Note: This blog has been updated to include contact names and addresses in the Comment section for readers who wish to send letters of support or concern. ~D.

Gary Malkowski generously sent an update about the exclusion of Deaf children from ASL training if they receive cochlear implants with auditory-verbal training (AVT).  Thanks, Gary!  You sent over 25 pages, so this is necessarily a condensed version.

The Infant Hearing Program reported in 2005-2006 that:

Of 214 babies with permanent hearing loss, 115 were fitted with hearing aids; 158 were given auditory verbal training; 9 were given sign language training; and 8 were given dual (oral-auditory and sign language) training.  Of the total number of babies, only 8 percent had training that included ASL!

Parents of deaf children and other members of the community including deaf people have voiced concerns:

a) No planning is offered to deaf children who are not succeeding in oral training,

b) Children with cochlear implants who receive auditory verbal training (AVT) are not allowed to receive ASL training or exposure.

c) Children with mental health issues due to communication problems such as acting out and family support issues are not receiving needed services.

d) Professionals are concerned about the "one-sided" and "discriminatory" practices of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services against ASL for young children.

ASL Literacy Program Discontinued

In April, 2005 the Ministries gave notice of discontinuing the ASL Literacy program run by the Ontario Cultural Society of the Deaf (OCSD) in connection with a newborn infant screening program. Without this program, CHS expects a "slow but sure deterioration and the eventual demise" of the ASL and Early Literacy services in Ontario.

CI/AVT services prohibits ASL training and support for deaf children who receive cochlear implants under the Infant Hearing Program.  CI's do not fully reinstate hearing, so policies prohibiting exposure to ASL during AVT therapy is called "absolutely unwarranted, discriminatory and are detrimental to Deaf children."

93% of all Deaf children in preschool are enrolled in AVT and oral programs, but by the end of preschool, 67% remain.  When elementary school begins, 58% remain, and by the teens, only 31% are still in oral programs.  This shows that nearly two-thirds leave oral for ASL based programs by the teens. 

CHS states that deaf children are placed in ASL programs only after failing oral and AVT programs, resulting in children having neither a command of ASL or English with devastating long term results.

CHS recommendations:

1.  Reinstate the OCSD ASL Literacy program for another three years while other funding options are explored.

2.  Lift the prohibition against ASL for cochlear implant children in the Infant Hearing Program supported by the Ministry of Children and Youth. Change the policy that excludes children who are learning ASL from participating in cochlear implant AVT programs.

3.  Set criteria for success and transition planning for children, and preventive mental health strategies for those who are not succeeding in spoken language programs.

4.  Set policies to protect the right to access and accommodation in ASL education for those who want it.

5.  Develop policies and standards for ASL instruction in provincial schools for the deaf and school boards serving deaf and hard of hearing students.

The Ontario Association of the Deaf position:

The OAD cited a report by Schick, Marschark and Spencer (2006) that said research on development of signed language is slowing down in countries that are most quickly adopting cochlear implants. Additionally, reports such as Cripps and Small (2004) and Snoddon (2006) say that there are issues arising from the Ontario government programs' discriminatory practices.

As a result, OAD is launching a legal test case stating that this "violates Deaf childrens' human rights." Filed in the pilot Deaf legal clinic project, it submits that this violates Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

A community forum hosted by the Ontario Association of the Deaf is being held at the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf, Toronto on Wednesday, February 28, 2007.  Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) will be invited to listen to concerns by the deaf community and parents. 

Proposal by the Ontario Association of the Deaf:

1. Remove prohibition against ASL and ASL support services for deaf children receiving CI's and stopping exclusion of these children from AVT  if they are receiving ASL training.

2. Establish criterions of success and transition planning for children who do not succeed in spoken language programs

3. Protect right to access and accommodations for those who desire ASL education.

4. Set policies and standards for ASL education in programs for education of the deaf.

5. Set minimum standards of ASL proficiency in programs such as York University's Teacher of the Deaf training program to ensure that teachers pass ASL tests to teach deaf children.

6. Set minimum or entry level qualifications for ASL skill for school boards to use in hiring personnel for elementary and secondary schools.

7. Set policies to require training for staff in anti-audism education, anti-discriminatory training for teachers of the deaf.

8.  Set standards for support for ASL curriculum for students in schools for the deaf in the province

Note: All references to ASL, American Sign Language also apply to LSQ, the French Canadian Sign Language.

Gary Malkowski is Special Advisor to the President, Public Affairs at The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) based in Toronto. He was also the first culturally Deaf Member of Provincial Parliament.