Sunday, November 16, 2008
Standing Up for ASL in Indiana!
DBC of Indiana held a rally at the Hear Indiana Education Conference in Indianapolis on November 14, 2008. The rain sure didn't dampen our spirits!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Why Rally? DBC Indiana Explains
Jill explains the purpose for having a rally at the Hear Indiana Conference which will be held tomorrow, Friday, November 14th from 8am - 4:30pm. Click below and see the flyers and brochures which will be distributed at the rally.
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Sunday, November 9, 2008
A Letter to Hear Indiana, a chapter of A. G. Bell
November 9, 2008
Ms. Naomi Horton
Executive Director
Hear Indiana
Ms. Horton,
This letter is a response to the article that has been circulated on the web and dated October 23, 2008 (Indianapolis, PR Newswire via COMTEX). The title of the article indicates that the booth space has been sold out for Hear Indiana’s 26th Annual Educational Conference, the theme of which is “Building Partnerships.”
We share in your excitement that over 20 agencies and companies have partnered with Hear Indiana to support Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. We are, however, concerned about the statement that “we are ‘Doing Deaf Differently’” in the 21st Century. The term itself creates division. In meeting the needs of all Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, we do need to focus on “building partnerships” and be sensitive about statements that can cause unnecessary fear or misunderstanding.
The comment “Doing Deaf Differently” creates unnecessary division among parents and professionals. As a minority culture that is rich linguistically and historically, being deaf does not have to be considered a disability any more than being an immigrant whose second language is English. Deaf individuals are capable of signing, developing speech, reading and writing in English. Many Deaf adults in the community are capable people who are proud of who they are --- hearing ability included --- and have a good self-esteem and a strong identity, something all those who work with children envision for them. And we know that there are members of the A.G. Bell Association who would be distressed to learn of such divisive language. Some members of the Deaf community are A.G. Bell members and have worked with hearing members of the organization who are eager to “build partnerships.”
As you mentioned, many of us are aware of the misguided things that have happened to Deaf individuals, as when some people were placed in mental institutions for simply being deaf. Historically, however, there have been many more positive things happening in the Deaf community that have often been overlooked. Intelligent Deaf people have had good jobs, been members of supportive families, used signs and speech to communicate and enjoyed life as productive citizens. By suggesting that there have not been successful Deaf people prior to the 21st century, people are being provided incorrect information.
We applaud your efforts to provide current information to professionals working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children as well as to those adults who are interested in technological trends. And we are especially glad to see that parents are not prohibited from attending the conference due to financial concerns.
Our goal is to work together with organizations, such as Hear Indiana, and various agencies throughout the state to provide hope and a positive outlook to newly identified Deaf and hard-of-hearing babies and their families. By avoiding issues that foster fear and prejudice, we would like to work towards “building partnerships” in order to provide what those children and those families need.
Sincerely,
Jill Lestina, Advocate
Deaf Bilingual Coalition of Indiana
and
The Deaf Community Organizations of Indiana
• Indiana Association of the Deaf, Beatrice Pfaff
• Indiana Chapter Black Deaf Advocates, Walter Griffin Jr.
• Indiana School for the Deaf Alumni Association, Robert Downing Jr.
• Archibald Memorial Home, Tabitha Byrum
• Indiana Blind Deaf Association, Donald Allis
• Willard American Sign Language Teacher Association, Raymond Olson
• Senior Silent Hoosiers, Larry Baker
• Hoosier Outdoors Club of the Deaf, Steven D. Stultz
• D.E.A.F Network, Bob Canty
• Indiana Deaf Heritage, Gale F. Walker
• Deaf Exceptional Chef, Matt Krueger
• Jr. National Association of the Deaf, Garrett Wooten
• Miss Deaf Indiana Pageant, Joanna Witulski
• Indiana Chapter Register Interpreter for the Deaf, Ronda Jo Bilz
• Indiana Deaf News (Agency-Publisher), Bob Canty
• Indiana Chapter Gallaudet University Alumni Association, Davina Brimmer
• Indiana National Technical Institute of the Deaf Alumni Chapter, Jeanne Peters
• Indiana School for the Deaf Parent Teacher Counselor Organization, Mich Bignell
• Deaf Community Services, Mary Jane Herema Olson
• Greater Indianapolis Deaf Club, Jonas Fenicle
• Vincennes University American Sign Language Program, Ann Reifel
Ms. Naomi Horton
Executive Director
Hear Indiana
Ms. Horton,
This letter is a response to the article that has been circulated on the web and dated October 23, 2008 (Indianapolis, PR Newswire via COMTEX). The title of the article indicates that the booth space has been sold out for Hear Indiana’s 26th Annual Educational Conference, the theme of which is “Building Partnerships.”
