tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12213736360730669162024-03-13T22:00:06.964-04:00DEAF BILINGUAL COALITION"Sign from the Start...
Success for a Lifetime"DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-90564300237930983152008-05-21T11:48:00.016-04:002008-05-22T11:21:47.808-04:00Official DBC Announcement 2: GUESS WHO THE SPEAKERS ARE??DBC Founder, JOHN EGBERT, along with ELLA MAE LENTZ, DAVID O. REYNOLDS, and DE announce top-notch speakers for the DBC EDUCATION CONFERENCE in Milwaukee! You won't be disappointed!<br /><br /><object height="370" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.joeybaer.com/2008/DBCvlog2.mov"><embed src="http://www.joeybaer.com/2008/DBCvlog2.mov" type="application/quicktime" height="370" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />Link to DBC Wisconsin's Jack Barr's excellent and CLEAR video of the hotel area, <a href="http://www.jackseyes.com/?p=78">click here</a>.<br /><br />Link to DBC Education Conference registration, <a href="http://deafbilingualcoalition.com/18.html">click here.</a><br /><br />Don't forget to grab a room at Hyatt Regency, 333 W. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI. FYI, rooms at the special DBC rate of $129 per night are nearly sold out. For additional information, <a href="http://deafbilingualcoalition.com/17.html">click here.</a><br /><br />There are alternatives to Hyatt below, thanks to DBC Wisconsin's wonderful Jason Altmann...<br />Hilton-Milwaukee City Ctr<br />509 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-271-7250<br /><br />Best Western-Towne Hotel<br />710 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-224-8400<br /><br />Inn Towne Hotel<br />710 N Old World 3rd St, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-224-8400<br /><br />Courtyard-Milwaukee Downtown<br />300 W Michigan St, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-291-4122 (0.12 miles away)<br /><br />Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee City Center<br />611 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-273-2950<br /><br />Hampton Inn-Downtown<br />176 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-271-4656<br /><br />Pilsner Palace<br />333 W Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-276-1234<br /><br />Ramada-Downtown City Ctr<br />633 W Michigan St, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-272-8410<br /><br />Residence Inn-Downtown<br />648 N Plankinton Ave, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-224-7890<br /><br />Inter Continental Milwaukee<br />139 E Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-291-4790<br /><br />Staybridge Suites-Milwaukee<br />1201 N Edison St, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-223-0033<br /><br />Pfister Hotel<br />424 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-273-8222<br /><br />Comfort Inn-Milwaukee<br />916 E State St, Milwaukee, WI<br />414-276-8800<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzM7ZrCENLg_Nidg39cUsb5guDp2Wjh4N-vGqFSQRk7fRfnE4KEHt8mdy9Xn_DbDJmcSw6-Pp_OgHDyOCyWeA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-91512716447649567842008-04-23T14:15:00.001-04:002008-04-23T14:16:31.733-04:00OFFICIAL DBC announcement- Milwaukee Conference & Rally!Starring the world-famous ELLA MAE LENTZ and other DBC core members, this vlog shares all YOU need to know about the DBC conference & rally at Milwaukee June 27-30, 2008!<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XmyVJ9oLdTo"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XmyVJ9oLdTo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-88477501517930213192008-03-24T13:13:00.006-04:002008-03-24T13:43:58.573-04:00DBC California Update #2 at the Rally in AG Bell State Conference<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Here is the last update report from David Eberwein. Thanks to Nick Horn for sharing his link that includes beautiful and inspiring photos of DBC-California peaceful rally that you can view it below. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"></span> </span></span><br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VQzutRr2r_g&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&hl=en"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VQzutRr2r_g&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">DBC Report #7: (note: this is not a transcript of the video above)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Wow we just wrapped up. Total in attendance more likely 100-150!</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> ( AG Bell only had 40 attendees!). The sheriff requested to talk with us so we</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> gathered with him engaging in a dialogue. He very gratefully thanked us for being "the best group he's ever worked with"!! He complimented us on how we kept our area clean, peaceful, etc.! :)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Yoga was fun- tried to get kids involved but the kids were more for</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> running around so adults joined in for some stretching on the grass. It</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> was fun!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Then AG Bell ended at 4 PM without any wrap-up. Cat, Beth (DBC reps to AGB)</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> came out and reported to us that after the keynote, it was very</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> technical-focused, and the panel with 5 recent college graduates (all</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> Deaf, oral etc.)... They shared their experiences at college, and a</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> common theme was frustration, strife, etc. They've gained 150 new</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> friends in us, DBC CA! And right now a few went back to us and are</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> mingling with us. We've invited 'em to our suite party tonight. :)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">We closed with a few more announcements after the sheriff spoke with us. More chants,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> etc. and one middle school student proudly declared that she and here</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> young friends are our next generation and that they'd continue our work!</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> :)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">It was a great day with a large number of DBC participants, peacefulness,</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"> including having a great diversity in our rally.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">We did good and it is only the beginning!</span></span>DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-40252947826871766612008-03-22T17:58:00.003-04:002008-03-24T16:38:24.593-04:00DBC California Update #1 at the Rally in AG Bell State Conference<div><span style=";font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:6;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The DBC California chapter is hosting a rally today at Milpitas, California outside the Crowne Plaza Hotel from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Here is a list of interesting report updates submitted by David Eberwein explaining the positive dynamics of the rally. Future updates will be posted later on and video clips will be shown.</span><br /></span></div><span style=";font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:130%;" ><br />To obtain more information about the background of the DBC California, please check out their <a href="http://dbccalifornia.wordpress.com/">blog</a>.<br /></span><br />DBC CA Report #1<br />At the hotel, it appears that there is way more police appearance than Arlington, VA- there you can see this humongous police RV.<br /><br />************************************************<br />DBC CA report #2<br />Wow- one AGB convention attendee just flipped us off, and the police went into the convention and yelled the woman out, saying it was unacceptable.<br /><br />Luckily Kristen Weiner already met w/ the hotel mgr and all the police this morning and they were very appreciative of our cooperation. We are standing on the grass in front of the hotel very good location.<br />Media is coming later today. :)<br /><br />************************************************<br />DBC CA Report #3<br />The AGB Keynote speaker, Josh Swiller, just finished and came out and joined us! Guess what? There are more of us than the AGB convention attendees!! (They have abt only 40!). Josh then spoke w/ us!!! He was genial, humorous, etc.!! We all have him hand waves, etc. Now ppl are speaking- and Dr. Klopping is explaining Sweden etc. Cat Cassidy, Beth Ticehurst, and Adam Lovelace- DBC CA's representatives in the AGB convention, are sharing their experiences this morning. They say Josh's keynote was great and mostly about his African experiences, however, the Q+A was solidly about his CI, etc. So far so good. There are about 80-90 of us here for DBC at this moment! And- AGB's conv is on the 2nd floor overseeing us...we are on the grass and AGB kept opening and shutting the drapes on us. We are very visible to 'em and they kept checking us out but slamming the drapes often.<br /><br />************************************************<br />DBC CA Report #4<br />It is lunch now and just before lunch, one of the AGB panelists, a Deaf audiologist in her late 20s/early 30s came out w/ another CI Deaf and chatted w/ us. She even presented to us- and AGB opened the drapes to spy on her. Anyway, she was pleasant and signed a bit and told us she tells families to use ASL in her job etc... We invited her to our suite party tonight and she enthusiastically said YES, YES! Then Tom Holcomb proposed that we mingle w/ AGB in the hotel restaurant and now we are mingling. Many of AGB CA ppl do sign. And before lunch, one of DBC CA's reps, Adam Lovelace, spoke w/ us and thanked DBC for asking him to rep us. He is oral, and just learned ASL 2 mos ago thru Kristen Weiner. Adam told us that he is a poster child for AGB- college degree, no ASL, owns a restaurant, etc- but when he met Kristen, and learned ASL felt his life is more complete now. Wow!! More at 1 PM- ppl are really mingling in the restaurant now. Connectedness, connectedness!<br /><br />************************************************<br />DBC CA report #5<br /><br />After lunch, all 90-100 of us took a group picture. Weather's perfectly sunny. Beth Ticehurst, one of DBC reps in AGB reported that the AGB conv is now talking abt auditory tech stuff, very routine. Then AGB Keynoter Josh Swiller re-joined us and brought along another oral Deaf (w/ CIs), Michael Chorust (sp?), author of "Rebuilt" something to talk w/ us. Now others are talking to the group and soon yoga activities will begin. Its 2:15 now and the AGB conv is still in swing, but more and more of AGB attendees are coming out to join us ha. More drapes are opened now- either they're peering at us or have given up . Really mind-blowing to have around 100 of us as compared to 40 of 'em- and its a STATE convention!<br /><br />Report #5- ADDENDUM!!<br /><br />Michael Chorst just declared to us this, "I have learned more since my book...some of the things I wrote in my book,... My opinions have changed." He said he applied for a fellowship to Gallaudet University for ASL training! In closing, he said, "15 years from now, its unknown- but we need to work together." We are making in-roads!!!<br /><br />************************************************<br />DBC CA report #6<br /><br />Its now 3:20 PST and more people are here. Children's activities- so cute! Someone donated her/his car for the kids to PAINT on- yessss, paint the car!! There are a lot of cute slogans on the car, and the kids are happily painting away.