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Students seek bill of rights for deaf | desmoinesregister.com | The Des Moines Register
A handful of East High School students asked state legislators on Monday to lend them an ear.
Their message was simple: Being deaf isolates them from sound, not life.
As such, the East students and about 60 others gathered at the State Capitol to lobby for several things: a bill of rights for deaf students; a change to foreign language requirements that would enable all high school students to learn American Sign Language; and health insurance coverage for children's hearing aids.
"We need to let our representatives know about our deaf culture and about what we need to have a good life in Iowa," East junior Nuradin Salim said through a translator. "We shouldn't stay alone in our towns and homes."
Salim and fellow East juniors Kensie Channon and Janet Reaza resurrected Deaf Capitol Day, which was first organized in 2004. It's their project for government class, and much more.
"Last year there wasn't a Deaf Capitol Day, so we started talking about it," said Sally Bowden, a teacher for deaf students at East. "We decided that (deaf) people need to know how to talk to their representatives. You have to realize, (legislators) are just people like us."
The group gathered at the center of the Capitol to gain the most exposure for their causes, at least one of which is already being considered by lawmakers. But it will be an uphill battle for the East students because of a shortened legislative session and a state budget crisis, said Rachel Scott, of the Iowa Department of Human Rights.
"The budget has taken a lot of the focus this year," she said. "We are going to be up against the challenge of showing them that this is something that people need to pay attention to."
Even if the idea doesn't resonate inside the chambers of the Iowa House and Senate this year, Deaf Capitol Day was an opportunity for the East students to connect with others from across the state who live in a world without sound, Bowden said, and it's an uncommon occasion for her students to meet deaf adults.
Later that afternoon, the students-turned-lobbyists returned to their lives.
Salim will continue to draw cartoons in his free time and play soccer, tennis and basketball.
Channon and Reaza, who are best friends, will talk to each other on their video phones, go out shopping at the mall, or do other "girl stuff" together. In another year, they'll graduate from high school, go to college and pursue jobs in health care and education.
Throughout it all, they'll fight to have their voices heard.
A handful of East High School students asked state legislators on Monday to lend them an ear.
Their message was simple: Being deaf isolates them from sound, not life.
As such, the East students and about 60 others gathered at the State Capitol to lobby for several things: a bill of rights for deaf students; a change to foreign language requirements that would enable all high school students to learn American Sign Language; and health insurance coverage for children's hearing aids.
"We need to let our representatives know about our deaf culture and about what we need to have a good life in Iowa," East junior Nuradin Salim said through a translator. "We shouldn't stay alone in our towns and homes."
Salim and fellow East juniors Kensie Channon and Janet Reaza resurrected Deaf Capitol Day, which was first organized in 2004. It's their project for government class, and much more.
"Last year there wasn't a Deaf Capitol Day, so we started talking about it," said Sally Bowden, a teacher for deaf students at East. "We decided that (deaf) people need to know how to talk to their representatives. You have to realize, (legislators) are just people like us."
The group gathered at the center of the Capitol to gain the most exposure for their causes, at least one of which is already being considered by lawmakers. But it will be an uphill battle for the East students because of a shortened legislative session and a state budget crisis, said Rachel Scott, of the Iowa Department of Human Rights.
"The budget has taken a lot of the focus this year," she said. "We are going to be up against the challenge of showing them that this is something that people need to pay attention to."
Even if the idea doesn't resonate inside the chambers of the Iowa House and Senate this year, Deaf Capitol Day was an opportunity for the East students to connect with others from across the state who live in a world without sound, Bowden said, and it's an uncommon occasion for her students to meet deaf adults.
Later that afternoon, the students-turned-lobbyists returned to their lives.
Salim will continue to draw cartoons in his free time and play soccer, tennis and basketball.
Channon and Reaza, who are best friends, will talk to each other on their video phones, go out shopping at the mall, or do other "girl stuff" together. In another year, they'll graduate from high school, go to college and pursue jobs in health care and education.
Throughout it all, they'll fight to have their voices heard.