We share in your excitement that over 20 agencies and companies have partnered with Hear Indiana to support Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. We are, however, concerned about the statement that “we are ‘Doing Deaf Differently’” in the 21st Century. The term itself creates division. In meeting the needs of all Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, we do need to focus on “building partnerships” and be sensitive about statements that can cause unnecessary fear or misunderstanding.
The comment “Doing Deaf Differently” creates unnecessary division among parents and professionals. As a minority culture that is rich linguistically and historically, being deaf does not have to be considered a disability any more than being an immigrant whose second language is English. Deaf individuals are capable of signing, developing speech, reading and writing in English. Many Deaf adults in the community are capable people who are proud of who they are --- hearing ability included --- and have a good self-esteem and a strong identity, something all those who work with children envision for them. And we know that there are members of the A.G. Bell Association who would be distressed to learn of such divisive language. Some members of the Deaf community are A.G. Bell members and have worked with hearing members of the organization who are eager to “build partnerships.”
As you mentioned, many of us are aware of the misguided things that have happened to Deaf individuals, as when some people were placed in mental institutions for simply being deaf. Historically, however, there have been many more positive things happening in the Deaf community that have often been overlooked. Intelligent Deaf people have had good jobs, been members of supportive families, used signs and speech to communicate and enjoyed life as productive citizens. By suggesting that there have not been successful Deaf people prior to the 21st century, people are being provided incorrect information.
We applaud your efforts to provide current information to professionals working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children as well as to those adults who are interested in technological trends. And we are especially glad to see that parents are not prohibited from attending the conference due to financial concerns.
Our goal is to work together with organizations, such as Hear Indiana, and various agencies throughout the state to provide hope and a positive outlook to newly identified Deaf and hard-of-hearing babies and their families. By avoiding issues that foster fear and prejudice, we would like to work towards “building partnerships” in order to provide what those children and those families need.
Sincerely,
Jill Lestina, Advocate
Deaf Bilingual Coalition of Indiana
and
The Deaf Community Organizations of Indiana
• Indiana Association of the Deaf, Beatrice Pfaff
• Indiana Chapter Black Deaf Advocates, Walter Griffin Jr.
• Indiana School for the Deaf Alumni Association, Robert Downing Jr.
• Archibald Memorial Home, Tabitha Byrum
• Indiana Blind Deaf Association, Donald Allis
• Willard American Sign Language Teacher Association, Raymond Olson
• Senior Silent Hoosiers, Larry Baker
• Hoosier Outdoors Club of the Deaf, Steven D. Stultz
• D.E.A.F Network, Bob Canty
• Indiana Deaf Heritage, Gale F. Walker
• Deaf Exceptional Chef, Matt Krueger
• Jr. National Association of the Deaf, Garrett Wooten
• Miss Deaf Indiana Pageant, Joanna Witulski
• Indiana Chapter Register Interpreter for the Deaf, Ronda Jo Bilz
• Indiana Deaf News (Agency-Publisher), Bob Canty
• Indiana Chapter Gallaudet University Alumni Association, Davina Brimmer
• Indiana National Technical Institute of the Deaf Alumni Chapter, Jeanne Peters
• Indiana School for the Deaf Parent Teacher Counselor Organization, Mich Bignell
• Deaf Community Services, Mary Jane Herema Olson
• Greater Indianapolis Deaf Club, Jonas Fenicle
• Vincennes University American Sign Language Program, Ann Reifel
Friday, November 7, 2008
DBC of Indiana's Rally @ The Garrison
Jill shares about an article, "Doing Deaf Differently in the 21st Century" that was circulated on the web and dated October 23, 2008 (Indianapolis, PRNewswire via COMTEX) - see link below. The National Deaf Bilingual Coalition, DBC Indiana State Chapter and Indiana Association of the Deaf are concerned about this statement "we are 'Doing Deaf Differently' which creates division and causes unnecessary fear or misunderstanding. Jill encourages the Deaf community, nation and statewide Deaf organizations to send in the letter to HearIndiana and also to attend the rally in support of ASL for Deaf babies and children. It will be held on Friday, Nov. 14th from 8am - 4:30pm at The Garrison at Fort Harrison, 6002 N. Post Road, Indianapolis, IN 46216
See links below...
About the article "Doing Deaf Differently in the 21st Century":
CLICK HERE
About the HearIndiana's 26th Annual Educational Conference:
CLICK HERE
About Barb DiGi's vlog "DBC's Concerns About HearIndiana's Conference Parts 1 & 2"
CLICK HERE
Please view the older posts by DBC of Indiana:
"Messages for the Rally Supporters": CLICK HERE
"Rally Signs": CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE
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