AFA Rally update

HI all

just a quick note to update you on the rally

There were folks from all over the U.S. today - even a bus load of Rochester people - whoooooooooooo

Rally was peaceful and inspiring - included several marches, inspirational speeches, and information sharing with people in the area

There were two interpreters inside the guarded AG Bell building

There were two signing police officers outside the AG Bell building ALL DAY

AG Bell released a misleading and offensive immediate release misrepresenting AFA, its goals, and its actions this afternoon. Clearly, indicating that it would not take our three demands seriously as it DENOUNCED AFA's peaceful activism

AFA rallied at the AG Bell headquarters to be seen and understood. We are protesting AG Bell's exclusion of ASL, and misrepresentation of Deaf people, ASL and Deaf culture. (See Below)

There was a vigil march around the neighborhood.

There were over 10 police people on the scenes in the evening. Five Deaf people (Ruthie Jordan, MJ Bienvenu, Karen Christie, Sallie Mae Pauley, and Jehanne McCullough climbed the long steps of AG Bell's Volta Bureau and touch the Pillars. Jordan signed out, "We are standing here to send a message to AG Bell that we are here and to stop audism."

Those of us watching below were all "signless" as to how to describe this powerful moment.

We will be posting more video, pictures, and commentaries soon.

We remain committed to direct peaceful and positive confrontation.

Thank you to EVERYONE who attended the rally and vigil and all those who hosted events in their area and sent us emails and wishes of support.

We felt your positive spirit with us.

We have just begun.

Let Freedom Roll

AFA

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AG Bell's immediate release. Can you find all the fibs and fabrications???


Fri, April 03, 2009 - 12:36:00


AG BELL DENOUNCES DEMONSTRATIONS

Protest group's latest call distracts public from
the real issues impacting individuals who are
deaf and hard of hearing

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) today denounced repeated demonstrations against the association and its members by several groups claiming that AG Bell discriminates against individuals who are deaf who use sign language, specifically American Sign Language (ASL).

Founded in 1890, AG Bell is the only national organization dedicated to supporting children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing that use spoken language and hearing technology to communicate.

A demonstration at AG Bell's national headquarters is scheduled for today by supporters of a recently formed group called "Audism Free America" (AFA) to "direct attention to the audism that is promoted by institutions like AG Bell," and that AG Bell "has been an active force in the denial of linguistic and human rights of Deaf citizens through its practices of audism," according to a March 6 press release. AFA claims that the "American public is indoctrinated with attitudes of paternalism, bias and discrimination toward Deaf people" as a result of AG Bell's advocacy efforts.

In response, AG Bell Executive Director Alexander T. Graham stated, "AG Bell has a long history and tradition of supporting civil rights for individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing by working in cooperation with other national organizations to ensure that our legal, health care and education systems, entertainment industry, and places of employment are free of discrimination. It is absolutely not true that AG Bell discriminates against individuals who are deaf and use sign language, and that it works to ban sign language. Such demonstrations only serve to distract the public's attention away from critical issues such early hearing detection and intervention for children with hearing loss and meeting the educational needs of those children regardless of the communication outcome they seek."

Since July 2007, another group affiliated with AFA has been staging demonstrations at AG Bell national conferences and state chapter meetings claiming that AG Bell is against sign language. In an effort to clarify its position on this issue, the AG Bell Board of Directors approved an official position statement on ASL which states, in part, "AG Bell acknowledges that a chosen approach depends on culture, family interests and desired communication outcome. AG Bell believes that the language and communication approach chosen should be based on an informed decision made by the child's parents/family and based on their own unique circumstances...AG Bell does not believe that ASL should be prohibited or restricted as a choice, nor does AG Bell advocate against learning ASL as part of a child's overall development if that is what the child's parents desire."

Regardless, AFA initiated this most recent demonstration at AG Bell headquarters and issued a call to action for supporters to demonstrate at oral/aural only programs in their local areas; in other words, to demonstrate at local pre-schools that offer a listening and spoken language educational approach for children who are deaf.

"This latest effort to target pre-schools and pre-school children I can only describe as unconscionable," stated Graham. "To protest and criticize families who choose a particular communication and language approach is the height of intolerance."

"For nearly 120 years, AG Bell has served as a resource for parents, professionals, and deaf and hard of hearing individuals who wish to pursue the listening and spoken language outcome and it will continue to do so," said John R. "Jay" Wyant, president of the AG Bell board of directors. "It is time for this community to finally put to rest long-standing grudges and work together on issues of mutual interest. Now, more than ever, we must have a united message as we address opportunities to reshape public policy related to communication access, health care, education and job training, and other vital needs of this community. And that is what we are - we are part of a community that includes all individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing regardless of their chosen mode of communication - and that is our larger responsibility."

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. With chapters located in the United States and a network of international affiliates, AG Bell supports its mission: Advocating Independence through Listening and Talking!