AGBell Assc: “ASL Isolated Deaf From Rest of Society”
AGBell Association has been caught red-handed for deliberately spreading erroneous facts about ASL and Deaf people.
Alexander T. Graham sent a letter to Pepsi corporate executives about its upcoming Super Bowl commercial,“Bob’s House,” featuring deaf characters.
First portion from AGBell Letter:
“Your advertisement perpetuates a common myth that all people who are deaf can only communicate using sign language and are, therefore isolated from the rest of society.”
Deaf people who communicate only in ASL? Pepsi Cola Corporation never implies anything by showing the advertisement of Deaf people communicating in ASL. AGBell Association is being unfair for accusing Pepsi Cola corporation for implications whereby in the letter AGBell Association has proved itself guilty of making inaccurate implications of its own.
Let’s examine this statement “Deaf people only communicating using sign language and are, therefore isolated from the rest of society”.
Deaf people only communicating using sign language? How does AGBell Association know the Deaf people don’t speak orally, too? They may be wearing hearing aids and can lipread, too.
What about English? Many Deaf people fluent in ASL are also perfectly capable of writing and reading English.
We all know ASL doesn’t isolate Deaf people from the rest of the society. Many deaf people are living with hearing people, socializing with hearing friends and colleagues and holding respectable jobs. This statement has to be one of the most inane and irresponsible assumptions I’ve ever seen.
How does it reflect that a so-called professional organization contacted Pepsi Cola corporation to complain about the ASL ad, using scare tactics and false statements?
Then they had the audacity to try to make Pepsi Cola corporation feel guilty about the money spent in its ad which ‘could be better invested’ in hearing aids for needy people.
Second portion of the letter:
“We would also like to remind you that with the amount of money Pepsi will spend on just one 60 second spot to air during the Super Bowl, you could help an untold number of families obtain hearing aids and other professional services that are costly and in many cases not covered by medical insurance.” Click here to read the entire letter.
From the front page of AGB Site: Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
I’ve received reports alleging that the personnel of Pepsi Cola Corporation were puzzled and taken aback upon receiving this letter… that a so-called professional organization can exhibit childish pettiness.
Why is AGBell Association feeling so threatened by the appearance of a beautiful language in a commercial advertisement? In this letter, it exhibits its intolerance in diversity among the Deaf people and its prejudice toward ASL.
If one hasn’t yet, please do contact Pepsi directly at http://www.pepsiusa.com/help/help.php?or= and thank them for doing a fananstic job with the ad.
By the way, I am not only both oral and use ASL fluently. but also grew up exclusively orally. I am not isolated by the rest of the society nor do I know any Deaf people imprisoned by ASL away from society. Unfortunately I know too many deaf oral people who are isolated from the rest of the society. AGBell Association shouldn’t be so quick in making unfounded and unprofessional assumptions.
P.S. I rest my case:
Darren Therriault, the guy who plays the passenger in the commercial, uses a cochlear implant. He attended Clarke school as a youngster, an oral education school where American Sign Language or any visual language is not used. Deaf Commercial Kicks up a Storm - DeafMom
Warning: Personal attacks will be deleted. Commenters who bashes and slanders repeatedly with no intention of producing constructive dialogue will not be permitted to continue.
AGBell Association has been caught red-handed for deliberately spreading erroneous facts about ASL and Deaf people.
Alexander T. Graham sent a letter to Pepsi corporate executives about its upcoming Super Bowl commercial,“Bob’s House,” featuring deaf characters.
First portion from AGBell Letter:
“Your advertisement perpetuates a common myth that all people who are deaf can only communicate using sign language and are, therefore isolated from the rest of society.”
Deaf people who communicate only in ASL? Pepsi Cola Corporation never implies anything by showing the advertisement of Deaf people communicating in ASL. AGBell Association is being unfair for accusing Pepsi Cola corporation for implications whereby in the letter AGBell Association has proved itself guilty of making inaccurate implications of its own.
Let’s examine this statement “Deaf people only communicating using sign language and are, therefore isolated from the rest of society”.
Deaf people only communicating using sign language? How does AGBell Association know the Deaf people don’t speak orally, too? They may be wearing hearing aids and can lipread, too.
What about English? Many Deaf people fluent in ASL are also perfectly capable of writing and reading English.
We all know ASL doesn’t isolate Deaf people from the rest of the society. Many deaf people are living with hearing people, socializing with hearing friends and colleagues and holding respectable jobs. This statement has to be one of the most inane and irresponsible assumptions I’ve ever seen.
How does it reflect that a so-called professional organization contacted Pepsi Cola corporation to complain about the ASL ad, using scare tactics and false statements?
Then they had the audacity to try to make Pepsi Cola corporation feel guilty about the money spent in its ad which ‘could be better invested’ in hearing aids for needy people.
Second portion of the letter:
“We would also like to remind you that with the amount of money Pepsi will spend on just one 60 second spot to air during the Super Bowl, you could help an untold number of families obtain hearing aids and other professional services that are costly and in many cases not covered by medical insurance.” Click here to read the entire letter.
From the front page of AGB Site: Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
I’ve received reports alleging that the personnel of Pepsi Cola Corporation were puzzled and taken aback upon receiving this letter… that a so-called professional organization can exhibit childish pettiness.
Why is AGBell Association feeling so threatened by the appearance of a beautiful language in a commercial advertisement? In this letter, it exhibits its intolerance in diversity among the Deaf people and its prejudice toward ASL.
If one hasn’t yet, please do contact Pepsi directly at http://www.pepsiusa.com/help/help.php?or= and thank them for doing a fananstic job with the ad.
By the way, I am not only both oral and use ASL fluently. but also grew up exclusively orally. I am not isolated by the rest of the society nor do I know any Deaf people imprisoned by ASL away from society. Unfortunately I know too many deaf oral people who are isolated from the rest of the society. AGBell Association shouldn’t be so quick in making unfounded and unprofessional assumptions.
