Comments on: Jane and the Volcano http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/ Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:42:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Christopher Brown http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-35316 Christopher Brown Sat, 11 Nov 2006 15:24:51 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-35316 Erin - we cannot just let ignorance of the others take the best of us. No matter how cliched the phrase "deaf people can do anything but hear", I still believe it is true and serves as a higher purpose for us. I assume that most of the bloggers here are highly educated (having a masters or higher) and that makes up less than 15% of the entire American population. To me, that means that most of us are ahead in our game. For those people who rolls their eyes or sigh in frustration when deaf people ask for paper and pen, it's mostly because they're embarrassed with their writing skills. How many times have you rolled your eyes with their spelling? I have. Plenty of times. But, looking at it in a positive light, it reminds me of a funny VISA commercial taking place in a cafeteria where each drink and food tray is served synchronically and every customer pays with a VISA - just like an assembly line. Then there's this one customer who pays with cash at the register and it disrupts the rhythm and everything becomes a mess. All the customers looks at this person as he nervously hands out cash to the register. I think it's almost like for us - especially when you're standing in a long line at Starbucks. You would be surprised how many people have never heard of the ADA - especially doctors. There are more foreign-born doctors in the medical profession today and they're not educated on American disability rights laws. You always have the right to file a complaint against the doctors for failing to provide effective communication. Go to www.ada.gov/t3compfm.htm for the instructions on how to write a letter of complaint. Yes, of course, there is bureaucracy involved, but at least, you can do something about it. Erin - we cannot just let ignorance of the others take the best of us. No matter how cliched the phrase “deaf people can do anything but hear”, I still believe it is true and serves as a higher purpose for us. I assume that most of the bloggers here are highly educated (having a masters or higher) and that makes up less than 15% of the entire American population. To me, that means that most of us are ahead in our game.

For those people who rolls their eyes or sigh in frustration when deaf people ask for paper and pen, it’s mostly because they’re embarrassed with their writing skills. How many times have you rolled your eyes with their spelling? I have. Plenty of times.

But, looking at it in a positive light, it reminds me of a funny VISA commercial taking place in a cafeteria where each drink and food tray is served synchronically and every customer pays with a VISA - just like an assembly line. Then there’s this one customer who pays with cash at the register and it disrupts the rhythm and everything becomes a mess. All the customers looks at this person as he nervously hands out cash to the register. I think it’s almost like for us - especially when you’re standing in a long line at Starbucks.

You would be surprised how many people have never heard of the ADA - especially doctors. There are more foreign-born doctors in the medical profession today and they’re not educated on American disability rights laws.

You always have the right to file a complaint against the doctors for failing to provide effective communication. Go to http://www.ada.gov/t3compfm.htm for the instructions on how to write a letter of complaint. Yes, of course, there is bureaucracy involved, but at least, you can do something about it.

]]> By: Katherine http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-34074 Katherine Thu, 09 Nov 2006 04:01:57 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-34074 It is really more about their issue than ours. They feel sad because ASL is a language they are incompetent and they are not willing to appreciate diversity of bona fide 100% accessible languages, barring speech for signed languages, in our country. Those who embrace language diversity, like we see in Europe, are more likely to be open minded and not be sad. In the case of deaf population, it's twofold -- speech issue and language issue. Here's the irony: Hearing people often feel sad about those deaf people who were not taught to speak, as you said, when in fact ALL of deaf children were required to have speech therapy. By whom? Hearing people. Only a few of deaf children accomplished to qualify as a poster child. We are talking about a bunch of hearing people who are either ignorant or deceived by their own very people and the vicious cycle keeps repeating. We need to be proactive to end the cycle. Hope there'll be a generation where society at large don't feel sad for deaf children who were exposed to ASL since birth. It's been too long to a point that we are still hoping and praying. It is really more about their issue than ours. They feel sad because ASL is a language they are incompetent and they are not willing to appreciate diversity of bona fide 100% accessible languages, barring speech for signed languages, in our country. Those who embrace language diversity, like we see in Europe, are more likely to be open minded and not be sad. In the case of deaf population, it’s twofold — speech issue and language issue.

Here’s the irony: Hearing people often feel sad about those deaf people who were not taught to speak, as you said, when in fact ALL of deaf children were required to have speech therapy. By whom? Hearing people. Only a few of deaf children accomplished to qualify as a poster child.

We are talking about a bunch of hearing people who are either ignorant or deceived by their own very people and the vicious cycle keeps repeating. We need to be proactive to end the cycle. Hope there’ll be a generation where society at large don’t feel sad for deaf children who were exposed to ASL since birth. It’s been too long to a point that we are still hoping and praying.