<br /><br />Sandra Ammons, Don Grushkin, Ella Mae Lentz, Judy Gough, Roberta Daniels, Eugene LaCosse, Nan Zhou (represting Bay Area Deaf Asians), Ralph Singleton (representing CAD Bay Area), Hank Klopping, etc. spoke eloquently.<br /><br />Also, the DBC CA committee was introduced to everybody- Kristen Weiner, Tara Holcomb, Brian Morrison, Liann Osborbe, Justin & Jonathan Reynolds, Jenny Cantrell, & Sean Hauschildt. All cheered 'em on.<br /><br />Then we returned to the sidewalk and held out many signs- beautifffull and all photographed. We also were videotaped during our chant, etc. Will post photos & vlogs sometime soon.<br /><br />T-shirts are selling like HOT wow..<br /><br />AGB convention is winding down in about an hour and we'll be seeing them as we plan to invite as many of 'em to dinner w/ us.<br /><br />More to come.DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-66788936679556137442008-03-09T15:10:00.006-04:002008-03-09T21:39:59.789-04:00DBC video presentation at DPN20<object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RmUVA_DyUyM&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RmUVA_DyUyM&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:130%;" >Summary:<br /><br />On behalf of DBC, we would like to thank you for including our newly founded coalition to be a part of the DPN20 celebration. It is an honor for us to share our thoughts on where we have been, what we are doing and where are we going.<br /><br />For 124 years, Gallaudet students remained silent until March of 1988 when the outrageous selection of a hearing president over qualified Deaf candidates led to the DPN protest. The leadership style of the DPN protest that was shown and the unity of purpose that it engendered made it successful and proved that we can all can fight together to break down harmful political barriers. The 1988 protest made change for the better and caused more doors to be opened for Deaf people who sought and received promotions to higher positions in their employment. It conveyed the message that Deaf people are capable of handling such higher positions and that they should no longer be treated as second class citizens.<br /><br />As we fast-forward in our view of the timeline to the present 20th-anniversary DPN celebrations, we should reflect on what has been accomplished and all the positive changes that have been made so far. We already know that more and more superintendents, members of boards of directors, administrators, etc., of schools for the Deaf are now themselves Deaf since the aftermath of DPN. Increased levels of self-determination and empowerment are now recognized in the Deaf community. Even steady increases in the number of advanced degrees awarded to Deaf people are taking place. Prior to DPN, it was easy to name all deaf people holding doctorates, but not anymore. Does this mean that everything is all fine and dandy now? Should we just sit back now after all these gains and allow our political efforts to coast? We know very well that nothing is guaranteed and that these numbers, which continue to be on the rise, could later plummet. The question we need to ask is: How can we prevent such a reversal from happening?<br /><br />For 128 years, the AG Bell organization has plowed their way onto the political scene by spreading the practice of oralism. They have not really been challenged since the days of the debates with Edward Miner Gallaudet. In early 1900's, George Veditz made efforts to preserve sign language by recording signers' speeches and performances on film, due to the threat of manual practices being banned in programs and schools all over the country. Some of the schools for the Deaf adopted an oral-only philosophy and shunned the manual practices completely. Some of the schools kept both methods. Nevertheless, the students were oppressed and they suffered the consequences, thereby being prevented from developing strong literacy skills and achieving higher levels of education and career success in the mid 20th century.<br /><br />In the 70's, Total Communication (TC) came in the picture because of the findings of the Babbidge Report in 1965 which declared oralism to be a failure. However, the problem with TC was that it included a broad range of varied communication modes, such as Signed English, Signing Exact English, Simultaneous Communication, and what used to be called "Pidgin Signed English." ASL was not yet accepted as a primary at that time, although it was a part of the TC package. For as long as anyone can remember, the average deaf high school graduate's reading level remained stubbornly low. Many deaf children did succeed, but overall, the figure still remained low.<br /><br />Then the evidence of research began to come in: Deaf children of Deaf parents tended to do much better. More recently, study after study has been released showing that a natural signed language should be the default language of deaf children, since they are VISUAL learners. Independent bilingual-bicultural charter schools began to spring up in the 1980's, but only slowly. Too often, a main obstacle has been ignorance and fear which has sometimes had the effect of pushing parents away from bilingual approach. Parents then make the misguided choice of thinking that spoken English should be their Deaf children's primary language. Too much propaganda has been marketed by the AG Bell Association for the Deaf (AGBAD), an organization which has persuaded parents to buy into their philosophy without really having the chance or taking the time to become educated about the benefits of the bilingual approach.<br /><br />It is now 2008 and progress in bilingual education has, even at this late date, not yet been placed steadfast motion, even though research is being done and programs have been established at Gallaudet and in some prominent universities. We have seen the beauty of the results of these practices, but this good news has not been well publicized. Many parents still haven't been informed. In addition, only very few bilingual-bicultural courses are offered in teacher preparatory programs, as many educators who have been surveyed respond that they feel like they need more information, but that they are aware of the programs. However, along a contrary direction, clinical programs are on the rise, and a lot of misleading intervention materials are being made available to parents. We should see this as a red flag. Parents are being kept in the dark about the importance of allowing their Deaf babies to be exposed to ASL and acquiring it as a first language. Early acquisition of ASL is the only effective way for Deaf children to develop English skills, with English being learned as a second language.<br /><br />We now have resources and programs but who will do the necessary marketing? This is why DBC was set up in July 2007, to enable us all to speak up about the findings of the benefits of bilingualism and to encourage parents and members of the public to learn more about the truth.<br /><br />As Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized, we should take a stand for that which is right, just and true.<br /><br />Thank you!<br /><br />Please spread the word for others to come and join our first annual DBC education conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 27-30th. There will be workshops and presentations by keynote speakers, training sessions, rallies, entertainment, and various children's activities. More details will be announced in the website: deafbilingualcoalition.com.<br /><br />Note: DBC thanks DPN leaders and conference organizers for including us in the DPN20 event.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-56771695442742850562008-02-05T14:20:00.000-05:002008-02-08T14:21:06.872-05:00DBC Letter to Pepsico<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXhSo7xiCle3q67t5tugaAN9HdsFNIio-Wwi5YkP_V9vbvpixAX1qragfIQXU9DDoZDFFOTf_FhfGfh4J4vbSku4mL7aAzKhjzsvDRy1cFAzM_KSqerCcgvnZX4bEDtvmuwAb1byVmZJt/s1600-h/lettertopepsi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 335px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXhSo7xiCle3q67t5tugaAN9HdsFNIio-Wwi5YkP_V9vbvpixAX1qragfIQXU9DDoZDFFOTf_FhfGfh4J4vbSku4mL7aAzKhjzsvDRy1cFAzM_KSqerCcgvnZX4bEDtvmuwAb1byVmZJt/s400/lettertopepsi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163608053405188754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=ad07102aa6&realattid=f_fcawvk9f1&attid=0.1&disp=inline&view=att&th=117eb5028d568be4"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=ad07102aa6&realattid=f_fcawvk9f1&attid=0.1&disp=inline&view=att&th=117eb5028d568be4" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />You may click on the letter icon above to get a larger view<br />or read the text version below of the DBC's letter to Pepsico:<br /><br />February 5, 2008<br /><br />Ms. Julie Hamp<br />Senior Vice President<br />PepsiCo Communications<br />700 Anderson Hill Road<br />Purchase, NY 10577<br /><br />Dear Ms. Hamp,<br /><br />On behalf of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC), we would like to thank Pepsi for airing the “Bob’s House” commercial and for generously replying to the countless number of correspondence items the global Deaf Community members and allies sent in support of the commercial.<br /><br />Pepsi’s commercial did not just raise awareness about Deaf people’s natural way of life; it can actually enhance lives. Because of the unprecedented and highly-viewed commercial, the chances that future parents of Deaf babies will pick up American Sign Language (ASL) increased exponentially. Additionally, the many benefits ASL gives to hearing babies has been well-documented, so Pepsi did a great service for all babies, Deaf and hearing. Thank you.<br /><br />Established as a grass-roots organization and movement in 2007, the DBC is here to ensure that all Deaf babies and children succeed and thrive through early and strong acquisition of ASL and English. The DBC is also challenging the Alexander Graham Bell Association’s (AG Bell’s) long-standing campaign and activism against ASL, diversity, quality education, and economic power among the Deaf community. Since AG Bell’s inception, they have steadfastly promoted the mentality that all Deaf people should shun ASL and natural and successful ways of living in society.<br /><br />Through AG Bell’s Children’s Legal Advocacy program, cases have been brought against school districts that provide ASL-based instruction to Deaf students. With AG Bell and Auditory-Verbal International’s Auditory-Verbal Therapy program, families are explicitly encouraged not to use ASL with their Deaf children. Finally, AG Bell’s affiliation with corporations such as Cochlear Americas, has resulted in the accumulation of vast wealth that does not return one cent to the Deaf community. AG Bell criticizing Pepsi about money not being well-spent reflects a blatant double standard.<br /><br />With the overwhelming majority of AG Bell and Cochlear America’s Board members and top executives being non-minority and non-Deaf, the DBC finds AG Bell’s characterization of Pepsi supposedly having a “limited” view of Deaf diversity extremely puzzling. AG Bell appears to be confusing the issue of true diversity with the issue of the diversification of their affiliates’ stock portfolios. Yet that did not stop AG Bell from purporting to speak for the Deaf community. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), with a diverse Board, is the Deaf community’s true representative.<br /><br />It appears that any positive and widespread celebration of ASL and Deaf people’s way of living represents a potential loss of profits, power, and political clout for the auditory-industrial complex. The DBC is pleased that Pepsi, unlike AG Bell, understands the miracle of sound reasoning.