DBC: Confusing Messages
Deaf Bilingual Coalition began as a humble group with John Egbert and a handful of Deaf Leaders last July to discuss about promotion of ASL. The idea was sparked by Amy Cohen Efron’s Greatest Irony where hearing babies are encouraged to learn sign language to communicate while their vocal cords are immature, but deaf babies are discouraged to sign even though their vocal cords aren’t developed, too. Since then, it had experienced a rapid growth over the first year and conducted four educational rallies. Shy of its first anniversary, DBC just completed hosting a successful national conference, attracting well-known and respected speakers and hundreds of participants. Congratulations, DBC!
From the beginning, DBC had said its agenda is to promote ASL for deaf babies. Later it expanded to include deaf children:
DBC stands by its mission and continues to promote a clear vision that we support ALL Deaf infants and children to have access to ASL from birth and to be fluent in ASL and English (bilingual). DBC is not against speech and listening training as long as it is partnered with ASL. DBC’s goal is to educate those who impact the lives of Deaf infants and children and find common ground to end the long-time friction between groups who have different philosophies on communication approaches.
http://www.dbcusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=12
However, in the Milwaukee article, a DBC spokeperson indicates there is more to DBC than the promotion of ASL alone.
“‘The two groups will bring their competing agendas to Milwaukee in separate national conferences this week: one that views cochlear implants and auditory-based therapies as a way to give children access to the wider world; and the other that sees them as unnecessary and an affront to who deaf people are as individuals.”
“”We’re concerned about the audism behind the implants - this belief that hearing is more advantageous than being deaf. It’s the same as racism,” she said.”
“You’re only learning how to speak, to regurgitate the words, and only a small percentage of deaf people are successful at that,”JS Online: AG Bell and deaf coalition conferences differ on cochlear implants
This contradicts with the mission statement at DBC website, promoting ASL while not opposing speech and listening training, as long as they are partnered with ASL.
I would like to make a recommendation that the DBC leaders work together on making the goals of DBC more consistent to the public and the media.
Clarification: There seems to be a misunderstanding. This’s not a criticism of the DBC’s statements given during the interview. Everybody is entitled to their beliefs and these opinions are valid, whether we agree with them or not.. All I am asking for is consistency.
I want to emphasize again that DBC did an incredibly wonderful job. Rarely can an organization start from zero to a national conference with hundreds of participants less than one year! Congratulations again!! MZ
Warning: Posting a commenter’s last name is not permitted here. MZ
P.S. I would like to assure everybody that their identities will be kept in confidence. I don’t give out ISPs to the public. MZ
The subject is closed.
Deaf Bilingual Coalition began as a humble group with John Egbert and a handful of Deaf Leaders last July to discuss about promotion of ASL. The idea was sparked by Amy Cohen Efron’s Greatest Irony where hearing babies are encouraged to learn sign language to communicate while their vocal cords are immature, but deaf babies are discouraged to sign even though their vocal cords aren’t developed, too. Since then, it had experienced a rapid growth over the first year and conducted four educational rallies. Shy of its first anniversary, DBC just completed hosting a successful national conference, attracting well-known and respected speakers and hundreds of participants. Congratulations, DBC!
From the beginning, DBC had said its agenda is to promote ASL for deaf babies. Later it expanded to include deaf children:
DBC stands by its mission and continues to promote a clear vision that we support ALL Deaf infants and children to have access to ASL from birth and to be fluent in ASL and English (bilingual). DBC is not against speech and listening training as long as it is partnered with ASL. DBC’s goal is to educate those who impact the lives of Deaf infants and children and find common ground to end the long-time friction between groups who have different philosophies on communication approaches.
http://www.dbcusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=5&Itemid=12
However, in the Milwaukee article, a DBC spokeperson indicates there is more to DBC than the promotion of ASL alone.
“‘The two groups will bring their competing agendas to Milwaukee in separate national conferences this week: one that views cochlear implants and auditory-based therapies as a way to give children access to the wider world; and the other that sees them as unnecessary and an affront to who deaf people are as individuals.”
“”We’re concerned about the audism behind the implants - this belief that hearing is more advantageous than being deaf. It’s the same as racism,” she said.”
“You’re only learning how to speak, to regurgitate the words, and only a small percentage of deaf people are successful at that,”JS Online: AG Bell and deaf coalition conferences differ on cochlear implants
This contradicts with the mission statement at DBC website, promoting ASL while not opposing speech and listening training, as long as they are partnered with ASL.
I would like to make a recommendation that the DBC leaders work together on making the goals of DBC more consistent to the public and the media.
Clarification: There seems to be a misunderstanding. This’s not a criticism of the DBC’s statements given during the interview. Everybody is entitled to their beliefs and these opinions are valid, whether we agree with them or not.. All I am asking for is consistency.
I want to emphasize again that DBC did an incredibly wonderful job. Rarely can an organization start from zero to a national conference with hundreds of participants less than one year! Congratulations again!! MZ
Warning: Posting a commenter’s last name is not permitted here. MZ
P.S. I would like to assure everybody that their identities will be kept in confidence. I don’t give out ISPs to the public. MZ
The subject is closed.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Thank you for making this public!
DBC needs to stay to their original agenda– promoting ASL for deaf babies.
ASL for ALL babies and children is not feasible as there are a lot of us, parents of deaf children, who prefer to make our own decisions on how to raise our own children. Advocating ASL even with speech and AVT would be excellent, but to say ASL for ALL deaf babies AND children WITH messages linking auditory therapy and cochlear implants to racism is way overboard!
I yearn to see for a middle ground with messages that say something like ASL for the youth and hearing aids and cochlear implants, speech therapy and/or AVT are welcome!
My ASL child is doing so well with CI and AVT. He has ASL, so what is SO wrong with giving him the gift of sound, the gift of gained access to the world? I think they see my child as a mixed breed. A mulatto. Not pure enough. Well, too bad, it is MY child and I chose to raise him this way because I want him to have more opportunities. I do not want him to end up stuck working at a school for the Deaf, or in a Deaf related field if that is not who he really is. With gained speech ad auditory skills, he can venture out and be more of what he was born to be. The best part of it all is that he is culturally Deaf, still! Wow. What is so wrong about that!? It is just their inner agenda trickling out of their original inent of promoting ASL for all deaf babies.
The DBC core leaders seem not to have any inkling of the real world and this may be their demise, unless they cease from linking the parents’ desire to give their children gained access to the greater world to racism. That’s so Deaf-supremacist. That’s bad news. They need to get their act together asap or atleast rarrange their core leaders for the sake of balance in views.
Mishka, thanks for the blog. I can see you do care about our Deaf community.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:48 am
That is political suicide and it will hurt us more than AG Bell people.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Gotcha, MZ. That is what I have been saying along… focus on the mission, leave out the negative parts, no attacking AGBell, etc.
But oh well. Hopefully, DBC will listen… but I guess right now, they are all fired up so they might not listen.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I’m with you! Great post
June 30th, 2008 at 10:54 am
How come ur blog isnt linked to Deaf Village? I think it would do a greater good by reaching out to all kinds of deaf/hoh people.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Anna S, it seems that you lack education about Deaf children and their future and you just made some offensive remarks about us, Deaf people. It is worthless to have a debate with you due to your arrogance.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Dr. Hocokak left very good comments on Amy’s blog which you could read them… http://blog.deafread.com/abcohende/2008/06/27/message-to-dbc/
June 30th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Hi Mishka,
On this we can agree completely. When a new parent sees what looks like full support for what they want for their child, then they find out how unsupportive it is when they also want the implant, that will do more damage than anything.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with BOTH ASL and the CI together.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:14 am
I’m glad you also see a problem with the message that DBC is sending to the public. The amount of benefit from speech training is so different now with CIs than it was in the past. We need to look to the future, and not let the past drag us down.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:15 am
This is not a criticism of DBC. I think it had done a terrific job so far.. very impressive for an organization less than one year. I am only asking that the messages of DBC be clear and consistent.
Many Deaf people are not happy with the increasing emphasis on speech and aural training, prefering a total bi-bi program as they see it more fitting for deaf children. They are entitled to their opinions, whether we agree with them or not. Just like with AGB’s rigid policy against ASL with deaf children.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Mishka, what is AGB’s policy about ASL? I’m curious.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Ron–
I am as Deaf as you are. Five generations. My forefathers went through the system as you and I did. I am sorry my message was offending to you. Truly, not my intention to do so. The Deaf community is diverse and I do expect my views to be attacked by my own people.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I agree, MZ.
They do send mixed messages. Just take a look at Jack’s Eyes’ vlogs and even the DBC members acknowledged his messages - and supported him.
They are to be complimented for all the hard work and starting up an organization run by Deaf in such a short time! That is really something!
But unfortunately I just do not agree with how they have been operating and spreading information outside of their mission statement as I’ve indicated on Amy Cohen Efron’s blog.
I do hope they take your inputs to heart.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Mishka,
Why don’t you just join DBC and help give feedback rather than make Blog posts like this. Or perhaps if your so passionate about making sure DBC is on the right track..establish a chapter in your home area. I am kind of tired of you blogging complaints when you could be proactive and be on DBC team or something.
