06/04/2026
No interpreter. No access. No idea when my son’s name would be called.
Transcript: For the first time, I attended one of my sons’ graduations without an interpreter. My other sons graduated with interpreters on stage, so this was a different experience for me as a Deaf parent.
I had to watch carefully, trying to figure out who was being called and when my son would walk across the stage. Then suddenly, I saw his face. Seeing him walk across that stage filled me with so much joy and brought tears to my eyes. This is the reality many Deaf parents experience. We don’t always have equal access to information during important moments.But no matter what barriers exist, nothing could take away the pride I felt watching my son graduate kindergarten. Congratulations, my sweet baby. Mommy is so proud of you. Access matters. Every parent deserves to fully experience their child’s special moments.
VD: QB sits in the audience during her son’s kindergarten graduation. She watches the stage closely while families cheer and record videos. As the ceremony continues, she becomes emotional while watching her son graduate. The video shares her experience as a Deaf parent attending a graduation without an interpreter and the pride she felt seeing her son walk across the stage.
