Truth #1: Dr. E.M. Gallaudet started it first several years after the Milan Conference of 1880 by agreeing that "oral teaching should be included" and believed that "the oral method as a necessity in any system that aimed to reach the highest good of the deaf." Although he does support sign language as well, the oral-aural component simply cannot be ignored coming from Dr. E.M. Gallaudet.
Yet, technology today has changed everything in terms of how we approach language and the various communication methods that are out there. That cannot be ignored and how it impacts people with hearing loss. Even social interactions and the outcomes are much different today than it was 20 years ago simply because the internet was barely on the radar and 30 years ago the internet wasn't even around. Today we have the internet, video phone, chat features, CART, closed captioning, face to face technology such as the UbiDuo, discussion forums, blogs, vlogs, YouTube, Facebook, smart phones, and so on. The socialization aspect on how we interact with people, deaf and hearing) has certainly changed and that there are many levels of socialization nowadays.
Truth #2: ICED issued a global call to "accept and respect all languages and all forms of communication" in the education of deaf and hard of hearing people. This is a simple and straight-forward if not common sense announcement. Although there are no mention of how its done or whether one method or approach would be satisfactory enough or the combining with other methods for a more rounder, comprehensive approach that's more suitable. No. Nothing like that. Just that people simply need to accept and respect all languages and all forms of communication when it comes to the education of deaf and hard of hearing people. Short, sweet and to the point.
Truth #3: Diversity is real. It's a natural feature to be expected from people with a variety hearing loss ranging from mild to profound who have various preferences on how to communicate. Marlee Matlin made it abundantly clear when it comes to diversity
I sign, I support deaf culture. And I support ALL CHOICES of communication, all kinds of people. If you don’t like my choices, well….Ain't that the truth? And there are people who do not like to offer or support choices but make these demands on mandatory requirements instead.
Truth #4: Parents of children with hearing loss hold the trump card on making a decisions regarding communication methods, language development, and eduction for their child. All we can hope is that parents will have enough information to make an informed decision. People cannot force parents to do their bidding. It's a fact of life, parents are the ones to who make these informed decisions. Not you or anybody else. The best thing people can do is to supply parents with all of the necessary information that are balanced and unbiased.
Truth #5: Be comfortable for who you are and not about what you are. If you love to talk and listen, so be it. If you love to sign and watch, so be it. Just don't become lemmings.
