Fran.O'gorman@f41.n267.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman) (11/19/90)
Index Number: 11833
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi Ann,
I finally got around to reading some of the msgs that were
being posted and found the debate about sign vs. oralism/speech
reading very stimulating. And I don't know if I've really
expressed it but having listened to your arguments in favor of
oralism I can see where a person would indeed be better off having
mastered that (not that it isn't obvious, but I could see it more
clearly still, in terms of how it aids other communication skills
like reading and writing since ASL is so very different).
But, (and I guess you probably anticipated a 'but' <grin>)
the one thing I read that you said was that you felt that everyone
could master it. Well, actually you were referring to the speech
reading which might be true, but the speech output part is the
part that may, due to other handicaps, not be possible. My
daughter is brain-injured and had a malformation inside her mouth
as well as other problems, and then I was thinking of stroke
victims, and C.P. (which Mary may be considered as having).
That is one BIG reason why I feel sign should still have a
place. Obviously as a last and not first resort. Sometimes even
as a stop gap (while the other is being learned) or as an
augmentation (when the other is not sufficient).
If a person relies on sign for expressive communication then
if there are more people out there who know sign, there are more
people to understand them. I don't have to sign for Mary to
understand me, but I need to know sign to understand her and she
very much wants to communicate.
Anyway, some more thoughts to toss into the collection. :-)
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!267!41!Fran.O'gorman
Internet: Fran.O'gorman@f41.n267.z1.fidonet.orgBob.Segalman@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Bob Segalman) (02/09/91)
Index Number: 13643
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
There is another wrinkle on this isssue. Although my hearing is
normal, I have severe CP with hand movement limitations making the
few signs I know hard to read. The point is that while you can't
read signs because of limited vision, some of us can't always sign
well because of limited
dexterity. - Bob
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Bob.Segalman
Internet: Bob.Segalman@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.orgFran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman) (02/09/91)
Index Number: 13650
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi Bob,
BS> There is another wrinkle on this isssue. Although my hearing is
BS> normal, I have severe CP with hand movement limitations making the
BS> few signs I know hard to read. The point is that while you can't
BS> read signs because of limited vision, some of us can't always sign
BS> well because of limited dexterity. - Bob
I have to confess I didn't see the original msg that your's is a
reply to and I hope you don't mind me popping in here, but if
you're looking for alternate communication systems, there's Blyss
Symbolics...and also electronic devices...perhaps these may help (?)
Blyss is a system of pictographs on a board that you point to and
there are so many electronic devices, they'd be too numerous to
describe all here--especially since I'm not sure if you're looking
for this kind of info. If you are, let me know and I could
explain further...
--Fran
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!94!Fran.O'gorman
Internet: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.orgVixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen) (02/09/91)
Index Number: 13666
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi,
I can't really respond with much continuity to your reply since I
believe I wrote the message you are replaying to going on three
months ago. But, I will try to respond approriately.
I am no longer sure of the points being made, other than there is
the reality that there exist a number of different communication
problems among us all.
I think "my" point was that speech reading was'nt a viable option
for me as someone visually impaired and so, as a person with a
degenerative hearing loss, "sign" is far the supereior for me and
most likely for most sight imapired persons with hearing
impairment.
I can see where you also might see that a persons ability to read
your lips would be helpful for you since signing would be difficult
in your situation.
It is just tesimony to our varied and multiple needs and problems.
Keepin' the faith!
. Vixen
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!203!11!Vixen
Internet: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org