Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker) (03/12/91)
Index Number: 13874
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Tim, I was mainstreamed long before there was such a thing as
mainstreaming (HA - guess that tells you how old I am).
I do not condemn education for the deaf but I do believe it is better
in the public school system, not in residential schools. I think
you will find that state public school systems are trying to improve
the education level for those who are deaf/hearing impaired. The
only thing deaf children cannot do is "hear" and there is no reason
to keep them apart from others by isolating them into residential
schools.
I actually am involved with school age children who are deaf as well
as their parents in Oklahoma, so I do keep up with what is going
on. I also know many young deaf adults who graduated from residential
schools as well as from public schools in Oklahoma and I'm appalled
that they were even allowed to graduate. Most of the parents I have
come in contact with want their children to be oral as well as know
sign - in other words, use Total Communication. I can understand
why because so many of the deaf individuals miss out on so much by
not learning the English language which to me is very important.
The reason I cut ASL down so much is due to the fact most deaf people
read and write as ASL and that is BAD!
I think in order to improve the quality of life for those with hearing
impairments as well as prepare them to live independently in this
WILD, WACKY and WONDERFUL world of ours, we need to make some changes.
I don't think it's necessary we do this and that to make children
happy - most children don't want to be forced to do anything (that's
normal) - but we do need to see that they get the full benefit of
a good education in English (among other things). I think it would
be great if they would associate more with their hearing counterparts,
not just stick to those who are like them.
I think it's time to change the subject on this - it's a no win/lose
situation and too many emotional feelings are involved. So - what
shall we discuss next? (smirk)
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!385!14.0!Ann.Stalnaker
Internet: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.orgTim.Smith@f429.n275.z1.fidonet.org (Tim Smith) (03/15/91)
Index Number: 13925
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
I stand by what you say.. There are NO program for the Deaf that uses
ASL as the first and utmost language of educating... So therefore no one
can't say it does not work.. They have nothing to base this on.
Take, in Gallaudet's days.. there was a majority of 51% of the teachers
being deaf. They used ASL. The program was VERY successful to my
understanding, UNTIL the oralistic manaics tried to take over.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!275!429!Tim.Smith
Internet: Tim.Smith@f429.n275.z1.fidonet.orgJames.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack) (03/15/91)
Index Number: 13954
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Tim, not only is there no ASL system in formal use on which to decide
if ASL can successfully be used as a tool for teaching a second languag,
but theold Gallaudet days might have demonstratedthatit is successful.
If you have watched any of the old films of deaf people "speaking"
before an audience, you will note that they fingerspell very advanced
vocabulary terms and their speech content is rather complex. Veditz's
talk before an audience vowing that as long as there are deaf people
in the world, there would sign language is a prime example. He is eloquent
his terminology is envious. His savvy for the politics of his time
and as well as his ability to time his remarks and phrase them for
maximum effect is just astonishing.
Oddly enough, watching these old films of Deaf Gallaudetians made me
angry. their command of English and very high vocabulary ability reminded
me of what many deaf students today don't have in comparsion. I know
that Veditz and others were taught with ASL first and that on that
platform was built their astonishing command of English. The fact that
these living proofs were ignored in favor of hearie philosophy of English
only approaches in educating the deaf makes me want to scream, hit
something, maybe even choke some of these imbeciles. I mean it really
gets to me. Hopefully, we will reverse this in schools for the deaf
over time as Deaf people insist more and more on direct involvement
in school policies regarding education of deaf children. At my school
we are starting what looks to be a process in this direction now.
The March 4th meeting appears to have knocked most administrators for
a loop. They just sat dumbfounded staring at me after my speech. However,
we got an agreement out of the super to adhere to everything inthat
speech. We got it in front of all those people. We also have people
telling us they are glad to see this happening. Others speak of their
fear and not being sure if they belong in the school anymore. This
tells me we are having an impact. If the administrators are smart,
they will join us in our efforts as requested and make the school very
progressive. If denial of equality and professional respect continues,
we are prepared to go public and ugliness is such an unnecessary thing,
so foolish and such a waste of time. I am hping we will join hand in
hand with our hearing staff and make that school the finest in the
country because we are perfectly capable of doing just that.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!300!14!James.Womack
Internet: James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org