Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!olivea!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!94!Fran.O'gorman
From: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: question RE signers and signing
Message-ID: <17605@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 4 Feb 91 17:26:41 GMT
Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP
Reply-To: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org
Distribution: misc
Organization: FidoNet node 1:272/94 - Monroe Electronic M, Monroe NY
Lines: 61
Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP

Index Number: 13486

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Hi James,

 JW> believe my message to you pointed out some of the problems tah
 JW> would encountered.

I just received a msg from a Rob Carr an EMS worker who signs and
who says that in a number of cases the early communication DID
make a difference in the care provided.  If you can, try to see
that msg.  The way in which he asks the questions is important as
it seems to cut down on the chance of serious mis-communication.

 JW> However, the one thing I am sure a project like
 JW> yours would do is bring attention to the needs of the deaf. It
 JW> might actually result in a genuine program that trains EMS people
 JW> to be proficient signers. I keep bumping into medical personnel
 JW> who sign fairly well. I even trained a few at the local community
 JW> college where I teachpart time.

There IS a movement afoot to make the learning of ASL a means of
satisfying the foreign language requirement in HS, so that perhaps
even more courses will open up.  That's one of the reasons why I
began writing this, because where I live (Orange County, NY) we're
in a semi-rural area where it is hard to get a sign language
course and that perhaps the program would motivate people to at
least get started.

 JW> I guess I will always be one of thos people who believe every
 JW> little bit helps.

And you know, you're right.  Even what's already in Sign Friends
is a beginning for someone.  What I like about it is that it's
non-threatening.  I attended an intermediate sign course in which
all the other students were taking the course a 2nd time (the
teacher had failed them the 1st) with the exception of 2 speech
therapists who were 'brushing up' on their skills and then ME!
The teacher was a licensed sign language interpreter.  She'd go
around the room with rapid-fire questions (my earlier sign
experience was slow and also different) and she was very impatient
if you had to ask her to repeat the question.  I almost dropped
out of the class it was so embarrassing, but I thought of the $50
I'd have to forfeit and figured even if I make a fool of myself,
if I learn something it'll be worth it.  But thinking back on that
experience, it could be very intimidating and that in itself could
discourage possible learners.  But with the computer you don't
have to be self-conscious when you're just starting out...not that
it'd be a substitute for real people, but just a means of 'getting
your feet wet' so to speak.  Also if getting out of the house on a
certain night to attend a course is a problem, the program can be
used at home, which is convenient.

Well thanks again, James...

--Fran

--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!94!Fran.O'gorman
Internet: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org