Sign Languages ban imposed on NJ girl

sara1981 · 03-17-2012, 12:17 PM

Sign Language Ban Imposed on N.J. Girl
Sign Language Ban Imposed on N.J. Girl - ABC News

Quote:

School officials have threatened a hearing-impaired girl with suspension if she uses sign language to talk to her friends on the school bus, the girl's parents say.

Danica Lesko and her parents say sign language is the only way to for the 12-year-old to communicate, especially while riding to school on a noisy bus.

But officials at Stonybrook School — which is not a school for the hearing-impaired — and district officials in Branchburg, N.J., apparently believe signing is a safety hazard. They have sent a letter to the Lesko family ordering Danica to stop using sign language on the school bus or risk a three-day suspension.

The March 30 letter from her principal that said Danica was "doing sign language after being told it wasn't allowed on the bus."

The Leskos may file a lawsuit over the sign language ban, claiming officials are violating Danica's civil rights and violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"She has a hearing problem, and now she's being punished for using sign language," Mary Ann Lesko, Danica's mother, told The Star-Ledger of Newark. "It's absurd."

Danica's parents told the paper that other students who rode to school with their daughter made fun of her, and refused to stay in their seats as they teased other girls who were using sign language. They said school officials are singling out Danica and not addressing those who should really be reprimanded.

Schools Officials: Safety First

In a statement released through the school district's attorney, David Rubin, the Branchburg Board of Education refused to discuss the details of Danica's case, saying only that its version of events differs from the parents' version.

However, the board insisted it has not violated anyone's rights and is only trying to protect other students who must ride on the school bus.

"The Board is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to all students with disabilities, and is satisfied that there has been no violation of that policy in this case," officials said in the statement. "The Board is also committed to assuring the safety of all students who travel on District buses, and will continue to take appropriate steps to accomplish that goal."

One deaf-rights advocate said Danica's parents have a strong basis for a lawsuit because sign language could be a considered a foreign language, and school officials could be violating the girl's First Amendment right to communicate.

"Why should there be a ban?" asked Charlotte Karras, outreach coordinator for the Edison, N.J.-based Alliance for Disabled in Action. "It's a violation of her communication rights. She's said it's the only way she can communicate with her friends … It's [the ban] against the ADA and violates the First Amendment and her family can file a discrimination suit citing the Americans With Disabilities Act."

Karras said her organization would be willing to help the Leskos with any legal action.

Danica's parents say she began losing her hearing last November, when a classmate allegedly shot a bottle rocket near her ear. They have already sued the Branchburg School District over that incident.

sparrow2 · 03-17-2012, 02:14 PM

Schools don't know how to really deal with behavior. What they are doing is trying to eliminate it as fast as possible which is to tell the ONE who is signing to stop. Very wrong for the school to do this.

There are several issues: 1) discrimination 2) bullying and harassment.

If the school is telling the student to stop signing it's like cutting off her ability to communicate. It now becomes a safety hazard for her to be on that bus. Not the other way around.

What if she was sick, being sexually assaulted, or who know what? she would not be able to communicate.

Parents have several options: 1) file due process at the school 2) file a complaint with the state or 3) write a Gebser letter. #s 1&3 require a lawyer. #2 no lawyer is needed.

kokonut · 03-17-2012, 02:30 PM

The school need to be sued. Signing is a safety hazard while sitting on a seat in a school bus to talk to her friends? How surreal. And totally lame.

**Reba** · 03-17-2012, 02:46 PM

Part II:

School Bus Sign Language Ban Lifted

April 26, 2001

A hearing-impaired New Jersey girl will not be barred from using sign language on her school bus as long as she obeys all the district's safety rules....

School Bus Sign Language Ban Lifted - ABC News

**Reba** · 03-17-2012, 02:58 PM

Part III:

STUDENT REFILES LAWSUIT AFTER SIGNING BAN

A deaf New Jersey student who was banned from using sign language on a school bus in 2001 has refiled a lawsuit against Brfanchburg Stony Brook school board and officials. Danica Lesko, who turned 18 in January, has been waiting for justice for seven years, her father, John Lesko, told The Star-Ledger. Danica’s parents contend the ban “set off a chain of events that emotionally traumatized” their daughter and brought in a traumatist who found the youth “mistrustful and defensive.” Said John Lesko: “All we want is to get in front of an impartial jury and be heard.”

Deafweekly December 19, 2007

**Reba** · 03-17-2012, 03:01 PM

Part IV:

False Reports

September 30, 2009

Two women face charges of filing false reports to police on Sunday.

