Due to the current health crisis and a shortage of protective equipment, people have started to make their own face masks in an effort to stay healthy. While scientists are torn on whether or not wearing these masks actually make a difference, it certainly doesn’t hurt to wear them. That’s why when Kentucky student Ashley Lawrence noticed that none of the masks took the deaf and hard of hearing community into account, she decided to do it herself.
- Lawrence is currently studying deaf education. The Eastern Kentucky University student is extremely attuned to the needs of the deaf community, which is why she knew she needed to step in when she noticed the face masks available weren’t considering those with special needs.
- She picked up a sewing needle and got to work. Lawrence decided to put together her own face masks with a transparent area over the mouth so that lip reading is possible. It also means facial reactions are visible, which users of American Sign Language rely on to communicate effectively.
- Lawrence shared her creation on Facebook. Along with pictures of her incredible face masks, Lawrence captioned the post, “So right before the pandemic, masks were made and made commercialized to help people with hearing loss have access to their doctor’s mouths for lip reading/speech reading. Because of the shortage of masks, everyone started making their own, so I thought: why not make them for all?? This is how we stay #HealthyatHome”
- It wasn’t long before Lawrence’s face masks went viral. People were understandably awed by her thoughtful and useful design and her Facebook post soon went viral. Not only that, but Lawrence tells CBS News that she’s been overwhelmed by demand for the product, which she’s attempting to distribute via the DHH Mask Project. “We have been so completely overwhelmed by the response, and pleased that we could do our part to bring awareness to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community,” she wrote.
- We need more incredible people like this in the world. Coming up with creative solutions to real problems that affect differently-abled people is an incredible gesture. Hopefully Lawrence and her face masks inspire others to make a difference in their own communities.