P.S. I rest my case:
Darren Therriault, the guy who plays the passenger in the commercial, uses a cochlear implant. He attended Clarke school as a youngster, an oral education school where American Sign Language or any visual language is not used. Deaf Commercial Kicks up a Storm - DeafMom
Warning: Personal attacks will be deleted. Commenters who bashes and slanders repeatedly with no intention of producing constructive dialogue will not be permitted to continue.
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I am probably going to regret reacting like this on a public forum….but…
I AM PISSED OFFF!!!!!!!!!!
How dare you say that, AGBell???
You could not even let us enjoy the experience of Deaf Culture and ASL and sharing it with the world?!!!
Let me tell you something, AGBELL - N.A.D. is more diverse than you people and we are BETTER than you because we WELCOME everyone from all walks of life!
SHAME ON YOU, AGBELL, SHAME ON YOU!!!
WE DO EXIST AND WE WANT TO LET THE WORLD KNOW WE ARE STILL HERE!
~A deaf person with CI, uses ASL, who is not culturally deaf but have friends from all walks of life - non signing, signing of all forms, NON-CI or CI users with or without ASL, including hearing friends!
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Gosh! I received a thank you email message from the Pepsi today - it was heartwarming and it made me feel good that they recognized my email message.
Now with AGBad, why do they have to go out and ruin this for us. Perhaps we should start a letter-writing campaign to them.
Here is their email address info@agbell.org to dare them that they need to start a dialogue with us and to start acknowledging that they need to incorporate ASL and recognize it!
They also had the nerve to ask Pepsi to work with them to sponsor their conference and help with hearing aids. Can we think of something that Pepsi can sponsor us with? Maybe start with ASL marketing? or somethnig like that!
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
This is very typical of AG Bell, but thanks to the advent of DeafRead, we’re more equipped to address those blatant lies.
This to me, leaves no question in my mind of AG Bell’s stance on ASL. People claim AG Bell is respectful of ASL - well, this letter proves them WRONG!
If AG Bell was truly respectful of ASL, they would not make a statement like this. We have an ASL Deaf attorney who works for Merrill Lynch, an university president, dentists, doctors, authors, teachers, linguists, engineers, CEOs… Those people work in the hearing world everyday, have hearing friends and have no problem with “isolation”.
The only isolation I see is when people like AG Bell disrespects us and tacitly encourages others to shun us because of the lie of all deaf who are successful have to speak and lipread. Therefore, those who don’t, don’t deserve accommodations.
Shame on AG Bell for spreading its OWN myths!
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
You said it even better than I did, DP!!
Ugh!
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I’ll be interested to hear what Pepsi personnel has to say after receiving letters clearing away such hogwash.
Anne Marie
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
OMG!!!!!! How clueless and dumb AGBell are!
I grew up in oral school. I can talk all right but not at the best. I still do hang around with hearing people (not family nor relatives, mind you) just fine ever since. I learned ASL when I was a teenage even though we in oral school used homemade signs and some ASL in the mix. Did that cause my speech going downhill? No, my speech remains the same.
Isolations? BAH! That is not true. We are not even afraid of hearing people when we approach them BUT most of hearing people are AFRAID of us when we tell them that we can’t hear. They coil in horror and walk away when we insist we can try to read the lips or write the notes. Go figure….
But my question is does AGBell check to see how the deaf adult oralists are doing once they finish their schoolings? I don’t think so.
I wish we could sent email or letter to AGBell to shove that myths up where the sun doesn’t shine. UGH!!!! LOL
Misha
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Oh! I forgot to add one thing.
We just received an email from Pepsi Co. to thank us for congratulate and thank them for putting up a great commercial. We can’t wait to see the commercial tomorrow.
GO, NY GIANTS!!!!!
Misha
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Why my latest blog entry “You, Jamie Berke, Please Relinquish Your AgBAD Membership” ended up in the DeafRead Extras, not the main DR page? How disapointed!!
My latest blog piece to Jamie Berke which already clearly explained about the Pespi’s involvement with the progressive causes since the 1940s.
I somewhat lost my entire respect for the DeafRead people now. My latest blog posting was definitely “deaf-related” or what? .
I deserve the crystal-clear exolaination from the DeafRead editors why my blog posting “You, Jamie Berke, Please Relinquish Your AgBAD Membership”.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Robert, you should be contacting the DR editors via e mails, not through this blog. This is a personal blog, not related to DeafRead editors
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Well, I’d be interested what Pepsi has to say.
I reckon that AG Bell is upset because there was no sound during the 60 seconds intervention. The reason why they felt they were singled out.
At this point there was an oriental girl who signed in the Kellogg’s Flake cereal in the TV commercial years ago. There was a sound. AG Bell did not complain.
Let’s wait and see what Pepsi has to say.
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
i received a thank you eamil from the pepsi shame on AGBAD instead on AGBELL thank you doe sharing
GO Patriots !!!!!!!!!!
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
opps sorry i made mistake “doe” correct thank you for sharing
sorry
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I cant believe that AG Bell is still perpetuating one of the biggest myths about the Deaf community.
It was AFTER joining the culturally Deaf world when I became found myself participating more, and offering more, in the hearing world. It makes a whole lot of difference in the way you relate to the world at large when you have an authentic core group that helps you grow as a person.
Thank you, MK, for bringing this issue to the forefront. Maybe we need a new website dedicated to the sole purpose of smashing Deaf myths. The misinformation out there truly boggles the mind…
Best regards,
Drolz
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I did try to find the email addresses for the DeafRead editors, but couldn’t find any of them on the DeafRead main page.
I have to go back to my e-account to find out the e-addresses of DeafRead editors including yours.
Would you please kindly delete my two comment postings on this blog? Thanks.
Why weren’t you at the DR ballroom tonight?