Around 1:20 a.m., Patrolman Harry Bugal was told by Shirley Henderson, 38, of High Bridge that while she was at a local gas station about an hour earlier, the clerk had grabbed her panties as she was standing up from bending over, and then grabbed and rubbed her buttocks, according to police. They give the following account of the incident.

Danica Lesko, 20, of Bloomsbury, who was with Ms. Henderson at the time, also said the clerk grabbed Ms. Henderson’s underpants and, upon being confronted, “did it two more times.”

Bugal went to the gas station, viewed the surveillance video and determined that the incident did not occur. He confronted Ms. Henderson and she said that she had been tired and worded her first statement wrongly. Ms. Henderson added that her friend told her that the clerk touched her panties and was trying to grab her buttocks. When Bugal confronted Lesko with the details, Lesko said, “That’s what I thought happened, maybe it didn’t.”

Bugal charged both women with fourth-degree charges of making false reports to police. They were released on their own recognizance.

Clinton Township cops: drunk woman danced at gas station | NJ.com

**Reba** · 03-17-2012, 03:08 PM

More details about original case:

New Jersey school officials restrict student’s use of sign language on bus | First Amendment Center

kokonut · 03-17-2012, 03:14 PM

Thank you, Reba. This happened 11 years ago. O.o

**Reba** · 03-17-2012, 03:15 PM

I don't think her signing should have been prohibited on the bus.

Just to be clear, she was 12 years old and had just begun to lose her hearing a few months prior to this incident

kokonut · 03-17-2012, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

I don't think her signing should have been prohibited on the bus.

Just to be clear, she was 12 years old and had just begun to lose her hearing a few months prior to this incident

I agree. One really ignorant principal with no common sense instilled.

**Reba** · 03-17-2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

Thank you, Reba. This happened 11 years ago. O.o

They are a busy litigious family.

"The Leskos, who said they have filed a complaint and might sue over this, have already sued over the incident which allegedly caused Danica's hearing damage. Another student set off a bottle rocket in a school hallway in November."

4/2001 Anna's News Clippings

AcaiBerry · 04-06-2012, 06:39 AM

Oh, that'sGreat Sir !!

**Jiro** · 04-06-2012, 10:05 AM

Welcome to NJ. We sue everything, everybody.

**Jiro** · 04-06-2012, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcaiBerry

Oh, that'sGreat Sir !!

I'm suing you for spamming AD

**Smithtr** · 06-30-2012, 09:28 PM

Sign Language Ban Imposed on N.J. Girl - ABC News

I am shocked, I am puzzled it I didn't images!

Quote:

School officials have threatened a hearing-impaired girl with suspension if she uses sign language to talk to her friends on the school bus, the girl's parents say.

Danica Lesko and her parents say sign language is the only way to for the 12-year-old to communicate, especially while riding to school on a noisy bus.

But officials at Stonybrook School — which is not a school for the hearing-impaired — and district officials in Branchburg, N.J., apparently believe signing is a safety hazard. They have sent a letter to the Lesko family ordering Danica to stop using sign language on the school bus or risk a three-day suspension.

The March 30 letter from her principal that said Danica was "doing sign language after being told it wasn't allowed on the bus."

The Leskos may file a lawsuit over the sign language ban, claiming officials are violating Danica's civil rights and violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"She has a hearing problem, and now she's being punished for using sign language," Mary Ann Lesko, Danica's mother, told The Star-Ledger of Newark. "It's absurd."

Danica's parents told the paper that other students who rode to school with their daughter made fun of her, and refused to stay in their seats as they teased other girls who were using sign language. They said school officials are singling out Danica and not addressing those who should really be reprimanded.

Schools Officials: Safety First

In a statement released through the school district's attorney, David Rubin, the Branchburg Board of Education refused to discuss the details of Danica's case, saying only that its version of events differs from the parents' version.

However, the board insisted it has not violated anyone's rights and is only trying to protect other students who must ride on the school bus.

"The Board is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to all students with disabilities, and is satisfied that there has been no violation of that policy in this case," officials said in the statement. "The Board is also committed to assuring the safety of all students who travel on District buses, and will continue to take appropriate steps to accomplish that goal."

One deaf-rights advocate said Danica's parents have a strong basis for a lawsuit because sign language could be a considered a foreign language, and school officials could be violating the girl's First Amendment right to communicate.

"Why should there be a ban?" asked Charlotte Karras, outreach coordinator for the Edison, N.J.-based Alliance for Disabled in Action. "It's a violation of her communication rights. She's said it's the only way she can communicate with her friends … It's [the ban] against the ADA and violates the First Amendment and her family can file a discrimination suit citing the Americans With Disabilities Act."

Karras said her organization would be willing to help the Leskos with any legal action.

