PLEASE REQUEST HAND SIGNALS FOR ALL RACES IN OLYMPIC TRIALS

For those of you attending the trials or watching on TV, please request that they use hand signals for EVERY event. They will use signals for my event, but there is no guarantee it will be well practiced or accurate unless they are constantly using it for EVERY race. Please write in to USA swimming to request hand signals... If they use hand signals, then Deaf and hard of hearing audience members can also see and fully enjoy the race experience! Please feel free to use the template letter below!


To whom it may concern at USA Swimming

Hi, my name is_________. I am ___ years old a deaf swimmer, and I am also a paying member of USA Swimming. I am coming to Omaha to watch Olympic trials with my family. In order for the meet to be accessible to me and my family, I would like to request hand signals for all of the starts so that I can see the official saying to step up and to take your mark. This is a once in a lifetime trip to olympic trials for me. These accommodations come at no cost to you, and would make my experience as a swim fan at olympic trials that much better. I can't wait to tell my local media that you responded to me saying "YES" that you will make trials accessible to me. Thank you for doing the right thing.

signed ______________


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Fellow athletes! Please help me make hand signals part of a universal start at the trials. If the hand signals are used for EVERY heat in EVERY event, then there should be no mistakes since the refs will be very well practiced! Please send this letter to USA swimming requesting hand signals for your events!

Dear Coach Busch,

Hi, my name is (_____________). I will be competing in the (example: 50 freestyle) at the 2012 Olympic Trials.

I would like you to use hand signals for the start of my races because it is loud in the CenturyLink Center, and I am not sure I will be able to hear the starter commands through my swim cap and over the sound of the crowd. I don't want to leave anything to chance. I will not be stepping up on to the blocks without hand signals. The start is a very important part of my race. Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincereley, ________________

Interviewed on KVOA Channel 4 News

http://www.kvoa.com/news/usa-swimming-responds-to-local-swimmer-s-plea/#!prettyPhoto/0/

Update of what's happening with hand signal.

I've been talking with USA swimming and hand signals will be used for my race starts. However, I am pushing that they be used for ALL heats and ALL events. That way the referees will be well practiced and the hand signals will be a natural part of the start protocol. I'm still waiting for this confirmation from USA swimming. Thanks for your continued support! It's helping me get through this!

Article from Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/usa-swimming-will-allow-hand-signals-to-accommodate-deaf-athletes-at-olympic-trials/2012/04/19/gIQAkcbEUT_story.html

Progress happening.

Progress!! I just received word from my former coach, Frank Busch that he will be requiring hand signals for all races and all events at the trials. I just need to get this in writing for official confirmation from USA swimming! Thank you everyone for pushing this issue!

2010 US Nationals Video

Check out this video from 2010 US Nationals: Men 100 Breaststroke A Final

Since this happened, the race officials still continues to make this same mistake. Horrible hand signals and technological problems that could have been avoided in the first place. It's been two years... it's no excuse and it's time to change.

Update

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for your responses and support. I'm going through all of your ideas and suggestions. This is a great start and I want to keep the momentum going!

For the last two years I’ve been working hard and communicating with USA swimming about my needs as a Deaf athlete. Even though I remind the officials and referrees time and time again, they are constantly forgetting or incorrectly executing the hand signals and strobe lights that I request at each one of my swim meets.  This has been causing too much tension and stress in my swims. This latest incident, along with the hand signals having been messed up too many times has pushed my frustration and patience beyond anger and I am losing focus on what's most important to me - my swimming. It's not fair to me when I am swimming among the best swimmers in the country and world to have an additional stressor. Why do I have to worry every time I get up on the block. Should I carry this additional weight with me constantly?  I want to be excited and just as focused as the swimmer next to me. I only want to worry about my race, not whether the official is going to give me a signal or not. Is that too much to ask??


Now I get a response back from USA Swimming saying that they want to follow FINA protocol for the starting system, which means no hand signals at the Omaha Olympic Trials. Why are they making this decision? Is it becuase they don't want to carry the responsibility of making a mistake during the start procedure? That’s not fair. USA Swimming tells me that they want to “practice” for me to prepare for London, in which they won’t provide hand signals. Why do I have to worry about that now? I will worry about that only AFTER the trials and only IF I make the team. That is fair. We are on US soil. How can USA Swimming justify their actions?


Thanks again everyone for your comments! Please help me continue spreading the word and write in to USA swimming to help me protest!

 

 

USA Swimming DISCRIMINATES against Deaf Swimmer

Hi everyone, 

I need your support and help to stop the discrimination I am facing as a Deaf swimmer!

As you know, I am preparing for the upcoming Olympic Trials in Omaha, NE to be held in June. I have been working for several months with USA swimming to develop a race start protocol that incorporates hand signals and strobe lights as a visual aid to assist Deaf and hearing impaired swimmers. So far we have been able to incorporate this into USA swimming's protocol and implementation has begun at the national swimming level. Unfortunately the program is still in its infancy and execution of visual race starts have less than 50% accuracy. The positive note is that USA swimming is aware that they need to change the start protocol so that it is universal for all athletes. Unfortunately, I just learned that the Olympic Trials are conducted according to FINA protocol, which does not include hand signals that indicate "ready" and "set." Although I have worked with USA swimming for months to standardize race procedures for Deaf swimmers, USA swimming is not accommodating my request to incorporate hand signals at the Olympic trials. This has become an unfortunate case of discrimination at a time when I should be receiving a lot of support for this once in a lifetime opportunity.

I would appreciate any attention that you can help me shine on this issue. Anyone in the broadcasting, swimming, and Deaf community should be aware of this issue. If we can bring attention to this and have numerous people write in to protest and support me...then perhaps USA swimming will change their tune.We need to protest that FINA protocol discriminates against the Deaf and hearing impaired. Please show your support for me and write to your local news agency and USA swimming to spread word that every athlete deserves a fair and equal opportunity. Contact the members below at USA swimming to show your support. Thank you!



Chuck Wielgus (cwielgus@usaswimming.org)

Frank Busch (fbusch@usaswimming.org)

James Sheehan (Jim.Sheehan@marshpm.com)

Mike Unger (munger@usaswimming.org)

Dan McAllan (d.mcalleniii@sbcglobal.net)