The Truth About Illinois School For The Deaf

Sunday, March 15, 2015

The Truth About Illinois School For The Deaf

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO [CC] - Under Fire: ASL and Cued Speech at the Illinois School for the Deaf.



JACKSONVILLE, IL - A few months ago, Michele Westfall tagged me and a few other people about the Illinois School for the Deaf's website on "Cued Speech Myths." What I saw there was heartbreaking. This is my response to the situation, sharing observations on their video series. Please support the Illinois Deaf Community's efforts to improve conditions at the school.



An Illinois Deaf Community member has stated that the superintendent is leaving in June 2015 and the pro-Cued Speech principal, Angela Kuhn, is a candidate for the position. The community does not want her to take the job.



Description of Adrean Clark, a Deaf white woman wearing a black and silver ASL Bat t-shirt appears against a dark blue background. Her narrative is interspersed with footage from the Illinois School for the Deaf's video series featuring the superintendent and classroom situations.

Summary: The Illinois School for the Deaf released a series of videos intended to dispel doubts about their "bilingual" program. I was heartbroken by what I saw in the footage and would like to show you what I noticed.



- The school's mission is to provide a bilingual ASL - English environment. The actual practice is far from bilingual. The example footage shown takes place during an English composition class. The teacher asks (with Cued Speech) what "to conclude" means. Two students respond - one with ASL/fingerspelling and another by oral English only. The teacher winks at the speaking students. This is common to oral environments that try to "share space" with ASL. Speaking English tends to come first. The student that spoke got special treatment while not signing at all.



- The superintendent claims that the thousands of words in science and social studies have no ASL equivalent, therefore must be fingerspelled. That is a false claim, since ASL has built-in systems for developing new words. The choice to depend on fingerspelling actually robs students of full access to ASL - as an example a video from the ASL THAT! group is posted. In the video Joseph Wheeler differentiates between deer, moose, and elk by following ASL handshapes and structures. The result is a rich natural sciences education that all Deaf students should have access to.



- The superintendent states that Cued Speech provides an alternative for long-term retention of English information that doesn't involve English print alone. That statement shows that speaking is considered superior at the Illinois School for the Deaf.



- In a mathematics classroom, the teacher interrupts teaching to show students how to speak the word "proper." An assistant is called in to display proper mouthing and cueing for the students. When she tries to fingerspell the word, she gets a slap on the hand. It is disconcerting that so much time was spent on that one word - and on top of that, even daring to use English fingerspelling was considered "bad." That is not an ASL-English bilingual environment at all!



The Illinois School for the Deaf is an oral program that uses manually-coded English as the primary mode of instruction. It is not a bilingual program. Footage Sources: Myth 1, 2, and 5 at http://illinoisdeaf.org/FactOrMythASL.html



Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10153142214605818 SOURCE

Deaf Students Protest Coach’s Replacement

Friday, November 1, 2013

Deaf Students Protest Coach’s Replacement

EXCLUSIVE California School for the Deaf students protest coach’s replacement.



RIVERSIDE, CA - At least 90 teenagers at California School for the Deaf, Riverside, left morning classes Thursday, Oct. 31, to protest the replacement of the high school boys’ basketball coach.



Students demonstrated outside the gym over what they said was the forced resignation of coach Jeremias Valencia and the hiring of former coach David Hamilton.



“We don’t want him to be our coach,” 11th grader Miranda Murphy wrote. “We’re trying to get Jeremias back.”



The California Department of Education issued a statement from Riverside campus Superintendent Mal Grossinger.



“I can appreciate that the students in question feel strongly about who serves as their basketball coach, but this is ultimately a personnel decision that had to be made by administrators,” Grossinger said. “We will continue to encourage the students to return to class and discuss more constructive ways to share their views.”



