua Project, is in the City of David and Panama City Colon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a country report card on the progression of the quality of life for Deaf people, Chile gets a B-. To begin with, it has the oldest Deaf Association in the continent of South America, Asociaci\u00f3n de Sordos de Chile (ASOCH). The mission is to support the Deaf community in education, with seven Deaf schools established, health, employment, and empowerment. It strives to protect the rights and recognition of Deaf citizens in Chile. The organization and its president, Gustavo Vergara Navarro, fight tooth and nail for the proper recognition and equality of the Deaf in Chile. He has led numerous projects, including accessibility to media information, social justice, and the development of social services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chile doesn\u2019t have a bleak climate for the Deaf population, but society still looks at Deaf people negatively. Attitudes towards Deafness can build societal barriers that ultimately have an impact on all facets of life, from communication, social isolation, and stigma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Media Platforms Used by the Deaf Community in Chile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Magnus Mueller<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no surprise, that Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are top-ranking social media platforms in Chile. Media platforms encompass our lives and spread information. Social media has benefits and drawbacks. Still, social media spreads vital information, keeps everyone in the loop, and opens up the world at our fingertips. The purpose of these apps is to facilitate a virtual community. For the Deaf community, this is a game changer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What tech companies must consider for the Deaf is their way of communicating. Deaf people use a language that relies on visuals to share and convey thoughts. One step that most of these platforms have taken is making video content accessible to Deaf people. These include auto-generated captions, video captions, and caption stickers. Providing this feature to the Deaf helps them read and follow the video simultaneously, which can positively impact their experience. In addition, it can increase comprehension and understanding, which is especially important for educational content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advantages of Social Media for the Deaf Community in Chile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exposure and attention are two things that social media brings. It creates representation for minority groups. Social media revolutionizes how Deaf people connect with others or integrate into the hearing community with accessibility features. It opens the world for Deaf people who lack a connection outside. There are even some Deaf influencers in the community that bring awareness. Another part of being an influencer or a thought leader is sharing knowledge with others. Deaf accounts have started teaching LSCh to anyone interested in learning it. The coming together of others is what creates that sense of community and belonging. It also builds confidence for a Deaf individual and boosts self-esteem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges and Limitations of Social Media for the Deaf Community in Chile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Andrea Piacquadio<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the glossy pictures and curated feeds is the darker side of social media. There is still room for discrimination on social media apps. Why? Because the perpetrator hides behind a screen. Therefore, those hurtful comments targeting a person don\u2019t feel real. Instagram, YouTube, you name it, look at the comments sections and see how hateful people can be. So, there is potential for Deaf users to face this from others in their community or hearing people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Users can find videos in LSCh on Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok in an educational or comical format. Videos typically have captions, but sometimes this cannot be reliable. There might be issues with the feature or captions. Another part is if the creator posts media without captions, making it inaccessible to the Deaf viewer. It impacts viewership and relaying information. Some Chilean Deaf creators even feel excluded if the accessibility features are complicated, and using third-party tools is often expensive, adding extra production costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Necessity of Digital Literacy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The rise of technology has brought about many changes in the world, and adapting to these changes often requires developing new skills. While younger generations, such as those born in the Z era and beyond, are more adept at using technology, those who grew up in the days of dial-up internet and Nokia phones may find it more challenging to adjust. For the Deaf community, however, the transition can be even more difficult. Although Deaf education is a significant focus in Chile, the primary emphasis is on the oral model of education, and the extent to which technology is incorporated into formal education remains unclear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to research published in the International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, Chile is making steady progress in integrating more technology into the classroom. It is crucial to teach digital literacy in schools, as it involves knowing how to use, create, evaluate, and explore information. This skill is particularly important when it comes to social media, as it helps distinguish between reliable and unreliable information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Deaf people, acquiring digital skills can provide access to new opportunities and help strengthen their community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Potential of Social Media for the Deaf Community<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Social media has the potential to be both a blessing and a curse for the Deaf community in Chile. While it has opened up new avenues for communication and information exchange, it also presents accessibility challenges. However, by using social media platforms, the Deaf community can connect with people from all over the world and share their experiences and perspectives. Social media companies must improve features that can help the Deaf community in Chile to fully participate in society, including accessing educational content and staying informed about current events. It is essential to recognize sign language rights as human rights and to continue working towards creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for the Deaf community in Chile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay informed and connected with our blog! Discover stories, resources, and services we provide to the Deaf community. https:\/\/www.unspokenasl.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo Credit to: Photo by Ale Zu\u00f1iga from Pexels<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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