Don't Just "Sign..". Communicate!

A Student's Guide to the Deaf Experience

• Publisher: Judea Media LLC
• Year: 2014
• ISBN:
  9780984529469
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Sign Language
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

An Intimate Journey into the Heart of the Deaf Community --Don't Just "Sign..".Communicate! prepares you to interact with the deaf and hard of hearing - in a knowledgeable and respectful way - by giving you an exclusive glimpse into this rich and diverse community. This eye-opening book will ignite your senses and eliminate any misconceptions you may have about the deaf community. Delve into this informative and entertaining collection of personal stories culled from the writings of talented Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing, and late-deafened people. Experience the world from their perspectives and learn what questions and comments are best avoided and what common courtesies are most appreciated. By reading this book, you can immerse yourself in the textured world of the deaf community. Pulsing with vibrant stories, this carefully compiled anthology swings the door open wide and invites you in. Run with "Broken Ears, " a Chippewa native whose struggle to triumph over discrimination is compounded by deafness. "Touch the sound of snowflakes" with percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Experience the isolation of "Deaf Brown Gurl, " an exotic beauty yearning to fit in. And "follow the music through vibrations" with grand illusionist Sam Sandler. Get to know them and many others. Their stories will reach right off the page, grab you by the heart, and pull you in... This book is meant as a guide to equip ASL students, but it is so much more... It is a book for the masses - to be read and reread, to be savored - for it will resonate with you long after the last page is turned...

Deaf Golden Age: Possible!

By Don Cullen

Wouldn’t you love to live in a Deaf Golden Age, where deafness is not only embraced but also celebrated as a unique lifestyle choice? How about living in a world where sign language is universal? While not easy, it is definitely possible!

While this article focuses on sensorians, it is always best to compare both sides of the coin. There are two major factions in the deaf community; the sensorians, and the audists.

Sensorians	Audists
“Sensorian” is an excellent all- inclusive term recently coined by Robert T. Sirvage of Gallaudet University used to describe a person who has chosen to embrace a sense (whether as a result of the loss of a sense or not) as a lifestyle choice. This term can apply equally to both the hearing and those who are deaf or hard of hearing. In most cases, a deaf sensorian will focus on embracing either one or both of the two other primary senses: visual and tactile. Everything revolves around those senses by becoming visually/ tactilely oriented: language, open spaces, art, movement, music, and so forth.	An audist however will perceive deafness as a defect to be fixed. An audist will fixate on optimal integration within the hearing world with minimal inside and outside interference. In most cases, a deaf audist will focus on compensating for the loss of hearing by placing greater emphasis on lipreading, oralism, and/or speech therapy rather than rely on interpreters or alternative methods. This term can apply equally to both the hearing and those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Sensorians can be also said to have “deaf pride.” While it is good to be proud of adopting this lifestyle, there is also a negative outside perspective in this regard; this negative attribution is termed “deaf militant” due to the extreme behaviors on the part of an extreme few. One should not invalidate the sensorian approach due to assuming “deaf militantism” to be the approach of sensorians.	Audism is also typically used to describe discrimination against deaf or hard of hearing people in any form, regardless of whether legal or not, also regardless of whether it was intentional or unintentional. Audism can be committed by not only the hearing, but also by those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Audism should not be equated with the attitude of an audist. One should not invalidate the audistic approach due to assuming audism to be the approach of audists.

Not everyone can neatly fit in each category of sensorian/ audist. It’s a broad spectrum and one can fit anywhere on that spectrum.

Addressing Controversies

Since this article most likely will be a controversial article, I feel the need to address the inherent controversies briefly. If you aren’t particularly sensitive or do not have a polarized opinion, feel free to skip this section and go ahead to the Idea section.

To be clear, there is no “one size fits all approach;” each approach (whether sensorian, audist, or a combination thereof) has varying degrees of successes with the deaf, so each deaf individual has to choose the best approach to apply to his/ her life to ensure success and happiness. This approach cannot be determined for an individual by someone else; there’s such a thing called free will. Everyone has the right to make decisions for themselves.

