From the TSA’s Website:
“Alabama TSA officer brightens
Deaf community’s travel experience”
TSA Officer Kayla Lowery-Busick
just celebrated her two-year anniversary with the agency, and she’s making a
big impact at Alabama’s Huntsville International Airport (HSV), especially when
it comes to welcoming deaf passengers at the checkpoint. American Sign Language
(ASL) is Lowery-Busick’s first language. Her parents were both born deaf, so
ASL is the language she spoke at home growing up. Now, she’s putting her ASL
fluency to great use at HSV. “When I started working for TSA, I truly did not
realize how much I was going to use ASL on the checkpoint,” said Lowery-Busick.
“I speak with deaf passengers at least twice a month. That interaction is as
important as the more than 7,000 other passengers we screen weekly.”
TSA Explosives Training Officer
Justin Jewett was amazed how Lowery-Busick engaged with a group of deaf
students flying out of Huntsville after attending Space Camp. The dozens of
students had an interpreter with them; however, Lowery-Busick was there to
communicate, help them through the screening process and make their trip
through HSV a memorable one. “Communication barriers tend to be an obstacle
during screening operations, but Kayla’s engagement with the group was
impressive,” Jewett described. “She quite literally contributed to a positive
experience and more effective screening. Kayla has embraced her family
experience and applied it to her current position, and I believe TSA is better
for it.”
Alabama TSA Federal Security
Director Tara Corse said through programs like Space Camp, HSV officers see
young people, ages 9 to 18, from all 50 states, U.S. territories and more than
150 foreign countries, many of whom are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, have
limited vision or other disabilities. “These groups provide our officers
opportunities to interact with and assist with screening that is much different
than our typical passengers,” said Corse. “I am proud of the diligence and care
our officers show these young visitors. Kayla is a big part of ensuring we are
successful with communicating at the checkpoint. Her skills are a blessing to
HSV and TSA. She establishes a positive screening experience for the children
and creates an environment of trust and compassion.”
When passengers who are deaf
realize Lowery-Busick speaks ASL, they are ecstatic to know a TSA officer is
available to explain the screening process and answer questions. “Whenever a
TSA officer discovers a passenger is deaf, they always give me a heads up so I
can help that passenger, if necessary,” Lowery-Busick said. “More often than
not, the screening process is smooth, but I still reach out to them to
introduce myself and have a normal interaction with them just like I would with
any other passenger. They are so grateful, and it makes me so happy that they
feel included in their own experience.”
Lowery-Busick said people who are
deaf are just as successful going through the checkpoint screening process as
other travelers without much additional assistance. “Deaf people are very aware
of their surroundings, so they follow what the people around them are doing and
really don’t have any major issues,” she noted. “Deaf passengers have mentally
prepared themselves to navigate screening using whatever means available –
passing notes, body language, etc. Like with any other language barriers, the
interaction becomes less verbal and more physical with body language, gestures
and facial expressions. When I speak with them in ASL, they are pleasantly
surprised to have what to them is a normal conversation in a place where that
doesn’t happen very often.”
Corse views Lowery-Busick’s ASL
skills as an extension of the TSA Cares program through which TSA offers
screening assistance to travelers who need it. “We take for granted the ability
to interact with others in our own language,” Corse emphasized, “but
significant barriers to communicating in sign language deprive many deaf people
of enjoying even these basic interactions. The screening process itself can be
stressful, so to add additional challenges may make it even more difficult.
Kayla’s skill provides individuals with on-time critical information to help
alleviate any stress they may have and offers inclusive support.”
Lowery-Busick said the Deaf
community is near and dear to her heart. “They are my people, and I am always
overjoyed to see someone using ASL,” she said. “I am even more excited when a
deaf passenger has a positive interaction with TSA and has more confidence in
their abilities to navigate the screening process.” Because the general
population doesn’t often interact with the Deaf community, Lowery-Busick said
they expect deaf people to be fragile or need some “kind of special
accommodation.”
Lowery-Busick offers the
following tips for TSA officers: Deaf people are people; they just
communicate differently. What officers need to know is that an interaction with
a deaf person is just like an interaction with any other person. Help them
understand the screening process, make them aware of what you’re going to do as
far as pat-downs or property searches and do that in a respectful way. “If you
have someone who speaks ASL, by all means get them to help. But you can also
use a pen and paper to write it down. Above all, be kind.”
^ This is so nice to see. I wish
it was expanded to every American Airport. ^
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