Audism Free America (AFA) contacted the NAD board candidates with questions - see this link
http://audismfreeamerica.blogspot.com/2012/06/afas-question-to-nad-pres-vp-and-sect.html
Sheri Ann Farinha's answers are below.
AFA thanks Ms. Farinha for her prompt and thorough responses.
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http://audismfreeamerica.blogspot.com/2012/06/afas-question-to-nad-pres-vp-and-sect.html
Sheri Ann Farinha's answers are below.
AFA thanks Ms. Farinha for her prompt and thorough responses.
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June 27, 2012
Dear Audism Free
America:
Thank you for this
opportunity to answer your four questions. In my humble opinion, those
questions should be the prerequisite of any candidate applying for office of
the National Association of the Deaf. Although the majority of the work
is may be done by the NAD Headquarters staff, the President and board also
advocate to ensure that certain goals are met, and serve as living examples of
the NAD’s mission.
1.Please give us 3 examples of how you have worked to end audism
in America.
Only 3 examples?
Smile.
I have always been
an activist and supporter of social justice for all. I moderated the
first workshop on racism that also included discussion on audism at the 48th
NAD Conference in Palm Springs in 2006. Since that time, I have conducted
numerous workshops, trainings and online group discussions on diversity issues
discussing racism and audism (for example in Sacramento with NorCal Services
for Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Deaf People of Color Conference in Oregon).
The AB2072 bill in
California last year was a prime example of audism! When we led the
effort to defeat AB2072, we included Deaf representatives and allies from
diverse organizations. As a result, our legislators heard from quite a number
of Deaf people. Our mantra was the term that is being used for the 2012
NAD Conference…”nothing
about us without us.” It became our rallying cry
throughout the halls of California legislature. We showed legislators that we
are a people to be reckoned with. We succeeded in somewhat hijacking and
modifying the bill with our amendments. When the Senators voted on
AB2072, some commented on the Floor that, “I learned so much from Deaf people.
The next time we have a bill about Deaf people, we should talk with them.” That
was unprecedented. AB2072 was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger using a
rationale which incorporated our talking points.
Now we have a new
advocacy coalition, “Stakeholders for ASL & English (CAL-SAE)”, which I
co-chair. We write letters protesting any misinformation about ASL and Deaf
people. Check out: www.yestoasl.com.
CAL-SAE has set up a Media WatchDog to alert our community when there are
inflammatory misinformation about Deaf people and ASL. Word goes out to
communities throughout the State of California to send letters. I use social
media to ask those outside the State to also do likewise. Last year we
met to discuss our legislative priorities, and one of the top ones was to
combat EHDI and to advocate for legislation requiring bilingual language
acquisition benchmarks during early identification and intervention programs.
When we were pushing
for the word -- audism -- to be defined in the dictionary, I was among those
who sent in letters.
2. Please identify specifically how can you lead in a way that
NAD will improve its image in taking a strong stand in upholding the rights of
Deaf citizens to ASL in the face of mounting oral only forces.
First of all, I
believe, “Together, We Can, and We Will.” My colleagues in California will tell
you that I make things happen. The oral-only force is rearing its ugly head
everywhere now. Now, what would I do to help the NAD to take a stronger
stand?
I would begin with
lobbying the federal offices on education and legislators for substantial
changes to the federal structure of EHDI (Early Hearing Detection &
Intervention). With proper framing, we should be able to convince the
higher-ups to move EHDI to Department of Education under OSEP (Office of
Special Education Programs) instead of the Center of Disease Control. We have
dismal educational outcomes for our Deaf students because they either lack or
have impoverished language skills. For us to fix “Deaf education,” we MUST get
to the root of the issue. The issue is the language acquisition that often gets
delayed in families with Deaf children.
We all talk about
the irony of how ASL is good for hearing babies, but ASL is withheld from Deaf
babies and their families. I propose we take ACTION by proposing either legislative
or judicial action or both!
Now, we should also
have a concurrent strategy tackling policy adjustments to IDEA (Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act). Some of the adjustments should include
inserting language benchmarks and appropriate language and development outcomes
for both IFSPs and IEPs. Currently, when a family wants to receive ASL
services, they have to fight tooth and nail. It is incredulous that Deaf
students may not get tested for language development till they are in second
grade. We know it is then too late!
Finally, we need to
lobby to get Congress to pass the United Nations Convention on Human Rights for
Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which supports linguistic human rights, i.e.
natural sign language for Deaf people and professionals who are proficient in
our language.
With these
legislative mandates in place, it would be easier to convince the medical and
service fields as well as families that it is OK to be Deaf!