Just my two cents
Todd
June 30th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Mishka,
I do not recall AGB as an organization saying theyre aganist ASL. Maybe some of the members are. But as an organization they promote listening and speaking and if parents want sign language or ASL they will give the proper referral.
Wouldn’t it be neat if AG Bell would refer the parents to DBC? DBC as it’s infance has lots of room to grow. I am all for DBC as long as they are not against anything but for ASL.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Oh crap, my haste leads to waste. For #15, DBC at it’s infancy has lots of room to grow.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Todd, all I am asking that they be consistent with their messages. There is nothing wrong with this reasonable request.
If they don’t like cochlear implants and oracy, that’s fine because they do have the right to express their opinions.
It’s best that DBC not send out confusing messages. That’s all I am saying.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Anna, AGBell is strongly opposed to the usage of ASL with its oral deaf children. It’s expressed in its guidelines.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Gotcha, anna s. Same here… I’d be for DBC, but *shrug*
AGBell is NOT against ASL… it just PROMOTES listening and speaking and says that sign languages are just option… same as DBC saying speaking/listening as an option. In fact, when I sent in the application for my son to attend Youth Leadership camp, which is sponsored by AGBell’s chapter in Indiana (Hear Indiana) and I immedately got an email asking me if my son needed an interpreter at the camp.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I can understand that we’re tender from the 2006 Gallaudet protest. We all know too well that one of the protest’s utmost challenges was keeping the message unified and clear.
This is good of Mishka Zena to realize this - and early. Mishka Zena recognizes DBC as a great organization - though young. As they’re building the organization’s underlying foundations, DBC has accomplished a great deal already!
I hope that DBC and its supporters doesn’t interpret this message as criticism– but as constructive feedback. She wouldn’t have posted this if she did not care about DBC’s message. I applaud Mishka Zena for being proactive by keeping DBC in CHECK! We fare better when we work together!
June 30th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I know some Deaf people of generations of Deaf families don’t support ASL and tend to avoid sending their Deaf children to Deaf schools. Being a Deaf person of Deaf generations doesn’t necessarily make that person an expert of ASL and Deaf issues.
I am not sure if you are actually a Deaf person because respondents tend to use fake names or pretend that they are Deaf and ASL users. That is why I am not sure if it is true about your Deaf generations. I would appreciate if you are able to avoid making more damages in our Deaf community. Thank you.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:46 am
AG Bell is not against ASL, is that a fact for sure? Please check with their organization and its history thoroughly.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:46 am
It’s what many have been seeing for a long time, what starts out as a message of equality, ends up with the same old status quo argument of orals versus sign in one form or another, what it means is John’s group was infiltrated by radical deaf who hate CI’s posing as advocates of ASL also, but then showing true colours by opposing the ‘also’ !
The A G Bell versus DBC is not conducive to our access as deaf people, that’s the problem. If they tried talking instead of confronting, it might get somewhere because we all we do not want to see children polarised of view, so another generation takes on the fight afterwards… Let’s end this war now.
A G Bell shutting off physically a walkway between the two warring parties, was depressing to see as well, it can only provide more fuel to the extreme views. Is there such a thing as a moderate group who can call these two sides together and lock them in a room until they come out with some sort of compromise ?
Where is Kissinger when you need him !
June 30th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
WHOA! Wait a minute.
I understand Mishka Zena’s intentions.
1. When an individual expresses their opinion on print, to the reporter, blog comments, or in person that is not the same as DBC’s. This individual is entitled to that opinion.
For example: Joe Doe believes that cochlear implants are not necessary for deaf babies.
2. An organization who values using ASL from the start and using ASL will guarantee success for a lifetime.
For example: DBC website which is very clear about their mission.
3. This same individual, Joe Doe still believes that cochlear implants are not necessary,and wants deaf babies to learn ASL. That individual is part of DBC, and maybe a leader of the DBC movement.
For example: Joe Doe is one of the member of DBC and he is very vocal with his opinions on various blogs.
4. An individual’s beliefs and values contradict with DBC’s website. That creates confusing messages.
What is Miskha was saying that if there were so many individuals in the DBC share same value as Joe Doe, then DBC needs to update their website to match the majority of individuals’ values and beliefs.
No more mixed messages.
DBC website is very clear that they are not against speaking and listening, they want to incorporate American Sign Language. No where on the DBC website say anything about cochlear implants. So therefore, does that mean DBC is against cochlear implants, because several individuals who are very involved with DBC committee are very vocal of their opinions?
It is best to for DBC to be open about their organization’s feelings about C.I, regardless what other people think or not. That will be less conflicting and confusing.
That’s why Mishka and I are confused with mixed messages.
DBC - what is your real agenda? Be open and honest. What does your members really want? Then revise your website that is reflective to your members’ values and beliefs.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I think the fault here lies not with DBC, but with the media.
DBC has tried hard to side-step around the cochlear implant issue since its founding–it does NOT want to have a position on cochlear implants because that’s not the main mission. Children with and without CIs are still denied access to ASL, so that’s the problem DBC is trying to solve.
However, the media and AGBell keep framing the debate around whether CIs should be used, instead of whether to use ASL. While DBC Core Members do have opinions about CIs (such as Lentz’s quote above), the general consensus is that CI is NOT the issue here. Unfortunately, that’s how the media makes it out to be.
Your analysis of Lentz’s quote is off. She doesn’t speak against speech or listening training, “You’re only learning how to speak, to regurgitate the words, and only a small percentage of deaf people are successful at that,”
She said “you’re ONLY learning how to speak.” That’s not bilingualism. If ASL was included in the curriculum, as it should be, then that’s the solution DBC is looking for.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Bystander, I understand what you are saying. John Egbert’s blog has been anti-AGBell, and Jack’s Eye has been anti-CI, to name several. So we get mixed messages, yup all right, and that lead us to make our differing opinions. If we remember, John E. did attack deficit thinkers (of which I am one, I guess, in many peoples’ eyes ;o) )… I could name a few more details.
No wonder there are mixed messages. If focusing on postives only, none of this would have happened and DBC would have been more successful than it is now.
But then I could be wrong.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Adam, okay but can you explain this part - ella’s reference to audism and racism?
That has nothing to do with bilingualism and ASL.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Yes, the DBC website does mention CIs. It is mentioned in one of the testimonials of DBC members, in which a hearing parent discusses her choice not to “drill a hole” in her deaf child’s head.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
For the clarification(#2), I could see that DBC just committed political suicide, not Mishka.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I think I am beginning to understand the confusion…as explained by bystander.
If DBC wants to be open and honest with how they feel about CIs, then they should be allowed to. Whether we like it or not, they should so they don’t need to hide their feelings. Ok, fine.
It should reflect their mission statement to match their beliefs and values.
Thanks to the commenters for clarifying this to me…
June 30th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
i am starting to see it now. . . like what iammine said, DBC’s mission should not be mixed because of some core members’ personal opinions. The core team should unite and keep some of their personal issues separate from dbc.
OR
if dbc is actually against cochlear implants, make it loud and clear.
*shrug* (like what Karen would do, haha)
June 30th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
peeking in,
Sure, here’s my take on the audism quote. It’s quite appropriate to use the word “audism” when talking about the oral approach. The oral approach is based on a perspective that deaf people are deficient in language and need to speak just like hearing people (and this is, of course, an incredibly difficult process which deprives the deaf child of its Deaf culture). It’s rooted in the subconscious belief that deaf people aren’t as worthy because they can’t hear–audism.
A bilingual approach which allows ASL will incorporate a much lesser degree of audism–or none!
Again, DBC has worked hard to make very little talk about CIs, because that is not the issue–the other side does a very good job of forcing the issue to be about CIs (a tool) instead of about language (a fundamental human need).
June 30th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Thanks, Adam. How many parents with no knowledge about the Deaf Culture understood that? How did they take her message? It did not sound like she was forced to talk about CI, but actually wanted to talk about it. You could sense it in her statement. She could have left it alone at “We aren’t concerned with cochlear implants per se” and then go into details about benefits of ASL and so on.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Why pick on DBC? Why not pick on the inconsistencies of AGB?
“Inside the convention, Bell members offered a very different view, claiming that studies show children who use sign language exclusively have much lower literacy than children who have received hearing aids and speech education.”
Bollocks.
“Catherine Murphy, director of communications, said the walkway was closed not at their request, but by the convention center. Murphy stressed that the convention had provided sign language interpreters and had exhibition booths devoted to American Sign Language.”
Signing Deaf people were booted from their VA conference. Relying on Gallaudet name alone does not constitute accommodation.
“A.G. Bell’s position is that we’re not against sign language,” she said. “We’re for choices.”
The winnner! This is what you should’ve gone after.
What u did was to invite the losers from DeafVillage here. They wanted to see DBC fail, in fact, all Deaf people fail cuz of their pessimistic outlook in life. Whine whine whine.
Lame.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
adam…the elephant in the room is implanted. trying to ignore it is only making it… bigger
and i think the more important question is - why is DBC trying to make CIs a non-issue, even though students with CIs are now students in nearly all, if not all, deaf bilingual schools nationwide?
