Coming off a series of great reviews, trailblazing model, actor, and deaf activist Nyle DiMarco recently held the students at Kansas State University enthralled with an inspiring talk titled “Deaf Utopia“. Having come into international limelight after winning ‘America’s Next Top Model’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’, DiMarco told his journey through Hollywood, his advocacy for the deaf world, and his vision of a more inclusive world.
Embracing ‘Deaf Utopia’
At the core of DiMarco’s message is his notion of “Deaf Utopia“, a term he applies to that world that fully accepts, celebrates, and even integrates deaf people into it. Being profoundly deaf himself from a multigenerational deaf family setting, DiMarco meant this vision was not to separate the deaf community but to enforce and create a setting wherein deafness becomes a strength rather than a disability.
This emphasised the importance of sign language accessibility and further representation by deaf people in all aspects of society—educational, media, as well as entertainment. DiMarco knew that a Deaf Utopia means where sign language is embraced by everyone, and deaf people are not limited but have unique viewpoints that contribute. His words rang true to the students. Many students were inspired by his own person’s journey and by challenging them to join his call for inclusion.
Overcoming the Barriers in Hollywood
DiMarco also shared with everyone his journey in dealing with the showbiz world as a deaf person. He has really been successful, though, after dealing with countless challenges and barriers. He won ‘America’s Next Top Model’ in 2015 and even bested ‘Dancing with the Stars’, becoming the first ever deaf contestant to win in 2016. Success has proven stereotypes about deaf people wrong because it showed the world that deafness is part of who he is rather than a limitation.
DiMarco also leveraged this avenue and spoke about a need for more accurate representation of deaf people in the media. He said, “Make sure the right message and the true nature of the deaf world stories are told through deaf actors while maintaining their true sense in relation to deaf experiences.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
For the most part of the speech, DiMarco encouraged students to embrace their differences and advocate for greater diversity and inclusion in all aspects of life. It was surely an empowering message of perseverance and advocacy for the deaf community that he voiced and left a persistent impact on the audience. A proud advocate of a Deaf Utopia and lessons learnt in Hollywood, DiMarco reminded students that change begins with questioning the status quo and working toward a more inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to voice himself or herself.