I believe that we
should collaborate with other organizations to gather educational tools and
data supporting our position on bilingual education, the importance of early
language acquisition, and positive self-images. We must have a healthy
discourse and an on-going dialogue about the dismal results of oral-only
“options.”
We need to show them
the benefits of ASL and English bilingualism. The more we emphasize the
bilingual approach, the “oral-only” method of communication will become less
attractive. The more we insist on supporting LANGUAGES: ASL and English,
the more educated the public will be about the derogatory phrase of
“communication options.” Supporting bilingualism -- ASL and English -- we can
show it is indeed a win-win situation for the Deaf child and the parents.
Much more education
and training regarding audism is needed. Enlightened people can become allies
to eradicate audism and all “isms” This should be the ultimate goal. When we
share the same resources, we become all powerful together.
We must become more
visible showing the benefits of ASL in newspapers, magazine articles, TV
commercials, etc. Where is the PR showing our side of the story against
all those PR blitz about spoken language tools like Cochlear Implants in
children. We need our own PR blitz showing Deaf children using ASL and
especially the advantages of ASL for ease in communications and educational
achievement. We should do a better job of celebrating ASL, Deaf Culture
and Community.
One of my goals as
President is to see a Political Action Committee (PAC) formed for legislative
advocacy and PR blitzes to achieve our commitment to “protect, promote, and
preserve our linguistic and human rights.”
“Yes we can, and we
will!
3. Please share how you envision AFA and NAD working together in
the future.
Both organizations
have similar goals to protect and preserve our linguistic rights. NAD has
participated in rallies hosted by AFA. I believe AFA has supported NAD in many
of its goals as well. When AFA and NAD may differ perhaps, is in tactics
used to call for attention on some of the important issues, we need to keep our
channels of communications open and our primary mutual goals in clear sight.
Many people continue
to misunderstand “audism.” We need an intensive campaign to educate both the
Deaf and hearing masses the injustice of audism. I am open to new ideas!
More importantly,
when key issues surface that are blatant examples of audism, and/or any of the
“isms,” I hope to see NAD and AFA jointly file complaints, and ask other
organizations to join, too.
I think it is really
important to mention that we are now at a point in our lives where there are
other parts about us that may also be dealing with oppression and
discrimination. More than ever, our community recognizes Deaf plus being a
woman, or Deaf plus being Black, or Deaf plus being gay, or Deaf plus being
something. It is no longer just “Deaf.” It is now Deaf plus other human
characteristics. We are
Deaf/Deaf-blind/Deaf-autistic/Deaf/multi-disabilities who are also women,
black, Latina, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and so forth – in short, we
are a cross section of all humanity. Deaf people have been
marginalized and discriminated against since the beginning of time, and while
the Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities, section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act, and other laws have done much to pave the way to improve
our access and a mechanism to file complaints when discrimination happens,
there still remain prejudices and attitudinal barriers that we need to see
removed.
The whole point
about this issue is to raise awareness and open up a dialogue to help us all
come to a better understanding of why DIVERSITY is an important word in our
vocabulary, and why the different parts of our Deaf Community feel strongly
about the other “side” of their lives which may be dealing with
oppression. NAD and AFA can collaborate on greater awareness, empathy,
educational materials, media and action to foster healthy and constructive
self-perceptions.
4. Please explain
how the NAD election process can be changes to include direct voting by its
membership.To change the voting process requires a new motion to change the
bylaws at the conference. Due to the fact that the deadline has passed to
submit changes to the bylaws last May, it means that any motions from the floor
passed at this upcoming conference, will be in effect the following two years.
I support new ideas
seeking to redo the election process to be more transparent and open to allow
all members to vote. It is definitely an incentive to become a member and thus
to have a voice in the process.
It will be important
to first examine the feasibility, and determine how this can work. The
new board can and should work with NAD Headquarters on this goal. My campaign
has sparked a huge wave of positive interest in Deaf Democracy, and I hope to
see more people engage in discussions on how to make the elections a
participatory process while also having delegates at the NAD conference.
AFA’s quote: “Let
Freedom Roll” ~ absolutely. Freedom starts with us. We must be the individuals
we wish to see within the organization we love and are duty-bound to protect
forever.
Thanks for all YOU
are doing to make this world a better place for Deaf people everywhere.
Again, thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts. Feel free to
contact me again if you have more questions.
My best,
~Sheri
Sheri A. Farinha
Candidate for
President 2012
National Association
of the Deaf
Twitter: @NADVOTESheri
