Let's start from the beginning. There is no way that Gallaudet University can enforce a rule that whoever enters the campus must sign only. A near impossibility. Firstly, those who are hearing or have some hearing loss (i.e. mild/moderate, with hearing aid) should not be made to feel that they cannot use their own voice at a table at, for example, one of Gallaudet University's eateries while dining with another hearing person or two. This "hearing space" is really about using one's own voice to communicate and not about a "hearing" status per se. It should be called "Open Zone" or something similar instead because there are people with hearing loss who prefer or are more comfortable in using his/her own voice or are in a position where you have non-signers and must use voice to communicate.
Now, second question, should these "Hearing Space" designations come to fruition on campus will these designated areas allow people with hearing loss to use it as well so they can talk instead of signing? Suppose a group of hard of hearing people with their hearing aids prefer to go to these designated areas? Should this "Hearing Space" only be available for hearing people? What about people with hearing loss who grew up talking and listening with their hearing aids (or in this case nowadays cochlear implants) who have no problem in having oral discussions with other people?
But to have a designated lounge room or a designated area where people are free to talk without fear for reprisal or scorn reminds me of this picture below:
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| Water fountains with "white" and "colored" signs above them |
Right now I am unclear if this "Hearing Space" would be more like having a designated lounge, sort of like a teacher lounge. Or does this "space" include a designated spot at one of the dining or eatery places on campus such as Rathskellar or the Marketplace? More clarification is needed on exactly what this "Hearing Space" entails.
What about people who talk on their cell phones on the campus of Gallaudet University? The moment a hearing or hard of hearing person picks up his cell phone to answer it while on campus at Gallaudet University in a pubic place is essentially creating his/her own "hearing space" to begin with. And, yes, Gallaudet University is a public place and talking on a cell phone isn't a crime. Will people be encouraged to use these segregated but designated "hearing spaces" just so they can talk on the cell phones without fear for reprisal or scorn? Or heaven forbid lose their job because somebody caught a hearing teacher talk on her cell phone in Rathskellar? Or have hard of hearing students earn their Scarlett Letter 'A' for daring to use his cell phone to talk while at the Marketplace?
Believe it or not I've actually witnessed an interpreter who received a phone call on his cell phone and proceeded to talk out in the open near the Marketplace. But he signed while he talked. Does this make it any better? It was rather odd that for a private and personal call he'd make his discussion publicly known for all those "eavesdroppers." Oh, sure, people will say it's about "respect" but I don't see it that way any more than people signing what they've just texted for all "eavesdroppers" to see.
A discussion among people at a table (e.g. the Marketplace) is usually a private affair and whatever they say shouldn't be of any interest to outsiders, deaf or hearing. Eavesdropping is disrespectful. This isn't about communication access among deaf people but rather about the relative privacy of communication in a public place.
I liked what Joseph P. Rioto had to say commenting about this so called "Hearing Space" (see third comment):
I would suggest that the university takes a hard look at the concept of pluralism. Although the word is not mentioned explicitly, the concept of pluralism is very obvious in the resolution that was adopted by the International Congress on Education of the Deaf (ICED) 2010 last summer. The resolution says to respect all languages and forms of communication. I do not need to elaborate the possible consequences if the university chooses not to abide by the resolution. Some of the arguments that I have seen apparently want to reject or greatly restrict the resolution and that is a serious matter.Respect for all languages and forms of communication goes both ways. Restricting them for the sake of ideology could lead to intolerance and discrimination by turning Gallaudet University into, as Joseph P. Rioto puts it, "a cathedral that is dedicated to the god of ASL." How far is too far? Until this "Hearing Space" is clarified we'll have a better grasp on exactly who brought up this idea and what issues drove people to suggest this "Hearing Space."
11 comments:
MM posted this video on Deaf Awareness to his blog a few weeks ago that was filmed at RTID http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs_vLeja_xw. You get the impression it's a very open and diverse deaf community there. If I were a young deaf person today, I would probably be more attracted to that environment than Gallaudet. People should not be told how to speak or which language to speak in certain places. That's just plain wrong. I have never heard of a university that dictated the language spoken in specified areas, other than language classrooms.