Adopting a paternalistic approach in regard to the deaf as well as the hearing is ill-advised; it is best to work with both the deaf, and the hearing, to determine the best-suited approach that will benefit both individuals, and adapt accordingly. Attempting to impose a policy en masse to “fix” a perceived deaf “problem” by society to make the deaf more “hearing-like” would have negative repercussions, and cause more damage than it would help.

However, deafness, whether one likes it or not, definitely originates from a “loss of hearing.” While having a deaf lifestyle may suit certain groups of people, it also may not suit other groups of people. Because of those groups that feel they don’t benefit from having a sensorian lifestyle, society makes an effort in finding an effective cure for deafness. Out of respect for those who don’t wish to engage in a sensorian lifestyle, it is recommended to avoid obstructing society’s efforts to find a cure. The only time obstruction is advised is when the cure/fix is forced on those who do not want it, and also when the cure/ fix is forced on those who are unable to decide for themselves due to age or mental state.

In regard to children, I’d like to make it clear: I fully support parents’ rights to make decisions for their children, even if I may not agree with those decisions. As a father myself, I don’t want other people deciding for me how to best to raise my child, so I have no right to decide how others raise their children. So in regard to children, guidance should be provided, but force should not be applied in regard to those parents. If those parents choose to follow a sensorian or audist approach in regard to their children, or even a combination of both, that is their choice, even if it runs counter to guidance from others—as such, it should be respected. Even when there is a disagreement, a cordial and respectful attitude should be adopted by everyone, regardless of how the others’ attitude may be.

The Idea

History is rife with victories and defeats in the battle for deaf rights and equivalent functionality / equal access. They all have one thing in common: reactiveness . While a good reactiveness skill is invaluable, in this article, I’d like to argue that proactivity is not only a better, but also ultimately an essential strategy to focus on than reactivity. Proactivity and reactivity are two sides of a coin and make up the whole of a strategy. Focusing solely on reacting is a surefire way to eventual failure and/or stagnation. Without reducing our strength in reacting, focus should be increased on proactivity. I will also provide a proposal plan that, if carried out, will definitely go a long way in achieving a Golden Age for the deaf community as a whole.

The deaf community has historically responded to an issue by reacting. While this has resulted in many hard-earned rights, this strategy simply is not sustainable.

The deaf community needs a change of strategy. The deaf community needs to stop being reactive and start being proactive. The deaf community needs to start taking the initiative.

In any organization, the mission statement acts as a rudder to direct the organization. It is the sole overriding directive that the organization follows. It is useful to read those and compare it to the current status quo to determine what is working.

The audist deaf community has made great strides towards achieving their goals. The largest organization that claims to represent the audistic deaf community is the Alexander Graham Bell association for the deaf and hard of hearing, also known as AG Bell. Their mission is:

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing helps families, health care providers, and education professionals understand childhood hearing loss and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Through advocacy, education, research and financial aid, AG Bell helps to ensure that every child and adult with hearing loss has the opportunity to listen, talk, and thrive in mainstream society.

The sensorian deaf community also has made great strides towards achieving their goals. The largest organization that claims to represent the sensorian deaf community is the National Association of the Deaf, also known as NAD. Their mission is:

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by, and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America. Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value.

While both organizations have drastically different approaches (audist vs. sensorian), if both could learn to work together while respecting each other’s approach, this would considerably benefit the deaf community as a whole.

AG Bell has been quite successful, while the NAD has been playing catch up. Keep in mind, AG Bell is not the enemy— neither is NAD. The main problem here is that there is an imbalance. The focus is too much on the audist approach, and too little on the sensorian approach. An equal balance needs to be achieved. Since AG Bell has been successful, one should examine their models, methods, and figure out the key to expanding the sensorian influence to balance out the audist influence. When this is achieved, NAD and sensorians need to ensure that they take the high road and ensure that AG Bell and the audist approach is respected, and not oppressed. When the oppressed oppress the oppressors, then the vicious cycle will simply continue, which would be quite detrimental to the deaf community as a whole.