]]> By: LM http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33653 LM Wed, 08 Nov 2006 06:19:37 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33653 Katherine, I know several Deaf people who choose not to speak for this very reason, or because they feel that the effort to communicate should be more equitably shared. Thanks for this example. Hearing people often feel sad for Deaf people who were not "taught" to speak as children, but when do they feel sad for Deaf children who are not given ASL? Katherine, I know several Deaf people who choose not to speak for this very reason, or because they feel that the effort to communicate should be more equitably shared. Thanks for this example. Hearing people often feel sad for Deaf people who were not “taught” to speak as children, but when do they feel sad for Deaf children who are not given ASL?

]]> By: LM http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33652 LM Wed, 08 Nov 2006 06:14:22 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33652 Your last line gives me pause. Good for you for fighting, but it's not always that simple. Most of us have to pick our battles. Erin may very well have done exactly what you suggested, or decided not to. The point, I think, was that it happened in the first place, 16 years after the passage of the ADA. Your last line gives me pause. Good for you for fighting, but it’s not always that simple. Most of us have to pick our battles. Erin may very well have done exactly what you suggested, or decided not to. The point, I think, was that it happened in the first place, 16 years after the passage of the ADA.

]]> By: LM http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33650 LM Wed, 08 Nov 2006 05:57:08 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33650 Wow, thank you Virginia, this is very eloquent. Erin, every single one of your examples, and especially what you've described with interpreters, speaks well to what I also encounter, every day. Virginia, I agree that though the ability to speechread and lipread to any extent can be a valuable tool, the practice of speechreading and lipreading has caused me similar problems as well. I *hate* that when I am speaking with hearing people (oh, and I say I'm from England, because my voice sounds nothing like a British accent) the first thing they comment on when learning I am deaf is my speech. Not only does this reduce me for that moment to my vocal cords (and cause me to think of hours of missed class time in speech therapy), it reminds me that when I am out there using ASL, my inability to speak is assumed. And yes, speaking puts you in the sometimes risky position of having people assume you can hear. This is why I *always* use paper and pen, for example, if I am pulled over by the police while driving. And the use of speech is even more loaded, in a way, in that it sends a message that "I am willing to shoulder more of the work here by communicating in the way that is most comfortable for you." Wow, thank you Virginia, this is very eloquent. Erin, every single one of your examples, and especially what you’ve described with interpreters, speaks well to what I also encounter, every day. Virginia, I agree that though the ability to speechread and lipread to any extent can be a valuable tool, the practice of speechreading and lipreading has caused me similar problems as well. I *hate* that when I am speaking with hearing people (oh, and I say I’m from England, because my voice sounds nothing like a British accent) the first thing they comment on when learning I am deaf is my speech. Not only does this reduce me for that moment to my vocal cords (and cause me to think of hours of missed class time in speech therapy), it reminds me that when I am out there using ASL, my inability to speak is assumed. And yes, speaking puts you in the sometimes risky position of having people assume you can hear. This is why I *always* use paper and pen, for example, if I am pulled over by the police while driving. And the use of speech is even more loaded, in a way, in that it sends a message that “I am willing to shoulder more of the work here by communicating in the way that is most comfortable for you.”

]]> By: betenoir http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33064 betenoir Mon, 06 Nov 2006 23:39:05 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33064 Yes, exactly. Audism is something that all of us must deal with. I've had people hand up on me more times than I care to remember. I've had to point out to others - especially strict oralists - that not every deaf benefits from speech therapy. I've had to pretend to be unable to speak in order to convince others that I really am deaf. What good is speech therapy if it doesn't make it easier for ME to understand the hearing? It only makes it easier for OTHERS to understand me. Yes, exactly. Audism is something that all of us must deal with. I’ve had people hand up on me more times than I care to remember.

I’ve had to point out to others - especially strict oralists - that not every deaf benefits from speech therapy. I’ve had to pretend to be unable to speak in order to convince others that I really am deaf. What good is speech therapy if it doesn’t make it easier for ME to understand the hearing? It only makes it easier for OTHERS to understand me.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33017 Anonymous Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:02:31 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33017 I name thee a professional provocateur. In other words, you're a professional troll. Now go find a bridge to live under and watch out for goats. I name thee a professional provocateur. In other words, you’re a professional troll. Now go find a bridge to live under and watch out for goats.