Students had painted a banner saying “We want Coach V. back” and hung it on the chain link fence that faces Arlington Avenue along with other signs protesting the coach’s being replaced. ... Read more: http://blog.pe.com/high-schools/2013/10/31/riverside-deaf-students-protest-coachs-replacement/

Deaf School Treats Students As Slaves

Monday, October 28, 2013

Deaf School Treats Students As Slaves

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: India government school teacher doing massage by Deaf student.



AKOLA - The Deaf community and parents in India outraged when the video leaking into the public of a government school teacher forcing student to doing massage which it was not a part of the education in school.



The teacher, Shital Avchar, working at a government run school for Deaf students, was also found guilty of taking nap in the classroom during school hours and harassing the pupils. Slavery are incompatible and it was part of a slavery re-enactment that discriminate to the students - some parents said crossed the line.

How dare teachers doing that to the students and call it an educational experience? Obviously this school district has taken education to a level it never needed to go to. Teaching children how to slavery and act inappropriately is never the job of a teachers.

Deaf Rights In Middle East

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Deaf Rights In Middle East

VIDEO Signed - Deaf Rights in Arabic and English Subtitles.



A Short film that demonstrates the difficulties the Deaf people faces om every aspect of life in the middle east countries.

فيلم قصير - حقوق الصم والبكم



فيلم قصير يحكي مجموعه من الصعوبات التي بواجهها الصم والبكم في عدد من مجالات الحياة.

Parents Of Deaf Children Encouraged To Learn Sign Language

Parents Of Deaf Children Encouraged To Learn Sign Language

VIDEO: Parents of Deaf children encouraged to learn sign language.



KENYA - Parents of Deaf children need to learn sign language in order to communicate with their children.



This is the proposal by the undugu society of Kenya, who maintain that most Deaf children, especially those from poor backgrounds, live most of their formative years in silence because both their parents and the community at large cannot communicate with them.



The society also faulted the education system for not being accommodative enough to enable effective learning by Deaf children.

Watch KTN Streaming LIVE from Kenya 24/7 on http://www.ktnkenya.tv

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Deaf Customers Sue Starbucks Over Mocking

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Deaf Customers Sue Starbucks Over Mocking

Deaf customers sue Starbucks, claim discrimination. Starbucks employees allegedly laughed at speech of hearing impaired customers in New York City.



NEW YORK CITY - Twelve Deaf Starbucks customers in New York City have filed a lawsuit against the Seattle-based coffee company, claiming discrimination. Starbucks employees allegedly mocked the customers multiple times over the course of several years, and once called the police on a monthly meeting of Deaf people.



"Cruel Employees" at two different Manhattan Starbucks mocked Deaf customers and refused to serve them, a stunning new lawsuit says.



"They were ridiculed, laughed at and told they had to leave Starbucks," said lawyer Eric Baum, who's suing on behalf of a dozen Deaf customers.



Jamie Riley, a spokeswoman for the mega-popular coffee chain, said they were aware of the allegations and were investigating them. "Discrimination of any kind is unacceptable at Starbucks," she said.



The suit says one incident took place at a Starbucks at 424 Park Ave. South in August 2012, when customer Alan Roth said a barista laughed when he placed his order, telling him he "sounded funny."



She "asked him to continually repeat himself as she laughed harder each time," and she was soon laughing "hysterically," the suit says.



When Roth demanded to speak to a manager, the employee started screaming obscenities at him and had to be restrained by other Starbucks staff, the suit says. Another employee told Roth to leave and never come back, the suit says.



Roth said he had "never before been so blatantly and maliciously been discriminated against."



The suit says Deaf customers also were forced to leave and had the cops called on them another time at the 13-25 Astor Place location, which had been chosen as the monthly gathering spot for an informal "Deaf Chat Coffee" social group. Read more at http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/starbucks-employees-accused-refusing-serve-deaf-customers-article-1.1397714

Ontario Deaf Schools: Stands Up and Speaks Out

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Ontario Deaf Schools: Stands Up and Speaks Out

VIDEO [ASL/CC] - Ontario Deaf Schools: Stand ups and speaks out. Students protest outfront Deaf school. Almost two dozen students protest outfront the E.C. Drury School for the Deaf, staff cuts,that they say will impact their education.