RLM
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
What?! AGBad, I remind you that we deaf people are human beings like you! We, the deaf people, have the rights to communicate in any mode. Deaf actors in the Pepsi commercial have rights to choose to wear or have hearing aid or ci if they wear it they can still communicate. My husband uses both hearing aids and fluent in both ASL and speaking and finds that AGBad made horrible statements that will lure away membership to some finding it abusive.
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Mon Dieu! Ça me fait vraiment, vraiment, VRAIMENT chier! AGBell people’s heads should be examined and be FIXED. In life AGBell wanted to end deaf people as a variety of human race (see John Van Cleve’s ‘A Place of Their Own’).
Hold it. Hold it. AGBell also wanted to sterilise
all deaf people.
J’en ai marre!
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
This is not AG Bell’s first kick sand in our ASL faces, destroy our sand castles and now AG Bell is running away, trying to hide themselves. At least, Pepsi can see how much ASL users have to put up with AG Bell!
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Right on, Bob Rourke…(chuckles)
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Deaf Pundit’s # makes it sense. AGBell is alarmed
how extremely popular and wisdely-read DeafRead
has been for two years now. Many, many, many
mentions of “deaf” and bloggers’ and commenters’
names are found practically everywhere on Google,
Yahoo, what you have! So more that we literally,
not figuratively, “dwarf” the popularity of AGBell
in the wide, wide, wide cyberspace. AGBelll whines
because they are now eclipsed!
February 2nd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Yep, I wasn’t surprised that AGBAD would react in this way. When I did my vlog last summer questioning about how could AGBell be unbiased, I knew they always have something up in their sleeves. This organization breeds full of myths and feeds it to public like Pepsi unfortunately. Nevertheless, thank you AGBAD for proving my point.
I have got news for you AG Bell members, you ought to be ashamed of yourself for supporting the letter. You know very well it is a common myth that Deaf people who only can communicate using sign language (by the way, it is ASL) are isolated from the rest of the society. Where have you been? Did you actually get to interact with Deaf people who use ASL only?
Don’t you know that ALL Deaf people who use ASL ONLY have already been taught English? This is United States for heaven’s sake. You making us sounding like we come from a different planet! Oh, you may think that just because they are not capable to express using spoken English, you have the right to classify them as isolated individuals? You are nothing but AG Bigots! You owe the Deaf community an apology!
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Somehow Im reminded of another Deaf joke. You know the joke about the Cuban, the Russian, and the Deaf guy on a train?
Okay, I’m sure most of you do. But for the 0.01% who don’t, here’s a quick review:
A Deaf guy is aghast when he sees his Cuban and Russian counterparts nonchalantly toss an expensive Cuban cigar and a bottle of the finest vodka out the window. The Cuban guy shrugs and says “Plenty of cigars where I come from.” The Russian guy says “Plenty of vodka where I come from.” So the Deaf guy picks up a hearing person (or an interpreter, in another version) and… you can figure out the rest.
Uh-oh, I think I may have given Pepsi an idea for next year’s Super Bowl
But anyway, yeah, the Deaf guy does say “Plenty of hearing people (or interpreters) where I come from” at the end of the joke. The reason I bring this up is, well, I know it’s a tacky joke and some people might be offended, but… there ARE hearing people everywhere. And we couldn’t avoid them even if we wanted to.
So regardless of whether we’re deaf, Deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, oral, fluent in ASL, hearing aid users, CI users, or any combination of the above… we all deal with hearing people every day and we all have our own unique ways of doing so.
And being culturally Deaf and pro-ASL does NOT isolate me from the hearing world at all. Ask my hearing karate instructor, ask the hearing kids I’ve coached in baseball, ask my hearing neighbors, ask the hearing parents at my kids schools with whom my wife and I have socialized on numerous occasions…
Nice try, AG Bell.
*Tossing my hearing aid out the window*
Plenty of hearing aids where I come from…
(Just kidding. I haven’t worn one since the late ’70s LOL)
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:59 am
Right now, I am sitting in my hotel room reading this after a WONDERFUL day at DeafRead conference. One thing I learned today, we need to make points like this blog daily!
Good entry!
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:03 am
Hi, AG Bell, PLEASE KEEP YOUR MIND OPEN TO THE TRUTH ABOUT ASL. Do not ever to spread the lies about ASL .. look at some hearies who lost their voice but they can hear. ASL is the answer to their needs for communication with both hearing and deaf people.. Come on. you silly people who support the idea of oral system without the aid of ASL….TSK TSK KH
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:16 am
RLM, cool it off! Take a cold shower! It’s abt agbell, not deafread!
The rest of u, I don’t understand why yall are shocked! It’s not like u all are born yesterday! Come on!
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:06 am
ANY ‘language’ unknown to the mainstream society will create problems for the mongolot user of it, it will be ‘lost in translation’, while interpreters are there to overcome these issues, it is questionable ASL users are equally inter-acting with hearing-speaking people, so Isolation to a degree is inevitable. ASL users tend to stick with their own community too, so that is a form of self-imposed isolation, from mainstream anyway. If I spoke French all the time to a society that ONLY Used and understood English then yes, Isolation could well come from that fact. A G Bell may have an axe to grind, but some truths are self-evident. Until everyone you meet can follow ASL and converse that way, that’s the way the cookie crumbles… There are many in the deaf world who claim that’s all they want and need too, so a deliberate decision to self isolate has already been made.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:29 am
“for deliberately spreading erroneous facts about ASL and Deaf people”
and of course you are going to stand there and tell me that there are not incidences of some members of the Deaf Community doing exactly that in reference to cochlear implants,spoken English and successful outcomes? Glass houses and stones people……
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:22 am
Gally Mom,
Elizabeth,
Read one of your last comments back to yourself. .
“Unfortunately I know too many deaf oral people who are isolated from the rest of the society.”
You are saying the exact same thing you are accusing AB Bell of doing.
