NAD apologies to AFA

July 21-23, 2011 Audism Free America hosted rallies in front of the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC to protest the Alexander Graham Bell Association and their Listening and Spoken Language Symposium.

On July 22 Friday at 7 pm there was a Vigil at the AG Bell Association headquarters - The Volta Laboratory and Bureau. During this vigil a few pieces of blue painters trim tape were placed over some words on the Volta Bureau plaque so that the words Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing could read as Alexander Graham Bell Association for the ... Hearing

Later that evening Sean Gerlis - National Association of the Deaf (NAD) designated representative for the AFA rally and the AFA meeting with the Dept of Education posted on facebook and tweeted:
“On behalf of Bobbie Beth Scoggins, Prez of NAD & myself, we NAD do not condone this behavior from @endaudism to desecrate AGB's building.”

July 23 Saturday morning AFA sent an email to NAD CEO Howard Rosenblum and
CCed Sean Gerlis and Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins explaining the incorrectness and inappropriateness of the term "descrate" and that no defacing took place. We also requested a public apology.

On the Evening of July 27 Wed we received an apology from Dr. Scoggins, NAD president, and we asked if we could share this reply with the public. In the evening of July 29 Fri we received a reply from Dr. Scoggins that it was fine to do so. Here is the NAD's reply below.

We look forward to future activism and advocacy as we work collectively to combat audism and ensure equality and justice.

Let Freedom Roll,
Audism Free America
-------

On Wed, Jul 27, 2011 at 7:24 PM, Bobbie Beth Scoggins wrote:

Hi cherished AFA Members,



This is to let you know that the NAD was pleased to be present at the rally, and to support your cause in principle. It is imperative that all deaf children grow up with and benefit from American Sign Language in their education, as well as in their social and identity development. We look forward to continuing the mutual advocating on this issue with you.



I sincerely apologize for any confusion that may have resulted from the unintended use of "desecration." We respect your right to express your freedom of speech, and ask that you respect the NAD and its position that we do not engage or participate in any activities that will affect the property of others.



Our mission, vision and values are strong and consistent with what you are trying to do. We hope that both the AFA and the NAD can move forward with our collective work to advocate for all deaf children and their right to acquisition of American Sign Language.



Thank you,
Bobbie Beth Scoggins, NAD President

AFA Rally in Washington DC July 23 2011: DAY THREE Tweets

Evening of July 22nd...one more tweet in response to a tweet by NAD representatives accusing AFA of "desecration" of the Volta Bureau earlier that evening...

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
To clarify there was no "desecration" of the volta bureau. Afa was acting with advice of a lawyer who was present and cooperated w/police
---------------------
DAY THREE
Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Final day of afa rally in dc. Starts 1030am. How hot can this rally get???

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
RaLly is heating up!!!! http://yfrog.com/gzgbenlj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Jehanne is bbbaacckk and standing young and strong!!!!! http://yfrog.com/hscu1gzj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Growing growing crowd fired up gally students champ!!!

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
The heat is on!! Rally hard http://yfrog.com/kfy5kyhj


Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
More heat in front of omni http://yfrog.com/h4303mkj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Fired up! http://yfrog.com/kl19qfxj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Know audism what mean?? See pic http://yfrog.com/kjyhrrj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
LoooOkkkkk!!!! http://yfrog.com/gylxndnj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Roar http://yfrog.com/kemk6kvj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
One shirt says it all http://yfrog.com/h25etilsj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
DOR for DBC standing strong in front of omni http://yfrog.com/gy1jqvdvj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
DCAD prez and david nelson in the house

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Rally on john e testifyin truthifyin.

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Oral only baloney http://yfrog.com/h0zxdmrj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
David nelson apologizing on behalf of dcsad. About the heat http://yfrog.com/klipdbsj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Charm --Prez MSAD--- Charming the crowd supporting deaf lang and human rights http://yfrog.com/h712jufj



Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
DOR of DBC joins afa call for ag bell to apologize for years od damage to deaf kids and families http://yfrog.com/h4ya2ynj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (crowd informed of sit in plans...Six choose to participate)
SIT IN at the AGBELL COnference: Afa six sit in at ag bell session on "cultural and linguistic" competence (go in one of the conference rooms and sit at the front)

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America(@ sit in )
AG Bell member repeatedly asks AFA reps to leave
http://yfrog.com/kki6xsej

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ sit in)
Afa six sit in chant let deaf children sign. stop dividing families oralism fails, interrupt session


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ sit in)
Session ending due to interruption by afa cheers (pic show "cart interrupted")
http://yfrog.com/h3d8gpgj


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ sit in)
Arrests being threatened
(Hotel security asks AFA to leave or will call DC police to arrest us for tresspassing)
(Shawn leaves to catch flight!)

