Hypocrisy? Double Standards? You be the judge.

The one common language that all Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people in the United States have immediate access to on the internet is the printed English language.

Now, tell me. I'm utterly befuddled with this glaringly and obvious conundrum by those screaming about Deaf Village's #5 requirement (submitted video entries require a texted version). Why hasn't there been a collective hue and cry over Deaf bloggers for not including ASL video versions of their blog entries? Deaf bloggers have been doing this for years. Ridor is a good example who have purposely ignored those who want/require/need an ASL video version of the written texted entries. He is, after all, a well known and favored Deaf blogger. No? What about DeafRead? They failed to provide an ASL video version in their guidelines and elsewhere! Boy, talk about not having "mutual respect." And yet no one is screaming bloody murder over that one? What about Gallaudet University's website for not including ASL video versions with all of their texted versions? And NTID? Or other Deaf websites? Why not the outrage over these bloggers and websites? It's because everybody knows that English is the one common language that is immediately accessible to the largest group of people, including Deaf. So by eliminating the texted version requirement would not fit the philosophy of Deaf Village on providing the most common form communication access. The printed English language is that common ground we all have.

Now, until people start addressing the issue of "non-compliance" committed by Deaf bloggers, Deaf websites, Gallaudet University's websites, NTID, DeafRead, etc, for not including ASL video versions of their texted entries then those people "might" have a leg to stand on with their complaints. Otherwise trying to spin it in the direction of Deaf Village on not having that "mutual respect" would be nothing but a hypocrite response. I'd say that'd be a heck of an Achilles Heel right there by those making that complaint. I'm sorry to say this but people need to look into their own Deaf mirrors before making those charges of double standards. Go after the Deaf bloggers first for a change because these bloggers ought to know better to include ASL video versions of their texted entries. Right?

Ok. I'm being quite facetious and sarcastic, obviously so, but I'm trying to make a point here, and I apologize to those who may feel offended by my comments here. But if people are going to make charges of "double standards" then please apply those same charges to the many Deaf bloggers and Deaf websites for not including an ASL video version of their texted entries. Else you end up looking like a hypocrite.

Deaf Village's target audience isn't only just Deaf people but people with heairng loss from all stripes and those who want to learn more about deafness and read about deaf/hh people experiences. But the bottom line in all this is that the one common language shared by all is the English language.

UPDATE I (a response):

Tony wrote:

Secondly, Ridor’s blog is a personal site, which is different to deaf village which is an
“aggregator”. Once again, the terms for access are different.

Um, Tony. That kind of reasoning doesn't fly which you infer that an aggregator site has an obligation to help ensure access. Not in the case of any aggregator business. People are saying that DV should somehow be obligated to provide a captioning or transcripting service for Deaf vloggers which are also personal blog sites in the form of videos. If an argument is going to be used in the attempt to somehow exempt Deaf bloggers or Deaf websites from their responsibilities on providing text versions of their ASL video blogs then it won't work if they scream in the same breath that they are entitled to these captioning demands simply flies in the face of incredulity. Else they'd be walking hypocrites. It's also called a "non sequitur" with that kind of reasoning.

So, for the case of Deaf Village you are saying, Tony, in fact, that Deaf Village should somehow provide a text version of vloggers' ASL video blogs so that they can be submitted properly? If so, then certainly DeafRead should also provide subtitles or transcripts for videos by those who speak and want to share his/her opinions to the Deaf masses on deafness issues supposing the person doesn't know how to type or don't know how to do subtitling. Ok. A far-fetched scenario but still equally applicable on the DeafRead side. The resources are simply not there to address these concerns. So, the onus or responsibility still falls on the person making the video to ensure access in the form of a text version. The responsibility does not fall on the content aggregator site when it comes to providing captions/subtitles or transcripts. It's the individuals. That's already clear.

Secondly, everybody knows that English is the one common language that is immediately accessible to the largest group of people, including Deaf. So by eliminating the text version requirement it would not fit the philosophy of DV on helping provide the most common form communication access. And that would be the printed English language which is that common ground we all share.

Now, if Deaf Village (or even DeafRead) or a future aggregator site had the resources, the time, the people and the money I'm sure they would be all too happy to provide a service to help include captions/subtitles or transcript for vloggers' ASL video blogs in order to stay compliant with DV's philosophy on equal communication access. The English language in the printed format is, again, the most common form of communication access that is accessible to the majority of people out there, including Deaf. Guideline #5 is there for a reason, to ensure that readers who do come to DV's content aggregator site will be ensured that whatever mode of communication used in blogs and vlogs will be seen in English.

