Strategy for Deaf (and hearing) to reduce audism and oralism

[jillio]

That is precisely what I have been saying all along since this thread existed! Glad you agree with what I'm saying regarding education.

Oralism is continually funded by HA/CI Companies (and government and the university).
SL likely doesn't have a third party donor, they have to rely on the university and the government.
People like Harlan, who is now tenured, is taking pocket money to write about his journey.
Cochlear, has funds to write and release their findings without going through as much trouble with funding.

So I often see AD wondering where are the research comparing information between CI and SL, there is a lot of information supported for HA/CI, but you don't see much research on benefits of SL, it's usually done through news, blogs, and opinion. It's slow in education precisely because it's funded by taxpayer or university money. They may not have as quick as an incentive to get research going because they have a drawback on funding source.

Some ADers continaully wonder in some topics "what if they compared a SL child to a CI child in this area?" Well, there is slow or no research on it because the funding isn't there!

Harlan is using his own money to write his books because his books are not research. And he will be paid back in kind by the profits from selling those books. An author like Harlan Lane really doesn't come into the question of research funding. Nor does Oliver Saks, or Neissbum, or Paddy Ladd, or any of the other authors who write non-fiction regarding the sociological implications of deafness.

Funding goes to research regarding bi-bi education, and the effectiveness of accommodation in the mainstream, and oral education, and separate environments for education, etc. The problem is not that the research isn't being funded. It is that the people making recommendations to the parents aren't paying any attention to the research. That is what needs to change...the biodmedical perspective that is the first line of information for parents.

 

[jillio]

When society can fund audi's from a reputable pro-sign viewpoint, they may be more appreciative and consider offering sign language as an alternative option for new patients, parents who come to their office.

When society can fund or provide scholarships to these new students learning about medical benefits of deafness - future doctors, SLP, ST, Audiologists, that isn't from a pro-hearing viewpoint, in turn these students when they come out of the field, they can be more accepting of advising sign language as a choice.

But really, I'm not actually focusing directly on audism, despite the wording of my thread. To me I am seeing more about addressing the oralism issue first, when oralism is reduced, in turn may reduce the audist viewpoint.

When the older generation of audists, audiologists, medical professors have passed away, the new generation of students are taking over their spots. Do we want them to continually support oral choices or realize SL is another alternative?

To get them to stop choosing oral methods, it comes with intervention. That intervention should probably happen when they are learning in college.

HA/CI companies have the edge right now by providing them with scholarships. There is nothing being offered from the SL side. I think there were scholarships for interpreters, but I am not sure how viable it is, if someone could input on that.

About CODAs, I may not have fully thought thought of their impact. I did not consider there are CODA kids who elect to go with oral or CI route, it makes me wonder if it's really a problem or if it is something more to think about...

Funding is not going to change their persepctive. They don't pay any attention to the research that is there. Partially because they are educated to treat "patients" and not "people".

 

[naisho]

end of here?

so you are saying none of the problems I identified are good ways to take on oral beliefs.

Ah shoot, guess this was fun while the thread lasted.


See you later deaf folks, good luck to continue the good fight.

 

[jillio]

so you are saying none of the problems I identified are good ways to take on oral beliefs.

Ah shoot, guess this was fun while the thread lasted.


See you later deaf folks, good luck to continue the good fight.

It might help in a supplementary way, after the fundamental changes are made.

 

[Frisky Feline]

naisho, forget to add that you need to know that some CODAs aren't into this kind of stuff because they have their own lives. yes there are some CODAs who support the overall of deaf issues and events.

Agree that researchs will help a lot for everyone to be aware about ASL. Again, the deaf studies have been growing now. Lets hope it continues to be expanding more then it will lead to a better reasearch fund. like me, my job is not related with the deaf issues which is sad. I should have changed my major to the deaf studies when i first enrolled gallaudet. I didn't realize how important it was in my back time until now I realize that and its too late for me. I knew i would love to have deaf studies major. If i have $$ then I can go back to school. oh well.

 

[DeafBadger]

I won't pretend to understand all the issues being discussed in this thread, but since I saw mention of audiologists, etc... would it be helpful for state associations of the deaf to put together informative brochures and give them to audies to put in their offices?

Seems like that's the one place that deaf and hoh people are going to pass through, sooner or later. It might be a good way to get the word out to people that these associations exist.

Brochure titles: "Talk to people who understand life with deafness/hoh."

"I am losing (or have lost) my hearing. What do I do now?"

"I'm being left out socially. What can I do now?"

Etc, etc... point the reader back to the association or other deaf resources to build the strengthen the community.

Just a thought.

 

[Buffalo]

so you are saying none of the problems I identified are good ways to take on oral beliefs.

Ah shoot, guess this was fun while the thread lasted.


See you later deaf folks, good luck to continue the good fight.

You meant well. I respect you alot for that eventhough you (I think) are not in Deaf World. We should continue debating on the best way to improve the lives of Deaf people.

Marvin Miller want a Deaf town where everybody (both hearing and deaf) signs. Another reason for that is to improve the Deaf's socioeconomic.

 

[jillio]

I won't pretend to understand all the issues being discussed in this thread, but since I saw mention of audiologists, etc... would it be helpful for state associations of the deaf to put together informative brochures and give them to audies to put in their offices?

Seems like that's the one place that deaf and hoh people are going to pass through, sooner or later. It might be a good way to get the word out to people that these associations exist.

Brochure titles: "Talk to people who understand life with deafness/hoh."

"I am losing (or have lost) my hearing. What do I do now?"

"I'm being left out socially. What can I do now?"

Etc, etc... point the reader back to the association or other deaf resources to build the strengthen the community.

Just a thought.

Actually, that would be a start. The issue is whether the audi would actually display them or not, given their training to see deafness as pathology. Another option would be to provide a list of Deaf mentors willing to talk to patients or parents of newly diagnosed kids.

 

[Buffalo]

Actually, that would be a start. The issue is whether the audi would actually display them or not, given their training to see deafness as pathology. Another option would be to provide a list of Deaf mentors willing to talk to patients or parents of newly diagnosed kids.

That is what I was thinking...

On the mentor thing, where can the parents find the mentors??? Online? What if they don't have Internet connections?

 

[Frisky Feline]

Deaf Mentors would be great way to start with spreading the words to hearing people to be aware about ASL or deaf community or deaf culture. I tried it here but they don't have fund for Deaf mentors. I have my job here. =( Any deaf services need to add more Deaf mentors so mentors can stop by any schools. I don't know if it is not illegal thing to do with giving informations or somehow advertisng documented information at the hospital or any schools.

 

[jillio]

That is what I was thinking...

On the mentor thing, where can the parents find the mentors??? Online? What if they don't have Internet connections?

Parents aren't going to look for the mentors most times because they go on the info they get from docs and audies. We have to somehow get the medical community to keep a list to provide to people.

 

[Buffalo]

I thought the deaths due to meningitis after CI surgery would be the weakest spot in the oralism but it seems that the parents might have ignore that or the doctors downplayed that risk.

I am thinking how Arlington Cemetery really get to me... so many good soliders died in the wars. Why don't we set up fake tombstones of those that had perished not only to meningitis but due to experiments done to the deaf kids (remember Dr. Itard in 1700's) around the world??? I am not sure where we could place them. That probably would get the attention of the news.