June 30th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
Hi, yes I wonder if dbc has a well-balanced members in there like teachers who work in deaf contained classrooms in public schools or educators in the mainstream settings. That’s where a lot of deaf children are struggling and they have ci so this is where we need to make sure that the focus is at these children. Also I suggested that dbc make some connections with ci corporations to develop relationship and to see if ci corps would be receptive in working with dbc and refer info and be pro asl and incorporate bilinguism for deaf children. Also someone mentioned that dbc should also try to get agbell to work with them if agbell is willing to open their ears or eyes to them. To me this will be a success story of dbc.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Good point, Raychelle…since the number of children receiving CIs is growing, we need to take it into consideration, acknowledging that it is NOT going anywhere. We could make ASL and CI work together.
Mike, read MZ’s blog CAREFULLY next time… you totally missed her point.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
drmzz - I totally agree about AGB’s inconsistencies. No arguments from me there…
I do wish for DBC to be consistence with their messages, unlike AGBell.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
deafmommie, I believe AGBell would be willing to work with DBC if DBC ceased its offensive mode. So to me, it is up to DBC to step up to its plate and stop throwing darts at AGBell, and find a common ground to agree on.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Hmmmm… once DBC comes clean like JD said, it could open up a more positive relationship (in public relations) between hearing parents, AGBell, medical field, and DBC.
And it could help CIers to feel less threatened by the deaf community and help Deaf people feel less threatened by CIers.
I know not everyone agrees, but it could open up more possibilities once DBC states its position on CIs.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
drmzz,
You make excellent points about AGBell’s inconsistencies. Inconsistency of message is exactly what is being discussed here.
DBC can do better than AGBell by having a consistent message and sticking to what the majority of members in the organization want expressed. Right now, DBC appears to be the sounding board of a few core members’ views.
With a consistent message instead, DBC can begin to have a powerful message. Marketing is probably DBC’s weakest point, and the message sent out publicly has the strongest impact on people. DBC has to understand its target audience, the hearing parents of deaf babies, because they are the decision-makers, period. Not the doctors or the audiologists or the Deaf community. Forget about US having anything to do with deciding an individual deaf child’s communication mode.
However, as the d/Deaf community we can have some influence thru DBC if the organization focuses on its mission and understands its target audience. We d/Deaf are NOT the target audience.
Thanks for pointing out that DBC isn’t the only one with an inconsistent message. DBC is a young organization, and are learning things as they go. It’s accomplished a great deal in a very short time, and its the dues-paying members who make up the entire organization that need to speak up about what exactly is DBC’s message.
BTW, there are many of us readers who want to see DBC succeed, myself included. Many of us understand AGBell’s tactics and audism. Your very words, “losers from DV”, “pessimistic outlook in life”, etc, are not going to win fans to DBC’s cause. Please try to refrain from the name-calling and focus on the subject being discussed here.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Yup… believe it or not, I’d like to see DBC to succeed. I just don’t agree with the way DBC is run, that is all, since it veers away from its mission statement a lot, especially on DeafRead.
Hopefully it will change in the near future.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I think DBC is giving a mixed message as I totally agree with Amy about the first impression. We have to be positive and put the personal attacks aside.
We can’t turn the clock back what AGB did as I’m sure at the time they didn’t know any different cause it wasn’t a big thing till now. I think really DBC needs to stop the nonsense with AGB. As even AGB is humble and I’m sure if DBC has their own mission in a positive way to give people choices either way they want not taking sides and AGB may work with DBC who knows. Everyone of us is different how we want to communicate as you can’t force one in a way to put blame on others. LET it be!!! move forward with positivity then things will work.. We can’t turn the clock back of what others done wrong.. MOVE on DBC!!!
Remember ACCEPTANCE, RESPECT, LOVE…not War
June 30th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Just to respond to dmzz in the broadest sense that I can….. with DBC being a fledgling organization, I think it behooves it (DBC) to smooth out the obvious details of their mission, most especially as it relates to public relations. I don’t think that AGB and DBC are really all that far apart. AGB needs to embrace (they don’t do it nearly enough) ASL as promulgated by DBC on paper and DBC needs to incorporate the central goals of AGB. I think it begins with DBC because it is just learning to walk, so to speak, vs AGB being so deeply entrenched on the American scene because they have far more resources via capital and political muster.
I think, together, the two will have, at long last, finally reached nirvana. Maybe I am being overly simplistic but I truly think it’s as simple as that.
June 30th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Okay, great… glad to see that there is constructive dialogue going on and hopefully DBC would take this into consideration.
Have a good day off to swimming with kids :o)
June 30th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
DBC is playing a game with AGB. tsk..tsk..how unprofessional..tsk tsk..
DBC ought to stop play political…
June 30th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Interesting discussion here and here’s my thoughts:
AGB - 120 years old
DBC - 1 year old
Give them a break. DBC leaders need to be applauded for their hard work. They eventually made our discussion happen. If not for DBC, we will be doing nothing but simply watching AGB dominate even more.
It is time for us to appreciate our own Deaf people’s hard work - recognize their work to make them feel good. They did it with THEIR OWN MONEY AND TIME. AGBell pay their people to do the work.
THANK YOU DBC!!
June 30th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
My question is.. how does the hearing parents know what DBC is talking about at the conference if they not have any sign language skills?? wasn’t there an interpreter there for them… to help both ways not one way.. I would think the majority of the audience are deaf with ASL.. I could be wrong.. I’m the type of person like to help others not attack them for their wrong doings but make things smoother and positive…
Like we go to the store with your kid and your kid wants one type of brand and you don’t like it.. are you gonna rat on the other brand you don’t like?? I doubt it.. Acceptance..
Just a thought,
June 30th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Ooops, I need to add “…..as it relates to public relations AND “the CI issue. Add AVT and the other stuff and there you have it!”.
Ummm, Paotie, as much as I like your style of writing, a lot of it’s content isn’t helping much here.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Anna s now playing a rough game of politics with the comment, she gets retard. She destroyed his son own decision because her son never chose CI.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Wow, ChrisH, that’s pretty inane. Hope you’re not a father just yet…..
June 30th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
ChrisH, please no personal attack on other commenters. Address to the topic, not the person. Thank you.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Early Intervention Best Practice Model
c. Bilingual/Bicultural (ASL/ESL),
http://www.agbell.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?p=EI_Best_Practice_Model
Mishka. Thanks you. off topic
June 30th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Chris, too bad they don’t practice what they preach. Remember the Pepsi Cola fiasco where they rebuked the company for showing ASL actors? They showed their real colors, as usual.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
The DBC has done A LOT in only 1 year…from a vlog to a full convention with 500-700 people…and recognized by the NAD…wow!
Still, they need to set up some sort of a PR committee…for dealing with the MEDIA…no more interviews with ignorant reporters…direct all media to one spoke person or something like that…and have the mission statement clearly shown everywhere…
This is the same problem as the Gallaudet protest…deaf people and the media are not able to communicate with each other effectively…personally, I believe it is more of a problem on the media’s end…
This makes me wonder about the “other side” of everything I read in the papers or see on TV…the media in this country is grossly irresponsible…
June 30th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Any new organisation almost invariably goes through trials and tribulations for the time being. What the DBC needs right now is a position paper and publish it on its website.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Good start, Jean and may I add: Publish/promulgate it on the website for feedback and fine-tuning…
June 30th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Good start, Jean and may I add: Publish/promulgate it on the website for feedback and fine-tuning…Merci…
June 30th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Mishka,
I agree that their response to the ad was a bit overboard, but their point was that if there’s a deaf role on TV or in the movies, it’s always someone signing despite the fact that only about 5-10% of the deaf/hoh population signs.
Name one deaf character on TV or in the movies that’s deaf but doesn’t sign.
To use this particular example, despite their wrongheadness, as evidence of AGBell’s disapproval towards ASL is very misleading at the least.
June 30th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
E, this is just one of many examples. *laughing*
There were several deaf people with CI on TV. One was shown last summer in All My Children and the deaf child ended up getting a cochlear implant. In fact, the program American Gladiators has a deaf person with cochlear implant.
June 30th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
the pro-Oral, pro-ASL controversity: the biggest waste of time in the history of Deafness, Deafhood.
until i actually see a joint venture with AGB and DBC (or NAD), you all failed.
/of course.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Well, dog food, that possibility is a good one; I just think that most folks haven’t yet seriously thought through the possibility f this venture. It’s a whole lot easier than the way things are now……
June 30th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I just got back from a long drive from Milwaukee and read this post.
Since I am so tired and wondered if I should have any comments since there is so many different opinions in this comments.
But I feel that I need to say this;
DBC is all about language advocacy
While AGBell is all about auditory advocacy
Please let’s look at the big picture about Deaf babies.
Why are we having problems since 1880 when sign language was disregarded and replaced with oral only method?
Please focus on why or how we can have a normal child, deaf or hearing.
I will be happy to have an open public forum with the media about this issue(oral only or bilingual) with AGBell if bilingual or oral only should be or not to be for Deaf babies and children in schools.
Please do what is right for Deaf babies, not what you THINK is right.