I personally don’t know anyone deaf, oral or not, who is isolated from society unless that is their own choice. It’s none of my business. My business is what is right for me and my family, that’s it.
Find something positive in that Pepsi is actually providing an interpreter, rather than continually finding the negative.
People who live in glass houses should’t throw stones.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:46 am
And if Pepsi had, instead, created a Superbowl ad showing deaf children with CIs hearing and speaking with no signing and used a tag line to the effect of “hope for today’s deaf children” or “he possibilties of tomorrow,” I’m sure that deafread bloggers, NAD, etc. would all have kept completely quiet…
Before I had a deaf child, I thought that deaf meant absolutely couldn’t hear a thing, used sign language to communicate, and attended deaf schools. This is still the perception of the majority of those in the hearing world who have had no contact with the deaf. So Pepsi has helped perpetuate this line of thinking.
A.G. Bell is an organization that is there for those of us who choose the A-V or oral route. It does not force itself on its members or on nonmembers. We choose to join, and then we expect that it will support our communication choices. I fully expected A.G. Bell to speak up. I also expect those who like the ad to speak up. The point is that we are all free to express our views and make our choices, which is as it should be.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
Another mum, I don’t see any other professional organizations making these false statements. Hence the difference. AGBell Association did.
Carribean, a correction. I said too many oral people, I didn’t say all, making a blanket statement, implying all Deaf people, like AGBell Association did in its whining letter to Pepsi Cola Corporation.
Melissa, NAD doesn’t bash against deaf people with cochlear implants nor does it disseminate untruthful information on cochlear implants. It’s neutral on this position, unlike AGBell Association, despite its claims on neutrality. Also, there are many d/Deaf characters playing in tv series and movies for over two decades, like Marlee Matlin who signs and speak orally and so does the one in FBI Eye, I forgot her name, too.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
Response #21: Here is Deaf joke: http://johnlestina.blogspot.com/2007/12/asl-laughs-in-my-country-there-are.html
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:29 am
Melissa, What about your kid’s communication choice?
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
Bob Rourke,
My kids use only spoken English. If you’ve followed Rachel’s blog, http://www.cochlearimplantonline.com/blog, you would know that that is a choice she is very happy with. Kids raised with CIs and A-V or orally are free to make a choice when they are older. They can always learn to sign at a later age, but they cannot get a CI at a later age and then learn to hear and speak well because the critical age for the brain to learn to make sense of the signal from the CI is in the first 3 years of life, preferrably the first 2. So, while my husband and I chose a CI and A-V before my girls were old enough to make the decision on their own, my girls are now old enough to make their own choices and have chosen to continue to be hearing and speaking and not to add sign.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
RLM, the reason why I’m not in DR conference is due to me attending family issues in FL
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Actually, I am not questioning your kids’ happiness. I am talking about general’s choices. I think why not learning speech and ASL at the same time? If either fails, then there will be always a safety net. I have been following Rachel’s blogging. I am only reluctant when she mentioned that AVT would not be successful if you learn ASL at the same time.
I have been raised in oral school. I know what speech classes are like. It became very clear that everyone has a diverse need. Also, I wish I was exposed to ASL while I was very young. You see I have to pay for my parents’ choice.
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I knew I would regret ranting like that…
But I was annoyed with their reaction because I know they really do not respect ASL and consider themselves superior. That’s how many perceive them that way by excluding us and how we’ve been treated by them for many years.
That’s fine with their philosophy as an organization but I applaud NAD for representing ALL people. I’m so happy that they’ve added ASL statement.
I never heard NAD complaining about Marlee Matlin or Heather W. speaking although there were complaints from some deaf people. But not from NAD or organizations that supported ASL.
But AG Bell did in this instance. It was a HUMOROUS commercial, not a political statement.
I am impressed with the rational and humorous comments made by people here.
Sure made me look bad! *ducks*
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Don’t feel bad, Iammine, you said aloud what many people, including me, thought. I was ashamed of AGBell Assc’s childish behavior.
I do wonder how AGBell Association feel once they realize one of the characters they critized grew up oral and has a cochlear implant. He speaks orally, too. He certainly isn’t isolated from the rest of the society.
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:56 pm
[…] Mishka Zena Endless Pondering « AGBell Assc: “ASL Isolated Deaf From Rest of Society” […]
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Iammine!
I know. It’s okay for you to be angry. I’ll give you a hug.
(((((Iammine)))))
AG Bell needs to learn to respect Darren who is a CI user that represents everybody. Darren made the choice whatever he wanted. AG Bell is in America and needs to respect the bill of rights.
It’s MLK’s dream.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
That is the trademark of AGBell and what they represent. At least they have the Deaf community who keeps that organization on their toes.
Any fingernail polish for their toes? Maybe they prefer pink.
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Thanks for making me feel better, MZ, and you, too, White Ghost!
Now… will I regret this?
Being immature and sticking my tongue out?
John, I don’t paint my nails, but my youngest daughter LOVES to paint pink on her dad’s toenails!
They do look better on him than me…
*steps off the soapbox*
Good job, MZ, on digging up on one of the characters!
Can we sing/sign this…. R-E-S-P-E-C-T?
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:18 pm
IamMine,
I am with you all the way! it is okay to say something loud and clear! Your VOICE is heard!
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Pardon me for going off the point of your blog, I feel obliged to join in to address the issue of “window of opportunity” especially to Melissa.
Coming from the DBC blog, the statement was made:
DBC knows that Deaf babies are not receiving information 100% if they are limited to spoken English. Most of the hearing babies are not able to use correct speech from birth to 24 months and it has been recommended for them to sign where they are able to better express their thoughts. It doesn’t make sense to expect Deaf babies to speak and listen without signs especially that they don’t have complete hearing. The “window of opportunity” to enable speech and auditory skills is not a natural way for Deaf babies to learn since they are learning “skills” whereas “the window of opportunity” is to acquire an accessible, natural language, ASL, that is, which is much more crucial for language development. Learning ASL later has bad effects as well, although not apparently as bad as speech. The current trend to educate deaf children bilingually—with the use of American Sign Language—has opened new possibilities for developing spoken English.
