The past few days I attended the AG Bell Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was my first convention and I had no idea what it would be like. Little would I know that I'd have a great experience meeting new people and reuniting with old friends.
Friday
The first thing I did after registration was attend a short course titled "Fostering Critical Links Between Early and Complex Language." With many decades of experience working with children, Barbara Lee provided much insight into utilizing the Bloom and Lahey model for developmental language. As the first person to evaluate my language Barbara Lee played a crucial role in how my parents raised me, encouraging them to cue more and not give up.
During the break in the short course, I met Elizabeth of cochlearimplantonline.com for the first time ever. It was the first time any founders of Deaf Village had met each other in person, and we just chatted about our morning and what we planned to do for the rest of the day. Right off the bat, I could see how Elizabeth had that passion for working with kids and that she'd make a great professional in the field of deafness.
After the short course I had lunch with what I should describe as the first generation of Cued Speech advocates, which included professionals, parents, and current board members of the National Cued Speech Association. I spent the afternoon visiting the Milwaukee Museum of Art with Sarina Roffe, Barbara LeBlanc, and Jane Smith. It was nice to be able to experience at least one thing that Milwaukee had to offer while I was in town.
Later in the afternoon after helping set up the Cued Speech booth for the NCSA I came across some fellow cuers, Catharine McNally and Brian Kelly who have been longtime AG Bell members. They were talking with Alexi, who's a CI user and another longtime member of AG Bell. Immediately Alexi and I hit it off and we ended up spending most of the weekend hanging out and getting to know each other.
It ended up being five of us, Mary-Beth, Dmitri (another deaf member), Brian, Alexi, and myself that went out to eat and get to know each other better. We came back to the Midwest Airlines Center to see who was still out at the opening reception. I came across a few people I knew, some from CID in St. Louis. After the reception, the group I was with went on to Miller Light Time for some pool and brew, then we went on to Rock Bottom Brewery where the night got even more interesting...
Rock Bottom
Some of the AG Bell members had already been at Rock Bottom outside on the patio for quite a while when we got there. We introduced ourselves to each other and started to make some chit-chat. It came to my attention that some members of Deaf Bilingual Coalition were inside Rock Bottom having their own conversations.
The subject then turned to the banner that I observed Jack Barr and cohorts hanging up on the side of a trailer in the parking lot across from the Midwest Airline Center. Someone actually made a comment, stating that the message was grammatically incorrect. Instead of "tearing down THE wall," the message read as "AG Bell, Tear This Wall Down. Let All Deaf Children Sign." This wouldn't be the only time I heard the same comment as people would make the same observation throughout the convention. I did have to wonder, what was the real meaning behind the message?
Some of the AG Bell members went on to share their experiences in relation to the controversy surrounding DBC and AG Bell. Nothing really out of the ordinary caught my attention, other than that quite a few of the deaf adults were signing and speaking at the same time. Whether it was fluent ASL or pidgin, I could not discern. We eventually moved on to other subjects and started to get to know each other more.
Eventually we had some visitors from DBC including Sean and Jason who came by to see what was up. I started chatting with Sean, asking him where he was from along with Jason. There was no conflict here, only mutual respect as we shared our perspectives. Initially I was wondering whether any thing would happen, but then that concern quickly went away as we conversed more. They eventually departed and I continued on chatting with the AG Bell members.
As the night went on, some people started making their way back to the hotel and once the rain started coming down I went inside with Alexi, Mary-Beth, and Dennis. We continued enjoying the brews at a table right next to the DBC members. I could tell some of the DBC members were noticing the transition between cueing, signing, and speaking amongst ourselves.
I decided to step up and introduce myself to Jack Barr who I recognized from the vlogs through Deaf Read. Given that I had quite a few brews, I can't recall exactly what I said, but I made a point to state that I just wanted to say hello and that it was nice to meet fellow peers even though we had different views. I returned back to my group and rejoined the conversation.
Eventually Jack came over to our table and we started talking about current events, our views on ASL and spoken language, experiences growing up. Jack made it clear he had a negative experience growing up with the methods used to improve his speech. We all knew that we had very different perspectives on how deaf children should grow up, but we still maintained that mutual respect as David Eberwein, Barb Digi, and others eventually joined the conversation.
