Let's return to the main discussion of deficit thinking. I refuse to be shy about it because it's happening right now.
Rudeness in word and deed as it appears in the letter from the Alexander Graham Bell Association of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (AGBAD) criticizing the Pepsi Cola Company actually tests the limit of tolerance. Discussions end up in rigid stances-in that kind of atmosphere Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people quickly grouped together and prejudices are identified as truth, which erode the spirit of the Deaf Community.
American Sign Language (ASL) is our culture, our nature to grow, expand, evolve. Our cultural nature comes from, but rises above, our being Deaf. When we the Deaf crossed the threshold of linguistic-cultural takeoff, some powerful people became extremely critical.
Linguists used to think that languages are spoken only. ASL has since then forced them to abandon this idea. ASL has its own grammatical rules that are independent from other sign languages. I had experienced such language change and culture shock, from Gebarentaal (Dutch Sign Language) to ASL as well as from the Dutch language to English.
ASL is not a spoken language; it is signed. ASL is used in all subject matters, from algebric formula to zoological science, and speech can be taught through ASL.
By suggesting that ASL is an uphill battle and discouraging Deaf babies from ASL, deficit thinking simply begins. The 2008 AGBAD letter is unfortunate because it is a byproduct of deficit thinking.
Friday, February 08, 2008
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5 comments:
Being a new Vlogger, I am surprised at the level of bickering that is occurring, especially with organizations I have never heard of. We should value our uniqueness concerning deafness. Some groups seems so intent on imposing their beliefs.
"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."
Harvey Fierstein
ah, i missed all that talk about deficit thinking.
Now do you understand why John Egbert brought up that terminology of DEFICIT THINKERS, aka; Alexander T. Graham and Karen Youdelman?
At first, I thought that John Egbert had gone too far but AG BAD's letter to Pepsi is worse. AG BAD is a true "deficit thinking" organization.
Cathy
Jeremy,
You you do not know the history of AGBell and the way it has oppressed Deaf people for over 128 years. I recommend that you do a little research. The only organization that is and has been causing divide in the Deaf Community is AGBell. They know exactly what they are doing and keep playing this card over and over again.
How do you get along with an organization that is closed minded and exclusionary to one way only...speech and listening. NAD and the Deaf Community has never once said that it has to be only ASL. Speaking and amplification are accessories to ASL and useful tools for many Deaf people. But AGBell continues to downgrade people who use ASL and are part of the Deaf Community.
AGBell is a supported by Cochlear Implant and Hearing Aid Companies that never return one penny to the Deaf Community.
So tell me "How exactly do we try to work with an organization that is one way or no way?" DBC is trying to bring attention to this very issue through rallies, conventions, blogs, speaking engagements, letters of advocacy, etc. so that parents who have Deaf babies can understand the importance of ASL so they can have a more full and complete picture of options and choices that affect the long term outcome of their child's social, emotional and cognitive development.
To Hearing mom: as i said "Some groups seems so intent on imposing their beliefs."{
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