For Lycka Öller-Ulemark, a deaf individual, having a deaf sign language interpreter made a significant difference during an important meeting where she was initially tense. 'There was a big difference for Lycka,' states her father Fredrik Öller about the moment they got to have a deaf sign language interpreter. With the interpreter, she could relax and not feel that she needed to adapt so much in the situation.
Lycka nods in agreement. 'We shared both identity and language, the interpreter understood me immediately,' says Lycka Öller-Ulemark. Previously, she had hearing sign language interpreters, which caused her to tense up and feel she had to repeat herself, take it slower, and adapt too much.
There was a big difference for Lycka, states her father Fredrik Öller about the moment they got to have a deaf sign language interpreter.
In the end, she felt that the language she expressed was not hers. 'If I had not gotten a deaf sign language interpreter, maybe the others would have perceived me in a completely different way, it could have gone very wrong and even more complicated,' says Lycka and gets agreement from her father Fredrik. Elsa Brunemalm, interest policy responsible at Stockholm's Deaf Association (SDF), is concerned about the situation and states that it is a problem in the region.
She believes that the largest group that contacts the association and is frustrated about not getting a deaf sign language interpreter is children and their families. 'Parents have to interpret themselves, and if the parents are also deaf, they miss information themselves because they have to help translate for the children during that time,' says Elsa Brunemalm. This applies to hearing parents as well.
Parents have to interpret themselves, and if the parents are also deaf, they miss information themselves because they have to help translate for the children during that time.
'They do it even though they are not actually interpreters,' says Elsa Brunemalm. SDF tries to influence around this issue as soon as we have the opportunity in various contexts, in collaboration councils, meetings with politicians, etc. 'When we can, we try to influence how Stockholm's interpreter center's mission is designed,' says Elsa Brunemalm.
SVT Nyhetstecken has offered Region Stockholm to comment on the segment, but they have declined to comment as it is an individual case.