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ sit in)
Inside before police arrive and get paranoid abt pictures etc (patti is taking pics of group as AGBell's Communication Director sits) http://yfrog.com/khc9cmij


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ sit in)
Afa lawyer comes in with many many police. If drag out physically, charge --criminal tresspassing.
(after two police move to forcibly lift Mark...they stop and move away)
Afa five left to negotiate with lawyer for some minutes...

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ sit in)
Afa leaves peacefully and hotel officials and police assure us they are "not taking sides"

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
The message to agbell: Wherever u go we will stand strong against u until u meet our demands


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (as we leave in front)
Guess who came to the rally http://yfrog.com/h24vxbpj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Pass the hat. Money for lawyer ann wilcox who also attended last nights vigil http://yfrog.com/hs39151023j


Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Gally folks showing up yeahhh http://yfrog.com/kjod1jhj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
INFO: AfA celebration tonight 8pm at marriott shoreham stone cutters lounge. Time to paArrttyyy Time to CELEBRATE!!!!!!


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Now! the deaf unit of mpd shows up. Our pals from 2009 volta protest. Time to ensure calm and chat!! http://yfrog.com/h3eq0vpj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
The friendly radicals fraterizing with police!!! http://yfrog.com/kh6qzejj
The Group with our signing police http://yfrog.com/h2k92eajj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
We love ur tweets. Great spirit boosters. Thanks to all tweeters/retweeters for ur support!!


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Afa truly thanks those brave supporters who came out faced Record breaking heat to stand strong with us against denial of deaf childrens human rights of sign language


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
The message to agbell. Wherever u go we will stand strong against u until u meet our demands

---------------
(note: a few tweets were edited for clarity and minor mistakes)

AFA Rally in Washington DC July 22 2011: DAY TWO Tweets

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
DAy two of afa rally. Beautiful cool. Folks from ny colo maine mass ct socarolina. DC VA MD. Where r u q
22 Jul

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Good AM: time to wake up and take a stand! DoE (Department of Education/Special Education Director) Dr. Melody Musgrove keynotes agb conf. at 8 am today.....Will meet with afa folks 1230.
22 Jul

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Todays poster!! http://yfrog.com/kjfqthrj


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Guess who showed up at afa rally!!! http://yfrog.com/kke51xbj
(Picture of Veditz artwork by Nancy Rourke on AFA "Stand for Justice" T Shirt)

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
U gotta have heart to take a stand!! http://yfrog.com/kffeihmj
(front detail of shirt with AFA logo)

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Thanks nancy for u words and ur veditz t shirts!! Mark making his mark!!
http://yfrog.com/kl8xgayj



Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
More for today dbc and afa power!! http://yfrog.com/kewhctij


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
U can take a stand and page too!!! http://yfrog.com/kig0iccj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Dc cops. Friendly!!! Wearing afa bracelet!! http://yfrog.com/khk9fhfj

Audism Free America@endaudism Audism Free America
Whom the bell tolls... http://yfrog.com/kjopgsvj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
We r here can't ignore us! http://yfrog.com/kgyyfvkj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Blue ribbon power http://yfrog.com/keug6oetj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Where Afa rally 2500 calvert and conn. Near woodlsey park zoo metro come!!!

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Sean nad rep joins afa protest. Yeah nad!!!!! http://yfrog.com/kgr7wyhj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Powerful words!!! http://yfrog.com/kiohlnj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
ATTENTION ALL: vigil will be at volta tonight 7 pm foggy bottom metro 3147 volta pl NW near georgetown

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Can't ag bell say "DEAF" q http://yfrog.com/kictxvlj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Words that tell our truth http://yfrog.com/kf3m6wvj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Sean g. Nad rep addresses the crowd. Each time he signs "bell" folks ring cowbells...