The conversation certainly got heated up, as one side indicated that children needed to learn sign language, while the other side argued that cued/spoken language is critical to literacy and overall language comprehension. We all had our beliefs set in stone, and it was apparent there was no changing each other's minds.
One thing that really struck me as out of the ordinary was how one girl from California made the assertion that somewhere in AG Bell's policies or bylaws, lipreading and signing were not allowed. That statement left me with a feeling of disbelief. Is this the kind of mistruths that are being perpertrated within the ASL community? I just chose to let that go because I wasn't going to argue with someone who apparently has strong beliefs against AG Bell.
The lights started flickering and we all realized how late it was at 3 am. We all left each other wishing each other well as we went on our own ways. Alexi, Mary-Beth, and I shared our thoughts about the night we just had and our experiences with speech therapy, education, and the cochlear implants until 4 am, when I just had to cut it short and confess... "I haven't had any sleep since the night before. I must at least get four hours of sleep before I wake up tomorrow for another long day at the convention."
Saturday
Unfortunately Mary-Beth and I only could stay for one night, so we had the task of getting ourselves together and ready to check out before the day's events began. After some free breakfast in the lounge of the hotel, Mary-Beth and I made our way to the Cued Speech booth in the exhibit hall where I had the first shift.
It was interesting to observe various people's reactions when they saw what the booth was about. Some came in for some information and I conversed with them, finding more about who they were and what they were looking for. For the next 3 hours and half I passed out information and speaking with various people.
I did manage to talk to one mother who indicated real interest in Cued Speech. She told of how she had a 14 month old son, diagnosed at 9 months with profound hearing loss since birth, and that she didn't really know what Cued Speech was. The more I explained what Cued Speech was and how it impacted my life, the more I could see her interest begin to grow. I felt reassured that at least one parent wanted to go the extra length to ensure their child would have complete access to spoken language.
I had planned to make a short trip across the street to the DBC rally to see what was up, but I was pressed for time since I had to get lunch for people at the booth. I did see the large number of people standing outside by the trailer and some of the signs being held. While getting lunch at the mall, I noticed various DBC members signing about AG Bell. Being the fluent signer I'm not, I picked up pieces here and there. Some were people who just met each other and were getting to know each other, while a few others were just decrying AG Bell's oppression of sign language (note I'm just paraphrasing what I saw).
Cuers from India
Later in the afternoon, several of the NCSA members and cuers met with Hema and Anand Navkal from India. They had come to the United States perviously and learned about Cued Speech. Now they have adapted Cued Speech to their home language of Marajthi. We spent most of the afternoon speaking about how to teach Cued Speech in India and the ways of advocating it for deaf children.
It was interesting to see how we struggled in addressing certain questions of theirs. For example, Anand was asking how we showed numerals in Cued Speech. We just cue it like we say it, such as "one" (won) or "two" (too). Anand had a bit of a tough time grasping the concept but eventually got it after we used the parallel of how one writes an amount on a check, both numeric and written form.
I also gained some insight from the conversation that took place for two hours. One thing I learned was that due to socialism tendencies in France, the French version of the NCSA had a better organization thanks to government funding. The NCSA had to start from the bottom up, while the Navkals have the advantage of utilizing both top-down and bottom-up strategies in organizing a legitimate Cued Speech organization. I can only wonder where Cued Speech would be in India 40 years from now.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Reception
The AG Bell's DHOH Reception took place at the Eisner Museum of Advertising, located in the Third Ward neighborhood of Milwaukee. It was an interesting place to have the reception at, with all these different selections of advertisements from the past. Electic would be the best word to describe the setting.
Everyone hopped on the three charter buses and rode about 10 minutes to the museum. We hopped off and gave our tickets once we came inside. Alexi and I were the first ones in so we had a funny moment where we were just exploring, but people ended up following us. We went into a room which was just an empty theatre with nothing of interest. We proceeded to go upstairs and just explore a little bit more, but we realized that everyone was doing the same thing that we were doing and the museum staff were trying to direct everyone upstairs. Talk about following the leader.