TORONTO - Students from the E.C. Drury School for The Deaf are in their second day of protesting the layoffs of 56 full-time support and residential staff, including nine locally at their Ontario Street campus of Ontario’s Provincial Schools.



The Deaf Ontario Association, which represents the Deaf in Ontario, posted on its website - the cuts will hurt the province's most vulnerable students with disabilities and severely impact their families rights to accessible education. Source: http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/3846050-students-protest-out-front-deaf-school/.



The layoff of 56 full-time staff from Ontario’s Provincial Schools will hurt the province’s most vulnerable students with disabilities and severely impact the families’ rights to accessible education.

Deaf Canadians: Stand Up and Speak Up.

Ellen Support ECD Protest.

This is regarding ECD Deaf school protest in response to Ontario Government's recent decision to lay off staff at Deaf schools in Ontario.

Deaf Children Value Deaf School and Staff.

Vaylena Sauve 6 years old and Owen Sauve 9 years attend Sir James Whitney for the Deaf School. Value all Deaf school.



Related Post:

Ontario Deaf Schools Staff Layoffs

'Sign Language is Strength' Demonstration in Berlin

Monday, June 17, 2013

'Sign Language is Strength' Demonstration in Berlin

VIDEO [International Sign] - On 14 June 2013 held in Berlin a demo action sign language and rally. About 10,000 Deaf people protested in Berlin for equal rights and participation in the German society at by the Federal Parliament (Reichstag building). Deaf Germans call on politicians to implement all necessary accessibility! Germans demand the full recognition, German sign language in all areas.

In Berlin, on 14 June 2013 about 10,000 mostly Deaf people from all over the West for your rights and accessibility demonstrated by sign language. The demonstration route ran from the Reichstag to the vicinity of Checkpoint Charlie on Friedrichstrasse. Mel Riot reported.

25 years ago, on 17 June 1988 the European Parliament decided that the respective national sign language should be recognized as full-fledged language in all Member States of the European Community. Due to the prolonged struggle of the Deaf community and the support of many politicians the respective sign language is now recognized in most countries of the European Union and the Deaf fellow citizens have the right of access to information in their native language. However, there are still countries where the national sign language is not recognized, and in Germany there are still many situations in which Deaf people, despite the recognition of sign language, equal access to institutions of public life is denied.

With the demonstration of "action sign language" grab those affected exactly this topic, and want to show that the German sign language even though she is 11 years officially recognized in Germany, is not yet considered in all aspects as a matter of course. Deaf people encounter still many barriers and there are big differences in quality of the services for hearing-impaired people.



An example of this is the education in which the foundation for the further development opportunities and hard of hearing children is fixed. For the school, it is very important for children and young people that they are taught by teachers who are their sign language skills at a sufficiently high level. This can only ensure the fewest educational institutions so far unfortunately. Fact: Deaf children and young people are still not self-evident taught sign language.

The Walking Deaf 14.06.2013 Demonstration in Berlin, Germany.

Nor is self-evident in the pre-school education, access to sign language and a bilingual early intervention.



Even in the areas of communication and information access in which people with hearing impairments still bump into barriers, must the quality of sign language interpreters, the selection of personnel in institutions and agencies that are working for hearing-impaired people, saved and checked in the best case by native speakers are. Only in this way can be guaranteed that the barriers are broken down and Deaf people can live in an inclusive society. More Informations at http://aktion.gehoerlosen-bund.de

Arizona Deaf Schools: Students Protest, Demand Action

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Arizona Deaf Schools: Students Protest, Demand Action

VIDEO: Arizona probes accusation of conflicts at Arizona Schools for the Deaf & Blind, Superintendent, board president focus of protests, complaints.



