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From: MPR.Ralph@f210.n273.z1.fidonet.org (MPR Ralph)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Deaf Education 3
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Date: 23 Mar 91 03:02:47 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

How so true! We in Philadelphia are trying to empower the deaf community
to take more control of our lives. We don't need to rely so much on the
larger hearing community. I have seen countless times where deaf
individuals expressed their opinions and what answer or comment they get
the majority of the time. Just one word, "But." We have an ASL study
group at PSD which was formed this past fall. Anyway, The first two
meetings we had. I should back up there were five deaf staff and two
hearing staff. The deaf staff consists of psychologist, PE teacher, and
three teacher aides. Every time, a deaf individual would share an opinion
at the meeting. There would be a "but" In all fairness, a couple buts
were made by deaf members. The third meeting which I ran. I added a rule.
Just listen, no buts....What is nice is that it encouraged people to
listen really listen without jumping in. This is just an example Back to
empowerment, we establish a deaf caucus made up of deaf organizations and
only deaf people are there representing. Hopefully, with support and the
opportunity to run meetings using ASL as the primary language without
relying on interpreters. how often we seen where hearing people didn't
understand the point a deaf person make and he/she has to start over
again and there is always the but the but the but I am sick of the but.
the hearing people in several of the organizations are upset at being
shut out. I am trying to say that we are very capable and we dont have to
run to hearing people when we need help etc not in this time and age with
message relay services etc. until such a time where deaf people feel
respected and appreciated by the larger hearing majority. we may then say,
 join us and walk with us. I recognized that there are countless hearing
individuals who done so much for us. we recognized that. It is time for
us to find out what we are capable of doing on our own. What you say?

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