Dinner wouldn't be served for another thirty minutes so everyone checked out the exhibits and bought some drinks from the cash bar as they settled into their seats. People sat with those who they knew the best, while others just picked whatever seats were left open. I found myself sitting with a deaf adult from Colorado by the name of Che. As a former leftist radical who read the biography Che, I couldn't help but think of how closely this Che resembled the Che Guevera who helped lead the Cuban Revolution of the 50's.
I learned more about Che, who was a mechanical engineer and a long time member of AG Bell. He shared his observations about this weekend, including how it was his first convention in almost a decade and how there weren't as many people in Milwaukee as in past years. Because I'm such a conniving guy who can't wait to feed himself, I told Che to follow me and stand by for the buffet to open. We promptly helped ourselves to the buffet while everyone else continued to chat away.
For the next hour, Che and I just sat there idly eating our food observing all the people who went by us waiting in line for their chance to pile food on their own plates. As a "people watcher," I found it the perfect chance to anaylze each person's characteristics and personality. Young and old, signers and oral, I found the reception to be composed of a diverse selection of people with various experiences growing up.
Eventually everyone found their seat and started filling their stomachs. One of the people sitting at my table turned out to be Paul Jacobs, author of the book Neither - Nor, from the University of Melbourne in Australia. I gave him one of my Cue Chart cards with info about the NCSA on the back. Mary-Beth said she would have to buy the book and send it to him so he could sign it and send it back. Shucks for not being there on Sunday to save all that trouble.
Towards the end of the night Jay Wyant took to the microphone and made a few announcements. He thanked Rachel Arft and Lindsey Rentmeester for organizing the reception and helping raise over $4000 for accessibility services for the deaf and hard of hearing (CART, interpereters, etc). This marked the end of the reception and everyone started making their plans for the rest of the night. Unforunately Mary-Beth and I would have to make the hour and half drive back to Chicago after the reception.
I said my goodbyes to my old and new friends and told them I'd be staying in touch with them. In the end I left Milwaukee feeling positive about all the new friendships I made and the experiences I gained from attending the AG Bell Convention 2008. I look forward to the next one in Orlando the summer of 2010.
Cued Speech on YouTube
Sunday, June 29, 2008
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27 comments:
Thanks for sharing your observations of the activities in Milwaukee... objective also. I appreciate reading your posting... a well-balanced posting.
Great article! I completely appreciate your thought. One of my good friends Jane (whom I met on a deaf community mydeafmatch.com )tell me about your article. She sent me your URL and I know she likes many of your blogs. Your work indeed pretty well!
You have convinced me and my family to go to the next AG Bell convention in Orlando!
Interesting post! I enjoyed reading it. Tahnk you for sharing. When is the next AG Bell Convention?
This girl from California was right that AG Bell who just merged with AVT supported that lipreading and signing were not allowed for those who were in the program. I am not sure where have you been, it was actually stated in the AVT policy that is now officially a part of AG Bell philosophy:
AVT Principles:
"Guide and coach parents to help their child use hearing as the primary sensory modality in developing spoken language without the use of sign language or emphasis on lipreading."
Now that includes cued speech since AVT bans any visual cues and sign language. I am just trying to understand how can you support AG Bell to adopt AVT principles that strictly relies only on audition.
Also we all know very well that there are research documents supporting the fact that ASL makes it easier to teach spoken English.
See source:
"In fact, the experience of many speech-language therapists in such environments has been that when deaf children develop a solid language base in American Sign Language, teaching spoken communication is easier."
clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/Products/sharing-ideas/graney/SI-graney.pdf
I am just struggling with the fact about people like you support this organization that supports AVT knowing that it goes against your philosophy that AVT actually bans DEAF children from using visual cues. I am sure we both agree that with DEAF children, the auditory mode provides only partial access to language while the visual mode provides full access. What say you?
By the way, you typed and crticize the grammar "AG Bell, Tear This Wall Down" was not even what was posted across Midwest building..it said, "A.G. Bell, Tear Down This Wall" and it is grammatically correct, FYI. Please be a bit more careful not to jump to erroneous conclusion and mock the grammar that isn't even what was written.
Isn't this a typical behavior of English dominant users looking down other people who may not have a strength of English, heh? You would enjoy the book, "Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies: A Guide to Language for Fun and Spite" by June Casagrande and it may help you to tone down a bit.