TUCSON, AZ. - Two state agencies are investigating the superintendent and board president of the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind for potential conflicts of interest and excessive travel expenses.



Superintendent Robert Hill and ASDB Board President Bernhardt Jones also have been the focus of multiple protests at school's two main campuses in Tucson and Phoenix over the last two weeks. Students, parents and former employees have called for the two to resign because of a lack of leadership and poor communication with the staff.



Among the concerns:



• Possible conflicts of interest: Hill and Jones have a private business relationship outside their ASDB positions. Jones is the director of TASK12, which administers the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment for a $310 testing fee. Hill is listed as a TASK12 local test administrator at classroominterpreting.org. Neither Hill nor Jones disclosed their roles with TASK12 to ASDB, its board of directors or the state. ...READ MORE: http://azstarnet.com/news/arizona-probes-accusation-of-conflicts-at-asdb/article_e301835a-402d-53fb-b9fa-66e87c65dfe4.html



Read Letter: PDF: Letter from Robert Hill to ASDB staff

Pigs, goats snatched from classrooms: Deaf students protest, demand action.

Outrage swirling at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind. One administrator on leave. Another fired. And now students say even their animals are gone.



Arizona Schools for the Deaf & Blind Board of Directors: Acknowledge the vote of "No Confidence" in Superintendent Robert Hill - Five years ago, parents, staff, and community members gathered to ensure that Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind's campuses were truly accessible to American Sign Language (ASL) for the students and staff as well as fostering positive changes in the curriculum in order to advance deaf education.



Today, we find that our students' education is now at risk because of haphazard administrative decisions and questionable conduct by Superintendent Robert Hill, including several allegations of discriminatory conduct in regards to staff (female/sexual) and disability (Deaf).



Nearly 50 ASDB staff members have already personally signed the following statement: We, the members of the ASDB community including staff, parents, alumni, and friends, sign this petition as a Vote of No Confidence in Robert Hill's continued service as Superintendent of ASDB.



Robert Hill has demonstrated a continued failure to exhibit the professional integrity and leadership that is expected and required of the Superintendent of ASDB. Such failures include a fundamental refusal or inability to: ...More details at petition www.change.org petitions arizona schools for the deaf blind.

Calling The ASL Community: Remove Karl White

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Calling The ASL Community: Remove Karl White

VIDEO [ASL/CC] - Calling the ASL Community.



Be toxic may stop spread of audism! Suggest to watch this video and do share to Deaf community only if you love American Sign Language!



As State Director of Special Education and the person who gathered nominations for the Application Selection/Screening Committee members, it is important that I let you know there are two problems.

There is only one Deaf person on this committee. This is unacceptable. Deaf people are heavily invested in USDB and should have a majority position on any committee discussing it.



One of the committee members, Karl White, is seen, by the Deaf Community and also by professionals who study and teach about Language Acquisition, Brain Development, and Deaf Culture, as someone who is very lacking in being able to help decide interview questions for the upcoming USDB Supt candidates.



His past interactions have been disrespectful towards Deaf professionals and those knowledgeable about Deaf Education. This has been evident at EHDI conferences and other NCHAM lectures. He has a known reputation for disregarding Deaf input. He has been oppressive and patronizing to Deaf adults and the Deaf Community. I feel he is someone who does not understand what is critical to understand about Deaf Education and the skills/talents needed in the next USDB Supt. I would petition you and those who have made this appointment to please remove Karl White from this committee. He is unacceptable.



Share this on Facebook, Twitter, and even email your friends and family.



COPY and PASTE



Email -- glenna.gallo@schools.utah.gov

Subject Line: Complaint Regarding to Application Screening Committee



Sample Letter:



Dear Ms. Gallo



As State Director of Special Education and the person who gathered nominations for the Application Selection/Screening Committee members, it is important that I let you know there are two problems.



There is only one Deaf person on this committee. This is unacceptable. Deaf people are heavily invested in USDB and should have a majority position on any committee discussing it.



