Originally Posted by rockdrummer

I can't speak for everyone but for me, not understanding something motivates me to learn. It also seems to me that if these studies are credible, from reliable sources and there is empericale proof to back them up, one might use them as a resourse at an IEP to help invoke changes in the system or at least to their childs educational program.

Originally Posted by Reba

True. No matter how much the "educators" deny it, they are "teaching to the test." I think you know what I mean.

Hardly anything they learn one year is remembered the next year, much less used in adult life. What a waste.

Originally Posted by dreamchaser

This is the kind of research that needs to be documented to bring to the politicians. SO, get on it.

Originally Posted by rockdrummer

You are killin me dc. I have nowhere near the knowledge and expertise required to push such an effort. Those that are educators, deaf elders and people with real experience and that understand the issues both pro and con should be the ones getting on it. They should be the ones paving the way. Us hearing parents of deaf kids that have never experienced this are more like deer caught in the headlights what with all of the controversy and different beliefs and methods.

One thing that I do believe is that nobody should just trust what someone says. If there are'nt any studies to back up the claims, then to me it's just pie in the sky.

Originally Posted by dreamchaser

Hey there Shel, I have a feeling you are one of the best. I really mean that.

Oh, BTW, I posted those addresses for the candidates in a new thread,, called: IF you want hearies to hear you, get involved, sorry it took me so long to get it done.

I have already written some email to the candidates, and I called my state Rep, Darlene Hooley this morning.

Originally Posted by rockdrummer

Just playing devils advocate here but couldn't that same argument be applied to all of the other language sub-cultures that exist in this country. And if there were English speaking Americans in other countries would it be appropriate to suggest the other countries become bi-lingual to suit the needs of the minority?

Originally Posted by dreamchaser

It is common practice in other countries to learn at least three languages. Why not a visual one too? Visual language can help lots of other people than just the deaf. Look at the progress with autistic people, and stroke victims and Down Syndrome sufferers, and the ways that apraxic and asphasic people can benefit from it is amazing. Why not let everyone learn a visual language to communicate with every one possible.

By the way, Hitler was all about destroying anything that was substandard. He wanted to create the perfect race. No one is safe. If the world falls into famine from global warming, some jerk will come along and try to eliminate as many people as they can. These neo con type people have hitler roots,, Like did you know that Bushes grandfather, Preston Bush was the head of the Nazi party in America? It is true,, Google it. The John Birch Society was born from Nazi theory. WE WILL REPEAT HISTORY IF WE DON"T LEARN FROM IT> What about the council of Milan in 1880? There is only one way to be sure to keep that crap from happening again.; Stay connected to each other, and stay on Top of issues as they come up. An uneducated and voiceless deaf community will never have the power to protect itself.

Originally Posted by dreamchaser

How do you personally feel about your own child's education? Is it going well? What are the obstacles you face? You probably represent lots of other parents. The fact that you can hear gives you easier access to things that can be needed to form a basis for an argument. Who do you know that is in your shoes? Would they let you take down their stories. You can do a poll, or survey or something. We can gather up as many stories as possible, and then we can try to address the most common problems. And, BTW you are very articulate and intelligent. You also understnd the value of citations and credibility. I think you would be good at assimilating information from real people.

After all, isn't that what we are trying to do; Make things right for REAL people with real probelms? If you chew on the idea, you can at least write a paragraph about the needs of your own child.

Originally Posted by rockdrummer

I can't speak for everyone but for me, not understanding something motivates me to learn. It also seems to me that if these studies are credible, from reliable sources and there is empericale proof to back them up, one might use them as a resourse at an IEP to help invoke changes in the system or at least to their childs educational program.

Originally Posted by shel90

We need more hearing parents of deaf children involved because too often, it seems that the public dont have trust in the educators and researchers when it comes to different educational methologies. It seems like most of the trust is placed with the medical community.

Originally Posted by dreamchaser

IF you give these candidates addresses to the parents of kids, maybe they will write them too. I know parents must get really frustrated.

Do you prefer the BIBI approach? What do you think we should push for?

Originally Posted by shel90

The push for the BiBi approach especially in early childhood education in addition to making speech programs more available not just those who have CIs.

Then, make it mandatory for parents to learn sign language if their baby has been identified with a hearing loss but I think that would go against the US Consititution.

Make it mandatory that the public, especially employers, get educated about deaf/hoh people who have little or no speech skills, have CIs, have additional needs, and so forth especially about our capabilities and how to meet our communication needs.

Originally Posted by dreamchaser

Good stuff. Are there any laws to protect your job from going to a CI user? Maybe one could be constructed. Do we know anyone who understands constitutional law? It would be good to have a consultant on your side that knows laws, how they are written, and most of all, if they are constitutional.

Originally Posted by shel90

Yea, that's my concern..that the public's view on CIs is that it is a cure or enables all deaf people to be able to hear/speak without any accodomations, it will make it harder on those who dont have CIs. The prejudice against those without CIs may just get worse. That's why I think it should be mandatory that the public needs to be educated about all kinds of deaf people and no matter what our mode of communication or what hearing devices we use, look at our capabilities, intelligence, skills, motivation, and work ethic instead of just looking at who can pronounce a sentence perfectly and who cant.

Originally Posted by dreamchaser

Why can't there be a law protecting that? Don't wait until it is a reality to do something about it. It will be twice as hard to undo a bad trend than to stop it before it gets out of hand.