Barb -
That girl stated that it was within the policies of AG Bell itself and I didn't recall AVT being brought up within the context of the conversation. AVT is an entirely different subject which I do take issue with in regards to visual language. But that's another discussion for another time.
It was not my criticism, but my observations of others who had made the same kind of comment in regards to the banner. I didn't even think twice about the grammar until others brought it up.
I can argue that it is easier to teach spoken language with Cued Speech than with sign language because of the explicit connections to phonemes rather than morphemes, but that's another discussion for another time.
A reason why I'm a member of AG Bell is because rather than try and fight the system from the outside, I can create change from within. Something I learned from my years of experience as a leftist radical.
I was pleased to meet you that evening, Aaron! While we might not see eye-to-eye on everything, I am glad we conversed. I would like to see continued dialogue between DBC and AG Bell members.
Til then,
DE
I went to DBC's website and watched their vlog and Barb DiGi is correct. The banner said THIS (not THE) as you said.
I teach at an university and I have seen many of my hearing students' paper go by me semester by semester. There are many papers that has many grammar errors, even myself as a deaf person can see that. It's sad that deaf people are being critized for English errors while hearing people are the same.
thank you for responding and giving me a chance to clarify about the actual slogan that was posted on the trailer..
I really wish you best of luck to change the system in AG Bell and hope that they will listen to you. But history tells me that they had not unfortunatley. I would love to hear more about your years of experience as a leftist radical. What is ironic is that AVT, that is widely supported and sponsored by AG Bell, is considered radical as they strictly prohibit any visual cues and sign language though.
"[AVT principles] guide and coach parents to help their child use hearing as the primary sensory modality in developing spoken language without the use of sign language or emphasis on lipreading."
The problem with this sentence is that it's a complex sentence with a bunch of dependent clauses (I think that's the correct grammatical term?). Let's take it apart and put it together.
NOWHERE in this sentence does it say ASL or any visual mode of communication is "banned," "prohibited," "oppressed," or anything else of that nature. Barb DiGi and others, you're reading too much into it.
The sentence simply means that the AVT therapist or speech teacher HELPS the child to use his/her hearing *primarily* to develop SPOKEN LANGUAGE. Not force. Not deprive. Not torment.
The second part of the sentence is "... without the use of sign language or emphasis on visual cues." This does not imply that ASL is forbidden, only that it's not a part of the AVT therapeutical or instructional approach. AVT is not a 24/7 thing, it's only a teaching tool. The deaf child may choose to use ASL or other sign languages the rest of the time. AVT and ASL don't have to be mutually exclusive, EXCEPT during therapy time.
Yes, many deaf children can acquire a solid language foundation in both ASL and English when given access to ASL early. That doesn't mean it's the only thing that works for deaf children. AVT also works for deaf children, especially those with CIs and active parent support. Cued Speech also works for deaf children.
Barb,
AVT is simply about using a set of principles designed to help achieve *maximum* use of hearing for learning for a child wearing a hearing aid or cochlear implant. This is about a particular philosophy in its own merit which is why it's called "AVT" in the first place and not "AVT + ASL" Otherwise it would ceased to be called "AVT."
Again, need to stop focusing on AGBell and focus on providing the proper materials to hearing parents so they can make an informed decision. Every time you bring up AGBell in the effort to try and demonize them only makes DBC (or you) look that much more radical to hearing parents rather than, as Amy Cohen stated, present positive and successful views about ASL and the English language (bilingual) instead.
The previous anonymous comment (July 3 at 1:00 pm) seems obviously to be fake. Deaf people do not write that way, especially university professors.
Aaron- I have a question for you. You said "a reason why I'm a member of AG Bell is because rather than try and fight the system from the outside, I can create change from within. Something I learned from my years of experience as a leftist radical." If they will listen to you then that is great...But would you still be very proud to carry AGB's name with you everywhere while knowing this man who is considered one of the most evil person on this planet who abused millions of Deaf children for over 100 years and pushed out all Deaf teachers and leaders from Deaf schools and community? You have already heard enough about him. I would love to see you to fight within and remove AGB name to something else...positive and new mission...to give hope to all Deaf children from generation to generation. Change we can! Please remember that those Deaf children who do not have skills to speak do not mean that they are worthless human beings and dumb. Many who could not speak are very bright people. Another question for you. If...a big "If" that you do not have any speech skills...none...zero...and if hearing aids or cochlear implants do not help you...how would AGB treat you today? What would they think of you as a person? What advice will they give to your parents? Please ask this yourself and be very honest about it. Think of many children who do not have speech skills. Please.