Danica's parents say she began losing her hearing last November, when a classmate allegedly shot a bottle rocket near her ear. They have already sued the Branchburg School District over that incident.

**GrendelQ** · 06-30-2012, 09:34 PM

Sign Languages ban imposed on NJ girl

2001

Anij · 06-30-2012, 09:35 PM

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold )

You know this is a very very old story - there's at least one or two updates overturning the "bann".

**Smithtr** · 06-30-2012, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrendelQ

Sign Languages ban imposed on NJ girl

GrendelQ I check recheck it!

I research it lots of infomration

ShanJet9 · 07-04-2012, 02:23 PM

It seems to me that this problem would never arise with a hearing student. It seems like they just don't know how to handle or approach the situation because there is a deaf student involved. Telling a hearing impaired student that she can't sign would be the same thing as telling a hearing student that they cannot communicate with their peers during school hours. It is unfair, and she shouldn't receive special limitations only based on the fact that she is hearing impaired.

caz12 · 07-04-2012, 02:31 PM

that school is disgrace.they should be proud others kids are signing with her the kids seem have more intelligence and decentcy than school

**Reba** · 07-04-2012, 03:49 PM

This is old news from 11 years ago. It's over.

Grummer · 07-04-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

Welcome to NJ. We sue everything, everybody.

Sueing should be banned.

ShanJet9 · 07-04-2012, 04:17 PM

Even if this story is old news, unfortunately problems like this one are still very relevant today.

**Smithtr** · 07-04-2012, 09:29 PM

why not not fair discrimination? hearing imparing? no reason not respect? !
what is point discimmation sound serious!

people discrimmation to people complaint to Sue to ban?

caz12 · 07-05-2012, 06:09 AM

the false report post,is this in america?town called Clinton and the offence,is it wind up or for real

**Reba** · 07-05-2012, 07:58 AM

The ban was lifted April 26, 2001.

**Smithtr** · 07-05-2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

The ban was lifted April 26, 2001.

where find April 26 2001 long time?
I curious?

Jeremy1982 · 07-24-2012, 01:53 AM

This story ticks me off. Signing is still freedom of speech. And as a school, which is a government agency, does not have the authority to ban speech. The first amendment is not something that enables or grants us our rights, it is a law set forth commanding the government that they can't mess around in such areas that we the people, the governments creator, says they can't do. I think the parents should send the school a letter demanding they cease infringement of the peoples rights or face a 1 month work suspension.

**Reba** · 07-26-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy1982

This story ticks me off. Signing is still freedom of speech. And as a school, which is a government agency, does not have the authority to ban speech. The first amendment is not something that enables or grants us our rights, it is a law set forth commanding the government that they can't mess around in such areas that we the people, the governments creator, says they can't do. I think the parents should send the school a letter demanding they cease infringement of the peoples rights or face a 1 month work suspension.

The ban was lifted April 26, 2001.

**Reba** · 07-26-2012, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smithtr

where find April 26 2001 long time?
I curious?

Sign Languages ban imposed on NJ girl

03-17-2012, 02:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
kokonut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15,348	The school need to be sued. Signing is a safety hazard while sitting on a seat in a school bus to talk to her friends? How surreal. And totally lame. __________________ Before AD. After AD. "Restriction on free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us." -Thurgood Marshall, former Supreme Court Justice "... turns out they are telling the truth."

03-17-2012, 02:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,177	Part II: School Bus Sign Language Ban Lifted April 26, 2001 A hearing-impaired New Jersey girl will not be barred from using sign language on her school bus as long as she obeys all the district's safety rules.... School Bus Sign Language Ban Lifted - ABC News __________________ Tell us the truth about Benghazi!

03-17-2012, 03:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
kokonut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15,348	Thank you, Reba. This happened 11 years ago. O.o __________________ Before AD. After AD. "Restriction on free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us." -Thurgood Marshall, former Supreme Court Justice "... turns out they are telling the truth."

04-06-2012, 06:39 AM	#12 (permalink)
AcaiBerry Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Malawi Posts: 2	how do you do Oh, that'sGreat Sir !!

04-06-2012, 10:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
Jiro Aparecium Deletrius Legil Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Soprano State Posts: 60,537	Welcome to NJ. We sue everything, everybody. __________________ - Don't forget to buy Jiro's Special Edition Sunglasses for $19.95

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

03-17-2012, 02:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
sparrow2 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Hawaii Posts: 20	Schools don't know how to really deal with behavior. What they are doing is trying to eliminate it as fast as possible which is to tell the ONE who is signing to stop. Very wrong for the school to do this. There are several issues: 1) discrimination 2) bullying and harassment. If the school is telling the student to stop signing it's like cutting off her ability to communicate. It now becomes a safety hazard for her to be on that bus. Not the other way around. What if she was sick, being sexually assaulted, or who know what? she would not be able to communicate. Parents have several options: 1) file due process at the school 2) file a complaint with the state or 3) write a Gebser letter. #s 1&3 require a lawyer. #2 no lawyer is needed.