Audism Free America

@endaudism Audism Free America
Sean. Rally to confront ag bell s denial of access to language for deaf folks!!


Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Ruthie thanks nad for coming giving spirit

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
John E dbc rep !!! http://yfrog.com/khxexwsj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Others step up: Cheryl from mass--asl first! Interp from maine--stand with Afa. Misha--announce next years march. She didn't swear at all!! That's a first!

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Those who stand must also sometimes sit in the shade http://yfrog.com/kh4z1wbj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Afa reps going to dept of ed meeting with Special Ed Director Melody Musgrove, ag bell keynote speaker this morning..(tweeter leaves rally)

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Afa reps and nad rep meet with musgrove plus 4 others in dept of education

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America (@ Dept Of Ed meeting)
Afa calls on doe to guarantee the human lang rights of deaf children in edu system


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ Dept Of Ed meeting)
Afa calls on DoE to be in compliance with iced 2010 New Era Statement, the recent WFD human rights statement, the UN statement on rights of the child and un statement on genocide


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ Dept Of Ed meeting)
Afa called on doe to ensure deaf children have unconditional right to be edu in asl within state financed edu system

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ Dept Of Ed meeting)
Afa calls on doe to acknowledge parents often do not have enough info on long term consequences to make voluntary informed decisions

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ Dept Of Ed meeting)
Afa calls upon doe to not fund state supported edu that denies access to asl esp in early intervention prgms
22 Jul


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America (@ Dept Of Ed meeting)
Musgroves most committed statement--state of deaf ed not acceptable

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America (back @ rally site)
Hot hot we r still standing http://yfrog.com/kh573thj


Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Little feet stand too http://yfrog.com/kjcs3ygj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
ridors here and standing!

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Day two. Rallying at Omni ends, Vigil at 7 at volta. Time to cool down and cool off.

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Counting down to 7 pm virgil at volta bureau 'for the deaf and hard of hearing'!!

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Association for who???? http://yfrog.com/khffktej

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Afa at volta. Their new sign!!! http://yfrog.com/h8rithij

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Ruthie giving afa history anD explain abt 2009 rally

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Quiet at volta. No police. No one answering our knocks on the door

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Hellllooo maryland. Some great MD folks joining us!!

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Leaving notes at agbells doorstep http://yfrog.com/kfxl0qdqj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
The gang taking a stand on the steps http://yfrog.com/kitq1obj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Another new sign at the volta bureau http://yfrog.com/kioaiiij

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Vigil begins http://yfrog.com/kl57521103j

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
More at volta--bearing witness http://yfrog.com/h8he7fsj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
People telling their stories testifying about how ag bell failed them and their families.. then burning ag bell membership cards http://yfrog.com/h21goxdj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Darkness falls in DC as stories of dark days of oralism still being told by folks from both deaf and hearing families

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Done cursing the dark ages of oralism. Now lighting candles symbolizing future hope http://yfrog.com/kj8lwwuj

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Day two ends. tmr last day to take a stand. Omni hotel 1030 to 330. Then time to party!!

AFA Rally in Washington DC July 2011: DAY ONE Tweets

AFA Rally in Washington DC July 2011: DAY ONE Tweets

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Afa rally day dawns in DC! Omni rally site woolsey zoo metro 2500 calvert@ conn ave. Come put the heat on AGBell
21 Jul

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Afa scopes out omni hotel. Alex graham CEO of agb in dark glasses stopped in his way out to be greeted by AFA three...
21 Jul

endaudism Audism Free America
Lunch before rally in omni among the oralists. Still taking a stand http://yfrog.com/kkdtziaj
21 Jul

endaudism Audism Free America
RALLY IS HAPPENING NOW>>>Poster power at afa rally. "Agbell funds audism". "Oral only full of baloney. Stop the agbell octopus!!"
21 Jul

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
DBC reps arrive to afa rally!!! DOR and JOHN E in the house now!!!!!!
21 Jul

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Guess who is NOT an agbell conference sponsor? Catherine Murphy s (ex-agbell communications director) new job site: Gallaudet University!
Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Catherine Murphys new position--gally PR..but Gallaudet NOT and agbell conf sponsor!! GO Bisons!!!
21 Jul


Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Police now wearing audism free bracelet!!!! (pics to come)
21 Jul