Please see the link:
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/languagedeprivation.htm
“According to Barbara Haskins, M.D., an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Virginia, language deprivation definitely affects cognitive function. Dr. Haskins is a specialist in treating deaf patients on the deaf ward of Western State Hospital in Staunton, Virgina. There is a window of opportunity to acquire language. If that window is missed, individuals tend to display cognitive defects later in life. Many of her patients were raised by hearing parents in rural areas who only communicated orally or in simple gestures. In an article in Psychiatric News she explained, “My patients only saw talking heads and moving lips, which did not stimulate the left side of the brain that sets up rules for language and thought.” (3)
So to learn ASL later will not be the same for those who learn ASL at an early age so think about it. Don’t perceive that ASL is an easy language that anyone at a later age can master it.
For more information and research on bilingual (ASL/English) resources, please go to http://www.deafbilingual.blogspot.com
Thank you!
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:57 pm
So one of the characters has a CI and speaks and uses ASL. Interesting that Pepsi chose not to have him speak and sign in the advertisment then, don’t you think? Wouldn’t that have demonstrated even more effectively the “inclusive environment” they have and the greater diversity that exists today in deafness?
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
We see other advertisements where deaf people spoke orally. No organization made a big deal out of lack of d/Deaf diversity with these ads.
Until AGB objected to Pepsi Cola ad.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Also, Im curious — I didnt really get a good look at the last AG Bell convention exhibit, well, probably because I got thrown out of it (wish I could say I was joking but Im not).
From what I could tell, though, it seemed that all of the exhibits were AVT-oriented.
Has an AG Bell exhibit ever had a booth or two on ASL, baby signs, or any kind of referral info that would be helpful for parents who are wondering about ASL as an option? I’ve always believed that no matter what our core beliefs are, each and every organization has a moral and ethical obligation to acknowledge ALL the options that are out there.
At virtually every culturally Deaf conference — be it NAD, Deaf Expo, Deaf Fest NJ, etc — you can find a booth or two on AVT or CI. They’re not excluded. In fact, I’ll never forget the 1998 NAD conference in San Antonio where a couple of deaf people with CIs gave a workshop on the subject. It really opened some eyes (and minds!).
So I’m wondering: has AG Bell ever reciprocated by having ASL or signing-related booths at their exhibits? Have they ever invited culturally Deaf speakers to share their experiences in the Deaf world? I really would like to know.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
You know, Mark - I’m liking you more and more.
Honestly, though… they wouldn’t dare to do that.
You knew that, too, didn’t you? *elbows you*
That’s why I said NAD is way better than AGBell as far as diversity and respect are concerned.
You even see President of NAD, Bobbie Beth, naming all d/Deaf from all walks of life, emphasizing respect to each other while being an ASL advocate.
It is my hope to see an increase of support with NAD to strengthen the organization.
Come on, people - join NAD!!! Deaf, deaf, Oral, SEE, SimCom, Deaf, HOH, CI users with or without ASL…
I will!
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:20 pm
my son is 7 yo…deaf, CI user (and other issues.) I am on the agbell mailing list and when I first received it i was on my ‘CI bandwagon.’ then DH reminded me that YES people DO sign and many do it all- sign, talk, lip read, hear w/ aids of some kind… so I definately think AGbell overstepped it. I’m sitting here waiting for the commercial to come on(although i have already seen it and blogged on it myself…)http://rdisuperparents.blogspot.com/
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
geez
I was part of AGBELL very early 80’s and it was time when i started using sign language and the group i was in looked down upon me, imagine that?
this group is a very old association with their oppressing ideas against ASL.
I remember one woman who approached me by asking me if i was wearing my hearing aids. I said no and i really dont need one to function; i do just fine without hearing aids. She asked me how can you hear your children when they cry? I said they know i cannot hear and they need to come up to me if they need me besides I have a baby cryer monitor.
harumph! and she became deaf in her early 20’s.
tsk tsk
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Dolz, I remember how they ejected you and your son. They didn’t with me, because I didn’t use ASL, but I have no doubt if they did see me signing, I’ll be booted out. How horrible.. considering that you and I grew up exclusively oral and continue to be oral. I don’t recall any ASL-related materials, just AVT and cochlear implants exhibitss. I don’t remember if there were hearing aids exhibits, but there was definitely no ASL exhibits.
IamMine, yes, NAD is very inclusive, unlike AGBell Association. The executive director grew up oral, just like me. In fact, we attended the same oral school.
Amy, there is a tremendous range of diversity among Deaf people. I’ll check your blog.
VickieLou, you told me you met me at one of the AGB ODAS party, though I don’t remember that. Would this woman by any chance be Barbara?
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Well, if I am right, that’s Brian Dowling in the driver’s seat. It’s amazing to know how far he’s gone to show support for ASL!! I knew him personally and he is a really sweet guy.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Elizabeth,
I believe I have read somewhere that
after you learned sign language, AGBell
people have ostracised you, right?
February 4th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Response to #34 and #42:
I completely disagree with the DBC’s premise that babies born deaf should be taught ASL early on along with spoken language. Your research and logic is flawed. Hearing babies can be exposed to baby signs with no detriment to their spoken language because their hearing is normal. They will easily gain spoken language and auditory comprehension through osmosis. For deaf babies, the visual is the easier way out. There would be no way that my girls would have the mastery of English, both spoken and written, that they have today if I had also added sign. First of all, I didn’t know it so would have had to scramble to learn it myself, not a good place to be in to teach your child to master a language. I was most equipped to teach my children the language in which I was fluent, English, and I immersed them in it. Had I had to take the time to learn ASL and to teach it to them, it would have taken time away from the precious time I spent teaching them English. The window of opportunity is very real. It is both for language and for the brain to be able to learn to make sense of sound.
