I'd like to revisit the main topic of that blog post, which is the inequality of assistive technology- hearing aids and cochlear implants in the deaf community. Both serve the same function, however one is much more acceptable than the other.
For CI users and parents of CI users to trust both organizations (AFA and DBC), both technology needs to be on equal footing and no bashing should be allowed anywhere by leaders and followers alike.
If CIs are mentioned as tools of audism, then hearing aids should also be mentioned as well. If hearing aids aren't tools of audism, then CI's should not be either.
The other topic is respect for parents like myself who want to protect our children. I had assumed that this was a given, that people would understand parents' need to protect their children from negative scrutiny. Perhaps this is another issue that needs to be addressed as well, as many other parents like myself of deaf children with CIs feel the same way.
To be honest, I was shocked that AFA would even suggest that their members hold rallies at elementary schools. That to me is crossing the line. Using a bullhorn next to a school is also inappropriate. I could go on and on, but there are appropriate venues for members to reach out to parents and let them know about the benefits of ASL and to teach them about audism. Taunting parents about their valid fears for their children's safety on the blogsphere is not one of them, neither is holding emotional rallies next to schools with very young children.
21 comments:
I do not agree with the AFA using the bullhorn.at schools. The noise can bother children's learning. I wish that the AFA is neutral and meet the parents and discuss the various options, pros, and cons about CI instead of imposing their beliefs on parents. Let parents make decisions.
I would like to add to what you've said. Deaf people are often quick to accept and adjust to new technologies, for example, pagers and VRS, which are practically advanced versions of TDDs and the like, so why aren't these people quick to accept advanced versions of hearing aids, which is exactly what a CI is?
Additionally, I totally agree with you on the concept of holding rallies at elementary schools, it should not be done. However, I didn't see anywhere where AFA planned to hold rallies at elementary schools unless I overlooked that. I only know that, if memory serves me correctly here, that the Volta Bureau is across the street from a school, and you are right, the rally should not have been held during school hours, especially if a bullhorn were to be used. Simply because that would distract the students from furthering their own education. Now if it were a rally that is held by the students themselves or their parents then that should be ok, otherwise it should be the equivalency of a drug free zone by schools where if you are caught with drugs within that school zone, the punishment is much more severe.
I was at AFA rally and they did not use the bullhorn at the schools.
I am disappointed that someone brought this.
From Tami,
I was at the rally. It was held in front of AGBell's headquarters at the Volta Bureau. There was no rally in front of any elementary schools or schools in general except for Georgetown University that was across the street.
I am not sure where this information is coming from and hope that you will correct these inaccuracies.
Oh and also no one has said that parents don't have a right to freedom of choice when it comes to their children.
People are merely advocating that parents are fully informed of ALL the issues that go along with having a Deaf child especially in a hearing family that is new to all of this. It is so very important that parents understand language acquisition and the value of ASL.
I am a hearing parent. I have been there and know what it is like to have to figure out what is true and what is not.
I am sorry that I agree with what AFA.
Is Cochlear Implant language?
I'm not familiar with use of bullhorns in general, but saw how it was used to attract attention of passersby that otherwise would not have noticed.
Now that you have mentioned it, it seems a good idea to reconsider it.
Curious to know: if you were there and heard it, what are your suggestions on modifying its use?
If parents were taunted about their fears, that is TOTALLY out. No parent should ever be called out on their fears, concerns, need for support, need for information and yes, their desires.
Sometimes in the Deaf community's fury at the historic establishments of audism such as AGBell, some flak hits parents since they are their biggest clients.
We all need to be careful to protect parents and their children since they are victims, not originators of audism.
Use of bullhorn
See #2, rally at aural/oral program in your area
It is well known that AGBell don't tell the whole truth so don't believe everything AGBell tells the media and public.
Greetings,
AFA rally held at front of AG Bell (The Volta Bureau) and we used a bullhorn down to GT downtown and the volta bureau. There were no rally front of elementary schools. AFA were aware that Georgetown University is across the street...
Sorry that someone brought this up with misinformation.
Facts:
A bullhorn was used at the rally.
A private school is located across the street from Volta Bureau.
Straw man.
The name of the school is Georgetown Visitation School, a private high school.
"their members hold rallies at elementary schools."
In fact, it is all female and Roman Catholic affiliated, serving students in grades 9-12.
Ella Mae Lentz created a vlog for AFA explaining to Deaf people who were unable to go to the rally, and she gave them different tips how they can help on that day.