<br /><br />The DBC warmly invites Pepsi to join our June 27-30, 2008 conference in Milwaukee. Your involvement will go a long way in ensuring that Deaf babies learn ASL and English and experience guaranteed success in their lives--not to mention the fact that it will add more Pepsi customers to the already large number of Deaf Pepsi drinkers. We will be happy to follow up with further details pertaining to our upcoming conference.<br /><br />Again, thank you for doing a great service for all babies, Deaf and hearing alike, and also for the global Deaf community.<br /><br />The core team of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition:<br /><br />Barbara DiGiovanni<br />David Eberwein<br />John Egbert<br />Tami Hossler<br />Ella Mae Lentz<br />David Reynolds<br /><br />Link to ASL version by Ella Mae Lentz, <a href="http://www.ellasflashlight.com/?p=74">click here</a>.<br /><br />To download the letter, <a href="http://www.videoserver.us/ftp/barb/letterpepsi.pdf">click here</a>.<br /><br />Link to AG Bell's letter to Pepsico, <a href="http://www.videoserver.us/ftp/barb/agbellettr.pdf">click here</a>.DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-17942889064560527882008-01-31T21:02:00.000-05:002008-02-05T13:28:02.629-05:00In a Reponse to Paula's Questions<dl id="comments-block"><dd class="comment-body" style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Since DBC made a very long response to Paula, we feel that it may be worth posting since it gives out more supporting research links to these questions that some parents may have in mind. We want you to keep an open mind to see the benefits of raising your Deaf child(ren) in a bilingual environment. Thank you for reading!<br /></span></dd><dd style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="comment-body"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></dd><dd style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="comment-body"><span style="font-size:130%;">Paula said:<br /></span></dd><dd style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="comment-body"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></dd><dd style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" class="comment-body"><p><span style="font-size:130%;">You said, "...it is important not to overlook that the bilingual children tend to retain better cognitive skills and have advanced academic skills." Where is the proof of this statement? Can you direct me to a published, unbiased research study?<br /><br />You also said, "Deaf babies have been deprived of accessible natural language exposure..." which doesn't make sense. When have babies been deprived? Parents who teach their babies to listen and speak are not depriving them of anything. They are giving them access and understanding of the things they hear and the ability to communicate with anyone they choose. ASL can be taught at any time, spoken language cannot as the window of opportunity is before the child is 5 years old.<br /><br />I'm not saying that parents should choose one or the other, that is for THEM to decide. Not you, not me, not anyone else.</span></p> </dd></dl><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">Paula,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">Thank you for your interest and inquiring about the DBC's mission. We are more than happy to share you the research studies.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">There are a lot more research studies on bilingual issues found in books (i.e. Mahshie) and journals (i.e. Journal of Deaf Studies and Education). Feel free to go to the library and surf the net to do some readings to learn more about bilingual studies.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"> As for now, we can start with the provided resource links found in the right column. One of the links that you can click on the link that allows you to download the article on "</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >The Impact of Sign Language on the Cognitive Development of Deaf Children</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">" written by Cyril Courtin.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">We would like to share you another </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);" href="http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/Products/Sharing-Ideas/afirst/different.html">link</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"> that stated:<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">"In those instances where the child's hearing loss is mild enough that both languages can be learned through natural processes of interaction (rather than training), the effects of this early bilingualism are not considered a threat to the child's development of spoken or signed language but rather a positive factor in the child's overall development (Preisler, 1983, 1990). Cummins and Swain (1986) cite numerous studies conducted since the early 1960s reporting that bilingual children function at a significantly higher level than monolingual children on various measures of cognitive abilities. In a similar vein, Daniels (1993) found that hearing children whose first language was Sign Language had English skills superior to their monolingual peers. In other words, exposing a hard of hearing child to Sign Language early is not considered to be risky or detrimental (Ahlström, in press; Preisler, 1983, 1990). Rather, for those hard of hearing children who do have enough access to the spoken signal to acquire speech naturally, the benefits of early bilingualism in the spoken language of the home and the signed language of the Deaf community are considered to be an asset for the child."</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">As you can see, there are more than several researchers finding the benefits of early bilingualism since it is not conducted by the same researcher.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">DBC knows that Deaf babies are not receiving information 100% if they are limited to spoken English. Most of the hearing babies are not able to use correct speech from birth to 24 months and it has been recommended for them to sign where they are able to better express their thoughts. It doesn't make sense to expect Deaf babies to speak and listen without signs especially that they don't have complete hearing. The "window of opportunity" to enable speech and auditory skills is not a natural way for Deaf babies to learn since they are learning "skills" whereas "the window of opportunity" is to acquire an accessible, natural language, ASL, that is, which is much more crucial for language development. Learning ASL later has bad effects as well, although not apparently as bad as speech. The current trend to educate deaf children bilingually—with the use of American Sign Language—has opened new possibilities for developing spoken English.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">Please see the </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);" href="http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/languagedeprivation.htm">link</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">"According to Barbara Haskins, M.D., an associate professor of clinical psychiatry at the University of Virginia, language deprivation definitely affects cognitive function. Dr. Haskins is a specialist in treating deaf patients on the deaf ward of Western State Hospital in Staunton, Virgina. There is a window of opportunity to acquire language. If that window is missed, individuals tend to display cognitive defects later in life. Many of her patients were raised by hearing parents in rural areas who only communicated orally or in simple gestures. In an article in Psychiatric News she explained, "My patients only saw talking heads and moving lips, which did not stimulate the left side of the brain that sets up rules for language and thought." (3)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">and the </span><a style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);" href="http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/products/perspectives/nov-dec97/asl.html">link </a><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">about how ASL helps develop spoken English:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">"In fact, the experience of many speech-language therapists in such environments has been that when deaf children develop a solid language base in American Sign Language, teaching spoken communication is easier."</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">When you said, "I'm not saying that parents should choose one or the other, that is for THEM to decide. Not you, not me, not anyone else." We already mentioned that in our letter that it is the choice of the parents to decide if her son is to grow up without using natural sign language.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);"> However, we cannot leave the parents in the dark if they are not getting the full picture. As a part of the Deaf Community, it is our responsibility to educate what is the best for the Deaf child. We don't believe in directing the parents to make ONE choice or another since we are offering the whole package by including both languages that are much more beneficial to Deaf babies/children.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">Best,</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 0);">DBC</span></span>DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-745572525744173822008-01-31T14:59:00.000-05:002008-01-31T17:10:37.829-05:00A Letter from a parent to DBC and a responseHere is a letter from a parent with a son who has bilateral cochlear implants. Since there are some misunderstandings that need to be clarified, DBC responded a letter to her. We decided to share it with you hoping it will help gain better understanding about the intentions of DBC's goal. Note, this parent included AG Bell information in the end of her letter.<br /><br /><br />Hi,<br /><br /> Came across your website and I have to comment. Your website makes it sound like parents are being forced to NOT sign to their deaf children. I believe it is not a competition, but a choice for parents to make. We signed to our son, then he received 2 cochlear implants, and now signing is minimal as he is oral. Our goal was not to make people think he not deaf, because with his 2 large CI's on his head it's hard to NOT notice! We are not ashamed that he is deaf! We just chose to not sign as his primary mode of communication. Statements like this on your website: "AG, Volta Bureau and other organizations against ASL and all forms of hand gestures lost the war since Time began." are sad as it is not a fight. I believe it is a choice. Parents should be given all of their choices - ASL, TC, and oral/AV when their child is diagnosed with a hearing loss. We are not trying to make our children "seem" normal - they ARE normal. They're unique - just like everyone else in the world! We are all wonderfully made by a Creator who loves us! I pray that you discover that for yourself. God loves you!<br /> Blessings to you!<br /><br />Thank you for your time,<br /><br />Laura xxxxxxx<br /><br />Hearing loss affects 12,000 newborns in the US each year.<br />That's 33 babies a day - making hearing loss the most common birth defect.<br />~But, did you know that most children born with a hearing loss can learn to listen and talk?<br />Find out how at www.agbell.org or www.agbellnv.com<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:Rockwell;font-size:0;" >Hearing loss affects 12,000 newborns in the US each year.<br />That's 33 babies a day - making hearing loss the most common birth defect.<br />~But, did you know that most children born with a hearing loss can learn to listen and talk?<br />Find out how at <a href="http://www.agbell.org/" target="_blank">www.agbell.org</a> or <a href="http://www.agbellnv.com/" target="_blank">www.agbellnv.com</a></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:Rockwell;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.agbellnv.com/" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /></span> <div class="LYI6Sd ckChnd"><div class="eNXyxd"><table class="EWdQcf"><tbody><tr><td class="">Dear Laura,<br /><br />Thank you for your feedback. The purpose of the DBC is to promote awareness about the immense benefits for Deaf babies to acquire fluency in sign language and apparently you have done that with your son.