Tracy Stine
Bio
Freelance Writer. ASL Teacher. Disability Advocate. Deafblind. Snarky.
Stories (83)
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A Deaf Lens on the Shutdown
The October 2025 government shutdown isn’t just a budget issue, it’s a disruption of everyday systems that many Americans rely on. For Deaf individuals and families, the ripple effects are especially noticeable. Interpreter access is delayed. Education oversight is paused. Civil rights investigations are slowed. These aren’t political talking points—they’re real consequences.
By Tracy Stine5 months ago in The Swamp
The 'Smart Home' Myth: Why Current Tech Fails the Hearing Loss Community
The modern "smart home" promises a life of effortless connection and convenience. With a simple voice command or a tap on an app, we can lock doors, dim the lights, and even order groceries. It’s a vision of futurist living, marketed on the ideal of seamless integration.
By Tracy Stine5 months ago in 01
Stop Doubting Us
“He’s not blind—he’s looking at his phone.” “She’s not deaf—she’s talking.” “You’re not paralyzed—you just stood up.” These are the comments we see every day, casual dismissals of our reality. You scroll past our stories and call them lies, as if disability fits in a neat little box. As if you know our bodies better than we do. As if visibility cancels out reality.
By Tracy Stine5 months ago in Poets
Stop Calling Us Brave: The Problem with Inspiration Porn
At a college gym in Washington State, a poster shows an amputee lifting weights under the caption: “NO EXCUSES.” To many, it’s motivational. To disabled students like CM Wright, it’s a daily reminder that their bodies are being used to inspire others without their consent or context.
By Tracy Stine6 months ago in Humans
Social Media – More Than Just Likes and Shares
In today’s media-saturated world, social media stands out as the most compelling and influential form of communication. It’s not just a space for entertainment—it’s a platform for advocacy, awareness, and collective action. While the constant stream of updates can feel overwhelming, especially in political and social justice spaces, it also offers unprecedented opportunities to challenge dominant narratives, amplify marginalized voices, and build informed communities.
By Tracy Stine7 months ago in The Swamp
Sign Language Isn’t a Punchline. Top Story - July 2025.
In recent years, viral clips of comedians interacting with sign language interpreters during live shows have flooded social media. The interpreter signs a punchline—often crude or profane—and the audience erupts in laughter. The comedian grins, reveling in the moment.
By Tracy Stine7 months ago in Humans
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing: Technology, Sign Language & Access in Daily Life
For millions of people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH), communication isn’t just about sound—it’s about connection, identity, and access. While hearing individuals often rely on spoken language, the DHH community uses a wide variety of communication methods to express themselves and engage with the world.
By Tracy Stine8 months ago in Humans
Haunting Notes
Every year, the anniversary of her kidney transplant sneaks up on Noelle, leaving her feeling oddly grateful and unsettled at the same time. In the days before she starts losing things. Not just her keys, which she found in the freezer next to the peas, but her train of thought, mid-sentence. She craves a quiet that feels impossible, a silence so deep it could swallow the hum of the refrigerator. One random afternoon, while wandering the library, she finds a folded note tucked in a book:
By Tracy Stine8 months ago in Fiction
