Interview Questions for ASL Course- help needed!

[Meghanmohara]

Hi all- I posted something in "Introduce Yourself"- hopefully I will get some more feedback here. I am learning ASL and need to interview someone who is Deaf about some cultural topics- the questions are listed below. Your help is be greatly appreciated!

1. How does it feel to be part of the Deaf community?
2. How would you feel is you had a child who was born deaf (or if you do- what was your first reaction?)
3. What do you feel is the most pressing issue in your community?
4. What are your views on cochlear implants?
5. Is deafness a disability? Why or Why not?
6. How has technology helped you communicate?
7. What do you value in education?
8. Do you think it would be beneficial to teach your child ASL at an early age?
9. How close is your community and what are its values? Describe it.
10. What was life like growing up? (Did you participate in any activities)
11. Do you feel your culture is accurately represented?
12. What challenges do you face on a daily basis?
13. Should Deaf people collect social security/disability?


If you would like- you can email your answers to meghanwoman87@msn.com or just post them here. Thank you SO much!

Meg

 

[Bottesini]

1. How does it feel to be part of the Deaf community?
Normal
2. How would you feel is you had a child who was born deaf (or if you do- what was your first reaction?)
My children both hearing, I would probably relate more if deaf, but either are fine.
3. What do you feel is the most pressing issue in your community?
I want open caption movies.
4. What are your views on cochlear implants?
I don't want one..
5. Is deafness a disability? Why or Why not?
No. It does not stop me from anything, except maybe a career as a singer.
6. How has technology helped you communicate?
Pagers for texting and instant message on internet are wonderful.
7. What do you value in education?
Knowledge?
8. Do you think it would be beneficial to teach your child ASL at an early age?
Especially if deaf yes. But my hearing granddaughter has learned sign since birth and at two she is great at communicating with me.
10. What was life like growing up? (Did you participate in any activities)
I liked being at home. I did not like being in mainstream school. I spent two years in a handicapped Girl Scout troop. I hated that too.
11. Do you feel your culture is accurately represented?
Where? Media? Probably not.
12. What challenges do you face on a daily basis?
Communication when away from home.
13. Should Deaf people collect social security/disability?
If they need it. Not if they can get a job. Same as for the general population.

 

[Tousi]

The questions almost appear to be to be geared to hearing people....

 

[Bottesini]

The questions almost appear to be to be geared to hearing people....

Well, I think they are geared from the perspective of a hearing student who does not understand..

Educate her!:P

 

[Jolie77]

Hi Meghan - Welcome to AllDeaf!

I'll be glad to give you my piece on answering your questions.

1. How does it feel to be part of the Deaf community?

It feels wonderful to be part of the Deaf community because not only for who they are, but because, through trial and tribulations - it has brought everyone together in order to be understanding towards each other.

2. How would you feel is you had a child who was born deaf (or if you do- what was your first reaction?)

I have 2 deaf boys. With my 1st son, I was happy but his deafness didn't matter to me because I only wanted a healthy baby. With my 2nd son, It was a little bit different because I was sort of dumbfounded. I didn't expect to have 2 deaf sons and always thought I'd probably end up with 1 hearing, 1 deaf child or something like that. It wasn't the case. So, either way, I was fine with it.

3. What do you feel is the most pressing issue in your community?

Can you elaborate on that? "Your" Community? Don't you mean the Deaf Community on this matter since it is related to your questionnaires?

4. What are your views on cochlear implants?

Well - This isn't a easy way to put it this way. My views on Cochlear Implant has always been neutral but however, the attitude that comes with Cochlear Implant issues is what makes it sought out to be different.

What I mean by that is -- If a child/adult has a Cochlear Implant; Great, the more power to them. My beef is - When Cochlear Implant comes in the picture - Some of them automatically thinks Cochlear Implant is the immediate cure for everything. It doesn't work like that. Also, I believe that the child with CI should be able to still maintain the access to ASL or other language access that are provided out there. Without it, the child would not be able to have a whole comprehension on the language just because ASL has been dropped out of the picture when the CI comes in.

5. Is deafness a disability? Why or Why not?

That has been a debatable issue for some quite time now. To me, deafness is not a disability because we are able to do anything just like our hearing peers do - the only difference is - we just can't hear. However, being deaf does have some barriers just as many as other disabilities are out there as well. I've always consider it to be an transparent disability.

6. How has technology helped you communicate?

The technology has definitely helped me communicate with others so much than it has in the past. With the mobile devices, VideoPhones, Internet, so and on - It has really did a number on a lot of us by making it accessible virtually everywhere.

7. What do you value in education?

Education has always been valuable. I've always had an inkling to this quote "Knowledge is power."

8. Do you think it would be beneficial to teach your child ASL at an early age?

Oh yes, It would be VERY beneficial. It has been proven more than multiple times that it boosts the child's intelligence, relieves the frustrations of a child being able to express their emotions, and not only that, it also helps the child have a better language comprehension or a strong foundation related to that.

9. How close is your community and what are its values? Describe it.

I suppose, it is just as the same as many other communities are out there.

10. What was life like growing up? (Did you participate in any activities)

Life for me growing up was not too bad either.

11. Do you feel your culture is accurately represented?

If you're referring to the Deaf Culture - In some way, it isn't represented accurately because there's still a lot of typical stereotypes that are presented out there.

12. What challenges do you face on a daily basis?

On a daily basis, I have some challenges communicating with hearing peers at work. That is when I read their lips and you know how that is - When reading lips, it can also be mentally exhausting.

13. Should Deaf people collect social security/disability?

Yes and No.

It's the same as for everyone when they really need it or either they're abusing it. Generally speaking of.

 

[Meghanmohara]

Thank you so much! It is exactly what I needed! I am enjoying learning about Deaf culture and can't wait to learn more- as well as perfect my ASL!

:]