One of the committee members, Karl White, is seen, by the Deaf Community and also by professionals who study and teach about Language Acquisition, Brain Development, and Deaf Culture, as someone who is very lacking in being able to help decide interview questions for the upcoming USDB Supt candidates.



His past interactions have been disrespectful towards Deaf professionals and those knowledgeable about Deaf Education. This has been evident at EHDI conferences and other NCHAM lectures. He has a known reputation for disregarding Deaf input. He has been oppressive and patronizing to Deaf adults and the Deaf Community. I feel he is someone who does not understand what is critical to understand about Deaf Education and the skills/talents needed in the next USDB Supt. I would petition you and those who have made this appointment to please remove Karl White from this committee. He is unacceptable.



Sincerely,



(name)

(stakeholder position:whichever you are)

Deaf adult

Parent

Professional

Student

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Related Articles:

Critical Interrogation of Karl White's Speech

EHDI's Stakeholders

Deaf President Now: A News Footage Perspective

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Deaf President Now: A News Footage Perspective

VIDEO [ASL/CC] - WASHINGTON - On August 24, 1987, Gallaudet's 6th president, Dr. Jerry Lee, announced that he would be leaving the presidency of Gallaudet University.

It prompted new (or rekindled) discussion among the Deaf community that it is time for Gallaudet to have a Deaf president leading the one and only Deaf university in the world. The search committee narrowed down from 67 applicants to 3 finalists: Dr. Harvey Corson (Deaf), Dr. Elizabeth Zinser (hearing), and Dr. I. King Jordan (Deaf).



On March 6, 1988, it was expected that the board would announce the new 7th president in the field house at 8:30 pm. Instead of making a formal announcement, the audience was told that "a news release had been hastily distributed two hours earlier" revealing that Dr. Elizabeth Zinser has been selected as first 7th president of Gallaudet University.



The reaction to the news was "met with shock, anger, disbelief, and, in some cases, tears" because every effort were made to the Gallaudet Board of Trustees with strong urgency that it is time for Gallaudet to have a Deaf president to lead the university. Upon the selection of Dr. Zinser, the birth of the now well-known Deaf President Now (DPN) protest officially began.



Visit www.JoeyBaer.com for more informations.

Deaf Hawaiian Community Rally In Honolulu

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Deaf Hawaiian Community Rally In Honolulu

VIDEO [ASL] - The Deaf hawaiian community shouts 'We Need Deaf Services!'



HONOLULU - Rally at the Hawaii State Capitol in downtown Honolulu on Oahu island in Hawaii, Feb 8, 2013.

The Deaf and the Hard of Hearing in Hawaii are trying to stop cuts to living assistance and an interpreter referral service.

International Sign Deaf Community RALLY Hawaii.

Hawaii Deaf Services Informations.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center, Inc. (DHHSC): http://www.dhhsc.org/

Deaf Services: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/125306534/DEAF-SERVICES

Hawaii Interpreting Services (HIS): http://interpretinghawaii.com/

Special programs - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: http://hawaiivr.org/services/special.php

Deaf Community Demonstration In Kenya

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Deaf Community Demonstration In Kenya

RAW VIDEO: NAIROBI - As the preparation for the first ever presidential debate in Kenya gathers momentum, Kenyans' excitement and eagerness for this historic debate is very evident.

But unfortunately this is not the case for the Kenya National Association For The Deaf as they held protests yesterday at the Ministry of Information demanding for their right to access information. SOURCE

Gallaudet Marks 25th Anniversary of 'Deaf President Now' Protests

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Gallaudet Marks 25th Anniversary of 'Deaf President Now' Protests

VIDEO: Gallaudet University marks 25th anniversary of 'Deaf President Now' protests.



WASHINGTON - Gallaudet University is marking the 25th anniversary of the “Deaf President Now” protests. The grassroots effort was launched by students in 1988, generating national and international headlines and resulting in the university’s first Deaf president.