03-17-2012, 02:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,177	Part III: STUDENT REFILES LAWSUIT AFTER SIGNING BAN A deaf New Jersey student who was banned from using sign language on a school bus in 2001 has refiled a lawsuit against Brfanchburg Stony Brook school board and officials. Danica Lesko, who turned 18 in January, has been waiting for justice for seven years, her father, John Lesko, told The Star-Ledger. Danica’s parents contend the ban “set off a chain of events that emotionally traumatized” their daughter and brought in a traumatist who found the youth “mistrustful and defensive.” Said John Lesko: “All we want is to get in front of an impartial jury and be heard.” Deafweekly December 19, 2007

03-17-2012, 03:01 PM	#6 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,177	Part IV: False Reports September 30, 2009 Two women face charges of filing false reports to police on Sunday. Around 1:20 a.m., Patrolman Harry Bugal was told by Shirley Henderson, 38, of High Bridge that while she was at a local gas station about an hour earlier, the clerk had grabbed her panties as she was standing up from bending over, and then grabbed and rubbed her buttocks, according to police. They give the following account of the incident. Danica Lesko, 20, of Bloomsbury, who was with Ms. Henderson at the time, also said the clerk grabbed Ms. Henderson’s underpants and, upon being confronted, “did it two more times.” Bugal went to the gas station, viewed the surveillance video and determined that the incident did not occur. He confronted Ms. Henderson and she said that she had been tired and worded her first statement wrongly. Ms. Henderson added that her friend told her that the clerk touched her panties and was trying to grab her buttocks. When Bugal confronted Lesko with the details, Lesko said, “That’s what I thought happened, maybe it didn’t.” Bugal charged both women with fourth-degree charges of making false reports to police. They were released on their own recognizance. Clinton Township cops: drunk woman danced at gas station \| NJ.com

03-17-2012, 03:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,177	More details about original case: New Jersey school officials restrict student’s use of sign language on bus \| First Amendment Center

03-17-2012, 03:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,177	I don't think her signing should have been prohibited on the bus. Just to be clear, she was 12 years old and had just begun to lose her hearing a few months prior to this incident

06-30-2012, 09:35 PM	#17 (permalink)
Anij Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,087	Wirelessly posted (Blackberry Bold ) You know this is a very very old story - there's at least one or two updates overturning the "bann". __________________ Hoh/Deaf ~ +120db deaf right , mild/mod flux left & APD English & ASL ...PAH!! Ignorance is NOT Bliss

07-04-2012, 02:23 PM	#19 (permalink)
ShanJet9 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 2	Unfair It seems to me that this problem would never arise with a hearing student. It seems like they just don't know how to handle or approach the situation because there is a deaf student involved. Telling a hearing impaired student that she can't sign would be the same thing as telling a hearing student that they cannot communicate with their peers during school hours. It is unfair, and she shouldn't receive special limitations only based on the fact that she is hearing impaired.

07-04-2012, 02:31 PM	#20 (permalink)
caz12 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,838	that school is disgrace.they should be proud others kids are signing with her the kids seem have more intelligence and decentcy than school

07-04-2012, 03:49 PM	#21 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,177	This is old news from 11 years ago. It's over.

07-04-2012, 04:17 PM	#23 (permalink)
ShanJet9 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 2	Even if this story is old news, unfortunately problems like this one are still very relevant today.

07-04-2012, 09:29 PM	#24 (permalink)
Smithtr Siberian Husky Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 14,680	why not not fair discrimination? hearing imparing? no reason not respect? ! what is point discimmation sound serious! people discrimmation to people complaint to Sue to ban? __________________

07-05-2012, 06:09 AM	#25 (permalink)
caz12 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,838	the false report post,is this in america?town called Clinton and the offence,is it wind up or for real

07-05-2012, 07:58 AM	#26 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,177	The ban was lifted April 26, 2001.

07-24-2012, 01:53 AM	#28 (permalink)
Jeremy1982 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 34	This story ticks me off. Signing is still freedom of speech. And as a school, which is a government agency, does not have the authority to ban speech. The first amendment is not something that enables or grants us our rights, it is a law set forth commanding the government that they can't mess around in such areas that we the people, the governments creator, says they can't do. I think the parents should send the school a letter demanding they cease infringement of the peoples rights or face a 1 month work suspension.

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