Tracy Stine
Bio
Freelance Writer. ASL Teacher. Disability Advocate. Deafblind. Snarky.
Stories (80)
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The Accessibility Crisis of 2026: What No One Wants to Admit
Every January, the internet fills with glossy predictions about the future - tech trends, workplace trends, fashion trends, AI trends. But there’s one category that rarely makes the list, even though it affects millions of people every single day:
By Tracy Stine7 days ago in 01
What Hearing People Should Stop Saying to Deaf or Hard of Hearing Folks (With Sarcastic Responses)
Here's a list of things people are still saying to Deaf and Hard of Hearing People that make us cringe. Warning: Sarcasm ahead. If you prefer gentle content, I hear the internet has plenty of cat videos.
By Tracy Stine11 days ago in Humor
Why Your Actions Matter: Addressing Able-Bodied Misuse of Disability Resources
Across airports, stadiums, schools, and city streets, one disturbing pattern repeats itself: nondisabled people using disability accommodations for themselves. They request wheelchairs to skip boarding lines, occupy ADA seating at concerts, park in accessible spaces “just for a minute,” or block ramps with strollers and shopping carts.
By Tracy Stine2 months ago in Humans
Beyond Captions: Why the White House Lawsuit Affirms ASL Interpreters as Essential Public Access
The current federal court order, which mandates the Trump Administration to immediately reinstate live American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters for its press briefings, has ignited a critical, high-stakes conversation. This legal victory for the Deaf community is a direct challenge to the administration's decision to discontinue the service implemented by the previous White House.
By Tracy Stine2 months ago in The Swamp
Stop Telling Me to Meditate!
Open any social media feed and you’ll be inundated with the gospel of wellness culture: juice cleanses, gratitude journals, green smoothies, and the mantra that "you can manifest a cure." This narrative promotes a simplistic view of health defined by optimization, quick fixes, and individual effort.
By Tracy Stine2 months ago in Longevity
ASL Isn’t English in Disguise
I've been signing for over forty years and teaching online for the last ten years. If I had a dollar for every time a student was surprised that ASL isn’t just “English on the hands” — or that facial expressions are actually required — I’d be retired by now.
By Tracy Stine3 months ago in Education
When Inclusion Means Assimilation: Why We’re Done Playing ‘Normal’
Inclusion shouldn’t mean erasure. But for many disabled people, that’s exactly what it feels like. We’re told to “blend in,” “mask,” “act normal.” We’re praised when we suppress our natural communication styles, sensory needs, or mobility tools. We’re rewarded for being palatable, not authentic.
By Tracy Stine3 months ago in Psyche
Smashing the Center Stage: Bad Bunny, ASL, and the Refusal to Shrink
Bad Bunny might perform at the Super Bowl. In Spanish. And people are mad. Not because he’s untalented—he’s one of the most streamed artists on the planet. Not because he’s irrelevant—he’s collaborated with everyone from Drake to J Balvin and is a global cultural icon. They’re mad because he’s not singing in English.
By Tracy Stine3 months ago in Beat
A Deaf Lens on the Shutdown
The October 2025 government shutdown isn’t just a budget issue, it’s a disruption of everyday systems that many Americans rely on. For Deaf individuals and families, the ripple effects are especially noticeable. Interpreter access is delayed. Education oversight is paused. Civil rights investigations are slowed. These aren’t political talking points—they’re real consequences.
By Tracy Stine3 months ago in The Swamp
The 'Smart Home' Myth: Why Current Tech Fails the Hearing Loss Community
The modern "smart home" promises a life of effortless connection and convenience. With a simple voice command or a tap on an app, we can lock doors, dim the lights, and even order groceries. It’s a vision of futurist living, marketed on the ideal of seamless integration.
By Tracy Stine3 months ago in 01