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Afa think tank tonight. Marriott wardham 7pm inside bar stone cutters
21 Jul

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America (picture with poster "oralism Failed Me")
http://yfrog.com/kjcn2zzj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America(reverse side of above sign: "ASL Saved Me")
More pics http://yfrog.com/kj2zgzj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Power of standing women! http://yfrog.com/kf28yvhj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
We r fired up!! Posters and ringing bells!! http://yfrog.com/ke9iwdsj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Honk to support asl!! http://yfrog.com/kh229txj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Stop audism right in agbells neighborhood http://yfrog.com/klrkegtj


Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Never forget!! http://yfrog.com/kgiy0hj


Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Champ protester!!taking a stand in the worst heat on record! http://yfrog.com/keuscchj

Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Afa think tank. 7 pm marriott....Brewing

Audism Free America
endaudism Audism Free America
Afa think tank brewing now!!


Audism Free America
@endaudism Audism Free America
Afa protest day 2 tmr starts 8 am. Key note ag conf-musgrove from dept of ed.

End of Day One...
time to put up our feet and rest our weary heads...

Speech-Language Pathologist Speaks Out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BdnDi2zHiw


(Voice translate into texts)

Hello everyone. Until now, I have worked as a speech-language pathologist. In the last two or three years I have had the amazing experience of learning American Sign Language, of getting involved in the Deaf community and just seeing all of the amazing things that the community has to offer, that the language itself has to offer. Today, I want to talk to you about Audism. And Audism, for those of you that don't know, is discrimination of Deaf and Hard-of-hearing people based on the fact that they can't hear. And I would like to talk to you in my opinion...give you my opinion what area I feel Audism impacts the most. And I feel it impacts children the most. From the very beginning, I know that information given to parents, hearing parents who have Deaf children, is limited when it comes to American Sign Language, when it comes to the Deaf community, Deaf culture. I understand that many times it's mentioned, or maybe it is emphasized in certain hospitals in certain states. But I know that a wide array, many many places don't offer that information and if they do, it's just a smidgeon of information. And this really baffles me because I know from being a speech-language pathologist, the importance of language development, the importance of having a really strong language foundation. So I don't feel that the information should just be mentioned, or touched upon. I feel that information about American Sign Language, Deaf culture, the Deaf community-the parents should really be inundated with this information. Basically, all options, all information, all perspectives should be really be being offered to hearing parents who have Deaf children from the very beginning. This foundation of American Sign Language is SO important from the time that the child is a baby. And I'm not talking about, you know, "baby signs". I've used signs with hearing parents of hearing babies, so we teach a few signs here and there to the parents and the children. But with Deaf children, many times it's not even emphasized. So why aren't we emphasizing using signs and when I say signs I don't mean just "signs", I'm talking about American Sign Language, the language itself. Really that should be what is used. American Sign Language as most of you know, is a true real language just like any other language. It has all of the aspects of any other language: morphology, semantics, syntax, pragmatics, all of those things and all of those things that are involved in American Sign Language need to be exposed to the Deaf child from the time the child is a baby. So those deep structures, those deep grammatical structures of the language. And I understand that means the parents have to learn the language. And I know first-hand that it is a hard language to learn. But it can be done. It is just an amazing language to be exposing the children to. So my opinion, is that I feel there should be more focus, there should be more emphasis on American Sign Language and the Deaf community and the Deaf culture and having Deaf people be involved when a baby is born who is Deaf. It is so crucial and so important. And I know from the medical perspective, again, with me being a speech-language pathologist, I know that the medical perspective is different and so all of these other things, like ASL, like I said, Deaf culture, Deaf community, they are kind of just touched upon. And so perhaps the information is more skewed in the medical direction-aural rehabilitation you know cochlear implants, whatever. But really we have to give parents and the children, especially the children, that is what's most important. Give them what they deserve which is the whole picture-every perspective, every piece of information, every option-give them the whole pictures. Because as medical professionals, that is our duty. To inform to the best of our ability for any parent who has a Deaf child, it is our responsibility to inform them of all options.