Thank you.
Penny: careful ... your emotional baggage is showing. Not only is your response waaaayyy off topic, your characterization of Alexander Graham Bell as "evil" is ridiculous.
I'm dismayed by this demonization of AG Bell by the deaf community. Y'all should know that there is much more to AG Bell's life than his role in the eugenics movement of the 1880s. Eugenics was a very popular concept at the time, and many famous people who are otherwise well-regarded thought it was a great idea. Keep in mind that AG Bell was a speech teacher with a lifelong interest in elocution. His mom was deaf. That makes him a CODA. His wife was deaf. He could sign fluently. Lots of people thought his ideas on teaching speech to the deaf would work. Despite the oralism movement, deaf people (with or without speaking ability) went on to have pretty good lives. There are senior citizens living today who went to oral schools exclusively and can read and write well.
Keep in mind that CALIFORNIA laws on eugenics were the precursor of the German Nazi laws. Does this mean every deaf person should move away from California? No.
Let's leave the past in the past. Just because the manufacturers of VWs and Mercedes-Benzes were involved in Jewish labor camps during WWII doesn't mean we won't drive them any more, or that all Germans are still Nazis. Just because people in the American South during the early years of the country practiced slavery doesn't mean all southerners today are racists and bad people. During the manifest destiny years of our country's history, Americans actively practiced genocide against Indians. That doesn't mean all Americans living today are bad people.
Keeping a balanced perspective will enhance the bridge-building between our two respective ideologies.
Re: Grammatically incorrect. Nothing is new. People WILL make these comments in order to make themselves feel good or above from the rest. If they wanted to focus on the grammar, rather than to focus on the big picture -- fine with me but it is very common among different groups (deaf and hearing alike) to behave like that.
It irks me to no end, though.
R-
It is all about the interpretation about the principles of AVT. It is encouraging parents to steer away from the use of ASL with their Deaef children not necessarily during therapy time but 24/7.
I have already been involved with several people who are advocates of AVT that they don't actually use ASL outside therapy time since they think that it will "hinder their language development." I am more concerned about the myths that they are thinking that exposing Deaf children to ASL will cause more damage. I have actually received confirmation that these parents who involve their Deaf children in AVT have been told NOT to use ASL inside AND outside AVT time. What say you?
Mike,
Of course, I could not disagree with you more about DBC focusing on the positive outcomes of using ASL/English approach. At the same time, DBC is exposing the facts of AG Bell and its ideology to gain a better understanding about what the organization represents todat. You would be amazed after talking with several AG Bell oral members, they were in disbelief and denial about AG Bell's previous actions such as his involvement in eugenics. It is all about raising awareness in all dimensions.
I even have several hearing parents sending us email messages how disgusted they are about the history of AG Bell and how it continues to carry its reputation today. It allowed them to be more aware and wary of this so-called organization. Everyone has a right to know the ugly truth of AG Bell and who will tell them?
Anonymous-
May I ask why you used anonymous and not your real name? Are you ashamed of who you are or what AGB has created you to become today? I am not ashamed to state my name to the public. Why should I and why should you too?
I do not agree with you that I am carrying emotional baggage but you can say that I am emotional person. If you ask my friends or people who know me pretty well…all of them will nod their head and say yes yes yes. Am I ashamed of it? I used to be but not anymore. It is part of who I am and I know I am a good person. I have 12 nieces and nephews and 12 great nieces and nephews and more on the way and our family always like to see them happy and free. I want to see the same thing for all Deaf children. Can I?
To be honest with you, I did not know much about Alexander Graham Bell’s background until last year and learned so much from bloggers and vloggers when Deafread was born. Since I am done with school two weeks ago, I look forward to buying some books about AGB’s background. I want to learn about the history of AGB and his evil schemes which caused severe damaged to many deaf children and those who later became adults. (not few but many many and many)
I have met some people who are members of AGB and I never did once mock them or belittle them. What I find fascinating is that they always used sign language with their circle of friends or to me. I never told them but when they used their voice with me…their voices sounds like they were having a very bad cold. I realized that AGB system and their parents fooled them well to make them to believe that they have a good voice today. Sad.