<br /><br />As research stated that the most critical language-learning period occurs between birth and three years old, no time should be wasted to expose Deaf babies (just like hearing babies) to a natural language that is visual, tactile Signed Language.<br /><br />The DBC recognizes that Deaf babies have been deprived of accessible natural language exposure that they were expected to understand spoken English and to speak at that age especially that they haven't develop auditory skills and speech skills. It is a beautiful nature being Deaf, being a visual being, it makes perfect sense to use ASL, a language that is 100 percent accessible. Using signs with hearing babies have skyrocketed in popularity since research proves multiple benefits so why should Deaf babies be denied of that opportunity?<br /><br />As for your son using cochlear implants and choosing not to sign as he grows up will probably be your choice. But remember as a parent, it is important not to overlook that the bilingual children tend to retain better cognitive skills and have advanced academic skills. We would strongly encourage any children to acquire two languages when growing up since there are more benefits and advantages for them.<br /><br />We are not sure how much you understand the history of AG Bell and the organization. This man, AG Bell, practiced eugenics that he attempted to stop the Deaf marrying the Deaf and strictly banned sign language that resulted many oppressed Deaf orals who were deprived of their language that they got abused for attempting to sign. It is amazing that this organization is still allowed to exist and being supported while the symbol represents oppression and abuse. DBC is fighting against the myths and misconceptions created by AVT that actually stated it BANS ASL. DBC doesn't ban spoken English but promotes the bilingual approach with ASL and English.<br /><br />Also, we are not sure where this statement was found "AG, Volta Bureau and other organizations against ASL and all forms of hand gestures lost the war since Time began." on our website. We know this statement isn't found anywhere in DBC's website content but if its in a comment, it's not our official position. Please check out the DBC's mission statement that states…<br /><br />"The Deaf Bilingual Coalition promotes the basic human right of all Deaf infants and young children to have access to language and cognitive development through American Sign Language."<br /><br />It is just simple as that. By the way, TC includes a variety of communication modes (SEE, PSE, SimCom, etc) and ASL. We believe the official description of TC is that it is just a educational philosophy and not a method. Research shows that using TC has failed among Deaf children since they still graduate with a 4th grade level. The reason is obvious since SEE, PSE, SimCom, etc. are not considered a true language. We are doing more harm if we use one of these artificial languages making Deaf children more confused about English and ASL. We strongly believe to keep two languages, ASL and English, separate. We support both ASL and spoken English as long as ASL is used as a primary language as a foundation making it easier to bridge to English.<br /><br />We pray that you and your son will embrace and thrive in the rich infinite possibilities of mastery in TWO languages and the cultures of both worlds.<br /><br /><br />Thank you,<span style="color: rgb(136, 136, 136);"><br /><br />DBC<br /><br /></span></td><td><br /></td><td><br /></td><td><br /></td><td><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div>DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-26843767770889901352007-12-20T16:44:00.000-05:002007-12-20T19:56:21.081-05:00DBC's rebuttal points to AG Bell's letter<!-- begin embedded QuickTime file... --><br /><table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0"><br /><!-- begin video window... --><br /><tbody><tr><td><br /><object classid="clsid:02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B" codebase="http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab" height="320" width="420"><br /><param name="src" value="ftp.joeybaer.com/http://www.joeybaer.com/dbc/dbcrebut.mov"><br /><param name="autoplay" value="false"><br /><param name="controller" value="true"><br /><param name="loop" value="false"><br /><embed src="http://www.joeybaer.com/dbc/dbcrebut.mov" autoplay="false" controller="true" loop="false" pluginspage="http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/" height="320" width="420"></embed><br /></object><br /></td></tr><br /><!-- ...end embedded QuickTime file --><br /></tbody></table><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">(Note: Below is not exactly a transcript but close enough.)<br /><br />Read below a letter sent to Chapter Members of A.G. Bell in Indiana with a memo from A.G. Bell. Also, a response (rebuttal) from Deaf Bilingual Coalition. The National DBC core committee worked together and developed these rebuttal points.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">From: Naomi Horton [mailto:info@hearindiana.org]</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Dear Chapter Members:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">I have attached (and posted below) a Memo from AG Bell national regarding a protest by the Deaf Bilingual Coalition of our conference this Friday.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">The Coalition says they are protesting because:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">" Deaf Infants and Children are being denied access to American Sign Language at an alarming rate. Alexander Graham Bell Organization supports Auditory Verbal Therapy Programs all around the United States promoting listening and speech without the use of sign language. "</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Please direct questions about the protest to info@hearindiana.org.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">By the way, today is your last chance to register for this year's 25th Annual Education Conference.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Please visit our website www.HEARINDIANA.org for detailed information.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Please plan to attend our Annual Members' Meeting, we will begin immediately following the special session (~4:15pm in Stewart Center Room 322). If you cannot attend please return the attached Volunteer Opportunities document.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">The Wine and Cheese Reception is from 4:30 - 6:00pm in the Purdue Memorial Union - W. Faculty Lounge.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">If you are NOT attending the conference, but would like to join us just for the reception, please complete the attached paper registration form by Tuesday, Nov. 27th at 5pm.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">____________________________________________________________________________</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">November 26, 2007</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">MEMORANDUM</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">To: Indiana AG Bell Chapter Leadership</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Fr: Catherine Murphy, AG Bell Director of Communications</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">Re: Media Talking Points for Potential Upcoming Conference Protest</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);">In response to a rumor of a potential protest situation at your upcoming state conference, I've put together some general action items on managing any protesters should they arrive as well as talking points and guidance in the hopes this will assist with any response you may have to give to members of the media (in case any actually come to cover the event).</span><br />----------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DEAF BILINGUAL COALITION’S REBUTTAL</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC) came into existence to ensure that families of Deaf babies & children succeed and thrive. ASL and accessible English have provided and continue to provide the best guarantee to good education, literacy, happiness, and for families of Deaf babies & children to thrive.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DBC is committed to raising public awareness about the significance of American Sign Language, which is the key in improving education and literacy for ALL Deaf babies and children.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">We are responding to AG Bell’s memorandum to the Indiana AG Bell Chapter point-by-point.</span><br /><br /><br />1. AG Bell:<br /><br />In response to a rumor of a potential protest situation at your upcoming state conference, I've put together some general action items on managing any protesters should they arrive as well as talking points and guidance in the hopes this will assist with any response you may have to give to members of the media (in case any actually come to cover the event).<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">1. DBC:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DBC campaigned at AG Bell conferences in Virginia (July 2007) and Colorado (September 2007). We were peaceful throughout both campaigns.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">We had good working relations with local police. Both Virginia and Colorado campaigns were apprised by local police and DBC followed all guidelines established by the local police.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DBC will continue to remain peaceful throughout all current and future campaigns, and we ask that AG Bell, instead of attempting to “manage” us, to engage in real dialogue about supporting families of Deaf babies.</span><br /><br /><br />2. AG Bell:<br /><br />Facility Security. First and foremost, you should contact the security office at the facility where you will be having your event and inform them that you are expecting protester at your event. They should be informed that the protesters are deaf and will require interpreters in case they need to communicate with the protesters. Most facility security offices have a standard procedure for these types of events. If there is aggressive action, i.e., the protester attempt to enter your conference, AG Bell should not confront the protesters but allow for security to handle the situation. If needed, they will contact local police (local police had to be contacted<br />twice at the Colorado conference).<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">2. DBC:</span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DBC has contacted the police for the Indiana campaign, in the interest of following all appropriate guidelines. Again, DBC will remain peaceful throughout the weekend.</span><br /><br />3. AG Bell:<br />Protester Relations. Any attempt by volunteers or conference attendees to engage in conversation or debate issues with protesters should be strongly discouraged. It will be a futile effort and if anything might stir up emotions. AG Bell's approach should first and foremost be providing a safe, peaceful environment for conference attendees. If protesters attempt to<br />enter into the conference meeting area or try to attend any conference-related event, notify security immediately and let them handle the situation.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">3. DBC:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DBC is disappointed in AG Bell’s continued unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue about supporting families. DBC is ready to talk with anyone about supporting families of Deaf babies.