The other area that I want to talk about where I really feel Audism impacts is education. Education is so important for the Deaf child and many parents struggle to figure out how am I going to educate my child, what school am I going to send them to and parents deserve to know that Deaf schools are the most amazing, rich, wonderful learning environments for Deaf children. I have had the experience of going into the Deaf schools seeing (for myself)...these children are so alive, they're happy, they are using their language all the time-not only with their friends, but with their teachers. And most importantly, they are learning concepts through their first language, their first natural language, which is American Sign Language. So they're learning school concepts..academic concepts and most importantly, they're learning world knowledge. It is so important for children to develop world knowledge. And the only way to to do that, the only way children can do that, is through their first language, through language, American Sign Language. I want to talk about the concept of Least Restrictive Environment, which we all know came about with IDEA and I want to talk about the least restrictive environment for Deaf children. Society believes that that environment is the mainstream public school system. But let's put all of our notions of Least Restrictive Environment aside for a minute and let's look at two scenarios: So you have one scenario where the Deaf child is communicating freely, all the time, using American Sign Language, talking to his peers, his teachers, learning, just immersed in the language and in the culture. Then we have another scenario, where in many cases, and I am not saying in all cases-I understand that some mainstream schools do have strong Deaf programs with a lot of Deaf children, but let's talk about in general. In many mainstream environments, the Deaf child is alone, the only person that uses his or her language is the interpreter. They feel isolated, they really don't feel included in extracurricular activities, in sports, you know it's hard for the child to get involved because the child feels isolated. And I'm talking about you know, when it's one or two Deaf children in a school and they don't have any other support system of people all around them using their language. And most importantly, they don't have the benefit of learning through their language. The interpreter, yes, is providing...you know, is signing for them but a lot of times the interpreter is required by the IEP to use SEE, Signing Exact English, or Manually Coded English and those systems, they're not even real languages. Those systems are broken. And what's happening is these children are falling behind because of those systems. But let me get back to those two scenarios. So which scenario do YOU think is the least restrictive for the Deaf child? The one where the child is isolated, only able to directly communicate with the interpreter, feels left out from peers, feels left out from extracurricular activities, or the Deaf schools and Day schools, like the charter schools, the day programs where the children are immersed and using their language all the time, with their teachers, with their peers and involved fully in learning through their language. To me, my common sense says the LEAST restrictive environment is the Deaf schools-the residential schools, the day schools. To the Deaf child, that environment is the least restrictive. So all along, all of these years, we've been saying that the mainstream public school is the least restrictive environment when in fact it's the MOST restrictive. And so, I guess, being a speech-language pathologist and also having this opportunity to be involved in the Deaf community and learning the language and really just knowing all different perspectives, and knowing kind of the sides of everything, I am appalled. And I know that not just one person can change what's happening, but this is food for thought about the education of Deaf children. You know, if any of you out there are thinking about it, this is just to spark some thought about it and maybe in the future we can try to change this. because there are so many Deaf adults that I've met that were educated in the mainstream public school system and eventually when they got out, when they got into the real world and they were really immersed in American Sign Language and in the Deaf culture and were able to be around other Deaf people and Deaf peers, it was such a huge change for them. They describe it as coming from the dark into the light. And so why can't we start early? Why can't we provide that for children starting when they go to school? And starting before that? Early intervention, teaching them, having their parents learn American Sign Language and really immerse their kids in this language, and in the culture and in the community. Why can't we start early? So it's really important that we look at all perspectives. That's really my point: that Audism, even if- I know it's hard for medical professionals to accept: Are we being Audist? Are we displaying Audism? In a way we are because we are limited the child's choices, the parents' choices. And especially the parents who have a Deaf child and they don't know where to turn, they don't know where to get information. The parents deserve all the information that they can get, all the perspectives. and all of the wonderful stories that the Deaf community has to