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From: Tim.Smith@f429.n275.z1.fidonet.org (Tim Smith)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Calling All deafies!
Message-ID: <19130@bunker.isc-br.com>
Date: 3 May 91 04:07:39 GMT
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Reply-To: Tim.Smith@f429.n275.z1.fidonet.org
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Index Number: 15335

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

General Announcement to all Deaf people and supportors...
(If you are against ASL then please BE QUIET!)

        PLEASE!!!!  We need your help!!!
There is currently a GRAVE injustice being committed aganist the
Deaf Children in Virginia Beach, VA.  So serious it cannot be
ignored..  Our future is IN JEOPARDY!  (We are being SCREWED!)

        Who by?  The HEARIES that THINK they know what the best is
for deaf children!  they have openly stated that Deaf people don't
know what is best for deaf people.  So they need to decide what
is best for them.  And what they think is best is focus on speech,
lipreading and English so that Deaf children can cope in a hearing
world.  HUH?!

        So I suppose that all the white people think that THEY know
what is best for the black people... that is, if you follow this
line of thought.  Would they get away with it?  NO!  They would
make such a big fuss if the white people even tried to do that...
SO, WHY THE HELL ARE WE LETTING THEM?!

        Now, this is a VERY serious case.  Currently, the
interpreters in the Virginia Beach Public Schools are INCOMPETENT!
They come directly from the "streets"!  This is NOT an
exaggeration!  They never associate with the Deaf community, nor do
they know even what ASL is! Don't know what the Deaf culture is...
when they are told about it, they do NOT believe there is such a
thing!  In layman's terms, they STINK!

        Now, a professional interpreter who is certified by the RID
recently met with the administrative head of Special Education
Department to bring up a proposal concerning the
Bi-lingual/bicultural aspects of educating the Deaf.  She was met
with such disbelief.  They are NOT interested in the Deaf
children's behalf.  All they want is to meet the minimal
requirement that PL 94-142 which demands Equal Education
Opportunnity with the least restrictive environment.  BUT they DO
NOT!  In fact, they are breaking the law!  Deaf children, when they
graduate, they come out of high school empty handed.  Devoid of a
language of their own.  No mastery of English.  No mastery of ASL.
NOTHING!

        Yet, they ignore the fact.  They are more interested in
FORCING the Deaf child to be a hearing personm which is the MOST
restrictive environment imaginable!

        We want to do something.. NO, we MUST do something to stop
this crime!  Deaf people KNOW what is best for the deaf people!
BUT we MUST  be heard!

                PLEASE HELP!
        We CANNOT do it alone!  ANY support, suggestions, etc would
be GREATLY appreciated!  Remember your brothers and sisters!

        REMEMBER GALLAUDET!  DEAF PRESIDENT NOW!

        We CAN be heard, and we CAN WIN!  Stop these people from
ruining the Deaf children of America!  Maybe we cannot save the
country right now, BUT we can start in Virginia Beach, VA!

        Help us!

                Tim Smith
                   &
              Annette Bene

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