Now, supposing a service is available for free, will Deaf vloggers take up this service and ensure that their ASL video blogs be captioned in English so that the larger audience can access their video blogs? Or will they take the "purity" route like Tayler did and forego any captioning because it "ruins" or "distract" those who watch ASL vlogs keeping to the mantra of ASL-only videos? Remember, these availble resources do take time, money and people power to make it work.

My response to Mishka Zena

When navel gazing goes too far into the trash can

What Mishka Zena said:

Actually, Shelley, I think Mike does get it. He doesn’t care as he apparently feels the needs of the oral deaf and hearing people more important than the needs of ASL users. Again this is my personal interpretation based on my observations on his posts and comments the last two years.

Incidentally he had already read this post the first time. This is not new to him, not at all, yet he is still pressing on for cc/subtitling of ASL vloggers while being quiet about blogs not being accessible to ASL users.

My response of which I already replied in her blog comment box:

Mishka, it’s a bit of a non sequitur (not to mention being a bit disingenuous) in the attempt to say that written blogs ought to have ASL video interpretations just to make it “fair.” If that’s the case then Closed Captioning on television shows and such ought to be replaced with an ASL interpreter in the corner of the tv screen. If it’s English is so bad to read then make sure you go after Gallaudet University for not including an ASL version for every article written whether it’s news, sports, administration update and so on. If you really want to see hypocrisy go after Gallaudet University or NTID for not including ASL versions in all of their writings over the internet. Or what about the countless Deaf websites that do not have ASL video versions next to their written English sections?

Secondly, you are making a statement (as well as helping perpetuate the 4th grade reading literacy myth/fact) about the literacy levels that Deaf people have by sayinig they are unable to read yet they have no problem taking the time to comment in many blogs. Maybe you ought ought to go after Ricky Taylor’s blogs for not including an ASL vlog version alongside each and every blog entry? But I don’t see Deaf people reaching for their pitchforks going after him for not adding an ASL version to his blog entries. Heck, go after DeafRead for no having an ASL version for their guidelines. After all I wonder how many Deaf people who already read DR’s guidelines didn’t understand them at all because it was all in English? Who knows, maybe they violated DR’s guideline umpteen times it’d make your head spin? You wanna talk about hypocrisy, diversity and accessiblity all in one fell swoop now, Mishka?

English is the one single common language that is accessible to the majority population, deaf or otherwise, who are literate. ASL is not accessible to the majority of the population in the United States. The majority of Deaf people are literate enough to read simple sentences to more complex ones such as yours, Mishka. I guess you better starting adding an ASL version of your blog entry just for the sake of “fairiness.” After all, you blogs are certainly not “accessible to ASL users.”

And for the record, I have not read or accessed Mishka Zena's post until today. Oh, and I do get it. It just perhaps you guys don’t get it and the level of hypocrisy y’all are displaying?

Adversity or Using Your Deafness as a Crutch?

Location: Dog Canyon on the Sacramento Mountains in New Mexico near Alamogordo. February 2008.

I'm revisiting my "adversity" video blog that I did earlier this year and let people know that we all face adversity in our lifetime whether it's now or later. In the things that we do and the circumstances that makes us who we are, diversity is what makes the world go around. Adversity means that you have move past your fears, your shortcomings, your supposed "failures" and pull yourself up by your bootstraps rather than to blame a condition such as deafness for your supposed "short-comings" in your life. Adversity doesn't mean you dwell on your negatives but rather look ahead on the possibilities of what you can do yourself when nobody else will do it for you. It's about not using your condition(s) or what happened in the past as a crutch of an excuse for your defense. No one likes a whiner. It's about being positive in life as you face them over time and not about focusing on the negatives as seen here by one deaf person.

Adversity, we all face them at one time or another. For deaf and hard of hearing people, their adversity is hearing loss. In my case and for many others, the ability to speak and/or listen shouldn't be about the "audacity of hope" on achieving those things. Not with technology we have today or better educational understanding when it comes to early intervention for a deaf child or baby on developing better listening and speaking skills. Those things should be expected as achievable and very reachable goals and not some mundane "audacity of hope" kind of thing we're hearing about today. Maybe 40 years ago but certainly not today. And even less so 10, 20 and 30 years down the road when technology and, especially so, biotechnology will continue to change the landscape for those with hearing loss. But regardless of how you face your own adversity in life and in the case of your deafness, do not use it as a crutch of an excuse by using commonly used words in your vocabulary...."I can't."