If you want to see the research, check out:
1. Sharma, A, Dorman, M, Spahr, A, Todd, W, Early cochlear implantation in children allows normal development of cortical auditory pathways, 8th Symposium Cochlear Implants in Children, 2001.
2. Brackett, D. Zara, CV, Communication outcomes related to early implantation, The American Journal of Otology 1998; 19:453-460.
3. Osberger, MJ, Zimmerman-Phillips, S., Fisher, L, Relationship between communication mode and implant performance in pediatric Clarion Patients, Vth International Cochlear Implant Conference, NY, 1997.
4. Young, NM, Grohne, KM, Carrasco, VN, Brown, CJ, Speech perception in young children using Nucleus or Clarion cochlear implants: effect of communication mode. 7th Symposium on CIs in Children, 1998.
5. Cullington, H, Hodges, AV, Butts, SL, Dolan-Ash, S, Balkany, TJ, Comparison of language ability in children with cochlear implants placed in oral and total communication educational settings., 7th Symposium on CIs in Children, 1998.
6. Geers, A, Brenner C., Nicholas, J, Uchanski, R, Tye-Murray, N, Rehabilitation factors contributing to implant benefit in children, Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngol,ogy, 2001
From the last one,#6, I quote:
“Use of an oral communication mode contributed significant variance to all outcomes except for spoken and signed language. The greater the emphasis on speech and auditory skill development the better the outcome. Type of classroom reflects amount of time spent in a mainstream class. This variable was significant for speech production, language and reading.
“…Children whose educational program emphasized dependence on speech and audition for communication were better able to use the information provided by the implant to hear, speak and read. Use of sign communication with implanted children did not promote auditory and speech skill development and did not result in an advantage for overall English language competence even when the outcome measure included sign language. Oral education appears to be an important educational choice for children who have received a cochlear implant before 5 years of age.”
The researchers who did this study are now working on a long range follow-up, having brought back the kids in the study this past summer. They are now older teenagers. I will be happy to provide the results of this follow-up as soon as they are available.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Melissa, are you telling me that persons like me, a profoundly deaf person since birth who uses ASL cannot master English? Because I think I have mastered written English.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
And by the way, my family all are hearing, and none knew ASL until they discovered that I was deaf. So please explain to me how this is possible, Melissa.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:53 am
A Deaf Pundit,
I never said that you or others born profoundly deaf couldn’t master spoken English, only that I found A-V a better fit for my family with my children and that the research, which I provided, supports me. None of this is 100%. Rather, it’s about what works better in most instances. No two families and no two children are alike. I’m glad that your parents chose a route that worked for you and for your family. That route would not have worked for me. It’s about choice and access to accurate information in order to make an informed choice.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Melissa,
It’s definitely about what’s the best fit for each person. We’re in complete agreement on that part.
Again, nobody here is denying that the AVT route worked for your children or for other children. But I don’t see any acknowledgment that AVT is not always the best route for everyone, unless confronted with an example like me.
I also see a strong resistance from the AVT community that ASL CAN and IS successful for many children. Every time ASL is raised, it is minimized or dismissed outright. So if the AVT community is truly sincere about access to accurate information, and tolerance, they would not be so quick to dismiss ASL.
Furthermore, what people like you need to understand is that the Deaf Community’s main concern is LITERACY - not the deaf child’s ability to speak English.
You do not need to be able to speak English to be a successful, productive and contributing member of society. But you DO need to be literate in English to be so.
As for the studies you pointed to, I’m not going to discuss that, because I have not had the chance to read those studies, analyze the results and see if it’s valid or not. But I’m sure someone else will.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Deaf Pundit,
I absolutely can and will agree that deaf people can be successful in life with ASL. There does need to be some updating on the statistics, though, as to where the 3rd-4th grade reading level is coming from, though. From Jamie Berke’s blog, it is apparent that some deaf schools are still falling short.
What I would like those on deafread to acknowledge, though, is that my girls are not “lucky” or “exceptions” in what they have been able to achieve not just with hearing and speech but, more importantly with language, academic achievement and social skills. I know so many like them. The arguments against the route that we chose for them usually cite adults in the past. I fully understand what it was like for deaf kids to be raised orally in the past. Had the CI not come along when it did for Rachel, who was totally deaf, we would have added sign and were on the brink of doing so when we learned of the possibilities with the implant.
The issue that I have is that things are very different for kids born deaf today because of the CI. It enables them to hear so well that they do not struggle as kids did in previous generations in oral schools. So, I understand where the deaf community is coming from, but what I ask is that they look at what is happening today and see that my girls did not get where they are today because they were lucky or exceptions but, rather, because the CI afforded them the hearing that they needed, and I worked very hard to ensure that they developed their hearing abilities to make it happen.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Melissa,
What makes you think that your research is not flawed? There are validated research coming from DBC and many professional journals, books, etc. proving that there are benefits for babies to acquire ASL as a first language. You don’t have this right to say that the research is flawed. Do you carry a Master’s or a PhD in Deaf Education or Linguistics? Did you ever grow up as a Deaf person where you can share your validated experience? Did you ever learn ASL? I have got news for you, my answer to these questions is YES. I have worked with CI children and it is not a common story for what you have shared. It worked for your kids but it doesn’t necessarily means it would work for ALL C.I. children. I know many of them too because I WORK in the field. And your job is what? Just a parent? Sorry I can’t accept your flawed claims.
February 4th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
“Just a parent” isn’t a very enlightened view these days, but, to further state my credentials other than just a very involved parent for the past 20+ years, I was a board member of the Auditory-Verbal Center of Atlanta for 6 years, a board member of Cochlear Implant Association, Inc. (CIAI), for 3 years, an associate editor of “Contact,” the publication of CIAI for 6 years during which time I also researched an wrote almost all the articles dealing with children and families, Outreach Coordinator for the Auditory-Verbal Center of Atlanta for 2 years, and contributing author to Tom Bertling’s book, “Communicating with Deaf Children.”