]]> By: Aquafina http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33007 Aquafina Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:45:53 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-33007 As for AGB, they are, in my eyes, an elitist organisation that "looks down" on the "other" deaf people who sign. Ironically, many of their oralist members do use sign language so I don't understand HOW AGB can tolerate that. I get sick and tired of these members espousing their "elitist" attitudes and constant put-downs of other deaf people who aren't oralists. They "think" they are so much better than they really are. (Many brag that they went to ivy league and other prestigeous schools. Just because they went there doesn't mean that they are any BETTER than the rest of the deaf population. I could care less if they went to Joe Schmo Ivy League College or to Joe Schmoe State University). I left the organization because I got tired of their "snootiness" and their hypocrisy as well as their "holy-than-thou" attitudes. They constantly form cliques within and really do NOT practice tolerance and acceptance of all those who are deaf. Not only that, I have been seeing a major shift in their philosophy towards cochlear implants. Why the shift? Don't they realize that there is another organization that deals with that subject matter? Aren't they forgetting their focus--education? Why all of a sudden they start to cater to the cochlear implant audience? They are really forgetting their roots, in my opinion. I'm glad that I resigned my membership and do not encourage people to join that "elitist wanna-be" organization. As for AGB, they are, in my eyes, an elitist organisation that “looks down” on the “other” deaf people who sign. Ironically, many of their oralist members do use sign language so I don’t understand HOW AGB can tolerate that.

I get sick and tired of these members espousing their “elitist” attitudes and constant put-downs of other deaf people who aren’t oralists. They “think” they are so much better than they really are. (Many brag that they went to ivy league and other prestigeous schools. Just because they went there doesn’t mean that they are any BETTER than the rest of the deaf population. I could care less if they went to Joe Schmo Ivy League College or to Joe Schmoe State University). I left the organization because I got tired of their “snootiness” and their hypocrisy as well as their “holy-than-thou” attitudes. They constantly form cliques within and really do NOT practice tolerance and acceptance of all those who are deaf.

Not only that, I have been seeing a major shift in their philosophy towards cochlear implants. Why the shift? Don’t they realize that there is another organization that deals with that subject matter? Aren’t they forgetting their focus–education? Why all of a sudden they start to cater to the cochlear implant audience? They are really forgetting their roots, in my opinion. I’m glad that I resigned my membership and do not encourage people to join that “elitist wanna-be” organization.

]]> By: Pat Smith http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-32978 Pat Smith Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:50:38 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-32978 I know what you mean about the irony of people working for human rights excluding people who are different from them. I know of a deaf individual who volunteered at a soup kitchen for homeless people one day. There were no problems, and the kitchen manager was glad to have the help. The next time this person volunteered a different manager was on site. This manager refused to consider having the deaf person help because of "safety reasons." No ifs, ands, or buts. Ironic that someone who is committed to helping marginalized people - people who are homeless - was so quick to marginalize someone who was deaf. I'm sure this kitchen manager - like the Human Rights Campaign person - didn't even realize that was what she was doing. Which makes it so much harder to fight. I know what you mean about the irony of people working for human rights excluding people who are different from them. I know of a deaf individual who volunteered at a soup kitchen for homeless people one day. There were no problems, and the kitchen manager was glad to have the help. The next time this person volunteered a different manager was on site. This manager refused to consider having the deaf person help because of “safety reasons.” No ifs, ands, or buts. Ironic that someone who is committed to helping marginalized people - people who are homeless - was so quick to marginalize someone who was deaf. I’m sure this kitchen manager - like the Human Rights Campaign person - didn’t even realize that was what she was doing. Which makes it so much harder to fight.

]]> By: Alok http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-32976 Alok Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:45:03 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-casler/2006-11-03/jane-and-the-volcano/#comment-32976 Erin, Just catching up on DeafDC.com and this is somewhat related to what I was trying to articulate in my earlier guest blog: Social and Cultural rights. We have the laws but we must change the mentality of people around us - I admit I do not know the full answers, just part of it - work hard and be successful so others recognize us. But that works only on few people - what else? I hope the comments listed touch on other ways. We work hard to integrate in the world's society - we cannot force them to accept us but we can somewhat educate the hearings to do it - how? - I have no idea Excellent post! Erin,

Just catching up on DeafDC.com and this is somewhat related to what I was trying to articulate in my earlier guest blog: Social and Cultural rights.

We have the laws but we must change the mentality of people around us - I admit I do not know the full answers, just part of it - work hard and be successful so others recognize us. But that works only on few people - what else? I hope the comments listed touch on other ways.

We work hard to integrate in the world’s society - we cannot force them to accept us but we can somewhat educate the hearings to do it - how? - I have no idea

Excellent post!

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