Let's compare with the recent ASL video that came out on what it appears to be (CDE) California Department of Education's official support on the ASL option against all other communication methods and options in an equal unbiased approach on information for parents to watch. Also see the CDE Oversight Committee in the last video below at 12:55 to see the scrolling names. You might recognize some of the names. That alone certainly raise questions about the possibility of conflict of interest. Who is Andrew Laufer?
As far as I can tell there were no budget set aside using California's public tax dollars to produce a video on other communication and language options for parents to learn and be informed about. The budget of $34,000 dollars was used to produce the inspirational ASL video with the intent to distribute DVD videos targeting parents of newborn Deaf or hard of hearing children. It is not known if CDE will include other DVDs, pamphlets or other information about other options along with the distributed ASL DVD video for parents to have. Is that their intent? Or just the ASL video only?
I have a question for you CDE, are other options being denied to parents who need to know all other options in order to make an informed decision regarding their deaf/hh newborn child? Is this the only DVD video available for those parents that talks expressly only on ASL? Do you have other communication options to provide and show? Do you have plans to make other similar videos about Cued Speech? Signing Exact English? Audio-Verbal approaches? And so on?
Auditory-oral approach on learning how to speak and improve listening skill.
Cued speech with auditory-oral examples along with sign language using Cuers.
A deaf/hh boy with hearing aid learning how to speak and listen fluently in both the English and Cantonese language through auditory-oral approach with his mother.
A mother and deaf/hh son (with a cochlear implant) moment with her signing in SEE and him responding in SEE which is a full visual communication access of the English language while at the same time hear exactly the spoken English language.
California Department of Education's ASL video of parents and kids signing only.
10 comments:
I find your eye on bias entertaining. Considering how biased you are.
It's unfortunate that you can't let the anger go for just a moment. Often I agree with you. Cheers.
anony @ 1:48 PM,
Nothing about bias but about ensuring that parents get the necessary information so that they can make an informed decision. Asking whether the DVD ASL video will also include information (e.g. pamphlets, etc) about other communication options is a valid question. There's no anger here when it's questioning to make sure that CDE make itself neutral as possible when it comes to providing parents the necessary materials to make informed decisions. Why would anybody be against that? Are you? How is that be contrued as me being "angry"?
My support is to see that parents get all of the appropriate information so they can make an informed decision regarding their deaf/hh child on communication, educational and language options.
Surely nobody is against that idea. Right? Somehow I think some are actually against that idea of letting parents make an informed decision and be forced to do what states tell them what to do instead.
I see a running trend here---super supportive and loving families. The parents' dedication, hard work, and willingness to communicate with and interact with their children is usually what makes whatever communication mode parents choose work.
Yes. That's the key. Parents help make it work by being involved and dedicated.
There is no question that strong supportive families contribute to the success of each deaf/hh child regardless of what communication/language options are chosen.
All of the videos shows that.
All but the last video are not supported nor funded by taxpayer dollars. It appears that the last video is. And, every time there are funding/support by entity that recieve taxpayer dollars, it raises questions. California Department of Education cannot and should not have preference in communication/language options. They should be required to present all options so that parents are informed. It goes without saying.
Andrew Laufer is an Education Administrator within CDE, specifically the Office of the Deputy Superintendent, Special Services and Support Branch. CDE endorses this video and intend to distribute DVD's. Had the video been funded by a non-profit, questions would not be raised.
I see 3 out of 5 videos without transcriptions. Interesting... Let's assume that CDE did support the 5th video. Why would ANY Department of Education support this video? Afterall, aren't they about EDUCATION? @(e, Mike, and Candy, I agree with you that strong, supportive, loving families is the key to their child's communciation options. (@Mike and your readers, I apologize for going off point to your blog) How about the deaf/hh children where the parents are not involved, for whatever reasons, and the parents take no accountability, who steps in to make the informed decision for the child to access ALL communication options? Would that be Foster parents? Dept of Human Services? Dept. Of EDUCATION? Who is accountable?
The CDE does support that 5th video...the DVD ASL video. Else they wouldn't have set aside $34,000 to pay for the materials to help develop the video.
Yet, as a matter of fact, California Department of Education supports the communication choices parents make for their deaf or hard of hearing children. Which means if parents choose SEE and auditory-oral communication options, for example, the CDE would still undoubtedly support parents in making that communication choice. No?
I'm a native user of ASL. My opinion is simply that "whatever that's best for each as long as respect is given towards others in coexistence." I point out that many cued speech users are known to get home from Deaf / ASL functions and backstab signers especially ASL users especially when socializing amongst their own kind (cued speech users). They coexist with ASL Deaf often out of necessity due to small numbers of cued speech users. They engage in colonialism and dysconscious audism. And, the person in the second video is a well known example of such tendencies. Frankly, I don't care what degrees she has especially her second in a field which you'll find most ironic. :)
Anonymous..
Sounds like certain people I know within the deaf signing community (not online).
So, what else is new?
Interesting...that CDE is going to promote this DVD. If I'm not mistaken, the current legal code specifies WRITTEN information to be given to parents of deaf babies.
I refer you to California Health and Safety Code:
124119.5. Parents of all newborns and infants diagnosed with a
hearing loss shall be provided written information on the
availability of community resources and services for children with
hearing loss, including those provided in accordance with the federal
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et
seq.), through the reporting and tracking system followup procedures.
Information shall include listings of local and statewide nonprofit
deaf and hard-of-hearing consumer-based organizations, parent support
organizations affiliated with deafness, and programs offered through
the State Department of Social Services, Office of Deaf Access,
State Department of Developmental Services, and the State Department
of Education.
Just sayin'...
Ann_C
Post a Comment