During all my work as more than “just a parent,” I encountered numerous children with CIs in A-V therapy who were succeeding similarly to mine.
February 4th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Melissa,
So I can see that you may not have the opportunity to be involved in the ASL community? Nevertheless, I would appreciate for you to refrain from making judgments about what is the best for Deaf babies and for you to decide that “the visual is the easier way out”. Deaf babies deserve visual communication and it gives them support to develop better English skills.
As you may know, I have two Deaf children who also have the mastery of English and ASL. Ever since they were babies, they always had have complete access to language that they never missed out a thing. By the time they were ready to learn English, they picked up quickly. My children LOVE to read even to the point I have to tell them that they gotta go to bed! They read chapter books and laugh at imaginative character-driven humor that made comics popular like Calvin and Hobbes collection that may be difficult to understand. This cartoon provides excellent opportunities to teach sequencing, description, supposition, and sarcasm. My 10 year old son tends to laugh at quotes like “In the middle of class, Calvin’s teacher suddenly turns into a pig-snouted monster! The drooling blob demands attention and homework!” I love watching him laugh because he gets it! He excels at writing as he got level 4 out of 4 in a state standard exam although he is profoundly deaf. As for my background, ASL was my first language and here I am telling you that it does work for us not only to achieve academically but socially in both worlds.
I do not know why you have not been in touch with the ASL community. Was it because you chose not to or is it that there is insufficient ASL service? Let’s say there is an opportunity to have contacts with ASL users, they will give you this support immediately.
I have befriended with several parents with CI children and children wearing hearing aids and often taught them ASL in a natural environment (dinner parties, social gathering at a public places, etc.) They told me today that they have always appreciated to have their children, both hearing and Deaf, to be exposed to ASL so that no one is ever left out. Anyway, it did not rob them from the “window of opportunity” because they were able to expose them English and ASL simultaneously by having tremendous support coming from bilingual users. They said it is the best thing ever to happen and they would do it again.
Please refer to my previous statement about the importance of learning ASL for the brain during critical language learning period. In other words, English and ASL are equally important period.
February 5th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
To Melissa,
You are trying to put across a message that these particular people in Elizabeth’s blog just don’t want to agree with. You could put fact after fact, success story after success story, and they will chose to doubt anything you say.
They don’t want to accept the fact that parents have choices, some very difficult, that they have to make for their families.
Melissa, you are one of the first rational people I’ve read from on this blog.
Thank You!!
February 6th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Oh my gosh..
Is AGBell really legally blind or what?
He should look around the world that deaf people using sign language but not all of them. Because some of deaf people using CI or hearing aids and have some skills to read lips and oral.
I think he actually make fool out of himself to wrote a letter out to Pepsi company about deaf commercial, “Bob’s house.” But I am not sure if they actually analyze variety of deaf people with percent of deaf people who using sign language, cochlear implants, orally, and their skill to read lips.
I think the deaf commercial, “Bob’s house,” is great to see on television before the super bowl game but I wish it could be repeat in half-time during super bowl game. So, even more hearing people to watch it and they might comments about it or learn a deaf joke. Also, there might more deaf people to supporting the deaf commercial and hopeful for next year to make another deaf commercial. That what I hope for.
=D
NMB
February 6th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Barb DiGi,
I would like to rephrase this from Caribbean Soul for Barb:
You are trying to put across a message that these particular people in Elizabeth’s blog just don’t want to agree with. You could put fact after fact, success story after success story, and they will chose to doubt anything you say.
They don’t want to accept the fact that parents have choices, some very difficult, that they have to make for their families.
Barb, you are one of the first rational people I’ve read from on this blog.
Thank You!!
February 7th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Pacific Soul,
It might be believable but for the fact that Barb has been seen at numerous protests jamming who personal views about how to raise other parents own children. And always comments in the negative when a successful oral or C.I. story show’s up.
But it was a good shot P.S. Very original!!!
February 7th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Caribbean soul:
Barb grew up orally. She has oral and c.i. friends. I’ve met her and she doesn’t discriminate against other deaf people.
I guess you don’t know her. Why don’t you get to know her first before saying inaccurate facts about her? By the way, personal attacks are not permitted so some of your personal attacks on Barb are deleted.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Firt of all, Asl does not isolated rest of the society. This is our own language, for hundred years plus still with the great efforts to preserves our sign language. We should not be long forgotten that our generation fought this ardous battle against the opression who believes that the deaf does not fit the rest of society. Secondly, I dont know what is AG BEll issues. OF course i don’t care how the AG Bell organization felt about the superbowl commercial. It is not their rights to stop spreading about Asl deaf community using sign language. WEll, guess what a faboulus job the pepsi commercial to involved deaf community and i am very impressed that they are very bold to do to show that the deaf can be the likes of the hearing world. Lastly, no matter what kind of disability we have and we are not less human. We can be a professor, students, doctors, nurses, etc whatever it is. we can function properly like the hearing world except hearing.
So listen up Deaf Community…. just ignored the statement of AG Bell and the organization do not really scares us.. Therefor, we all can do it!!!!!!
February 11th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Caribbean Soul,
Yep, I don’t even think you are rationale yourself for making such judgement about me. I only presented my factual point of view based on research and experiences. It is never my intention to pull anyone down since my goal is to see every Deaf child live with prosperity and a pursuit of happiness. As long as anyone who is oral or wears CI and is happy then I am happy. But when it comes to being oppressed and abused, that is where I come in to advocate for their rights.
I wanted to clarify a bit about myself. I grew up bilingually, using spoken English in a public school and ASL at home. I had struggled getting communication access since I grew up in a public school without interpreters (back then in the 70s- eary 80s was common). I just know what it was like going through that, do you? Today, it saddens me to see that there are others who were oppressed to language access because they were forced to practice oralism against their will. Who will stand up for them? Should we just laid back and let the silent children cry alone?