One lady (elderly) who is a long time member of AGB chatted with me on VP recently. She fell in love with VP and said how neat that deaf people could communicate in sign language through VP. That was her word…not mine. I never mock her for being a member of AGB. I plan to ask her later what she thinks of ASL and if she agreed with AGB that she should not used her God gift hands to communicate when she was young. I am curious to find out soon.
I learned that many elderly who are members of AGB are learning sign language very late and rely heavily on sign language for social interaction and communication. So what does this say to you? Again, I do not belittle anyone who is a member of AGB because the people I met are extremely nice people. I am against the system. I am not asking them to leave AGB but to change the name and mission and work with DBC to make sure all deaf children have access to communication.
Let all Deaf children sign and if they show that they have speech ability and want to learn how to talk…great and we all should encourage it. If some prefer to use ASL then great and we all should encourage it too. Isn’t that too much to ask?
I do not know of any Jewish organization carry Hitler’s name and provide services to Jewish community. Do you? I do not understand why we should keep AGB’s name who had done horribly to Deaf children and provide services to parents of Deaf children today. It does not make any sense to me. I do not believe in living illusion. We need to leave the past in the past but we can’t forget and keep allowing Deaf children abused daily.
I talked to one teacher aide recently who worked in mainstream school for more than 20 years and she told me some stories that parents thought cochlear implants would improve their Deaf children ability to speak and develop language. Most of them have failed and brought parents to heartbroken. Parents were feed with lies and myths. No more. I am hoping to take some videotape of her so she can share some stories since we need more documentary to get the truth out. Time is running out again. I do not want another Milan rampage.
Barb,
Put aside of the AG Bell's history. Move on.
I would like for you to take a hard look at:
http://www.xanga.com/Frank_Sandra/664464538/dbc-conference-slide-show.html
Go look at 1:32 picture, at the near end.
I have never considered my hearing children and husband this kind of message. The message will drive many hearing people and medias away from the DBC.
DBC needs to remove this kind of message and respect hearing people and the medias more.
White Ghost
Barb,
I agree with you on all points about AGBell's stance on ASL or any visual cues. I have met people who had encounters with this organization and they have told me that the emphasis was that ASL would hinder spoken language development and they have felt pressured to stop using ASL. Some of these people have cancelled their memberships with AGBell because of the audist attitudes behind the facade.
I do not and will not trust the people from this organization.
After engaging in several different conversations regarding deaf history, I left the AG Bell convention wondering why people are bringing the past into the present. We are a whole new generation. I know this does not eliminate the extent of situations in the past.
The world is a completely different place today than it was in the early 1900's. Our world will be different 50 years from now.
Different organizations have the right to focus on what method they firmly believe in. I just don't see the purpose of wasting time pointing fingers at other organizations just because one doesn't support their method. We are all human beings and we have different opinions. We need to respect each other and focus on educating everyone with all the available options.
Whatever works for you is what will work for you. If I spoke/wrote Spanish better than English, then that is the primary language I would teach my child(ren). I don't want my limitations to affect my child(ren).
Two points:
Auditory-Verbal International began as a subgroup of A.G. Bell, then became an independent organization, then rejoined A.G. Bell a couple of years ago. A-V is a part of Bell. It does not define it. A.G. Bell is about hearing and spoken language, but it has always included all options, traditional oral, oral schools, AVT and cueing. AVI merged with A.G. Bell. See http://www.agbellacademy.org/ which states, "The AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language® (the Academy) is an independently governed, subsidiary corporation of The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing." Note that its website is separate from www.agbell.org.
Second, I have to disagree with Anonymous's comment, "This does not imply that ASL is forbidden, only that it's not a part of the AVT therapeutical or instructional approach. AVT is not a 24/7 thing, it's only a teaching tool. The deaf child may choose to use ASL or other sign languages the rest of the time." This is NOT AVT. AV IS a 24/7 way of life. It is not merely an instructional tool. A child who does not use ASL during therapy but then signs outside of therapy is not Auditory-Verbal.