I dare you to create this public forum between DBC and AGBell for what is best for Deaf babies.
And I guarantee you that AGBell will not do it!!!!!!!!!
John Egbert
June 30th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
with that state of mind, mr egbert, i gurantee you that AGB wont waste time with anyone who’s agressive in bringing them down instead of working with them with a gentle air.
i won’t want to work with an angry, bitter, old man who won’t take things any other way but his own.
/enjoy your rice pudding and go to bed.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
DBC — Many thanks and great job!! Let’s roll. DBC is getting stronger than ever! One year ago DBC was born — today this organization is still alive and kicking …. hard! When and where will there be the next ABG’s convention? Let’s follow them on the way! Nah … I don’t think it is a good idea … isn’t it? :)~
June 30th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Dog Food,….? Why is your name dog food?
Deaf community that cares Deaf Babies know what kind of person you are anyway,…..
So Deaf babies are not important but yourself (dog food) and your opinion?
Yes, we care about Deaf babies and seems you rather be aggressive about people that cares.
If you want to work against Deaf Babies’ needs then find another place to be that focus on self-interest ideology such as yourself on this blogsite.
Deafread.com cares about Deaf Babies!!!!
P.S. you know where to go…..dv
June 30th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Mr. Egbert, I never said i was angst D/deaf babies. Don’t put your words in my mouth just like the AVT people did to you.
I’m angst your fury and backlash angst AGBell. My opinion is simply that your passion is in the right place and your reactions are sometimes immature. It’s really that simple.
I should hope you don’t have this delusion that you’re speaking for the entire community of DeafRead which I am also part of, whether you like it or not.
So, would you take my invitation to tone down the mixed messages, put aside what misgivings you seem to have with the AVT approach, and reason with honey to the fact that you’re all about language, not ASL only?
June 30th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Curious as to how many of the commenters here hgave deaf/Deaf children?
Maybe just 5 percent. Interesting to see how many of you are fighting against each other over children that aren’t yours.
Being a parent to a deaf child changes the person. At least it did for me. I was a strong-Deaf pro-residential school, and would growl if a hearing person calls me hearing impaired. I’ve changed a lot due to age, experience, and having deaf children.
ChrisH, I challenge you to a videophone conversation with me. Interested? (o:
John Egbert, I applaud you for the compassionate words you have spread across the nation advocating for ASL for deaf babies. Go rest, you need that good night’s sleep.
MZ, this blog of yours sparked much zeal among the readers including me. The original message you came up has evolved into the same endgame.
Let’s see what DBC would come up with in the next few days or weeks. A position paper is a good idea.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Dog food
I will take your invitation to tone down if you set up a public forum with AGBell and DBC to solve this misunderstanding about auditory and language ideology for Deaf babies and which is more important.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Hi there,
We just got here in Windsor, Ontario from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
I read some people who made some comments that I find are not proper.
I am very pleased with Mishka for providing her input. It shows that she cares about babies and children the most. That is a very healthy discussion and feedback. But some people have made unfortunate discussion that I find are irrelevant and unhealthy.
In fact, DBC’s mission is all about language rights for babies and children. I agree with John Egbert. I find him a very gentle and respect man. People, who attack him, earn NO respect from me! John makes a very clear message is taht DBC is all about language advocacy. It promotes all Deaf children to use bilingual approach to enhance their language skills and their life. That is what DBC is all about. DBC encourages all babies and children (with or without CI, HA, AVT programs, etc) to use ASL in education system. DBC has never stated that it wants to remove CI, HA, AVT programs from them. People, who said otherwise, are false and misleading.
Media does not make clear information and it has caused people to make up their views based on “out of context”. People have accused Ella of making the statement. That is out of context. That is not fair for Ella and DBC core members.
By the way, DBC convention is the best of all. I look forward to a many more of it around the world! I want to congratulate DBC core members and its members for their hard work to make it possible for everyone.
I will make a vlog soon…
Deafchip
June 30th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Thanks for suggesting what the next step is, Mr. Egbert. I’m glad you know what to do now about this “misunderstanding”.
You really don’t need an agreement with me to get your point across, right? obviously I’m not going to stop you from going ahead and starting this with or without me.
good luck; god bless you for all you do.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Anna S,
Thank you for your consideration about my need to rest.
But Deaf babies have been waiting for 128 years and I am nearly 61 years old and soon to be in the ground 6 feet. My priority for Deaf babies IS BEING CONTROLLED from my heart from years of learning from Deaf people’s experience in the community about the wrong ideology from organizations such as AGBell have ruined their life.
Simple to say…
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
BECAUSE I WAKE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT…. SAYING…..SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE D O N E.
SO I SAY………DO IT!
June 30th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Deafchip
no, it’s not always clear. I applaud you for your efforts and glad that it is much clearer to you.
/god is real; i just dont believe everything they say in church.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
just wanted to ask some gentle questions:
“organizations such as AGBell have ruined their lives”
so far, all i hear is AGBell. where are the other contenders? is it just AGBell? what about ignorance from hearing professionals? does the fault also go to our president who has to weight our oil crisis instead of our needs? the list goes on and on in terms of what’s bothering me about your “AGBell only” agenda. This confuses me and adds to the mixed messages you send out.
Surely there has to be more to this whole scheme of things than just a successful old organization that chose not to communicate openly to you?
July 1st, 2008 at 12:03 am
John Egbert,
You are our inspiration. I have known you as a gentle and loving man since I first met you on DeafRead.
Get a real good vacation
and beat my tan! 
July 1st, 2008 at 12:57 am
Dog food,
Sorry,
I should have said AGBell and its “hegemony” associates.
July 1st, 2008 at 5:36 am
John,
Whoa, getting upset and telling someone to go to dv. Think about what you just said. Believe it or not those who disagreed with you do care about deaf babies.
It does not matter if people like you or not and vise versa people were concerned about mixed messages with DBC.
You do need a vacation. Think about what you just said. Everything you say will be scrutinized because you are running DBC.
July 1st, 2008 at 6:19 am
My jaw fell open at John Egbert’s angry comments… that is not a way to earn the points…telling one to go to Deaf Village, etc. Remember, everyone has his and her own perspective, and if one does not like it, well, LET IT BE. There are plenty of people on your (John Egbert) side… from what one person in IN told me, more than 500 people attended DBC, which is a VERY good number for a one-year-old organization. As I said last year to you, I am urging you to think of getting a spokesperson who has public relations training (I am sure anyone would love to volunteer for you.) I agree with the idea of exposing the deaf babies to visual/signed languages to get their cognitive abilities going, meaning making sure that the medical profession is educated in giving options to the parents, not only limited to a few options. However, I fully support the parents’ right to make the decision, even if we don’t agree with.
Pluz, I thought there was a constructive dialogue on MZ’s blog at the beginning and I DO (hey, that is my perspective, period, and we have to agree to disagree here) believe that DBC NEEDS a spokesperson. I know you said that DBC had several (core members) but so far, negative. If tone down negativism a bit, DBC could go further.
anna s, I have two deaf children… one in ISD and another in mainstream (will be part time student at ISD in the upcoming fall, for electives like gym, ASL/Deaf Studies and Vocational Technology.)
So, please think about delegating the publicity responsibilty to a person with publicity background so that you could focus your energies on DBC.
I know this will fall on your “deaf” ears, but at least I know many commenters will read this and agree with me and of course other commenters will disagree with me… just perspectives.
July 1st, 2008 at 6:59 am
One soap opera and a reality TV show?
What about prime time? What about movies?
There may be few examples, but the signers are in TV and film more often by a wide margin. Such TV shows and movies like ER, Weeds, Jericho, CSI, Law and Order, Picket Fences, Reasonable Doubts, Beauty and the Beast, There will be Blood, etc. etc.
You still haven’t addressed my point that your citing this Pepsi-Cola fiasco as an example of AG Bell’s hatred of sign language is misleading.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:08 am
John, how about finding a liaison person/trainer who could communicate with the medical professions (not only AGBell)? Going to hospitals, giving workshops on how to provide options in the hearing screenings, visit audiology offices, etc.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:49 am
e, it’s how they responded to the pepsi with the signing characters. If signing wasn’t an issue to them, they would have said nothing and just let the commercial be the way it was.
Anyway, John - I see you are upset with some of us.
Please do know that we are concerned even if we disagree on some things.
There are certain times to address issues at the right time.
At this point and not being around DR a lot, I get negative vibes coming from DBC, especially at Jack’s Eyes.
Like MishkaZena said, people do have the right to express their thoughts and feelings.
You expressed your anger which is your every right but is that how we want the parents to see?
In my public speaking courses, we were taught to always always consider the target audience and their “What is it in for me?” mentality. Too much emotion will drown them out. I am learning this the hard way myself as some of you may know my biggest beef is with the access issues. That is my passion right now. I demonstrated a lot of emotions, especially anger, and did anyone listen to me? Nope. Less emotion and gather sources to back up what you are saying will get attention.
What do hearing parents of deaf want to know and hear? What would it take for them to go to the next level? At this point, do they need to know about the 128 years? Their child(ren) has/have just been recently around. What does this have to do with them? Those are just a few questions I have in mind as far as analyzing your target audience - hearing parents with no knowledge of the Deaf Culture and its history. It’s equally important not to overwhelm them with too much information.