</span><br /><br />4. AG Bell:<br /><br />Media Messages. DBC will try to "pitch" local media to cover their protest. The good news is the media will also want to get your side of the story as well. Protesters will try to say to the media that AG Bell is "anti-ASL" and that we deprive deaf and hard of hearing infants and young children of their natural language. In response, AG Bell Chapter leadership has the opportunity to promote the issue of deafness among young children, the continued need for early detection and intervention, and spoken language as a choice for parents.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">4. DBC:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DBC would like to clarify that it is the AG Bell Association who has proclaimed that:</span></span></p><ul style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);"><li><span style="font-size:130%;">families should be coached to not use sign language or even lipreading with their Deaf child (Auditory-Verbal Therapy Principle #3)<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">families should use “listening” in all aspects of the Deaf child’s life (AVT Principles #5 & 6)<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">families would be provided with financial assistance from <a href="http://agbell.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?p=CLA_Program">AG Bell’s Children’s Legal Advocacy</a> (CLA) program should they desire to bring lawsuits against school programs that use ASL-based instruction</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">The DBC does not subscribe to AG Bell’s “one-approach-only” position. The best guarantee for Deaf babies to develop literacy, English and other languages, speech, and for families to bond, is through American Sign Language (ASL).</span><br /><br />5. AG Bell’s talking points:<br />AG Bell's messages in response should include:<br /><br />a. AG Bell:<br />Hearing loss affects 12,000 children born in the United State each year, making it one of the most common birth defects.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">a. DBC:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">This is a matter of subjectivity. AG Bell’s insistence on using the label, “hearing loss/birth defect” stems from the viewpoint of Deaf babies as defective and disabled.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DBC views the birth of Deaf babies as a gift.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DBC is concerned that using the “hearing loss/birth defect” term is creating a stigma and negativity, preventing people to embrace Deaf babies. DBC hopes that AG Bell will eventually realize that embracing Deaf babies will enable them to grow and prosper and for families to thrive.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">b. AG Bell:<br />Ninety-five percent of children with hearing loss are born into families where one or both parents are hearing.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">b. DBC:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DBC is here to ensure that families of Deaf babies are supported. ASL is the best guarantee for families to bond, for their babies to achieve language and literacy.</span><br /><br /><br />c. AG Bell:.<br />Today, about 95% of babies are screened for hearing loss at birth.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">c. DBC:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Since we have an advantage with early detection, we should all invest our energies in ensuring that Deaf babies succeed in the best and research-backed way. The critical language learning period is indeed an invaluable time for Deaf babies to develop language and literacy. That happens best through ASL as a first language foundation.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">ASL guarantees 100% accessibility to success. Once again, DBC does not agree with AG Bell’s “one-approach-only” position.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Hearing infants benefit from sign language, which accelerates their English development and increases their IQ points. DBC emphasizes this benefit for Deaf infants as well. (</span><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://www.blogger.com/www.babysigns.com">www.babysigns.com</a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">, </span><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://www.blogger.com/www.kidsign.com">www.kidsign.com</a><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Families of Deaf babies need unfiltered access to the truth.</span><br /><br /><br />d. AG Bell:<br />The most critical period for learning language is from birth to age 3;<br />early identification and intervention (before 6 months of age) combined with<br />appropriate amplification can enable a child with hearing loss to develop<br />language skills comparable to their hearing peers.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">d. DBC:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Language, literacy, and success have been achieved more effectively when ASL is used during the critical period.</span><br /><br /><br />e. AG Bell:<br />Over the past 10 years, universal hearing screening (at birth) and<br />advances in hearing aids and cochlear implants have dramatically increased<br />the opportunity that children with hearing loss can learn and use spoken<br />language.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">e. DBC:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">DBC prefers guarantees over “opportunities”. Using ASL guarantees 100 percent accessibility to language, literacy, world knowledge, and communication.</span><br /><br />f. AG Bell:<br />AG Bell recognizes there are many choices available to parents when<br />their child is diagnosed with a hearing loss, including spoken language,<br />sign language and total communication.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">f. DBC:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">AG Bell may claim that they recognize choices however, the information shared has never been balanced. The clinical parts (the ear and the mouth) of the Deaf child are only focused on and emphasized upon. DBC is interested in the whole-child approach, with healthy families supporting the Deaf child.</span><br /><br /><br />g. AG Bell:<br />AG Bell supports informed choice and serves as a resource for those<br />parents who specifically choose spoken language education for their deaf or<br />hard of hearing children.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">g. DBC:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">There is no strong evidence that AG Bell promotes informed choice. The AG Bell website shows that all of their workshops, presentations, articles, and so forth are focused on speech and listening. A complete, informed choice would include ASL.</span><br /><br /><br />h. AG Bell:<br />AG Bell does not "prohibit" or is not "against" the use of sign language if parents decide that is the best course of action for their child. AG Bell simply supports those who choose the use of spoken language for their child by serving as a resource for those families.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">h. DBC:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Please refer back to #4 and the Auditory-Verbal Therapy Principles.</span></span></p><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:180%;" >For the participants in the DBC Indiana Rally and the DBC Colorado Rally, the National DBC wishes to extend their gratitude for their leadership and excellent organization. Thank you!!</span>DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-60485620328639936282007-12-04T19:39:00.000-05:002007-12-04T22:03:50.607-05:00The Right of the Deaf Child to Grow Up Bilingual<object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_IyEkewvcI&rel=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_IyEkewvcI&rel=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Transcript:<br /><br />Hi! I would like to share about the article written by Francois Grosjean who provided his perspective by researching Deaf children. The article mentioned that ASL should be the primary language of a Deaf child. Despite the use of various technological aids ( i.e. cochlear implants), sign language is mandatory period. Why? I will explain the reasons for you to think about it.<br /><br />When hearing babies are born, they normally acquire language in the very first years of life that their parents communicate with them and that babies receive information by listening to surrounding sound environment such as T.V., radio, people having conversations, etc. Even some parents sign with their hearing babies making it more accessible. “Language in turn is an important means of establishing and solidifying social and personal ties between the child and his/her parents. What is true of the hearing child must also become true of the Deaf child.”<br /><br />It is crucial for Deaf children to see a visual, 100 percent accessible, natural signed language that they are able to completely comprehend the information as they grow up.<br /><br />But is this really happening for all Deaf children? Unfortunately, no. Why? Organizations like AG Bell, AVT (Auditory Verbal Therapy), etc. think it is not necessary to include ASL but focus on listening and speaking ONLY. That only approach HURTS! I will explain to you why.<br /><br />First of all, we don’t know for sure if a Deaf baby will grasp information completely through auditory. All cochlear implant users don’t pick up the information in the same way. We know that some hearing aid users have developed strong listening skills and some of them don’t at all in spite of having the same decibel loss. Too often, people assume by exposing one language (oral) would do just fine until the moment they realize that this approach did not work. So what happens to that child? “He or she falls BEHIND in his/her development, be it linguistic, cognitive, social, or personal.” It becomes TOO LATE!<br /><br />This issue is disturbing to DBC that this oral only approach is GAMBLING the Deaf child’s life away from academic development, social development, healthy emotional development, etc. We need to advocate more strongly on having both languages, ASL and English, for all Deaf children.<br /><br />The responsibility, the duty and the goal of DBC are to make sure that ALL Deaf babies from the start have access to natural sign language that is acquired naturally as much as possible where two-way communication takes place. For a Deaf child to bridge to English (spoken English and/or written English), the most important part for academic success and future professional achievements is to master written English. Once a Deaf child has the ability to write well, he/she can do anything!<br /><br />By using one language (oral) approach and excluding ASL with those who use listening assistive devices, is it a right way? No! We know that obviously oralism involves RISK! BET! GAMBLE!<br /><br />Having the ability to develop cognitive/personal skills will be minimized when using oral only approach. Why limit the Deaf child’s ability? He or she would have developed much more advanced in these areas (linguistic, cognitive, social and personal). Oral approach with most Deaf children is not perceived as communicating in a two-way street in a natural way. Research states that for a Deaf child to use oral only approach impedes communication and that the daunting effort to develop speech skills is consumed rather than focusing on developing cognitive skills. When using ASL, “it allows the young Deaf child and his/her parents to communicate early, and fully, on the condition that they acquire it quickly.” ASL play an important role in the Deaf child’s cognitive and social development and it will help him/her acquire knowledge about the world. They can express about anything that is much easier and clearer for them to communicate.