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From: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Multiple Uses Of Sign
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Date: 28 Feb 91 16:05:18 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Hi Jay,
     I can see what you mean about how mainstreaming can in fact
actually cause the deaf child to be more cut-off socially because
there are so few others with the same experience and he/she may
not even live near the kids in his class...and it IS a shame that
there aren't more deaf entering education--are there less programs
available or do less people aspire to it?
     I was surprised about what you said about deaf kids not being
allowed to play varsity sports, though.  I fellow librarian
attended a college in D.C. and played against Gallaudet among the
other colleges--football I think--and he said the team was very
good.  I have a friend whose son had impaired vision and that made
Little League rough for him (in the outfield especially) but later
he went out for track and was fine, very good actually...is it
that they won't LET them play varsity sports?  If anything a deaf
person who has had to depend on his eyes more than the hearing
person would be more visually acute and might prove the superior
player...surprised you said that (?)
     I think the intensity of conversation between deaf people is
part of it too...it must be annoying to deal with a hearing person
who signs slowly, so I can understand when a deaf person might
prefer the company of another deaf person...but hopefully there
are those who put up with the aggravation as I feel it is
certainly to the benefit of the hearing world when the deaf do
choose to be a little more part of it...

--Fran

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