Thursday, March 3, 2011

Deaf Student to be Architect

I have questions relating to Architecture studies if you don't mind helping clear a bit.

I'm deaf and I'm an Art major student but up until recently, I've developed new-found interests and passions in Architecture. For quite some time, I've been thinking about switching over to it and I have been researching on it but there wasn't a lot of information or resources on how will Deaf person would succeed in Architecture field.

In your book, “Becoming an Architect”, you said Communication is one of utter most important skills in Architecture field and while I refuse to let communication barrier stop me from studying Architecture (Or any fields for that matters), I must admit that I have some concerns.  With me being deaf, would it affect my standing with the architecture firms? What I need to be preparing for in school or professional? I wonder if you have any advises or resources for someone with disabilities?

Any advises and comments would be greatly appreciative. Thank you for your time and have a great day!
_________

Thanks for your email and I pleased to know that you have been reading my book.

As I am not deaf, I am not truly qualified to answer your questions, but the websites below might give you some insight including the email of a deaf architect in Maryland.  With that said, I do think you can pursue any field you desire.  There is more than enough technology to aid you.

As mentioned in the book, communication is critical, but I have no doubt that being deaf should not limit your ability to become an architect. As with any student, you will have challenges, but your determination and perseverance will overcome those challenges.


Below highlights an architect who appears to be the first deaf architect in the U.S.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olof_Hanson

Below is a transcript of an interview with a deaf architect in Baltimore, MD.  It provided an email address; I suggest you contact him with additional questions.

http://www.inmylingo.com/inmylingo/blog/post/2011/01/16/Calling-all-Deaf-Architects!.aspx

Anyone  who wants to get more information, feel free to contact him at michael@gardeniavictoria.com.

Again, someone posting a question and individuals who respond.

2 comments:

Thomas Posedly said...

I am totally deaf and use ASL. I read and write English. I entered U of Arizona college of Architecture in 1959, long before deaf services like notetakers and interpreters. I write notes for communication. Architecture is all about sketching and writing on yellow thumbnail sketch paper. Studio Art was my minor. So I got two degrees in 1965 and 1966. I started architectural rendering business in '69 and opened own architectural office in '71 when I got the license. Check www.deafpeople.com, click on deaf person of the month and click on May 2010 Tom Posedly

Pisces38 said...

I'm profoundly Deaf and i'm 38 years old. I know it might be a bit late to change career as i like to becoming an Architecture. I'm finding difficult finding a good college that doesn't have barrier communication break down between deaf and hearing. i am a lipspeaking and can do sign. i would willing to move to another country to able to get a degrees and license. I'm a family man of 1 daughter and a parnter.