Fall 2018 Edition
Alumni & Friends Magazine
Here to be heard
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.
Mary Reed, BSJ '90, MA '93 | October 25, 2018
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Kirsten Pribula, BFA ā18 shares her experiences living with deafness through both stalwart on-campus advocacy and thought-provoking art. Photo by Elle Achten, BSJ ā14, MA ā17
When Kirsten Pribula, BFA ā18, 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.
āI felt sad because I couldnāt make a simple call and do something for myself instead of having another person to help me,ā 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.
āIt was a great feeling,ā Pribula says, adding that the texting option is popular among hearing students as well. This outcome is an example of ādeaf gain,ā where society as a whole benefits from having deaf people in it.
Pribulaās life experience informed not only her accessibility advocacy, but also her art. Through her senior thesis project, āHear What I See,ā she invited others to experience the challenges of lip reading, a skill Pribula says is acquired only through practice and patience.
Sheās quick to point out, though, that thereās much more to her storyāand those of all people living with a disability.
āIām more than just the ādeaf girl.ā Iām Kirsten. Iām a graphic designer, a photographer, Iām from Ohio,ā Pribula says, explaining that she wishes everyone would learn to reach out to those with disabilities.
āGet to know their story and find out who they really are and look beyond the disability. Itāll surprise you.ā
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Pribula, BFA ā18