I can see that from those who attended, like deafchip, said nothing but positive things. That’s great!
The deaf audience is pretty easy - interpreters, parents who are already exposed to the deaf culture, CODAs, etc… those are great for your support.
Again, we are offering different perspectives that you can challenge in the most productive way, if you choose to, that is. Do try not to perceive them as personal attacks and address them to the best of your ability.
I do wish you best of luck and as I have said earlier, DBC does have a lot of potentials.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:55 am
This is exactly what I’m talking about when you see comments from John Eggbert spewing out of his mouth. And he’s called humbled? Caring? And he calls people Deficit Thinkers and Sicko. And he looks for someone to blame: AGB. And, he goes around being nasty and telling people to go to Deaf Village. The media and the mainstream is going to say, uh uh…this guy is certifiable.
John, you’re not helping your organization at all!
You are actually hurting DBC, more than you realize.
I wrote a post that pretty much speaks for itself on how the weekend went. I don’t think it was what DBC had in mind. So, it’s time for you people to decide whether you really want DBC to succeed or not.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:57 am
iammine, that was a very good comment, discussing the target audiences. That is why I suggested a liasion person/trainer from DBC to give mini-workshops at the hospitals where hearing screenings take place, etc….where hearing parents often are first given the news about their child/children’s hearing loss.
Well, John, good luck.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:02 am
Yeah, Karen - that’s a great suggestion, too!
July 1st, 2008 at 9:11 am
Candy, enuff!!!!!!!!! shudda up!!! and leave our John Egbert ALONE!!!!!
July 1st, 2008 at 9:55 am
BigD,
do you believe everything they tell you in church?
July 1st, 2008 at 10:04 am
Deaf Bilingual Coalition to Meet in Milwaukee - Genuine Advocates for Deaf Children Rallying for Deaf Children’s Rights to Acquire Language Through American Sign Language
http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=8442388&nav=menu216_17_12
July 1st, 2008 at 10:27 am
Once again Karen Myers is making off the wall comments.
I agree with John E. completely.
People forget what the oralist schools (supported by AGB) did to us, the Deaf community, for many years. (i.e. slapped our hands with a big ruler if we were found to be signing, denying our rights to marry other deaf people, etc. etc.)
I am ashamed of people like Mayers and others (dogfood?- really, you pick an appropriate name for yourself) who like to be accessible and accommodating to the AGB, when they (AGB) have done nothing to move away from their overall philosophy regarding Deaf people (can any one say Super Bowl Pepsi commercial?-Or how about the Marriott Hotel incident?).
John E …you rock…you have the support of the majority of the Deaf community world wide.
Any group who has done this much in a short time has to have a great deal of support.
Please don’t let these personal attacks on you stop you!
July 1st, 2008 at 10:36 am
Shrugging myself knowing that the AG Bell made the first offensive! AG Bell did started made NOT very nice welcome by block the stooopid wall! It shows more offensive attitude! Nothing new about AG Bell!!!
July 1st, 2008 at 10:38 am
IT’S FOR OUR FUTURE DEAF BABIES/CHILDREN!!! NOT FOR US!!!! it’s our job to fight for them…THINK about them…LOOK at them!!!! DBC, thanks so much!!! we support DBC ALL THE WAY!!!! WE ARE STRONG!!!!!
July 1st, 2008 at 10:45 am
“People forget what the oralist schools (supported by AGB) did to us, the Deaf community, for many years. (i.e. slapped our hands with a big ruler if we were found to be signing, denying our rights to marry other deaf people, etc. etc.)”
Times have changed, good sir. You sound like a World War 2 solider who hasn’t realized that the war’s over.
Am I the only one who realized that there’s two sides to this controversity and accept that both are strong to stand by their point and beliefs? Most of the comments left here, sound like remarks to discredit your opponent’s stance on things.
To help you understand my feedback (personal attacks??) I won’t deny that there’s a need for babies to learn ASL. I also wont deny that there’s a need for babies to learn hearing and speaking because that ability is there for alot of babies too.
In the end, this whole controversity is like 2 religions battling it out in the name of the same god. I can taste that metallic flavor of irony.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:54 am
hands waving in the air….DBC!! ASL!! we are strong, strong, strong!! we support DBC all the way!!! \../,
July 1st, 2008 at 11:17 am
NO, Dog food, times have not change….most of the AGB people still belive in oralism… and continue to have this Anti-ASL attitude. I know this because I am a memebr of AGB. The proof is in their attitude towards the Pepsi ad.
And I really do not understand where you are coming from when you keep making statements that are blantly not true, i.e. “In the end, this whole controversity is like 2 religions battling it out in the name of the same god. I can taste that metallic flavor of irony.”
From what I can see -the vast,overwhelming majority of Deaf people support the DBC and John E.
Perhaps you are so bother at the truth of this -so much that you chose a name “dog food” that is low on the pole-to identify yourself.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:48 am
Greetings brothers and sisters. This is my first blog in this room. Some of you might know me from Amy Cohen Enfron’s blog. I see multiple great discussions here in this blog and appreciated each one of them. However I wanted to clear few things up, if I may.
Having been on the inside of DBC, serving as a core group as well as several different duties including public relations and State chapter kit. I was DBC’s strategist during my four months tenure with DBC up until a week before the conference in Milwaukee. I was also appointed as the head of public media. In short, I was there, down deep within DBC core member and I saw dents every where. Regardless I assisted them in every imaginable ways with hope they’ll gain better understanding of holistic approach. I can tell everybody in this room something. I kept records of everything including meetings via AIM where they shared their personal insights on different matters. At times oralism and CI were discussed by the inner circle. At one point a core member made humorous but degradatory comments about drilling a hole in Deaf child’s head. As biased as it was I listened anyway and kept them in my records. I hold such evidence, in writing. I also hold evidence, in writing, covering other core members who admitted they were against CI and Oralism but they knew better than to say it outloud. That was when I realized something important. If these ASL Powerhouse were capable of biased views against oralism and CI then they certainly are capable of biased views against bilingualism and people who practice bilingual on equal basis. Surely enough, I was condemned by DBC leader for discussing DBC business in details via literacy. I was asked not to discuss anything on email because the leader could not process her thoughts in literacy. She went on to instruct me to use email only to set up VP appointments. It was a clear sign of opression. Growing up deaf, carrying seventh generation of deafness in the family with my two deaf boys carrying the 8th label, I’ve had enough of opressions and was not about to be opressed again, especially from DBC leader who represented Deafhood and ASL Powerhouse. I tore down the wall long time ago when I learned the meaning of illusion. As soon as I learned the meaning of illusion and how it worked, the surrounding walls disappeared. I discovered my liberty that day. I promised myself I’d never be without liberty again when the internet arrived along with the wonders of email. Want to take email privileges away from me? You will have to do it over my dead body. I resigned from DBC in order to protect my rights. Bilingualism? Unfortunately it is not happening over there within DBC.
As soon as I resigned from DBC I met other bilingual people who told me they were ushered out as well. Surprised? You bet I was. What? I asked myself. But I thought DBC spelled Bilingual!
The remaining majority of DBC leaders are made of Deafhood (ASL powerhouse) with the exception for one or two core members who are very level headed bilingual advocates. Fortunately for us, at this point, DBC is only a namesake that is being ruled by ASL Powerhouse majority. DBC started off on the right footing but has since then been tripped and stumbled by biased individuals out to promote self-interests, that of Deafhood and ASL powerhouse. It is our duty to correct them and remind them the meaning of bilingual. DBC is only a name, a brand name but what is more important here is the contents. At this point the content is evidently ASL powerhouse and Deafhood.
How do I know? Approximately one week after I resigned from DBC, up to the day before the conference began one DBC core group asked me to help with power point presentation because this person valued my input. In this Power Point ASL was noted everywhere with little or no regards for English language. I then encouraged greater emphasis for wholeness, that of medium. And then I noticed ‘Deafhood’ as part of their power point presentation. I quickly asked that it be removed because we were talking about Deaf babies here, whose parents are not yet registered with. This core member agreed and told me that one leader of DBC inisited that Deafhood subject be included in the power point. I will not mention names but I have everything documented and recorded in writing. I don’t know if the rest of DBC folks were aware of my involvement up until the day before the conference but I didn’t care. I helped anyway because it was the right thing to do. I did it for the sake of Deaf babies.
Regardless I made it known to everybody within DBC that I will jump right back in as soon as ASL Powerhouse walk out of the door. I do not have any problems with DBC and its underlying messages. The problem lies with ASL powerhouse who found the courage to wear bilingual umbrella in order to infiltrate biased views, that of Deafhood, pro-ASL movement and healthy disdain for oralism and CI. I hold such evidence, in writing and will spill the beans if that is what it takes to reclaim DBC and Bilingualism. And it is not a threat. It’s a reminder for everybody to practice what they preach, including us. When we say we sponsor bilingualism then we’d better mean it.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:53 am
Readers,
Please forgive me for standing up too strongly.
