Oral Deaf Education

Question: For deaf people - which education system do you think is the best, and why? Do you think it's better to be mainstreamed, learn sign language at a deaf school, or go with the oral method?

Answer: I went to Model Secondary School for the Deaf now I am mainstreamed in a hearing university. I am from a deaf family and let me give you my first hand expierence. I believe that a deaf school is better. When I went to my deaf school I felt like I fitted in with my classmates and I had the independence. Now while at a hearing university I need to have an interpretor with me to communicate with my classmates and teachers and my world is very restricted if it wasn't for the interpretor.

Question: Opinions on the oral method of education vs. using sign language? I'm doing a National History Day project on using sign language vs. speaking, so I'm asking deaf and hearing people who know what they are: Which do you prefer, and why?

Answer: I could go on about this forever...but Okay, what is most important for Deaf children is that they have a full language they can fully access from as young as possible--just like hearing children. Deaf people cannot fully access English--even with CI's and HA's etc...they can't. English is a phonetic, sound-based language. Though they can see and learn to read/write fluent English, that is the secondary form---hearing people write VERY differently than they speak. Deaf people can fully access ASL. It is a visual language MADE for the visual medium that is as efficient in conveying information as any spoken language. What happens to most deaf kids? They end up with NO language. Parents want so badly for them to be "hearing," and forbid them to sign while experimenting with HAs, CIs, lipreading, speechtherapy, etc... the absolute HIGHEST number of Deaf people who "succeed" with these methods is 25%---what about the other 75%... one of my good friends is a definite "ORal success" John Tracy and Clarke and AGB would love to show her off if they knew about here ...anyway, though she speaks VERY well and is fluent in English--she speaks "written English" and though she lipreads better than anyone I know, though of/c she still misses some stuff...and most important---her WHOLE life was spent on speech therapy, HAs, etc... she grew up only deaf student in all hearing schools...Straight A's but NO friends...and worst, her CONFIDENCE SUCKs...it is non-existent...and she is considered one of the biggest successes! Most Deaf children who go through the system end up having some basic communication skill, but no FLUENT language...they never master English and then learn sign so late it can't be a Native language to them, and they can't even use ASL totally effectively. So um yeah---sign or speech, which way do I go? I think it's kind of obvious, but -for the record, I am not against trying to teach Deaf kids to speak and lipread--if they have a knack for it...kinda like hearing kids learning to play a musical instrument...but it isn't vital...what is MOST vital is language...Hearing people can't begin to understand what it's like to live without language---and the fact that many deaf people do-and it's very possible that their deaf child will if they deprive their child of language I am a hearing person involved in the Deaf community-btw..sorry for the lack of coherency and complete sentences in many parts of this, I am in a hurry, have to go :) This was just off the top of my head.

Question: question about deaf school? I am looking up information about the California School for the deaf in Fremont, california. I was wondering if people HAVE to be deaf to attend there? How much does it cost/tuition? And how is education taught there (oral, total communication; signs used?) thank you

Answer: If it is like other deaf schools then YES you would need to be deaf. Costs vary and education would be taught using American Sign Language. Although there are two types of sign language, American sign language is by far the most widely used. If you are interested in learning sign language you would be able to take a course through your local college or adult education center.

Question: Where to go for a Sign Communication Proficiency Interview in Ohio? I am Deaf, and English is my first language. Just curious as to where I can go to take the SCPI or ASLPI. Fluency in ASL is what I am trying to look for by formal standards, and I'd like to get a glimpse at where I need improving. YES - I am involved in the Deaf community - I am mainstreamed and oral and while my vocabulary is much larger than my classmates' and my command of ASL stronger - I'd like to know how I can improve for the SCPI. Test prep books and videos are good, too. I need to be bilingual as I am planning on going to Gallaudet, and majoring in ASL/English Bilingual Deaf Education. ETA: I already know ASL. I just don't know how fluent I am by SCPI standards. The local school for the deaf signs straight English, not bilingualism, so my practise mainly comes from Deaf socials not at the local SD. Many older students are bilingual, but it is hard to switch off English in signing when that is primarily what you're being exposed to. The Deaf teachers use ASL, but there are only 19, so their influence is limited.

Answer: I'm deaf too and I learned sign language in my deaf school. There's sign language classes, maybe u can take some at deaf schools and Galladuet? I also go to mainstream, hearing school. I heard inv future there's will be new courses in Sign Languages in high school

Question: Asking for help with ASL? I am learning ASL through distance education (on line) and I live in an area with either very few Deaf or hoh people or they are completely under served and "invisible". However, there is a girl who works at our local Walmart who is Deaf, but very oral. I have never seen her sign. Would it be rude of me to ask her if she does sign and if she does, would she help me practice? I really don't want to offend her.

Answer: I don't think so You are willing to help other people. I think she would more then glad to help or direct you to someone that could.

Question: How can I change other people's opinion of me and my 'disability'? I am severe to profoundly deaf, and have hearing aids so I am able to hear most things. Today I encountered a friend of a friend who was, in my opinion quite rude. We went to the same junior school, and back then I was forced/made to wear a radio mic all day, so people saw it. I don't wear it anymore, I haven't done so since 4-5 years ago. Anyway, this person asked my friend whether I was still deaf and was asking questions about my deafness, while I was standing in front of them at that point. After their conversation, she smiled at me sympathetically. I do not need sympathy - I have accepted the fact that that I am deaf and I am happy to answer any questions about it. I have no idea why they didn't just ask me directly, just because I'm deaf doesn't mean that I'm dense. I am not trying to be egotistical but I don't think I'm unintelligent. My audiologist is also.. well at appointments, he talks to and asks my parents about me even when I wear my hearing aids. At IEP (Individual Education Plan) meetings, the adults also tend to talk to my parents while I am present. I'm not unwelcoming at all and I don't have a negative attitude. I should add that I am oral deaf, so I do not know how to sign (apart from the basics) although I fully intend to learn and use it when I move away from home. There isn't really an excuse why people can't talk to me. Anyway.. my question. How can I make people talk to me instead of using a third party, and how can I change their opinion of me overall?

Answer: You are allowing this to happen. When a person starts asking questions, why did you not interupt ans say I can answer that question myself. When a doctor speaks to your parents - interrupt and say - these are my ears and my hearing we are talking about - so talk to me. And at the IEPs your parents should insist that you are an included member and can speak for yourself. As a parent of someone people often think cannot speak for himself - when they make that assumption, I just turn to him and say - I think you can answer that better than I can Teddy. And wait for his reply. Ask your parents to do the same.