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From: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Lipreading
Message-ID: <17624@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 4 Feb 91 21:49:47 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Whoa!  Whoa!  Let's discuss this a bit more logically and rationally,
James.

First of all, let me point out this - there are a lot of born deaf
persons who actually can lipread and speak as well as learn English
as their first language.  I am one of them and so are my two siblings.
I learned out to read using the phonetic method and I can't hear
a thing as I'm profoundly deaf.  There are ways to teach lipreading,
speech and reading by phonetics.  I tend to believe there just aren't
enough qualified speech therapists as well as teachers in our education
system.

I'm not saying all deaf persons are as proficient at speechreading
and oral communication but it is possible for them to learn.  It
doesn't have to be their first mode of communication but I honestly
believe they benefit more if they learn at an early age.

Many young deaf adults visit my home and knowing that I do not use
sign, they try to speak and lipread.  We have a good time and they
enjoy coming over as they've often mentioned they learn a lot from
me.  I'm not trying to boast about this, just trying to get across
that this mode of communication really can work.

I realize that it is not easy and there is a great deal of stress
involved (who said none of us didn't live without stress?) and
can often be frustrating but in the long run, it's worthwhile.

I feel it is time for the majority of the deaf population to get
off their duffs and try to meet others halfway rather than expecting
everything to be handled to them on a platter.

Deafness is a very misunderstood condition as well as an invisible
one.  So many have been told they CAN'T do this and I disagree with
that fully.  I hate to see people tell anyone that and I also abhor
it when someone tells one they should say "I'm sorry, forgive me"
when they accidentally bump into someone simply because they didn't
see them.  Sheesh!  That's ridiculous.

It is true some individuals have a special aptitude for learning
languages but gee, English is our language, not ASL or SEE, so why
not try to teach the younger generation English first and go from
there.  I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree on this.

But...I don't think we should rule out the possibilities for the
future of oral communication.

--
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