It is true that there are strategies to achieve the dream that the Deaf Community been looking for in the past 100 years. It is my mentality of this “Enough is Enough” that I need to be patience to succeed the needs for Deaf babies to get the cognitive development skills from 0 to 3 years of age.
Karen Mayes, I still care for you and will hug you to show my forgiveness for how I have been. It is just that my number one priority is Deaf babies and I will be willing to die if AGBell and its associates accept ASL for Deaf babies from 0 to 3 years old and they can train speech after their daily 6 hour education environment if parents wishes.
Everyone else, DBC is a language advocacy group and AGBell is an auditory advocacy group.
DBC and many Deaf people in the community thinks that the child’s mind is more important than the ability to have speech.
And let me emphasize that DBC is not against ci or speech or hearing aids, but unfortunately, AGBell tells parents that ASL will cause a Deaf child to have much lower literacy which is a lie.
DBC knows that Deaf Community will prevail because they have the TRUTH which is why AGBell keeps having WALLS around the parents from knowing the TRUTH.
John Egbert
July 1st, 2008 at 12:00 pm
To Dr Hocokan:
While I respect your views- I do not subcribe to it.
Those “ASL Powerhouse” do speak for me and the vast majority in the Deaf World. For far too long we have had our language barred from us,our civil rights taken away from us and our diginty stripped from us. This attitude is still in play (today) in groups such as the AGB.
And we will not stopped supporting the DBC.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Additionally…. DBC wanted everyody to believe that B spelled bilingual when it went to Milwaukee. I believed until I was deeply entrenched within DBC and saw too much. DBC advertised itself as bilingual movement but what actually happened in Milwaukee turned out differently. AG Bell, hearing parents and the media took a peek into DBC’s jar and saw ASL everywhere, without equal footing and air time for English language. Bilingual? They clearly don’t see it and I can understand why. I was deeply involved with DBC core group up until the day before the conference so I know exactly what happened and what went wrong. My eyes are clearly on ASL Powerhouse, that of Deafhood. They need to be held accountable since they wore bilingual umbrella with hidden agendas to promote pro-ASL movement and Deafhood in name of Deaf children.
Come to think of it. They (ASL powerhouse) literally sold Deaf children’s souls for the sake of their own self-interests.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
And agian-I do not subcribe to your side of what happened.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Please see this web site- it shows what the majority of Deaf people feel about this issue:
http://puredeaf.blogspot.com/2008/06/dbc-agb-photo.html
thanks.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
sorry about that-worng e-mail address.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Please see this web site:
http://puredeaf.blogspot.com/2008/06/dbc-agb-photo.html
It shows how the majority of Deaf people feel.
Thanks.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:26 pm
please go to Deafread.com, and see the Deaf Tank cartoon. It shows how the majority of Deaf people feel about this.
Thanks.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:28 pm
It’s the one that is called
“DBC Block AGB’s TANKS” (PHOTO)
Pure Deaf
July 1st, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. What I see is that there are two different messages, agendas and audiences. One agenda is against AG Bell, with the message that ASL needs to be part of a child’s life. The audience is the Deaf Community, many of whom feel personally damaged by AG Bell. Many Deaf feel that if the hearing community can just see the truth, they will feel just as outraged, and will no longer support AG Bell.
The other agenda is to promote ASL bilingually with English, with the message that the child will have the greatest chance at language with a bilingual approach. This audience is the hearing parents of deaf babies.
You are not going to reach hearing parents with the first agenda. Too much anger and conflict. Your message actually has gotten out to parents. Unfortunately, most of them do not flock to your cause, but run in the opposite direction.
DBC needs to clearly pick one agenda, message and audience. It cannot continue to try to force AG Bell to change if its goals are to reach out to hearing parents. Let go of the AG Bell agenda, and concentrate on helping parents.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
All, we seem to have the same conclusion: DBC needs a public relations person who can consistently reinforce the DBC position that ASL added to the AVT program and any other oral/auditory programs is the best approach, i.e., we feel a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to language learning in the Deaf infant and child is the wisest approach; and that parents need to be informed of this.
However, the issue became unneccessarily complicated with insertions of Deaf Culture and Deafhood concepts, and these are not appropriate for new parents of deaf babies. It takes a very wise and knowledgeable PR person to give these parents what they need for support and knowledge without confusing them about deaf identity issues.
AGBell has a professional and highly skilled PR organization and one of the ways we see this in operation is that they are too smart to bother acknowledging us or enter into any dialogue.
Let’s not waste time on criticizing DBC or AGB. There is a very important concept here we need to develop: a BALANCED, COMPREHENSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE APPROACH FOR PARENTS AND DEAF BABIES.
That’s all.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Dr. Hocokan, thank you for this insight.
I think that is what many of us are seeing from the beginning. ASL Powerhouse and Deafhood. Actually, I’m not surprised.
But, I do thank you for being honest and bringing it all out. Because if we want DBC to be another resource for parents to look to, we need to know what went wrong and to fix it, if we can.
I dunno, but, looks like the damage is done and it might actually take years to fix it.
I saw that early on in Ella’s post and even Joey’s post. Saw that clearly in many of the comments over the blogs. I don’t know why we have certain people bringing it up at the final moments before the weekend to spring certain posts that could have been done months before.
Pretty bad strategy.
What a waste of time and money.
All in the name of Deafhood!
July 1st, 2008 at 12:39 pm
To KL:
You seemed not to get it:
We would like to “let go”. But it’s the AGB people who have the most damaged (or tired to). Look at the Pepsi ad, for example. It’s the AGB people who are doing the damage. We are left responding and trying to get the truth out there.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Hi Brother John. Barry here. I, too will hug you simply because I know you are a human being too. I’ve enjoyed working with you for the past four months during my tenure with DBC. I know I’ve continuted so much towards DBC. It does not matter if you want to acknowledge it but down deep on the inside I feel very good about the contribution I made towards, not you or DBC but towards Deaf children. I respect you for who you are. It is not you or DBC that steered wrong. It is these ASL Powerhouse and Deafhood who tried to promote more than what they really needed to.
I see that you have not lost your insight on the TRUTH. That’s good to know. I remain loyal to the same cause. I will not say that it is your cause because it belongs to Deaf children, not us.
Hi Blue. I respect your view and thank you for respecting mine. Mind you, I never asked you to subscribe to my views. The view belongs to me just as your view belongs to you.
It is fine if you want ASL Powerhouse to speak for you. You crossed the line when you spoke for the rest of majority of Deaf world. I am part of the Deaf World and you do not speak for me. Sorry to disappoint you but these ASL Powerhouse do not represent me.
Being the seventh generation of deafness in my family I don’t doubt the fact that our language was barred from us for too long, infringing on our civil rights, which stripped us of dignity. I don’t doubt the fact that this attitude is still at play today. The point is, we (Deaf people) know and understand this all too well. It is THEM (hearing parents and the general public) that do not understand and do not see it and do not feel it. We could shout and rally all year long and do it for hundreds of years but the message still will not connect with hearing parents and the general public.
The point is, do we advertise them (our opponent, AG Bell in your argument) as the culprit or do we take the high road and shed better images for ourselves, generating important first impressions for the hearing parents and the rest of the world? Do we show them our dilgent side and show them the society WE REPRESENT?
Remember the importance of reversal psychology. You are who you are, depending on how you present yourself. Show up disappointed or outraged with $2.00 t-shirts with slogans on it… you’ll be viewed as the ‘failure’ and perhaps even a maniac. Instead, how about showing up as a confident person who is content with himself / herself and our lives. Bring your happy face and wear your best shirt or suit. Be quick to greet others. Be quick to listen and be slow to speak. This is how you make powerful first impression. They will come to you naturally and try to get to know who you are and learn what you do for living. As you introduce yourself this way you will amaze them with the power of empowerment.
I do this type of approach every day and every where I go. Nobody will ever see me in a $2.00 t-shirt. I always wear neastly ironed Stafford or Oxford button shirts, even to work at the ranch. I wear my best shirt and my best hat every where I go. I attract everybody at the stores. large or small. They come to me all the time to comment on how much they liked my hat. I build custom buckaroo hats for $500 each and I have many customers lined up to buy them from all over the place. I believe I am about 6 months behind but yet I’m keeping up. I have 16 new customers from this month ALONE. They are customers from England, Australia, Canada, NY, Florida, Georgia and pretty much every where in the West. They see my work (hat) here and there. They see my work on the internet. They hear about me but little do they know that I’m Deaf until they try to contact me. Once they learn that I’m Deaf it really pushed them over the line because they want a special hat that is built by a very capable Deaf person. Down deep on the inside they are glad to witness “successful” deaf story. They want to believe that we are capable of success. But in order to help them believe that we are capable of success we, first, must demonstrate ourselves diligently and wear our best shirt.
The same is true for DBC and Deaf people every where.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:47 pm
The Blues,
Two different fights. You can keep bashing your head against AGB, and in my opinion, get nowhere. You can keep telling parents how evil AGB is, and they will keep running away from you, or you can quit fighting them, ignore them, and concentrate on helping parents find a way to give their children both English and ASL. Most hearing parents are unwilling to give up verbal English, and are not going to be supportive of an ASL only message, as long as they can clearly see that with the implant, they can successfully give their children the ability to access verbal English.
