deafREVIEW monthly showcase

Broadway Vision Source

(Capitol Hill)

I’ve been a client of Broadway Vision Source in Seattle, for over 10 years. When I first became a client of theirs, I opted to not request a Sign Language Interpreter and did the best I could to communicate effectively with my Optometrist. Year after year, my eyes never gave me trouble, I was able to get my glasses and contact prescription filled with ease, and it was only once a year I had to make my way to my eye doctor, sans interpreter.

My very patient Optometrist did the best he could to communicate with me. Yet, things were missed, lost in the shuffle, and at times I felt I was in over my head. I kept telling myself, “it’s only once a year”. Then, one day, I went in for my yearly check-up and due to things beyond anyone’s control, I had a complete communication break-down and left my yearly exam in tears. I couldn’t for the life of me, understand a word and my patience had gotten the best of me. Everything I had learned about communicating effectively with hearing people had gone out the window including advocating for myself and my needs.

It was at that moment, that I realized, the importance of having a Sign Language Interpreter at all of my medical appointments. While I had been a client of Broadway Vision Source for many years and never needed an interpreter in the past, they could have questioned why I felt I needed one now. But they didn’t. They simply listened to my request, trusted I knew what my own needs were and even allowed me to give them a preferred Interpreters list, making sure that I received quality service. Now when I call in, it’s not even an issue and their list of interpreters is ready to go.

As a Deaf-Friendly bonus, they accept all my relay calls, allow me to schedule appointments via e-mail and always make eye-contact, slow their speech down and are willing to write things down if needed.

It’s not often I can take my advocate hat-off, but when I do, it’s a great feeling of accomplishment and overall ease. Broadway Vision Source, thank you for being a deaf-friendly business! To read Broadway Vision Source’s original deaf-friendly review, visit this link.