James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack) (03/12/91)
Index Number: 13882 [This is from the Silent Talk Conference] Part One To: All Deaf Activists! THE FOLLOWING IS THE OPENING STATEMENT TO BE PRESENTED TO A GATHERING OF ALL ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND DEAF STAFF ON MARCH 14TH. WILL INFORM YOU OF THE RESULTS OF THAT MEETING LATER. ARIZONA STATE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND HEARING IMPAIRED PROFESSIONAL ADVOCATES Opening Statement To The First Administration-ASDB/HIPA Meeting March 4, 1991 We enter this meeting in the hope that this and future meetings will not be meetings in which views are merely exchanged and in which no plans of action are made. Such meetings border on being pointless in the light of why we are gathered here. Each of you has received a copy of our report to the superintendent. In that report are issues, concerns and events regarding deaf employees and deaf students of the school in which we are all a part. This report lists and expounds the situations tha t currently exist here. The report also offers potential solutions to concerns we deem as requiring address and action to resolve or eliminate. Consequently, we enter these meetings expecting the issues specific to our report to be discussed and spec ific plans being made on what actions to take regarding these concerns. A few issues in our report are no longer valid. ASDB being what it is has already taken steps to remedy some of the concerns addressed in the paper. We thank you, Dr. Griffing and those of you who are active in your support of our efforts to improve the school. Speaking of appreciation and while I have this chance to speak to you, I wish to express thanks on behalf of HIPA for the support some of you have given us. We received some very positive comments from some of you upon your receiving our report. Thank you very much. This shows that we can and will be able to come to terms with the remaining issues as we meet to plan strategies for addressing them. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!300!14!James.Womack Internet: James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org
James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org (James Womack) (03/12/91)
Index Number: 13883 [This is from the Silent Talk Conference] Part Three The meeting with Dr. Griffing was a direct result of the fact that Jim and I wanted to find out why we had not received the memo about this meeting. We believe this information flow problem must be corr ected as it is disruptive and encourages our meetings to be disorganized gatherings with little or no sense of direction. In any event, the lateness in which we did received the information prevented us from gathering our complete membership together before the Rodeo Break to agree upon the agenda we would present to you. THE AGENDA The first area of concern we will focus on is the status and employment of hearing impaired employees at ASDB. We will not at this time go into details on that issue as they are clearly stated in the report. The second focus is the communication skills of ASDB employees. This is a school for the deaf and it is rather improper for employees to not be able to communicate with deaf colleagues and peers effectively. The specifics of this concern are also lis ted in the report. The third area we will go into is the demonstrated need for an attitude adjustment that some of our staff require. This need is shown by the fact that some of the hearing staff engage in questionable responses and behaviors towards both deaf students and deaf staff members. The specifics of this issue is also outlined in the report. In conclusion, the one thing HIPA believes is self-evident, is the fact that the school is or should be a model for mainstream society. The school by virtue of its existence and mission should be a successful demonstration of how the deaf may be prep ared for and participate as contributing and full equals in our society. In this school, it should be a demonstrated proof today, not tomorrow, and not be considered an on-going process, but rather, proof here and now today that this is possible and happening. Otherwise, those looking at the school from outside cannot help but think; if it cannot be or is not happening in an agency serving the deaf for 86 years, when will it happen? If it is not happening at a school for the deaf, where will it happen? The last thing the school needs is to be seen as a failure in its mission and the very goals it espouses. Therefore, our meetings must result in concrete plans for implementing changes. Changes to make the deaf fully participating and equal p artners a reality. If we can't or won't do this, then just what is a school for the deaf for? Why does it exist? James Womack ASDB/HIPA Representative -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!300!14!James.Womack Internet: James.Womack@f14.n300.z1.fidonet.org