This ASL story from 2011 explores the rollout of new airport security procedures by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including full-body scanners and enhanced pat-downs. Following attempted terrorist attacks, security measures increased—but so did public concern. This story highlights real experiences from travelers, especially those with medical conditions, prosthetics, or disabilities, who faced invasive screenings, lack of privacy, and inconsistent...
Technology, Independence, and Community
Marta describes the dramatic evolution of technology in the Deaf community, from limited captioning and reliance on TTY devices to widespread access through videophones, smartphones, and fully captioned media. She highlights how these advancements have improved accessibility and independence, allowing Deaf individuals to communicate more freely without depending on others. At the same time, Marta reflects on the unintended social...
Rural Challenges, Creative Solutions
Todd became interested in videophones after hearing from friends, but quickly realized that his rural home lacked the required high-speed internet connection. Determined to make it work, he researched available options, experimented with wireless technology, and gradually built a custom setup using a modem, antenna, and signal boosters. After trial and error, he successfully created a strong enough connection for...
Closed Captions, Videophones, and Quiet Moments
Lorna describes the excitement of discovering closed captioning and later communication tools like TTY and videophones, which opened new ways to connect with others. While she appreciated how captions finally made movies understandable and videophones enabled real conversations, she also noticed a shift—people began staying home more, and community gatherings became less frequent. She also shares her personal journey with...