While it’d be ideal if the National Association of the Deaf were to spearhead this effort, it isn’t necessary for them to do so in order for this to succeed. What’s necessary for this to succeed is for you, the reader, to determine how you in your current or future capacity can best contribute to make this succeed. Regardless of your current capacity or future capacity, there is definitely a way you can use your capacity to help this succeed.

To that end, a proactive strategy has been developed. The strategy will eventually lead to what could potentially be defined as a Golden Age for the deaf. Every solution to a major social problem has to address four core elements: unity, influence, education, and finance.

Unity

Ever hear of the term “United we stand, divided we fall”? Or this: “Divide and conquer”? Or especially this: “The chain is only as strong as its weakest link”? It’s an incontrovertible fact that, if the community does not unite in this effort, the chances of it succeeding lessen. One key problem the community has been suffering from is the infamous “crab mentality.”

“Just exactly what is the crab mentality?” you might ask. Glad you asked! As per the Wikipedia:

Crab mentality, sometimes referred to as crabs in the bucket, describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase “if I can’t have it, neither can you.” The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs. Individually, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at each other in a useless “king of the hill” competition (or sabotage) which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise. The analogy in human behavior is that of a group that will attempt to “pull down” (negate or diminish the importance of) any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of envy, conspiracy or competitive feelings.

This term is broadly associated with short-sighted, non- constructive thinking rather than a unified, long-term, constructive mentality. It is also often used colloquially in reference to individuals or communities attempting to “escape” a so-called “underprivileged life,” but kept from doing so by others attempting to ride upon their coat tails or those who simply resent their success.

Regardless of the psychological motivations, at one time or another, there will be those who attempt to pull down or detract from those who are becoming successful, or in power, or are in the majority. This is particularly evident in the deaf community. This is one of the key reasons why unity has been consistently a problem. But there is also a less known subtle key factor that has been feeding the crab mentality. Elimination of this subtle key factor would greatly weaken, if not eliminate, the influence of the crab mentality. This may or may not surprise you, but I personally believe this will surprise you.

This subtle key factor is those who complain of the crab mentality. The crab mentality always has, and always will, exist since time immemorial. It cannot be eliminated. What can be weakened, if not eliminated, is its influence . Complaining about the crab mentality gives it influence. The best thing to do in this regard is to stop giving it influence, f ocus on succeeding, and help those who are succeeding to continue to do so. If you see the crab mentality in action, or see someone complaining of it, tell the person to knock it off and f ocus on success , and move on yourself. Don’t fixate on the crab mentality.

Simply f ocus on yourself and succeeding . If you’re guilty of the crab mentality yourself, knock it off. Swallow your pride, stop focusing on other problems, obstacles, and reasons why you’re not succeeding, and focus on yourself. That’ll be the hardest thing you ever do, swallowing your pride and admitting it’s ultimately about you, not the others. You’ll find this is quite liberating, and it will go a long way at strengthening the deaf community as a whole. Those guilty of the crab mentality will find their influence greatly stripped and weakened, and their ability to drag down the deaf community greatly weakened. This would not only enable but also greatly increase unity.

Influence

Name one deaf United States congressman or senator. Or even a state governor. At the time of this writing, there are none. Whether this is due to disinterest or lack of directional influence on those with the most potential for politics by mentors, the fact remains that politics is something the deaf sensorian community has considerably limited degree of influence in.

Which brings me to the key point here: any real impact is achieved via influence. Gandhi had influence. Martin Luther King had influence. Steve Jobs had influence. Obama had influence. Reagan had influence. Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Mother Teresa, and so on. They all wielded an impressive amount of influence. Those people have one thing in common: they’re many of the biggest movers and shakers in human history. In more ways than one, everybody, including those in the deaf community, has had their life forever impacted thanks to those people.

The deaf community has recently begun to...