When the Board of Trustees selected the only hearing candidate as Gallaudet University’s next president 25 years ago, students organized a week of protests, chanting “Deaf president now.”



“I can remember when we were looking for a Deaf president I actually made a comment that I hope we see a Deaf president in my lifetime. So I think that gives you an example of how far away it seemed to me,” says Fred Weiner.



Since 1988, three Deaf men have served as president of the university. This week, they gathered to reflect on the so-called DPN movement’s anniversary.

“Expectations were very high, very, very high,” says Dr. I. King Jordan, Gallaudet’s first Deaf president. “But there were also expectations that I couldn’t succeed.



People told me to my face that we doubt you can succeed as president.” Most students attending the reunion were not even alive in 1988... Read more: http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/02/gallaudet-university-marks-25th-anniversary-of-deaf-president-now-protests-84899.html



Related News: Deaf President Now Protest - Gallaudet University: https://www.gallaudet.edu/gallaudet_university/about_gallaudet/dpn_home.html

Deaf Want A Fair Hearing On Film & TV Subtitles

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Deaf Want A Fair Hearing On Film & TV Subtitles

VIDEO (English Subtiles) - Maltese Deaf people want a fair hearing on film and TV subtitles.



VALLETTA, MALT - The quality of life of Deaf people would dramatically improve if subtitles were introduced on TV and in cinemas, according to campaigners.



“Think how much general knowledge you get from the TV,” said Alison Vere from the Deaf People Association, which is behind the Subtitles Now campaign launched recently.



“With the exception of the five-minute Deaf News in Maltese sign language, local TV is inaccessible to Deaf and those hard of hearing,” she added.



Organised jointly with film culture NGO Kinemastik, Subtitles Now is promoting the introduction of sub-titles on TV and more screenings of subtitled movies in cinemas.

The campaign released a video on Youtube to drive home its message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5D_y2G5els.



It starts with sound and sub­titles so that all people can understand what is happening, but then the captions disappear and all the dialogue is conducted in sign language.



Eventually the sound of Bob Dylan singing the words “How does it feel?” from Like a Rolling Stone can be heard and a caption asks, “How does it feel to see but not hear?”



Ms Vere said deafness was an invisible disability because it went unseen unless people were communicating in sign language or wearing visible hearing aids.



If their campaign is successful, it would “provide a quantum leap in the quality of life of Deaf Maltese and would also help increase Deaf literacy.”



Association president Steven Mulvaney visited the UK recently and was amazed to find he had the option of closed caption subtitles on every programme on the TV in his hotel room, available through the push of a button.



The association would like Maltese Deaf people to have the same option... Read more: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130205/local/Deaf-want-a-fair-hearing-on-film-and-TV-subtitles-.456320



Related Post - Sony's New Subtitle Glasses For Deaf Moviegoers



Sony’s Entertainment Access Glasses Utilizing Unique Holographic Technology - The movie industry’s transformation to digital technology has created an opportunity to efficiently deliver closed caption data to movie patrons. This coincides with large demand from people with hearing difficulties to watch movies more easily and enjoyably.



Sony has therefore developed entertainment access glasses utilizing its unique holographic technology: the STW-C140GI Entertainment Access Glasses with Audio and, as part of this solution, the STWA-C101 Data Transmitter. When wearing this stylish and lightweight see-through eyewear, users can see closed caption text seemingly superimposed onto the movie picture that they’re watching on screen - it’s a natural subtitle-movie experience.



In addition, as the captioning glasses’ receiver box is equipped with an audio assist function, this solution is useful not only for people with hearing difficulties but also for people with visual impairments - both can enjoy movies far more than ever before. READ MORE: http://pro.sony.com/bbsccms/assets/files/mkt/digicinema/brochures/EntAccessGlasses-DI-0272_2.pdf



Visit Sony for more details: http://www.pro.sony.eu/pro/lang/en/eu/products/entertainmentaccessglasses