One of the tips are: "See #2, rally at aural/oral program in your area."
http://audismfreeamerica.blogspot.com/2009/03/afa-things-you-can-do-in-your-area-on.html
Her vlog had successfully influenced one well-known blogger visited four different schools and took pictures with AFA's logo.
http://deafadvocate.blogspot.com/2009/03/st-louis-is-recognized-as-capital-of.html
That's the approach will make anyone feel threatened.
AFA leaders, do you wish to make a comment about this?
Excerpt from
http://audismfreeamerica.blogspot.com/2009/03/afa-things-you-can-do-in-your-area-on.html --
“If you regretfully can not join us on April 3, you can do something locally in your area on the same day.
Here are some suggestions:
1) wear a blue ribbon all day. . . .
2) host a rally at a site that needs to promote better equality and respect for all Deaf people. In short, a site that’s well-known for being quite audist such as:
• an oral / aural ONLY program in your area . . .”
Aren’t “oral / aural ONLY” programs primarily located in elementary schools?
Does anyone not know how to read?
Pay attention to the word "Suggest"
Post said:
"I was shocked that AFA would even suggest that their members hold rallies at elementary schools."
Apparently Ella made several suggestions for those that cannot attend the AFA in DC. One of the suggestions was to have a rally at an oral/aural program (schools.)
What is Ella doing making suggestions on how to target certain places of audism on the
AFA rally day, when she is not a leader of the AFA organization?
She is a DBC leader, not an AFA leader.
DBC=AFA bedfellowship, oh, right.
Ann_C
DBC/AFA + Deafhood Foundation = incestuous-like bedfellowship.
To put a spin on AFA's third demand to AG Bell...
"3. the AG Bell Association cease and desist its incestuous relationship with cochlear implant manufacturers and join AFA in calling for an independent and impartial study of the physical, psychological, and social impact of cochlear implants on infants, children and adolescents."
to...
3. The Deaf Bilingual Coalition and Audism Free America cease and desist its incestuous relationship with the Deafhood Foundation and join CDA (Concerned Deaf Advocates) in calling for an independent and impartial study of the physical, psychological, and social impact of reverse audism, horizontal oppression and linguism on infants, children and adolescents regardless of their hearing status, usage of hearing devices or neural prosthesis, and communication mode or language fluency.
DBC/AFA + Deafhood Foundation = incestuous-like bedfellowship.
To put a spin on AFA's third demand to AG Bell...
"3. the AG Bell Association cease and desist its incestuous relationship with cochlear implant manufacturers and join AFA in calling for an independent and impartial study of the physical, psychological, and social impact of cochlear implants on infants, children and adolescents."
to...
3. The Deaf Bilingual Coalition and Audism Free America cease and desist its incestuous relationship with the Deafhood Foundation and join CDA (Concerned Deaf Advocates) in calling for an independent and impartial study of the physical, psychological, and social impact of reverse audism, horizontal oppression and linguism on infants, children and adolescents regardless of their hearing status, usage of hearing devices or neural prosthesis, and communication mode or language fluency.
To follow up on certain remarks made here, I looked up the school across the street.
Georgetown Visitation is a preparatory school for teenagers, not small children. It is a very large school, with a campus covering four blocks. Its main building is not across the street, but actually on the diagonal corner from the AGBell building. This building is part of a U-shaped complex that faces a courtyard on the other side from AGBell. Georgetown University is actually one block away, on the other side of a park-like area with parking lots.
The bullhorn was probably more disturbing of residents in the buildings on either side of AGBell, if directed at them.
It actually was directed at AGBell and at automobile traffic in front of AGBell. No little children were disturbed in their classrooms.
If suggestions were made to demonstrate at schools with younger children, I would not be in favor of it. Simply leafletting would be enough; save the demonstrations for more public venues.
And next time a bullhorn is used, guidelines regarding where to direct it and what to say on it should be arrived at first.
It seems as if most of the commenters here agree that schools should be off limits to rallies. If members of both organizations want to talk to parents, perhaps leaving a stack of leaflets at schools with a neutral time and place for an informative session on sign language and audism would be helpful. Guidelines on how and where to use a bullhorn during rallies would also be useful, although personally I think using a bullhorn is a bit ironic since its an auditory tool and is not accessible to deaf participants.
The main issue of this blog has not yet been addressed, which is making CI bashing off-limits unless all technology used to enhance hearing is also mentioned. Instead of bashing a single tool, the focus should be making sure that deaf children are not prevented from being exposed to sign language and the deaf community.
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