So pick a direction. Which one is more important? Helping parents teach their children bilingually or showing them how much AGB hurt Deaf people in the past?
July 1st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Oh please… “Barry”…please spare us of your long stories (while they can be entertaining-what do they have to do with issues?)
You have yet to offer any evidence of what you have stated here-furthermore, you seemed not to acknowledge the fact the majority of Deaf people STILL support the DBC.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:51 pm
kl:
YOU are not make my judge.
HAVE YOU READ ANYTHING i POSTED?
I do’nt think so!
July 1st, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Dr. Hocokan,
I was there. I have to be blunt with you is that your comment had nothing to do with DBC last weekend.
I see everyone there as part of diversity and it did promote both of English and ASL equally. We just try to emphasize more on ASL because English Language is already a POWERHOUSE everywhere and we are trying to pull ASL up to English equally.
Your comment was not what I saw last weekend.
Deafchip
July 1st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Well, apparently there are two agendas here… Bilingualism/ASL and AGB/Audism. Both are legitimate. I guess the question remains.. Should they be combined together or not?
If you want to reach out to Deaf people, yes, that can be done as many Deaf people feel this way. There is a deep-rooted anger about the oppression of language and culture, both which need to be validated. They also support Bilingualism.
However, if one wants to reach out to the hearing parents of deaf babies/children and educate them, they won’t be receptive to these types of messages.
So it depends who DBC is trying to address to.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Gotcha John E. Even I may not agree with everything, especially with Deafhood, I am for increasing awareness of the options to the parents.
Okay, I am outta here. I am overlooking the blues’ comment since the commenter has no idea who I am. John E. knows fully what I am talking about.
Ciao. Enjoy your summer.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Karen Mayes, I know you send your Deaf child to ISD for some classes, but I wonder why can’t that child be a full-time student of ISD? Can you explain your reasons to us?
July 1st, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Ron and others, let’s not get personal and question other deaf parents’ decision where to send their child or whether to get their child a CI or not. This divides the deaf community and brings innocent children into the picture. Yes, innocent children are being targeted because of their parents’ decisions. Focus on the person, not their children, please.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Oh sure… my son’s first lanugage is English (he is proficient in English… you could ask Barb Digi if you wish, since she knows him pretty well.) Believe it or not, ISD prefers this way, that he attends part-time to gain more fluency in ASL. Also, he is a strong aural learner, preferring hearing aids and FM system (he is not a CIer)… not a visual learner. I did ask for a full time enrollment at ISD and ISD said no… only part time. So, maybe in the near future, who knows?
He will start his part time education at ISD in the upcoming fall.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Ron, I can tell you why my Deaf son wants to go hearing summer high school again next year while he do STILL want to finish 4 years of high school in MSD (Missouri School for the Deaf)!!! I prefer send you personal email or vp you..
July 1st, 2008 at 1:19 pm
thank you for clearing it up for me.
The mission of the members of DBC is to promote ASL, Deafhood, and kick down those AGB foes.
I prefer not to see you guys advocating under the farce of “language awareness” when it’s actually about addressing your beef with AGBell. I don’t want parents to see that.
I look forward to your next move. Good luck finding the appropriate PR.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Oh, I don’t mind sharing. I know it is not related to this posting’s theme, but in a way it is… to bilingism, how it works, etc. Bi Bi works for my daughter because she is a visual learner but not for my son right now, educationally speaking. Works culturally for my both kids. That is a difference.
Okay… ta-ta… off to pool ;o)
July 1st, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Copied and pasted my comment that I left on Candy’s blog:
“Before I go, I see that some people are emotional, quick to nitpick/bash the other people who try to see more than one perspective to get a bigger picture. It is OK to see positives and negatives to get a better understanding and to be able to help out… Iammine did a good job explaining the target audience on MZ’s blog, and other people acknowledge there is a need for a person with experience in publicity to be brought into DBC.
I sense that John E. is a human being trying to do everything and he has some help… even from Deafhood leaders who I don’t feel comfortable with because they should not impose Deafhood’s philosophy on DBC’s mission statement. I am GLAD that Tami Hooser is involved because she represents a well-balanced viewpoint (she is a hearing mother of a deaf daughter who is at college now. She was very involved in Indiana School for the Deaf.) Hopefully, the tides will shift (the tides always shift, anyway.)”
July 1st, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Thank you, Dr. Hocokan.
We must take the DBC wall down.
We must build a new coalition and conduct in a right direction in the name of:
July 1st, 2008 at 1:30 pm
AS I always knew that any children was NOT born deaf then later become more deaf, their parents had always find some excuses to support AG Bell more MORE fight against DBC in some reasons!!! So their kids who were NOT born deaf, they will get more patting heads from AG Bell!
July 1st, 2008 at 1:31 pm
oh no Karen Myers- I DO KNOW who you are. I have reading alot of blogs for about 3-4 years and I have seen you print alot of blogs responses. I know you very well and in fact you and I have butted many times.
I know all about your kids and all- because you have mentioned thme in the past- so don’t assume anything regarding me.
You have said a lot of dumb, off the wall things in the past-this is just the lastest.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Precisely MZ. Just what I told DBC for many months. Told them that marketing niches for Deaf people will not work for hearing parents so they needed to decide who they want to market their messages to. They (ASL Powerhouse) made a decision to stick with Deafhood and pro-ASL movement, which attracted deaf people. It didn’t attract hearing parents nor did it attract media giants.
To ‘The Blue’… the name itself speaks in volumes. Blue as in sad, a reflection of self. I pity you. I will not spare you of long literacy. These literacy hurts your brain so much because you are obviously on the very right, far from the medium, that of Bilingualism. Don’t like it, read else where. We’re here to debate the best interest of Deaf children. Don’t cap us as in opression.
Based on your comments it is you who did not read every comments and digested as whole. It’s that obvious. As for the evidnce, I will present them in matter of time, if these ASL Powerhouse do not restore DBC back to bilingual advocates that we are. When push comes to shove, believe me, I will spill the beans for everybody to see. You just wait. I have these evidences at my disposal in the event ASL Powerhouse decide to cling onto their power within DBC. Those that are on the inside knows what I am capable of doing here. I got involved with DBC, deep enough to disclose everything we don’t want AG Bell and AVT to know, which is why I’m hanging onto ‘evidences’ with hope that these ASL powerhouses will come to their senses. If that does not work, in matter of time I shall tip the pot over, so to speak and spill the full truth. Simply put. They (ASL powerhouse) has to go. Their mindset has to go. We are here to reclaim bilingualism and to restore it because it’s so precious to us just as ASL alone is precious to you.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Agreed, Karen!
Deafhood is another illusion.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Blues, I feel sorry for you… since you carry a lot of anger and hatred. Hope you find peace in yourself. By the way, my last name is spelled as MAYES and I have been on DR for 2 years, not 3 to 4 years.
:o)
July 1st, 2008 at 1:37 pm
I am an AG Bell member with a deaf child and have never been discouraged from using sign language. They have made it very clear to me that I should use what is right for my child and my family.
I HAVE been learning ASL and my daughter signs. I wish more would realize that both “sides” have something to offer to us parents. Honestly I would have loved to practice signing with some of the people there for DBC, but they just seemed so angry and confrontational that they drove us away.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Folks,
David Reynolds and I will speak at NAD next week in New Orleans on Friday, July 11th at 8:30 am.
Please come to New Orleans and see for yourself about DBC and its mission.
Our topic will be Deaf babies and State Associations working with DBC State Chapters across the country to set up workshops on EHDI.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:47 pm
The whole purpose of going to Miwaukee was to challenge AG Bell. We weren’t going there to have a pic nic.
Also, take a look at the DBC press release:
http://sev.prnewswire.com/education/20080606/DC2453706062008-1.html
It’s all there in black and white. The DBC clearly supports bilingualism, and it’s absurd for someone to try to distort the valuable work that DBC has done for their own petty personal reasons.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
To tell you my truth feelings that I feel that AG Bell should belongs to “hard of hearing” organization! Why I said that??? It is because Mabel Bell was not born deaf.. She came deaf later and she is very strong involved in hard of hearing organization. Go read down below:
Mabel Gardiner Hubbard Bell was the deaf wife of Alexander Graham Bell. She was born 25 November 1857 as Mabel Gardiner Hubbard and deafened at age 4 or 5 from scarlet fever. Her father was instrumental in the founding of the National Geographic Society.
His efforts to find an oral education for her helped inspire the establishment of the Clarke School for the Deaf at Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1867, where Mabel was one of its first pupils. Alexander Graham Bell came to this school as a speech teacher, eventually giving private speech lessons to Mabel. A courtship ensued, and they married in 1877, soon after his invention of the telephone.
She assisted her husband in his less strenuous research, using her inherited wealth to pay for it, and helped found the New York League for the Hard of Hearing. She was a stubborn total oralist, even more so than her husband, who would use sign language and fingerspelling with other deaf people, but she never would. Mabel survived her husband by only one year, passing away 3 January 1923. A book-length biography of her is Mabel Bell: Alexander’s Silent Partner (1984).
