Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!usc!apple!olivea!oliveb!bunker!hcap!hnews!275!429!Robin.Chronister From: Robin.Chronister@f429.n275.z1.fidonet.org (Robin Chronister) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Re: Total communication Message-ID: <18304@bunker.UUCP> Date: 23 Mar 91 03:04:32 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Robin.Chronister@f429.n275.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:275/429 - HandiNet BBS, Virginia Beach VA Lines: 40 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 14138 [This is from the Silent Talk Conference] > Robin, I'm not deaf, so my input may have limited value for that > reason, but I am involved in education, and one of the notions > that is currently popular, is 'outcome-based education' and with > what you say, your outcomes are excellent. I don't think anyone > can argue with success, they're communicating AND increasing their > English language skills both--I think I'd continue to do exactly > what you are doing--it works! :-) > Fran, Thanks for your very encouraging reply! I'm interested in feedback from anyone who has knowlege of the field, and your remark was very helpful. I have always felt that the result you obtain is a very good way to judge the quality of your work, but there are many administrators who don't seem to see it that way! In our system, we (meaning those of us who work directly with the children) are trying to convince the "powers that be" that we need some deaf role models for these kids, perhaps in the role of regular visitors, classroom assistants, or just "class buddies" if we can't find any deaf teachers to enter the system. That need was pointed out to us by a student who asked how old we were when we stopped wearing hearing aids, and when she was an adult she would be able to hear, right? We realized that this child had never met an adult who was deaf and didn't know that she could succeed in life if she couldn't hear. That was scary! I really think that no matter how successful we are with these kids, they need more. It would help us too, because none of us have deaf family members or close friends, and I know we are missing the mark in a lot of areas. I have enjoyed reading many of your messages on here, and I think this echo will be a big help to me. Thanks for taking the time to reply - I'll go in to work tomorrow with some new energy as a result! Robin -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!275!429!Robin.Chronister Internet: Robin.Chronister@f429.n275.z1.fidonet.org