offer and the rich language that American Sign Language is...these Deaf children deserve that. And so, I also want to just bring up the point of acceptance. Children want to feel acceptance. And I understand that in some cases cochlear implants work. In some cases they don't. But regardless of what is working and what is not working, they want to feel accepted for who they are. They need that acceptance to build a strong identity and that comes back to once they go to school, being in Deaf schools and residential schools. They develop that identity there, with peers and with adults who are Deaf and who are using their language. Do you think they develop that identity in the mainstream setting? With an interpreter? No, they don't get to develop that identity and experience the social, emotional, and psychological growth that they really need. So feeling that acceptance from parents, from teachers, from speech-language pathologists, from audiologists. And I know that from me working as a speech-language pathologist, I know that accepting that child and working with them in that light really improves their sense of self-worth and their identity. I want to go back for a minute to the topic of education. I did some research on Bilingual Education, which is the best and most preferred method for Deaf children. In fact, it is such an effective method for Deaf children that in Sweden and Denmark it is a law that all Deaf children are educated through the bilingual approach. So, where is the bilingual approach offered in the United States? It is only offered in residential schools for the Deaf and day schools, day programs, there are charter schools across the country that offer that. I understand that some residential schools might have a bad reputation for academic achievement But what's happening is that these kids are first placed in the mainstream environment with an interpreter whose required to use one of the false sign systems, like SEE, MCE, PSE, Contact Variety whatever you want to call it, and where is the language foundation? Remember if there's no language foundation, then the children are going to suffer, they're going to get behind, and they're going to get delayed with their academic success. So what do the mainstream schools do? When the children are failing and they're not meeting their goals, they throw them into the residential schools. And the residential schools are spending all of this time trying to bring them up to the right level and trying to make up for lost time. And this is the problem: if the child was educated to begin with in a residential school or a day school in a strong Deaf bilingual program-that's the point, bilingual education program. If they were educated from the start with that, then they would be so successful and they ARE successful. We see it all the time. Deaf children who have Deaf parents who were exposed to full complete American Sign Language, with all of its properties that I mentioned before, the deep properties of a language. Children who were exposed to that or even children of hearing parents who decided to go that route. So they were exposed to that as babies and as toddlers and then they were put into a bilingual educational program, whether it was a day school or a residential school, these children EXCEL. And the perform at the same level, equal level, as hearing peers. Now, I have heard some sad stories. Recently one of my good friends observed some Deaf students in a high school...and it's not that I've just heard stories, I've seen them. But this one particularly really just made me so sad and it made me really just feel like something has to be done. She went into this high school and these Deaf children were counting coins...Deaf adolescent, teenagers...were counting coins and reading at a 2nd grade level. What is the problem? The problem is a lack of language foundation. A lack of world knowledge. How are they understanding the world around them without American Sign Language? Another story that I heard was about a group of about 17 of 18 high school students. It was about 17 Deaf high school students. And out of all of those Deaf students, ONE when she graduated went to college. And the difference between her and the other students was that they were using American Sign Language in the home on a regular basis. The one difference. So you know I understand the different perspectives, you know there are so many different things to look at, you know the "complexity" of the issue. The point is education. Educating the parents, educating each other. Finding out more information. The point is always that we are held back by ignorance...we are held back by fear. And those are two things that are so easy to conquer. Through learning more and through education. And so it's only fair like I said before to these hearing parents and the child-it's only fair to present all perspectives and all options. So that is my challenge today. We've got to wipe out Audism and its impact on the children. Because we all know that children are our future. The decisions we make today will affect seven generations ahead of us. So that is our challenge. It's my challenge, it's your challenge, it's everyone's challenge. To really think about this. Think about it and try to be open-minded and that we will all work together. Because most important is these Deaf children and them growing up with American Sign Language and having access to Bilingual Education. Thank you.