July 1st, 2008 at 1:54 pm
To It is just an illusion!
Trust me on this one. DBC’s wall is only an illusion. It’s not even there. These ASL powerhouse want us to believe that the walls exist because they want to instill fears in our head and make us believe that the world is against us and trying to destroy our language. It’s a myth. Yuo can try and guess who built these walls. People from Deafhood and ASL Powerhouse did. They have been doing it for years and years. As soon as we help them understand that these walls are only illusions in their head then it’ll begin to disappear.
And yes, DBC is only an illusion for the moment, a jar with fancy label which spelled bilingual but it contained wrong contents. It started out with the right content but ASL Powerhouse and Deafhood came and tampered with it, and poisoned it. Regardless I am happy to see that John has not lost his sights on what’s important here. That’s good to know. Perhaps there is hope, still?
Perhaps the damage has been done since DBC screwed up in Milwaukee, producing negative media outlet. If so, we’ll form a new coalition and regulate the movement based on our experience with ASL powerhouse who refused to give English language equal footings and air time. I know, without any doubt we’l be embraced by hearing parents and perhaps even AG Bell in order to discredit DBC. It won’t be that difficult. I’m onbard and I’m prepared to start a new coalition if DBC turns out to be beyond hope.
Mind you, it does not take millions of signers to help hearing parents see and understand us. It only takes one person with the ability to communicate and empower others. It only takes one individual to create the necessary dynamics and change the world for the betterment of Deaf children. You or me or the individual next door could do it. It may make us unpopular among ASL powerhouse but we should not concern ourselves about our popularity. We should be more interested in Deaf children’s access to bilingual approaches, that of ASL and English language.
Coming onboard?
July 1st, 2008 at 2:03 pm
MariMom,
I will apologize on behalf of DBC and ASL Powerhouse who didn’t know any better. I use ASL at home on daily basis with my deaf wife and three children, one of whom is hearing. ASL is a precious language of ours.
Likewise, I decided to resign from DBC as their strategist and head of public media and not attend the conference in Milwaukee because they (ASL Powerhouse) changed the underlying message. The energy didn’t feel right, as you stated, sounding so angry and confrontational. For that, I apologize on behalf of DBC and Deaf People who embrace true spirits of bilingualism.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Candy and Dr. Hocokan
English powerhouse and deafness.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Wow!
MZ, personal bashing towards some of our regular commenters is getting to my nerves.
This has to stop as I am becoming uncomfortable from making comments myself as oe who is for bilingualism advocating the perspectives shared by Dr. H, Mayes, and to name a few.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Frotz published a good posting about DBC… and An American Mom in Tuscany outlines the need for the hospitals to have the resources for new parents. Check them out.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Oops, I mean Drotz, not Frotz :o)
July 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Chris H,
Nope. You are wrong already in an instant. I’m for Bilingualism because it means exactly that, ASL and English language. ASL Powerhouse want to separate the two but unfortunately they can’t. Bilingual is a legal term for two languages. In our case it is ASL, a beautiful language we treasure and love plus English language. You can try to to label your opposite as English powerhouse but it simply won’t ring true. We’re brighter than that. You’re also wrong about deafness. I am a human being first before I am anything else. So are you. You’re a human being first before you are anything else. Can’t beat this argument.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:10 pm
to karen Mayes and Dr. Hocokan:
I laughed when you people critiztied me!
FYI:
I chose “the blues” in honor of the bluesman group …those wonderful group of actors .
This shows how desprarte both of you are! I am very happy .
You guys looked very foolish when you said things that both of you have no idea.
Hahaha
Since you have NO evidnece, “Dr.” it is you who must be sad.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Smiling at Blue… the first impression of a person laughing off a serious and important discussion is an indication of misinterpreted figure.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Ahem,
Gosh, I support John Egbert and DBC regardless… It is not yet one year, and wow, they did a lot tho.
I understand about using two languages at the same time, BUT can one use Spanish and English at the same time…I doubt so. It can be done if they had a lot material to use so, or had money for the interepting services.
Now, AGBell uses interpreters sometimes…AND they use the language, English, foremost! They do that to their own benefits, and their eyes are up to the sky, not to the Deaf child’s needs.
Sheesh, wake up, people. AGBell is no saint neither.
Give us a break, and smell the fresh air outside… Btw, I’m going to smell the air right after this!
Cheers
July 1st, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Anna S,
Bashing by some commenters only reveals the truth about who they are. If that’s how they want to be, so be it.
I’ve caught on in the beginning that the message was not Bi Bi but ASL only.
And Dr. Hocokan has spoken the truth (I’m taking his word for now.)
I’m even more surprised that someone is speaking out. More power to him.
If these ASL powerhouse don’t back off, I’d be very interested to see what Dr. Hocokan has to say. It would definitely validate many things that a few of us have suspected for some time now.
I think that it’s ok for them to say, “I goofed.” Mistakes are fixable. Ain’t nothing wrong with it.
I, for one, will not use it as a weapon against the other side. It takes a lot of courage to come out and say you made a mistake. So…
Let’s hope it does come to that.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Whatever, blues… have it your way. I don’t understand why you feel the need to bash us.
Hey to other commenters, it has been a great discussion, and I am glad that we all agreed to disagree and to agree…
Good evening.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Mishka!!!
Great article! Way to present the information in a gentle way to remind them to stick to the agenda. The idea of promoting the two methodologies will go a long way in creating a stronger sense of Community. And I think I’m working towards that…Important post…Jodi
July 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Rock on, K.L. *smile*
Mishka…loved comment 114. Jodi
July 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Hello, everyone…
I’ve read everything, I mean everything here, Amy Cohen Efron’s blog, and others in regards what DBC stands for.
I would like to thank you, Dr. Hocokan for enlighting us with your insights and experience within DBC Core Team. Your comments made a lot more sense than I thought.
I personally don’t think Deafhood and Deaf Culture shouldn’t be included in DBC since DBC’s goal is aimed at deaf babies only for the first of three years of development. Deafhood and Deaf Culture can come later when deaf babies get older. The operative word is to encourage the hearing parents of deaf babies to take a long look at ASL along other options since the deaf babies don’t have any cognitive skills until the age of 3. Also, I’d like the parents to encourage their children to get involved in the deaf community once they are aware of Deaf Culture and Deafhood. To be honest with you, I’m still learning what is all about Deafhood since it’s kind of new to me. So I believe that Deafhood should NOT be included in DBC’s philosophies. That’s just my opinion. Hey, of course, I still support DBC.
Misha
July 1st, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Mishka,
By the way, I forgot to add one more thing. Great blog, Mishka! It has brought up a several good points along with Amy Efron Cohen’s blog, too.
Misha
July 1st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Hi Jodi,
You been kinda busy lately? *snort*
Good to see you over here.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:45 pm
ASLisRisen-
Thanks for the information about Mabel Bell. I was not aware that Alexander was a pedophile. I think AGB should change its name otherwise public may think the organization is encouraging pedophile practice in our country. Now I am sick to my stomach.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Weren’t there any Interpreters available at the DBC conference for hearing parents to absorb all the info.. I guess AGBell does provide Interpreters for ASLer’s sake.. so I think it should work both ways. I know if I was a hearing parents walking into the DBC conference with all the hostile demonstrating against AGBell shows alot and I would feel to backed off and go to some place with positivity. DBC has to be careful if they want to help the hearing parents.
No one is perfect but gotta be gentle with the hearing parents as it’s a whole new unknown world for them to absorb in a short time.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Also I forgot to mention, we can’t turn back the clock of what happened re. AGBell but to provide another outlet for anyone to try not be against each other. The more choices a parent have the better.. just like me having the best of both world - hearing and deaf.
July 1st, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Just a thought to add-
Yes they did…please go and see this…
http://deafchipmunk.com/?p=35
July 1st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Everybody,
Let’s don’t get carried away by other people’s statements about DBC.
Here is DBC Mission Statement;
About DBC
Our Mission
The Deaf Bilingual Coalition promotes the basic human right of all deaf infants and young children to have access to language and cognitive development through American Sign Language (ASL).
Our Purpose
The main purpose of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition is to emphasize the importance of the social, emotional, linguistic, and cognitive aspects (of ASL) pertaining to early visual language acquisition for all deaf infants and young children.
The secondary purpose is to make the general public aware of the prevalence of misconceptions and misinformation that devalues ASL.
Our Goals
DBC is a community of deaf and hearing people whose goals are to promote language acquisition, social justice, and quality education through the awareness of ASL and its excellence in cultivating the critical intellect of deaf infants and young deaf children.
The Deaf Bilingual Coalition will work to inform parents of deaf children, guardians, teachers of the deaf, doctors, audiologists, government officials, businesses, and other organizations on the importance of ASL in early language acquisition for all deaf infants and young deaf children.
DBC will work to spread awareness of the research that shows that ASL does make significant contribution to the development of literacy skills in both languages, ASL and English.
And lastly, DBC will work in collaboration with others to promote the respect and understanding of ASL.
John Egbert
July 1st, 2008 at 4:08 pm </