Buying a house can be exciting and also complicated. Communication barriers shouldn't add onto that stress. If you’re ever in a similar situation, use the NAD’s advocacy letter for Real Estate Professionals and Entities. You can download it from Link .../2023/01/Real-Estate-Professionals.pdf!

[VIDEO DESC & TRANSCRIPT: Sarah and Garin are standing, facing the camera.

ON-SCREEN TEXT: inspired by true events.

GARIN: Buying a house can be complicated for anyone, right? [both nod before dead pan stare] It’s even more difficult for deaf folks like us.

SARAH: (nod) I reached out to a Real Estate company to get started on our search process.

GARIN: We wanted to schedule a meeting so we asked for an ASL interpreter.

SARAH: They said they couldn’t provide one but one of their agents knew a friend who knew some signs.

GARIN: Yeah, “some signs”...

Freeze-frame to gray.

BOTH: Umm, WRONG!

SARAH: I explained that buying a house is a truly complex process and having a friend who “knew some signs” wouldn’t be a good fit.

GARIN: I emailed the agent the NAD's Real Estate Professionals and Entities Advocacy Letter.

SARAH: After he emailed the letter, the agent quickly replied back apologizing and said they’ll arrange for an interpreter for our meeting next week.

GARIN: [looks over to Sarah] Ready to find our new home?

SARAH: YES!]