Came across this post and this one. How so very true. I was in gymnastics in high school. I loved it, was pretty good at it, but the way I dealt with bus rides? I was the champion french-braider, and would do most people’s hair during the ride so I could [...]

I finished reading

I have come across more than one comment that makes it clear some consider the requirement to learn English a form of audism toward deaf people. I am unconvinced. In the following discussion I am referring strictly to reading and writing English; speaking English is a completely different matter and must be handled [...]

I said I’d put together a post on cochlear implants earlier this month. First a disclaimer: I don’t have one, nor do I have plans to get one. I’m fairly neutral about them although I do find it annoying many hearing people assume I’d get one at the drop of a hat.
So, what [...]

One of the things that has struck me in reading about deaf education these last couple of months is this extremely common rationalization that I see:
“English is a second language for many deaf people, so their English skills are usually at fourth grade level or so.”
This concept just boggles my mind. But on reflection [...]

This is a subject I’ll doubtless return to again. I’ve commented here about mainstreaming deaf students, Moi had very good observations why it’s vital to have ASL-speaking teachers (and students) and not just interpreters floating about to “give access.” Both Banjo and I pointed out some of the predation problems with both residential/boarding [...]

What I find interesting is when I think back on the speech therapy lessons I used to get, and when I listen to other peoples’ stories with speech therapy. It becomes clear to me that hearing people consider verbal speech of such high importance that they fail to consider a cost to benefit [...]

This time I’m going to point you toward a number of videos, some clips others much longer, but I think all food for thought. Get the popcorn!
Swedish Deaf TV Perspektiv on Laurent, S.D.. This consists of interviews of deaf folk from all walks of life.
This one’s a clip of a longer show that [...]

The question of whether or not Gallaudet “should” be ASL only or not is an interesting one. It’s important, I think to first understand Gallaudet’s place in history. After all, it is not the only school for the deaf. But it is the oldest. It began as a deaf school [...]

I am the cuckoo in the nest, the changeling in the crib. I am the deaf child dropped into a world of sound, by herself. I am the child who perfected her mimicry to be indistinguishable from the rest. It is a camouflage easy to maintain with distance but which cracks [...]