<br /><br />Hearing parents can learn signs and they need to get more support. What DBC wants to see happening out there is the establishment of ASL Therapy Centers. We don’t even have one here in America but we always have numerous speech therapy centers even hotline phone numbers where immediate attention can be given. More fund is needed to establish such centers where support to facilitate hearing parents’ signing skills will be much more possible in the future.<br /><br />In the meantime, DBC has been sharing an important message that every Deaf baby has the right to sign. Why is this so important? There are numerous benefits and opportunities using ASL when a Deaf child grows up. In this case, opportunities are more of GUARANTEES.<br /><br />BILINGUAL (ASL/ENGLISH) GUARANTEES A DEAF CHILD’S FUTURE!DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-87340913742015769712007-11-30T00:45:00.000-05:002007-11-30T01:39:10.976-05:00DBC backs Indiana RallyPart I:<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8hvltRRChOM&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8hvltRRChOM&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />DBC has been supporting the organizers of the Indiana Deaf community by preparing the flyer (see below), talking points, etc. The organizers have prepared their signs, contacted with the local police to follow guidelines and much more. Hands wave to these wonderful Indiana fellows!!<br /><br />Here is a <a href="http://johnlestina.blogspot.com/2007/11/deaf-bilingual-coalition-indiana-rally.html">video clip by Jill Lestina</a> explaining about the rally in support of ASL acquisition for Deaf Babies and Children during "The Indiana Conference on Listening and Spoken Language" at PU on Friday & Saturday, Nov. 30 - Dec 1, from 10am - 4pm.<br /><br />Why? Deaf Infants and Children are being denied access to ASL at an alarming rate. Alexander Graham Bell Organization supports Auditory Verbal Therapy Programs all around the USA promoting listening and speech without the use of sign language. Please view the <a href="http://deafprogressivism.blogspot.com/2007/07/it-is-no-crying-shame-to-be-in-protest.html">video</a> explaining more about the background.<br /><br /><br />Where: Purdue University, Stewart Center West (adjacent to Grant Street Garage)<br /><a href="http://www.purdue.edu/parking/pdf/Parking_Map_05.pdf">Map</a><br /><br />Meet at the Indianapolis Deaf Club at 8:30am on Friday and Saturday mornings or at Purdue in front of Stewart Center West at 10:00am.<br /><br />Contact Person: Beatrice Pfaff at bmpfaff@tmail.com (Please contact Bea to let her know you will be joining this rally and for more details.)<br /><br />Part II:<br /><br />This is another <a href="http://johnlestina.blogspot.com/2007/11/message-for-rally-supporters-of-indiana.html">video message from Jill Lestina</a> sharing more details and procedures about the the rally.<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sOYMJ-bnzdY&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sOYMJ-bnzdY&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Transcript:<br /><br />Hi, I'm here to keep communication open with you all. This message is for those rally supporters who are thinking about going to Purdue University for the Indiana DBC rally this Friday and Saturday. I want to share with you all that I have been in communication with the police. The police have shared their communication with me regarding the planned rally. I want to share what was communicated to me to make sure we are all on the same page so that there will not be any misunderstandings. Purdue itself is a public university and Stewart Center, where we will go for the rally, is also a public place. We can enter the building, we can be in the hallway, we can mingle in the lobby and we also can be on the sidewalk outside of the building. What is important is that we do not block the doors to the building, we have to let people walk in and out of the door freely. We cannot block the hallway, we have to let the people walk freely in the halls. We cannot go near where the registration table for "Hear Indiana Conference", we need to stay back from that area. Also Purdue has other activities and events on campus where students coagulate, we cannot disrupt these events and activities on campus. We need to respect these activities and events occurring on campus.<br /><br />Remember our purpose to go to the rally is to support ASL for Deaf babies. We are not there to protest or complain. For those of you who will go to the rally, please be friendly, smile, stay positive, keep the peace and be respectful to everyone. I want to mention a word often mentioned in statements by some people which have labeled us as "protestors", I want to be clear in informing the public that we are not protestors. We are supporters.<br /><br />DBC, Deaf Bilingual Coalition, has a purpose and that is to inform, educate, and raise public awareness. ASL is truly important. ASL improves education and literacy for all deaf babies and children. DBC wants to make sure that families who have deaf children and babies are able to succeed and grow. It is true that ASL provides the best guarantee of good education, literacy and happiness for all families, deaf babies and children.<br /><br />The goal for us at the rally is to keep an open dialogue and to give support to families that have deaf children and babies. We want to raise awareness about AGB's oral training method which is called AVT, Auditory Verbal Training, AGB's principles which is outlined in their website, #3 which states that "families should train and not use sign language or lipreading..." and #5 and #6 which states "families should use listening skills at all times in their child's life....". Also AGB provides assistance by giving funds to families who files a lawsuit against schools that promote ASL education. It's called "Children Legal Advocacy Program". DBC does not agree with AGB's approach.<br /><br />The BEST guarantee for deaf babies to succeed and improve their literacy skills, education, English skills, learning other languages, speech, family relations, etc. is ASL.<br /><br />DBC is concerned that AGB has labeled us as "hearing loss" which causes nothing but stigma and negative view of us which prevents people from embracing deaf babies. DBC hopes that AGB will understand our concern, be more aware of, and embrace deaf babies so that families can grow, succeed and be happy.<br /><br />Babies between the age of 0-5 years old are in the most critical period for language learning. ASL is guaranteed, 100%, for access to success!<br /><br />DBC does not agree with AGB's "one way approach" which rejects ASL.<br /><br />As most of you are aware, hearing parents are teaching their hearing babies, "Baby Signs". Research have shown that those babies have improved their English development, which shows that ASL is important and critical for deaf babies as well.<br /><br />DBC is interested in the deaf child's "whole, healthy family approach".<br /><br />So, the purpose for us to attend the rally is to make sure there is open dialogue to show the truth. The truth is that ASL is definitely "Success for Life".<br /><br />View this <a href="http://www.videoserver.us/ftp/barb/preview.jpg">link</a> for a larger view of the flyer or click on the flyer below to download:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1_7rZLgOZsMhqzk9E9RGsV899j2Nkre1K4Cwi9xXk2lVG-pF1LvEm4yXAMt1jdhC7Le77hhzyZ2057VMSTF-bgD4FohqEmqUB9wEX8-SsOVg3J7GQsc0cyG1xUZKYfc6nbtCR71sU2Gk/s1600-r/preview.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAoyrGtzjt_JWAJIDAKojQhWTl2IdN9hY2qrXE7xtYyCzhM4BHLzJmeiwNK0bCF4wf9egnrliOxB6Yvkou96fF9NMnpT16SORS0z6yl-DwoHI-AdsoS1lV-YStGXOM8J4jx_vKEQ424lG/s320/preview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138516283314722610" border="0" /></a>DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-50255469861794778702007-10-18T09:52:00.000-04:002007-11-30T01:41:19.524-05:00DC Examiner Published a Report on Jenny BoteroPress Release<br /><br />Thursday, October 18, 2007, 8:44 am Eastern Time<br /><br />The DC Examiner has published an article today quoting Barbara DiGiovanni and giving a detailed report of the infamous incident which occurred at a Marriott hotel last July involving the suppression of free speech rights of members of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition. The Marriott Corporation failed to mention in their response that the police advised Barbara DiGiovanni that a civil suit was one option she could pursue.<br /><br />Click on this <a href="http://gallyprotest.org/botero.pdf">link </a> to download a PDF version of the full newspaper page and newspaper clipping:<br /><br />Here is the article from today's "Yeas & Nays" column in the DC Examiner:<br /><br />Jeff Dufour and Patrick Gavin cover people, power and politics in the beltway. Want to comment? Got a juicy tip? Send an email to dish the dirt, chew the fat and wag the tongue<br /><br />Yeas & Nays<br /><br />Some say new W.H. housekeeper has dirty laundry of her own<br /><br />October 18, 2007, 1:49 AM<br /><br />A LITTLE STAIN<br />by Jeff Dufour and Patrick Gavin<br /><br />Congratulations are in store for Jenny Botero, who's leaving her<br />position as Marriott International's head of cleaning operations to<br />become the White House's new executive housekeeper. The move was first<br />reported in Wednesday's Washington Post.<br /><br />But one group isn't too impressed with the White House's hiring of Botero: The Deaf Bilingual Coalition, which "promotes the basic human right of all deaf infants and young children to have access to language and cognitive development through American Sign Language."<br /><br />In July, the coalition headed to the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington to distribute fliers criticizing the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Convention, which was taking place inside (the DBC stresses American Sign Language as a primary form of communication, whereas the AGB Association does not).<br /><br />The coalition later described its take on events on its <a href="http://deafprogressivism.blogspot.com/2007/10/truth-will-come-out-about-jenny-botero.html">blog</a>: "AG Bell convention site coordinator/manager Botero snatched the fliers from Brianna DiGiovanni, Barbara DiGiovanni's 8-year-old deaf daughter, and in the process, harmed her. Brianna had scratches on her hand where the AG Bell coordinator/manager snatched the fliers from. ... Brianna was briefly traumatized by this unprovoked assault. AG Bell coordinator/manager Botero then added insult to injury by ripping the fliers in half. Why would anybody do that to a 8-year-old child?" (For the record: Botero was not a coordinator of the event, but simply a resident manager of the Crystal Gateway Marriott at the time.)<br /><br /><a href="http://deafprogressivism.blogspot.com/2007/07/ag-bell-protest-day-one-my-deaf.html">The video</a> of the confrontation does not include footage of Botero with Brianna or ripping up fliers, but it does show Botero approaching protester Raychelle Harris outside the hotel and attempting to snatch Harris' fliers before storming away. Harris later wrote on the DBC's blog, "I mean, she might approach hearing protesters and talk to them. But would she actually grab onto fliers in an attempt to<br />confiscate them?"<br /><br />The 8-year-old child also wrote that she was "shocked," "scared" and physically "hurt" by Botero's treatment of her. Upon hearing the news of Botero's new White House gig, Brianna's mother, Barbara, told Yeas & Nays that she didn't think Botero was "competent enough to be employed at the White House because of her historic action of suppressing our freedom of speech."<br /><br />But Marriott stands by its gal. "We're very aware of that incident," a representative said. "Jenny Botero certainly did not harm anyone at all, and police authorities involved decided no action was required."