We need a 'Gallaudet' free space.
We enjoyed reading your thoughtful article about this. One of these days, we hope to visit GU also!
Check us out - we are inclusive: www.ccacaptioning.org
Hoping we continue to come together,
ls/ccac
Eavesdropping? How can deafies listen to private conversation of others?
You meant eyesdropping? We use eyes.
You do bring up interesting point as well as other did.
Never thought of it until you brought it up.
I was at Gally recently. Everyone enjoys what they do and there is no sign saying you must do this or that. I have been all over the campus. I spent few nights at Rathskellar (my old stomping ground). I see all kinds of people enjoying communications.
Have a good Thanksgiving,
Paul
This discussion comes from whether or not Gallaudet should encourage a total immersion atmosphere for those who come for that experience. It isn't just an academic institution, it's also a cultural institution with both aspects being equally important.
Having "hearing zones" seems reasonable for those who need to take a break. Not a problem. Just close the door, find a spot away from the crowd, what you normally do when you want to have a private and uninterrupted conversation anyway.
Not to be encouraged are these:
--Interrupting a class or a meeting being conducted in signs to speak with someone there.
--Talking in front of deaf people: might as well draw an exclusionary curtain around yourselves.
--Dropping a signed conversation to answer a phone call or to speak to another hearing person.
--Any situation where one belatedly realizes there are Deaf people present and still continues to speak.
Gallaudet is in an unique position to sensitize hearing people for future positions where they will work with Deaf people as equals, as students or as clients. I have seen too many hearing professionals treat even fellow Deaf professionals in a callous, unconsciously rude way simply by using spoken English and neglecting sign language.
This effectively sends a message: hearing is superior to deaf. Hearing is an exclusive club that Deaf people aren't allowed in.
Gallaudet doesn't want to send people like this out into the community.
Allow me to deviate from this subject ever so slightly... I had a pleasure of visiting the campus nearly two weeks ago. We even stayed at Kellogg Conference Center. While we truly enjoyed observing students and staff being themselves in a nearly-all ASL environment, I noticed several young people engrossed into their own worlds with ipod earpieces embedded into their ears.
That being said, those with residual hearing are not allowed to use their residual hearing for their enjoyment outside of the "designated" Hearing Space?
hah!
One can eavesdrop with their eyes. I would be amused if I saw a hearing person finding the need to sign while on a personal cell phone call.
I am going to guess, bases on Who is Gallaudet article that there are a few radicals like Elena Ruiz and Ryan Commerson and etal who are proposing this 'hearing space' .
I would also GUESS that 'hearing space' would be only in confines of that students dorm room or anywhere off campus.
Weird.
Enrollment at Gally now comprises 60% of the students from mainstreaming, etc programs and 40% from residential schools according to the current President. This doesn't include the growing numbers of hearing students. The President said ALL perspectives of the deaf experience must mesh.
So those of you thinking of NOT going to Gallaudet, maybe this will give you pause to re-consider; the tide IS turning, it seems.
Tousi
I see a typo and it bothers me..
bases should be based.
Happens when I leave comments using my phone. (usually)
Thank you.
Gov. Brewer of Arizona is phrasing out ASDB within two years. One, ASDB has violated IEP requirements. Two, it cost too much money to maintain with unproven academic track records. Finally, on campus all must sign without spoken English.
The end is near. NMSD and other 6 schools are doing it. They have changed it into deaf space without government's knowledge. Everyone is scared.
It'll bite these people whom done these type of process illegally.
Dianez, to counteract some supposition hearing is better than deaf, they create an area where it appears deaf is better than hearing ? The idea is to remove barriers not create more I would have thought. Ya boo hearing through that door deaf through this one... What have we been campaigning for for the last 50 years ? segregation again ? You don't respond to discrimination by creating your own version. Total signing environments do NOT reflect the majority usage or culture of deaf people, so Gally is dated too. It's what happens when you put too many reactionaries in the same place, extremists win through.
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