DeafBlind people are creating a new language | American Masters | PBS

Published 2023-07-26
Official website: www.pbs.org/americanmasters | #AmericanMastersPBS

Join author and disability rights advocate Rebecca Alexander as she meets the founders and educators of Protactile, a language based solely on touch. Historically, DeafBlind people have been limited to using interpreters to communicate. With Protactile, one-on-one and group conversations are not only possible, but they also allow for deeper and more meaningful connection.

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All Comments (21)
  • @lifesajoke6965
    The human brain is amazing. It so hard to comprehend how someone who has never heard a word or seen any kind of symbol can still have the ability to comprehend and use a language just as descriptive and complex as any.
  • @jonathanvair
    Nearly cried the whole time. So lucky to be alive in a time where I get to see this coming together.
  • @GaiaCarney
    American Masters PBS & Rebecca Alexander 🙏🏾 Thank You! Protactile is profound, and could change how ALL people relate & communicate! It’s beautiful
  • @sundaysmith5942
    Wow, I learned asl 25 years ago, I have use it off and on. I also taught my boys. Now I'm a certified nursing assistant and just got a new patient that is deaf and blind. I want to learn this technique so I can communicate. This video was very helpful😊
  • @rubikfan1
    Protactile real show that people always find a way to communicate. Its branded in our dna. Millions of year of evolution in a social species does this.
  • @samalsrei5089
    Protactile sounds like a beautiful language. Thank you for sharing this information with the world!
  • @joycestevens376
    Heard an NPR interview on 12/30/23 using Protactile. Was so entranced by the description of Protactile and the interviewer discussing and sharing what was occurring during the interview using the Protactile method. I have tried to learn a little ASL to be able to communicate with the deaf, but this would be far beyond my 78 year old ability to learn. I am so happy that you have a way a communicating with each other. To me it is quite amazing and beautiful.
  • @Arc618
    Life changing POV. God bless and thank you for sharing this.
  • Thank you so much for this informative video! I had no idea that Protactile exists. I knew in my heart that sign language is not enough.
  • @bluedragon012
    It makes me wonder if this could be used to teach people who can't use words or but can see and hear to communicate. My cousin has a daughter who is non verbal autistic, but is very quick to understand if there is touch involved. Like gently moving hands away from objects that should not be touched. Showing that we are not mad, but just are asking her to not touch it. But right now she can't understand why. But that's because the words may not make any sense to her. If I could learn this. This could save her from a institutionlized life.
  • There’s always hope as long as we have humanity! God bless everyone and everything whatever you are! ❤
  • @winros
    Hi, I'm a CODA. Both my parents were born Deaf. I grew up with many Deaf people and Deaf Blind people!!!🤟✌️
  • @Netbase2000
    Now I want to learn this and be involved. This is awesome. I absolutely believe a touch can say thousand words.
  • @jetlorider
    Bless your hearts and soul! I Love you all