Here to be heard

When Kirsten Pribula, BFA ’18, lived on campus and needed a late-night ride back to her room, she sometimes would call CATS Late Night, a free shuttle service provided by the University. There was just one problem: Deaf since age 3, Pribula relied on a call service for deaf individuals that can sound like a phone call from a telemarketer, and several times, the CATS Late Night operator hung up on her.

“I felt sad because I couldn’t make a simple call and do something for myself instead of having another person to help me,” Pribula recalls.

Then, the graphic design major was invited to become an accessibility liaison through the Presidentially Appointed Committee on Disability and Accessibility Promotion. Her first goal? Change the CATS Late Night call system. The accessibility liaisons met with Transportation Services, which fixed the problem within days by adding a texting option for all campus ride-hailing services.

“It was a great feeling,” Pribula says, adding that the texting option is popular among hearing students as well. This outcome is an example of “deaf gain,” where society as a whole benefits from having deaf people in it.

Pribula’s life experience informed not only her accessibility advocacy, but also her art. Through her senior thesis project, “Hear What I See,” she invited others to experience the challenges of lip reading, a skill Pribula says is acquired only through practice and patience.

She’s quick to point out, though, that there’s much more to her story—and those of all people living with a disability.

“I’m more than just the ‘deaf girl.’ I’m Kirsten. I’m a graphic designer, a photographer, I’m from Ohio,” Pribula says, explaining that she wishes everyone would learn to reach out to those with disabilities.

“Get to know their story and find out who they really are and look beyond the disability. It’ll surprise you.”