As a parent who raised two A-V children and knows countless others, I speak from firsthand experience when I say that adding ASL would absolutely have taken away from my daughters' development of their hearing and spoken language. As an A-V parent, we lived spoken language every moment of every day. We made language learning and learning to listen fun, but it was a part of every activity. Any time away from that to teach sign or, what's more, to learn it myself, would have been time taken away from working on my daughters' hearing and spoken language. In addition, it would have given them a crutch to use rather than working on spoken language. I have heard from too many parents over the years complaining that their children prefer to sign and that they can't get them to speak. That was not and would still not be a path I'd be willing to take with my children. Furthermore, adding sign was never necessary for them. They thrived with the A-V approach.
White Ghost: This T shirt is independent of DBC and it is based on an individual's choice. Besides, the vlog is not officially from DBC site. You need to realize that in all organizations/movements, there will always be individuals who chose to express they want to that does not necessarily reflect any of the organization/movement mission.
Hello Melissa! Of course, you as the only AVT person who always love to present your point of view inthe blogosphere that ASL is a crutch to Deaf children. I find it interesting that there are research documents from Graney, Cummins, Mayberry, etc. showing how ASL gives support to spoken language are contrasting to your statement. What works for your chidren doesn't mean all will benefit from it.
I grew up with both ASL and spoken English and I am telling you over and over again that it is not true that one would drop spoken English and chose ASL. I have many, many friends who use spoken English and ASL while growing up and they are still moving their mouths with their voices and able to enjoy the beautiful of our visual language. Nothing wrong with that, girl!
Thank you for confirming my statement that AV is 24/7.
One more thing, Melissa...thank you once again for confirming my belief when you stated:
A.G. Bell is about hearing and spoken language, but it has always included all options, traditional oral, oral schools, AVT and cueing.
ALL OPTIONS? You can't simply say all options since it did not include ASL.
WG: It is hard to move on when we keep on getting messages from AG Bell that they patronize ASL. Remmy the Super Bowl how they label Deafies using sign language exclusively (like there is a such thing!) is isolated from society or how myths are being supported that the fact how ASL hinder language development? (see Melissa's comments). Just wake up and smell the coffee, history is not just in the past, it is still alive today! Who should eradicate these myths? Who should explain how ASL benefits Deaf children? This is where DBC comes in.
Barb,
You seem to easily ignore the fact that there is research that supports exactly my viewpoint. Here is a quote from the most significant major study of children implanted at young ages:
From: Ann Geers, Factors Affecting the Development of Speech, Language, and Literacy in Children With Early Cochlear Implantation
"The primary rehabilitative factor associated with
desirable performance outcomes was educational emphasis
on oral–aural communication. Communication mode was
more important to auditory and spoken language development
than any other rehabilitative factor examined, including
classroom placement (public or private, special education,
or mainstream), amount of therapy, experience of
therapist, or parent participation in therapy. Children whose
educational program emphasized dependence on speech and
audition for communication were better able to use the
information provided by the implant to hear, speak, and
read. Use of sign communication with implanted children
did not promote auditory and speech skill development and
did not result in an advantage for overall English language
competence, even when the outcome measure included sign
language. Oral education appears to be an important
educational choice for children who have received a
cochlear implant before 5 years of age."
Simply because you were raised with both sign and spoken language does not make that the right choice for all deaf children either.
Also, I will correct my statement about A.G. Bell to read that the organization supports all approaches teaching hearing and spoken language.
And yes, AVT is 24/7. I have said that again and again. You never raised an A-V child, and so how can you possibly contradict what I say about what it was like for me raising A-V children? Were you there? I repeat and will continue to do so that there was not a spare moment in the day. What I don't think you get, though, is that it wasn't as if I spent the entire day doing therapy and drilling my girls. We had fun. We played with toys, went shopping, sorted laundry, made dinner, etc. I kept them beside me and talked to them about everything. They had no clue they were being taught language because, with the hearing given them by their CIs, they were learning to hear and speak just as children born with normal hearing do, through their hearing.
To Barb and Melissa,
Please respect my wishes and move your discussion elsewhere, as I don't want my blog to be a forum for debate on the merits of AVT versus ASL. It's gone a bit too far now and off the point of my blog.
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