<br /><br />The White House told us that, as a standard policy, it does not comment on personnel issues.<br /><br /><a href="http://tinyurl.com/2h9ls4">LINK TO ARTICLE</a> (Click on link, then scroll down to make comments):DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-88884105262740610152007-10-16T18:54:00.000-04:002007-10-16T19:00:23.240-04:00DBC At ASL Expo in Florida video clip<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YccWpbjee9k"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YccWpbjee9k" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />The Deaf Bilingual Coalition had a fabulous time this past Saturday, October 13th, at the ASL Exp in Kissimmee, Florida. DBC was able to establish networking and met so many wonderful people. It was a huge success. The people of Florida are enthusiastic and motivated to help DBC with the mission of ensuring all Deaf babies and children have a right to access language from the state through ASL. Thank you, Florida!<br /><span style="display: inline;" id="vidDescRemain"> </span>DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-16262024105354319892007-10-14T21:22:00.000-04:002007-10-15T00:13:12.431-04:00DBC AT THE ASL EXPO IN FLORIDA - OCTOBER 13, 2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4nJZduZnuCt2X-OEh-5gIJypjGMCHFBuiIF_tIEZMzrS06xycQb72ZjWIgkFLhRdvfPc3iZbyLA6tpHkgO1Taw0RRKBgGTHc40bJ1l68S3KWitvxUEh6XPq_CNP47NebBMn2grUZHHZr/s1600-h/DBC+picture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4nJZduZnuCt2X-OEh-5gIJypjGMCHFBuiIF_tIEZMzrS06xycQb72ZjWIgkFLhRdvfPc3iZbyLA6tpHkgO1Taw0RRKBgGTHc40bJ1l68S3KWitvxUEh6XPq_CNP47NebBMn2grUZHHZr/s320/DBC+picture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121410545737694914" border="0" /></a><span id="role_document" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><span><span id="role_document" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">We had an extremely successful trip to the ASL Expo in </span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial; font-family: georgia;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1192411199_1">Kissimmee, Fla</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">.</span><br /><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" >Our DBC team consisted of David Reynolds from </span></span><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1192411199_2" >Fremont, CA</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;" >, Stephen Hardy from Gainsville, Maria Dollhopf from St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Carl Chapman from Orlando, and myself from Ft. Myers. The team was extremely skilled in presenting the mission of DBC, the meaning of bilingual, and how we all can work together person by person...state by state... to be progressive activist to ensure that all Deaf babies and children have a right to American Sign Language and access to it from birth.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><p style="font-family:georgia;">We met so many wonderful people from <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1192411199_3">Florida</span> including members of the Florida Association of the Deaf, Chris Wagner from NAD, and the organizers of the Deaf Expo whose mission to create on-going exposure for promotion of American Sign Language We were able to network with these individuals along with many other advocates for the <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1192411199_4">State of Florida</span>. We collected over 250 names and email address of people who are interested in helping whenever and wherever they are needed and interested in the work that DBC is doing.<br /></p></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Our day ended and we were all very exhausted but very inspired by how enthusiastic people are, not only here in <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1192411199_5">Florida</span>, but also around the USA and the world about the mission of DBC. Here are some pictures of the ASL Expo.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><p>by Tami Hossler</p></span></div></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFUPMRao0YM_67r_ZmxDFOv_9cfubxI8letgN-yh-L18eEu-9PjwR9aoHstVErdggHbqNdRncY9UZ741OZ-rIyzspd4B16iIOPqTgz46K6UzLr2y-TkSaCtgTV6nr5cFrj0CQ4zssJWdb/s1600-h/DBC+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFUPMRao0YM_67r_ZmxDFOv_9cfubxI8letgN-yh-L18eEu-9PjwR9aoHstVErdggHbqNdRncY9UZ741OZ-rIyzspd4B16iIOPqTgz46K6UzLr2y-TkSaCtgTV6nr5cFrj0CQ4zssJWdb/s320/DBC+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121410446953447090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk_trSswcdK6n4I1QE0a-oJ6iGOyMYaXD81WQ2dCgX00zAEfFNv-PrZzie85dAjMrtrVDKtNSm5lmSPl5gZjH9917xW6Gs3o3ISp4f9mo0G7e-M2I3B5yTIpbRIeVVLUWJ7l1x0DjitrF/s1600-h/DBC+010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk_trSswcdK6n4I1QE0a-oJ6iGOyMYaXD81WQ2dCgX00zAEfFNv-PrZzie85dAjMrtrVDKtNSm5lmSPl5gZjH9917xW6Gs3o3ISp4f9mo0G7e-M2I3B5yTIpbRIeVVLUWJ7l1x0DjitrF/s320/DBC+010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121410365349068450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ49_z-g4K6Q5X7rlaZV7mm4Im_6tKkL6jTchouLILCUO2B-m3x1V15IGedB8HEY_Q46j5ugMhX3FGoPFoyBt9z1QHdEbXBDb5Wp14au6QEpmsW5c88HGbufRJeFPSKOa6iRybFlnBO31/s1600-h/DBC+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ49_z-g4K6Q5X7rlaZV7mm4Im_6tKkL6jTchouLILCUO2B-m3x1V15IGedB8HEY_Q46j5ugMhX3FGoPFoyBt9z1QHdEbXBDb5Wp14au6QEpmsW5c88HGbufRJeFPSKOa6iRybFlnBO31/s320/DBC+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121410266564820626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChypJDRt5ldN2Oyq4om-8YtVaJ4KtyzwlbzzQfBPSZCoFgvPU4QOlmzetx3u_kqWc2uOWAFVmubVq2uKtxni9asFg28t57MamYeOn2g2D3b3-uyVqaicaWb50VzIeAp8mQwkdCxrGcQvE/s1600-h/DBC+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChypJDRt5ldN2Oyq4om-8YtVaJ4KtyzwlbzzQfBPSZCoFgvPU4QOlmzetx3u_kqWc2uOWAFVmubVq2uKtxni9asFg28t57MamYeOn2g2D3b3-uyVqaicaWb50VzIeAp8mQwkdCxrGcQvE/s320/DBC+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121410176370507394" border="0" /></a><br /><span id="role_document" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><div><div><div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><br /><span><span id="role_document" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><p><br /></p></span></div> <div style="font-family: georgia;"> </div><br /></div><br /><br /></div></span><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;font-family:ARIAL;font-size:10;color:black;" ><hr style="margin-top: 10px;"> </span></div>DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-22899800067593520212007-09-24T20:21:00.000-04:002007-09-27T18:29:38.146-04:00The DBC's flyer and plans on International Day of Sign LanguagesHere you will see a <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.videoserver.us/ftp/barb/finalIDSL.pdf">flyer</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"> </span>that you can post it in public places or pass it around in your community. It is a good way to spread more awareness about the benefits of using signs and for people to gain more understanding about the celebration of the International Day of Sign Languages.<br /><br />Friends of DBC will participate in the following events:<br /><br /><ul><li>Movie Showing at California School for the Deaf, Fremont</li><li>Colorado Pre-Rally (September 26th) at Rocky Mountain Deaf School, Cherry Creek Hotel and Rally on Sept. 28th and 29th<br /></li><li> Rally/March on Saturday at RIT Field House<br /></li><li>Minnesota Deaf Community March</li><li>Indiana Deaf Community March</li><li>Deaf Hope's Tea Party at Castro Valley, CA</li><li>ASL film WRONG GAME by Mark Wood sponsored by NorCal Center</li><li>Deaf Celebration Day at Summit Place Mall in Michigan</li><li>Deaf Awareness Day at San Diego, CA (SD Chapter of California Association of the Deaf and San Diego chapter of American Sign Language Teachers Association)</li><li>International Deaf and Sign Languages Day march in Salem, Oregon</li><li>Celebrate ASL at Gallaudet University led by the National Association of the Deaf and the ASL and Deaf Studies Department.</li><li>And much more as listed on <a href="http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=3385663">NAD site.</a></li></ul>Kudos to NAD to coordinate this special event here in Deaf America!<a href="http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=3385663"></a> Information about NAD's involvement is explained by DBC's friend, Raychelle at her <a href="http://raysofraychelle.blogspot.com/2007/09/celebrate-asl-day-at-gallaudet.html">site.</a><br /><br />Please feel free to add your plans to celebrate and don't forget to pass out the flyer. Remember it is for the sake of Deaf babies!<br /><br />Have a splendid time!DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-1578501899477310242007-08-12T14:26:00.000-04:002007-08-12T16:29:19.865-04:00Welcome to our Deaf Bilingual Coalition Temporary Website<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >(8/9/07)<br /><br />Hello everyone,<br /><br />This is a temporary website to keep you currently posted about the progress made by the Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC). </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >Please feel free to ask us questions as we are now working on developing organizational system, resources and materials, mission statement and more.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">This is just revised as of August 12, 2007</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Mission (draft):</span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" id="role_document" ><div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Deaf Bilingual Coalition promotes the basic human right of all deaf infants and young children to have access to language and cognitive development through American Sign Language (ASL).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purpose (draft):</span></span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><u><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The main purpose of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition is to emphasize the importance of the social, emotional, linguistic, and cognitive aspects of ASL pertaining to early visual language acquisition for all deaf infants and young children.<span style=""> </span>The secondary purpose is to make the general public aware of the prevalence of misconceptions and misinformation that devalues ASL.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Goals (draft):</span></span><br /></span></p><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">DBC is a community of deaf and hearing people whose goals are to promote language acquisition, social justice, and quality education through the awareness of ASL and its excellence in cultivating the critical intellect of deaf infants and young deaf children.<span style=""> </span>The Deaf Bilingual Coalition will work to inform parents of deaf children, guardians, teachers of the deaf, doctors, audiologists, government officials, businesses, and other organizations on the importance of ASL in early language acquisition for all deaf infants and young deaf children.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>DBC will work to spread awareness of the research that shows that ASL does make significant contribution to the development of literacy skills in both languages, ASL and English. And lastly, DBC will work in collaboration with others to promote the respect and understanding of ASL.</span></p></div></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" > </span>DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-83330565407310967422007-08-09T20:25:00.000-04:002007-11-30T01:41:19.525-05:00#7 Wrap Up at the AG Bell Conference Protest<object height="350" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6d1eqe36MWs"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6d1eqe36MWs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object><br /><br />Leaders summarized its goals and purpose of the Deaf Bilingual Coalition.