Think Globally, ACT Locally - ideas of what u do locally

vlog explaining ideas of what you can do locally if you can not attend the AFA rally July 21-23, 2011


Think Globally, Act Locally
Audism Free America is having a rally in DC July 21-23 in opposition to their agenda of promoting falsehoods that promote the belief that to hear and/or behave as a hearing person is SUPERIOR to being Deaf. scroll down for vlog about the rallies http://audismfreeamerica.blogspot.com/
Many folks would like to support AFA but can not attend the rally. Thank you for your support - we encourage u to Think Globally, Act Locally effort - tweet, facebook, take pix of ASL sign STAND or ur feet STANDing, show the film "Audism Unveiled" (link to DVD ordering below) at a local Deaf club or Deaf school and have a post film discussion, maybe videotape other folks testimonies of OURstories under Oralism and Audism and share, host something at ur home - discussion of some of the Deafhood vlogs about the impact of Oralism and our history, http://www.deafhood.us/wp/ and discuss, etc
to order Audism Unveiled:
http://www.dawnsign.com/product_details.php?item_id=150

AFA Rally Flyer

AFA Rally Event 2011

AUDISM FREE AMERICA VLOG:(see under ASL video box for English summary)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SdaMVgkdoQ

AFA TRANSCRIPT FROM VLOG:

Audism Free America
I'd like to share with you how AG Bell's conduct was and still is today rooted in AUDISM. An example of this goes back to 1886 when AG Bell sealed his infamous quote of "We should try ourselves to forget they are deaf. We should teach them to forget that they are deaf." That means to focus on their ears and mouths - listening and speaking so that 'they might be the same as us' That is AUDISM. Since that time - over 130 years have passed-- but today we see that the AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AGBAD) mission is what? "Advocating Independence through listening and speaking." This means that a person who can speak and listen without signing - actively shunning it - is considered "independent." So we see an evolution of AG Bell Association from its origins to present practices taht are rooted in AUDISM via a exclusive focus on ears and mouths - oral/aural ONLYism. That is still audism.

AFA Rally (Thurs, July 21 - Sat, July 23) Mission and Schedule
AFA would like to inform Deaf people and our allies of our plans for the rally schedule and various events.

First, we have made three demands in our direct approach to AG Bell and they are:
AG Bell Association
1. Stop promoting Oral/Aural Only oriented legislations, schools, and medical intervention and stop excluding American Sign Language (ASL)

2. Stop misrepresenting ASL and Deaf Culture

3. Apologize for AG Bell's role in the reign of Oralism (Oral/Aural Onlyism).

AG Bell Association: We urge you to come forward without denials and take a good look at yourself-- come clean, listen to your conscience, stand up and sincerely apologize for what we have had experienced under the years of Oralism. These three demands we have now put forth to AG Bell Association.

AFA Rally:
Thursday July 21, 2011- Rally from 1pm - 4pm
Omni Shoreham Luxury Hotel
2500 Calvert St, NW, near the zoo.

From 2:30pm - 4pm, we will have different presenters including one who has been involved in the field of education and a leader for bilingualism. Some people will come forward to share their stories and spirit.

From 4pm - 6pm, you are on your own for dinner.

At 7pm, there will be a think tank to discuss future plans and issue as we grow stronger and stronger. The location will be announced soon.

Friday July 22, 2011- Rally from 8am - 11:30am Omni Shoreham Hotel
During that time, a representative from the National Association of the Deaf will present. Other people will come forward and share their stories and spirit too. We will STAND UP.

11:30 - 1pm will be lunch on your own. 1pm the rallying will resume at 4pm and then dinner break.

7pm: Friday evening will be an important event. There will be a vigil to honor all that Deaf people have been through and to take a mighty stand. This is on Friday at 7pm - the location will be announced soon.

Saturday morning, July 23, 2011-- Rally from 10:30 to 3:30pm - rallying, sharing stories and spirit, some short skits, and DBC representatives will present. AFA will close with a discussion of what actions will be pursed in the future. That evening we will pick a place for a social and celebration of our having taken a stand. That is a rough outline of our schedule. If things pop up and there are changes, we will let you know of them.

For you people who cannot come to the AFA rally - its important that you take a STAND and show your support. We suggest you look in your local area - perhaps see if they have an AG Bell chapter there or an audiology and/or speech center that is strongly pro-oralism, you can provide them with information about audism, sharing materials and giving them cards.

You can also make blogs or vlogs. We encourage people to make vlogs sharing your experiences with Oralism and audism - these kinds of oppressions. Vlog it and get it out there explaining it all. We want a ground swell that spreads. The bricks of their system with its obessive focus on our ears and our mouths (oral / aural ONLYism) will begin to shatter, flake, and shake. We pound away at it as we grow larger and stronger. You know the momentum began in 2007 where people began protesting about our linguistic and cultural rights, initially was very small--but has been growing larger and larger and in this third year since, we see how actively we are growing. We really need you - allies and Deaf community members - to do your best - create something to take a STAND - no matter how small or large it may seem. It is all good because it will contribute to making a big impact for the future. You will see next year as we flow on forward. So people now is the time unite, no matter if you stay home where you can blog or vlog or you come out to the rally - all our efforts will be pooled together as we make this... STAND!

Let Freedom Roll. See You There.
Ruthie Jordan,
AFA