You know, it is funny that you have exaggerated about me being at numerous protests since I only been at once but really I wished what you said was true.
It is all about Deaf babies’ right to communication access and educating people about the benefits of bilingualism. Please don’t haste to judge me CS especially that you don’t even know me. Thank you MZ for your validation.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
One more thing I want to add is that I am just blessed that my family signs where I was able to have a safe haven at home, where they helped me to bridge ASL to English, where they helped me comprehend worldly stuff, and where they gave me love.
February 11th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I forgot to add this since you said that I “always comments in the negative when a successful oral or C.I. story show’s up.” I challenge you to find one because I do know that is not even true. Stop painting me as someone that I am not.
February 11th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
To Barb DiGi,
I come frome a family of deaf who grew up orally. One learned ASL and is exremely successful. Regardeless of the fact of being ridiculed by deaf culturists. They said he didn’t use “proper” ASL. So they kicked him away. The rest of us live great lives. We learned from a great lipreading specialist when we were very young. We communicate with the rest of the world just fine. I don’t feel for one minute I was oppressed. I wont speak for the rest of my family but I bet they would concur. So please stop portaying to the world that to grow up orally is to grow up being oppressed.
My deaf mother and hearing father made difficult decisions that turned out to be the right one’s. That’s where it ends, as long as you feel you are making the right decisions for your children, that’s it. Parents make decisions based on what they believe, not what you or another group feel is right.
As for me digging up your negative attacks on fellow deaf people, it would take me way to much time to dig it all up.
February 11th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
C.S.
Both Barb and I have oral backgrounds… she went to hearing schools. I didn’t learn sign language until I went to college.
I am glad you didn’t feel oppressed. I feel lucky I did benefit from the good education I was afforded to. So did Barb.
However, many deaf kids weren’t as fortunate as we were. Their parents were told that ASL was the “evil monster” that will destroy their kids, when in reality, ASL will help them better than pure oralism. It appears pure oralism only benefited a small minority.
Anyway, you claimed that it would take too much time for you to dig up the negative attacks Barb did. Well, then it would have been wiser for you not to make claims if you cannot back them up.
I know Barb personally. She is a great person with a big heart. Never did I ever seen her attack another Deaf person based on their communication modes. Neither did I. Just because some of others may have done doesn’t mean we do the same thing. In fact, our diverse backgrounds help us understand Deaf people better.
Please don’t make the mistake of clumping us with others.
February 11th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Mishka Zena,
I can only believe what I read. You and Barb can certainly be clumped in with the deaf culturalists. It doesn’t matter how you grew up. It is what you believe today, and what you have written about in the past.
One specific time was when Barb beat up on a parent of a deaf child who chose to have a CI put in her child. It was the same time she protested at the AGBell conference. She had NO right to tell another parent what to do with their own child. I think you can remember this.
How about attacking AGBell, what do you call that? You both are ripping apart the institution and directors, some who are deaf themselves, personally for there work in trying to help deaf people who need it. If you don’t call that an attacking a deaf person based on their communication method then what is it.
How about when you both slammed Dr. Fernandes for using SimCom and not perfect ASL among other things, please this list can go on.
They are all negative views. All of them. Never a solution, just constant bombardment of how someone is wronging your deaf community, oh wait, these people are part of the deaf community and you are constantly berating them because they have a different viewpoint or philosophy.
You cannot continually hide behind the fact that because you grew up orally you can be biased. If you were biased you would live and let live.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
C.S.
You seem inordinately fond of jumping into conclusions, which don’t reflect too well on you… because your assumptions are in error.
Deaf culturist? Funny way of calling me this, considering that I’ve been out of Deaf Community for ten years until last year.
By the way, please show me where I bashed Fernandes for using SimCom.
You won’t find anything.. because I hadn’t done any bashing on any deaf person’s choice of communication.
I cannot even begin to start a dialogue with you
for one obvious reason.
You projected into me your preconceived image which isn’t me at all. I suggest you read my blogs carefully. Others, including Deaf, oralists, C.I. users, and hearing people, who do, understand where I stand. After all, you do want to get all your facts right before you begin to bash me using wrong information. After all, it doesn’t make you look good.
By the way, the reason I don’t support AGBell is not because of its oralism, which I don’t have any problem, as long as the parents have all the information to make a decision and if the deaf child is able to benefit well. Their propaganda lead parents to believe one and only one, oralism is the right way to raise deaf kids when, in reality, it depends on the deaf kid’s needs. There is no one cookie cutter for all deaf kids. I also do not approve AGBell, as a professional organization, smearing a language and deaf people using sign language due to its prejudice against Deaf people who cannot talk and speak. Being deeply biased, it deliberately perpetuates inaccurate facts, misconceptions, and statistics to scare vulnerable and desperate parents away from exploring other options.
You know what I am talking about.. and the fact that you appear to have no problem with AGBell’s use of unethical and dirty tactics and its promotion of bigotry against one segment of deaf people doesn’t reflect well on you again.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
CS said: “So please stop portaying to the world that to grow up orally is to grow up being oppressed.”
Sorry, it is the truth for many people who grew up orally. Just read more books on Deaf history and observe more carefully in what former oralists have to say about their oppressed experience. I never said ALL oralists experience oppression though. Looks like you are having a hard time handling that truth? Truth hurts, yeah.
Ok, I am not going to continue with this dialogue because all you do, CS, is to paint a false picture of me and MZ. I am not interested to deal with a person who flies off his or her handle by making false claims. Good bye and good riddance to you.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Barb,
Look who is flying off the handle. It is true when they say if you see a character defect in someone else it is usually a direct reflection of your own defect.
Who died and left you to be the spokeswoman for all deaf kind? There is nothing false in the way you two continue to embarrass the majority of the deaf community.