<br /><br />Again, thanks a zillion to Ruthie Jordan for her hard work with filming and editing!DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-55902356902377694962007-08-09T17:37:00.000-04:002007-11-30T01:41:19.525-05:00#6 The Participants' Testimonies about AG Bell<div class="myvDesc"> <span id="BeginvidDescvJlyYTu48j0">See what the participants got to say during the AG Bell conference Protest.<br /><br /></span> </div><br /><object height="350" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vJlyYTu48j0"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vJlyYTu48j0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object><br /><br />Kudos to Ruthie Jordan for filming and editing!DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-10880444735332257102007-08-09T17:30:00.000-04:002007-08-10T18:47:57.798-04:00#5 Children in the AG Bell Conference Protest<span id="BeginvidDescDwi4hBphUzg"> You will see different children, both deaf and hearing, making comments during the AG Bell Conference Protest.</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.videoserver.us/ftp/barb/children%20in%20protest.mov">Play Quicktime</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dwi4hBphUzg"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dwi4hBphUzg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object><br /><br />Thanks to Ruthie Jordan for her filming and editing work!DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-22927163101159672242007-08-09T16:48:00.000-04:002007-11-30T01:41:19.526-05:00#4 People's Reaction when receiving the flyer at AG Bell Conference ProtestThis video clip will show you how people reacted when the demonstrators passed out the flyer at AG Bell Conference.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NfitY5k8hkU"> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NfitY5k8hkU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object><br /><br /><a href="http://blog.deafread.com/abcohende/2007/07/27/agb-protest-copy-of-the-flyer/">Link to flyer</a><br /><br />Much appreciation to Ruthie Jordan for her filming and editing work.DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-16359538402329115412007-08-09T16:40:00.000-04:002007-11-30T01:41:19.526-05:00#3 AG Bell Protest: Day One: A Deaf Child Harmed<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/avNtqQ3YB4s"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/avNtqQ3YB4s" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />From the Deaf Bilingual Coalition:<br /><br />After today's (July 27th) commotion (Crystal Gateway Marriott manager Jenny Botero's unprovoked attack on us) at the AG Bell convention, we debriefed each other and made more discoveries to today's attack.<br /><br />AG Bell convention site coordinator/manager Botero snatched the flyers from Brianna DiGi, Barb DiGi's 8-year-old Deaf daughter, and in the process, harmed her. Brianna had scratches on her hand where the AG Bell coordinator/manager snatched the flyers from.<br /><br />Yes, AG Bell coordinator/manager Botero abruptly snatched the flyers from a 8-year-old child and scratched her. Brianna was briefly traumatized by this unprovoked assault.<br /><br />AG Bell coordinator/manager Botero then added insult to injury by ripping the flyers in half. Why would anybody do that to a 8-year-old child?<br /><br />Brianna was OUTSIDE the hotel on a public sidewalk, and she was handing flyers to people LEAVING the hotel for lunch.<br /><br />Before we go on, we assure you that Brianna is now OK and she retold her experience on video. <br /><br />The video also includes evidence of AG Bell coordinator/manager Botero struggling with Raychelle Harris, who was peacefully handing out flyers and raising social awareness. See for yourself.<br /><br />Is it acceptable to physically harm and traumatize an innocent 8-year-old Deaf child who was outside the hotel and not provoking anybody?<br /><br />Tomorrow we continue our campaign 9 AM-approximately 2 PM. We stand ready to talk w/ media and raise awareness. We also will remain PEACEFUL and hope that AG Bell coordinator/manager Jenny Botero does not attack Brianna or us again. Again, we are to remain PEACEFUL and continue raising awareness of Deaf children's and their families' plight.<br /><br />Thank you.<br />Deaf Bilingual Coalition<br /><br />This transcript was composed by two people, Jenny Cantrell and Brian Riley who graciously offered their transcription services.<br /><br />((Footage of Raychelle Harris being accosted by the hotel manager))<br /><br />RAYCHELLE HARRIS:<br /><br />We’re outside!… (after the manager leaves) whoa.<br /><br />RAYCHELLE HARRIS:<br /><br />We were outside the hotel and I could pass out our flyers. Hey, it’s a free country, right? No problem there. I was outside and conference attendees passed me on both sides as they were leaving the building. I passed out the flyer with a smile on my face and people took the flyers, seeming to accept them just fine. I kept passing them out as people walked out past me and it was peaceful. Suddenly, much to my shock, the manager was in my face, a woman with shoulder-length hair, approached me and seized my flyers. It happened so fast. She forcefully grabbed the flyer. I was holding them as she tried to pull them out of my hands. She was trying to speak to me while tugging and yanking on the flyers. She suddenly let go and walked away. WHOA. I, stunned, couldn’t help but WONDER… would she do this to hearing protesters? I mean, she might approach hearing protesters and talk to them. But would she actually grab onto flyers in an attempt to confiscate them? Would she rip them, like she actually did to someone else?<br /><br />BARBARA DiGIOVANNI:<br /><br />I was walking outside and I looked over and noticed something happening — I saw Raychelle’s tussle with the security guard, the very same security guard, um, manager, named Jenny. After the struggle ended, I told my daughter to come along with me to the sidewalk area, because I remembered very clearly that this was specifically where we were permitted to distribute flyers. We, happily, were right by the bus area where conference attendees were lined up to board. We seized the opportunity to pass our flyers out to the people in line. My daughter and I were passing out flyers peacefully. Everything seemed to be going fine. But then wouldn’t you know it? All of a sudden, the woman came up to us the minute she saw us, Jenny I mean, and GRABBED the flyers from my daughter’s hands. My eyes flew to the manager. She then snatched the flyers from mine and I was so confused and stunned. This was totally unexpected and it happened so fast. She just came up from behind and yanked them from us. Bewildered, I said, “Wait, what are you doing? What are we doing wrong? We’re here on the sidewalk area.” She said, “No, this is my property! You all just get out! You’re not allowed!” And the she began ripping up all our flyers! I couldn’t believe what was happening. I just felt that she completely shut us out. There was no attempt to discuss it with me or try to initiate a dialogue. NONE. She totally jumped the gun by snatching the flyers from my daughter, confusing her and me too. Then, as we were still reeling from what had just happened, she just up and left without finishing the discussion. She walked away like this very angry woman, just walking around like that. You can see how crazed she looks on the video. That’s evidence.<br /><br />I pondered the recent events. Later on, yes, I was still stunned. I talked it over with my daughter to make sure she was all right. We discussed feelings at length, and she shared that she was stunned and afraid. This went on for a while. Some time passed after that discussion. But it wasn’t until only one hour ago that she finally shared something, y’know, during quiet time, just the two of us bonding and sharing. My daughter told me, “That woman scratched my hand.” I was like WHAT??? A SCRATCH? If I had known this in the first place, I would have reacted much differently at the time. With the knowledge that she TOUCHED her, I became furious, unhappy, and heartbroken. It grieved me to think of what that woman did to my daughter. What will my daughter think? Will she hate this hotel and hearing people because one treated her this way? This was so completely unnecessary. She should have approached me first in a calm manner and talked it over with me, not simply grab and yank the flyers out of our hands. I was actually following their policies! This just threw me off and she was trying to be mean and squash us. When my daughter told me all this, I put my own feelings on hold and focused on supporting her. I’m feeling down and I’m grieving. These feelings will fade with time, but at the same time, I will do something! I will have to. I’ll write letters, tell others my story, let it out. And all of you can add your own contributions to the effort. The process will gain momentum. What right do they have to do that? Scratch into her hand like that? Is that right for them to do that? No!<br /><br />BRIANNA DiGIOVANNI:<br /><br />Today I was at the AG Bell convention. We were in a group, passing out flyers to people. Everything was fine when I saw Raychelle trying to keep her flyers from the woman. I watched, shocked. We walked fast to the sidewalk. It would be better. I was just passing them out with my mom. We were just passing them out when I saw; I had no idea, the manager, behind my back, grabbed my hand and scratched it. It hurt. Ow. I watched her grab my mom’s papers. I watched, scared. She grabbed the my papers out of my hands and then ripped them up into pieces! I felt really scared. I watched, uh-oh. What’s wrong with her?<br /><br />__________________________________<br /><br />From Amy Cohen Efron:<br /><br />The morale of this story: Deaf people uses our hands to communicate, and we desire that all Hearing people to use THEIR hands to communicate with us. We do not tolerate having THEIR hands to control us, by touching, pushing, snatching, hitting, grabbing, but not using their hands to communicate.<br /><br />Why cannot people just try to use their hands to communicate, instead of using them on us?<br /><br />That is a very serious communication breakdown, but sad, very… very… common for us to be controlled by their hands all of the time.<br /><br />The irony is… hearing babies are encouraged to use their hands to communicate before they can speak. Deaf babies are not allowed, and will not…<br /><br />Think about this.<br /><br />Special thanks to Aidan Mack for filming and editing.DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-75814869353151298262007-08-09T15:51:00.000-04:002007-11-30T01:41:19.527-05:00#2 Here you can see what the AG Bell Booth Display looks like<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-H-garkPF-w" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed><br /><br />The video clip shows what materials are exhibited at the AG Bell Booth area to give you an idea how they market their ideology.<br /><br />Do you think the bilingual ideology is well publicized and organized like that? That is why the founding of DBC is necessary to reach out to parents of deaf babies about the benefits of ASL.<br /><br />Special thanks to Ruthie Jordan for her filming and editing work.DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1221373636073066916.post-21771271400698912892007-08-09T15:45:00.000-04:002007-11-30T01:41:19.528-05:00#1 AG Bell Protest:: The Day Before<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xm_BLoMYCH8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xm_BLoMYCH8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Thanks to Aidan Mack for filming and editing.DBChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12825891347546157153noreply@blogger.com0