An Open Letter To AG Bell Association (closed-captioned)

In a response to AG Bell Association's recent letter to teachers of the Deaf who sign with Deaf children. AG Bell are soliciting temporary memberships that offended many of us due to the exclusion of American Sign Language and labeling us teachers "hearing specialists".

Here is the link to Patti Durr's blog:
http://handeyes.wordpress.com/2011/07/30/%C2%A1ya-basta-agbad-and-blue-tape/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• ag
• Bell
• association
• Deaf
• ASL
• Oral
• sign
• bilingual
• teachers
• of
• the
• deaf
• AFA
• audism

[aguabo]

AGBell is the culprit in causing our deaf children's limited literacy skill and believes that ability to hearing and speaking is more important than education. I'm tired of ignorant people blaming our residential schools for failing children's edu. They forgot their early language foundation of oral education or lack of access to ASL contributes nothing but struggles and failing as they get older. Expensive mistake!

[avbria]

@aguabo Well said! It is an expensive mistake that not only involves monetary costs but emotional and language costs. Too often, Deaf schools are catering to Deaf students who came in with no language thanks to oral method that failed them and signing teachers ends up working hard to help them improve as much as they can but sad to say that there are damages already done. Language acquisition did not occur for them naturally when they were younger that resulted in academic unreadiness.

[Rudytheboss100]

I wish I knew what she was saying. ):

[avbria]

@Rudytheboss100 It is closed captioned :-) Just click on CC button right below the screen.

[TheYizuman]

When the video begins, first thing it should show up is the word "English" on the top left corner of the screen, that has not happened. Compare that with other actual CC videos and you will see what I mean. If you fail to understand what I mean, then get your son and daughter involved and they'll fix it for you.

[avbria]

@TheYizuman Ok, I fixed the problem. Please let me know if it is there in your screen. Thanks for the attention.

[LagunaZurfer]

Just send AG Bell money from your Monopoly game; they would be so touched by your generosity and thoughtfulness.

[FatBoyRules]

It s actually corruption by De Facto Organization - AGB. They do not focus the issues based on humanity toward children's needs. It obviously indicates full hypocrisy regarding they are making luxury livings from  their professions. They purposely invest their money toward De Facto Organization - to find something new goals such as practicing LSL mode where they could continue their profession.

[grandma2maj]

@aguabo AMEN!!!!! A hundred times over!!!! I love your family. I love your logic. I am so sick of the audist untruths and underhanded ways!!!!

[signingisfun4u]

I just want to thank you for posting this wonderful video. As an ASL instructor and educator I am so tired all these years having to deal with AG Bell and others that believe "LSL" (really????) is the only way for the deaf community to communicate, become independent and be happy apparently! If a family chooses implants then what is the problem w/ also including ASL? Why does it need to be an either/or with them? Makes me sick. Re-posting on my website too for Washington State.

[starsdreams]

HELLO! I just went to AGBELL website and found this ridiculous message about what a parent said..

“The AG Bell Convention literally changed our lives. When we learned our son was born deaf, we ventured to the convention to learn about listening and speaking. When we returned for our second convention, we couldn’t have been more proud of how far he’s come. Thank you AG Bell!”

--REALLY? How can LSL be successful without primary language?

[PamIrish]

I just had a large bonfire today. ;0)

Yeah what a nerve AGBell is! >:0(

[trey102]

I know I've commented something like what I'm about to say on another one of your videos, but thank you for standing up for ASL and for showing so many hearing people the error of their ways. I always enjoy and learn from your videos, and when I get tired of the ignorance and resistance I meet, I am refreshed by them. Again, thank you.

[76JTW]

Shoulda used a match, signifies the most basic of all, what launched us humans beyond the caves. ASL is one of the languages to be used from beginning and a match is that.

[sowildpaul]

Wow! I have heard about it but I didn't see a proof until now. Hopefully all hearing teachers for the Deaf oppose it, too. Damn, Nazi AGB is looking for trouble. If hearing parents of a deaf child do what AGB wants them to do, those parents will be sorry when in the future, they will find out that it's not successful for the deaf child. I don't care about hard of hearing children who are able to learn speech.

[deafcozy]

I LIke that you did right things to do is burn it.

[aguabo]

@avbria yes, emotional and language costs, keep on burning those cards.