You can.

Nobody asking you to be like Mighty Mouse but be yourself and do the best you can.

Deaf Children Can Learn to Talk

While growing up at around age 6 or 7 years old I received my second hearing aid after having worn my first one since age 2 1/2 years old. It wasn’t the behind the ear hearing aid but a body aid. I’ve gotten a lot of good mileage out of my old hearing aid. Obviously so because without that hearing aid of mine I wouldn’t be here where I am today. Successful. And it has helped me with my ongoing Ragtime and early Jazz piano playing, too, ever since I was seven years old when I began playing. I am proud about all of my past hearing aids to the present because I have used them with great benefit.

Below is a picture of my hearing aid inside a protective case. It’s a Zenith. Along with a Battery Membership card, and that special yellow button as you can see what it says.


(see a larger picture here)

It’s so well preserved though I am sure it can work if I put in the right kind of battery in. But is my old hearing aid considered as an “antique” one since it’s approximately 38 years old? And that got me wondering. Is there a hearing aid museum somewhere in the Untied States? I was pretty sure there ought to be a few of them around. And sure enough there is one.

Pretty fascinating on how hearing aids (even cochlear implants!) have helped so many people with hearing loss. Isn’t technology great? And soon enough well have biotechnology to finally help restore hearing loss someday.

WARNING: - If you go into an apoplectic fit after reading this, read it again just to be sure. Step back and breathe slowly before responding. And please leave your conspiracy theories at home about me and this blog piece. Thank you.

Equal Access – When a Village Agrees

The one single issue unanimously agreed upon without hesitation by those who helped found Deaf Village was that submitted video blogs (“vlogs”) are required to be subtitled/captioned or included with transcripts to go with them. Currently there are a few people outside of Deaf Village who are having a bit of a conniption fit over Guideline #5. However, this was a decision that came from a diverse group of Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people from a variety of background and life experiences. This was a decision that naturally made sense because greater communication access to video blogs (or any online videos for that matter) whether signed, cued speech or spoken would reach more people and increase inclusivity. This requirement is no more of an eye-brow raiser than the requirement for television shows or movies to be captioned just so the viewing audience can feel more “included” like any others. It just makes good common sense that videos need to have that kind of access. Not doing so merely shuts out those who do not know sign language, cued speech or unable to hear or understand clearly the spoken words in a video blog. The greater majority of the population with hearing loss does not know signing or even cued speech but rather English as their major language of use in the United States (even elsewhere, too). It’s better to grant communication access to the majority of the 30 million people with hearing loss than to exclude them along with the rest of the hearing population by doing an ASL-only video blog with no captioning/subtitling or transcripts. And it's just not a deaf thing either when it comes to captioning since hearing people benefit from it as well like those learning the English language. Deaf Village’s goal is about inclusivity rather than to practice total exclusiveness. And thus by allowing video blogs with captions/subtitles or transcripts the readers, whether deaf, hard of hearing or hearing, will have the opportunity to understand what was said.

It is NOT Deaf Village’s responsibility to provide captioning/subtitling or transcript services to video bloggers in order to ensure that their videos are accessible to the rest of the population. Deaf Village is in the aggregator business. After all, the onus falls on the vlogger to decide whether it's important to provide subtitles or transcripts for their online videos or not. And they should be mindful of their own demands from others (e.g. movies, tv shows, online shows, video blogs, YouTube videos, etc) on requiring/wanting/wishing that videos be subtitled/captioned or included a transcript at the very least. The irony of seeing people complain about Deaf Village’s guideline concerning subtitling or transcript requirement is that for years a certain group of people with hearing loss complained the loudest about how no captioning/subtitles were available over the internet when it came to online videos. Deaf Village now has that opportunity to help ensure that video blogs come with captioning/subtitling or transcripts.

Should a technology down the road come up with a software that can convert sign language into printed text automatically as easily as the spoken words into text then the issue of captioning/subtitling or transcript requirement wouldn’t be such an “issue.” But for right now those who submit videos online are asked to proactively make sure that their internet videos are captioned/subtitled or come with transcripts at the very least before Deaf Village accepts them. Doing so would allow deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people contribute and interact more fully in an accessible “village.”

Currently YouTube offers a way to add subtitles for your submitted videos. Overstream.net also allows subtitling capability for online videos. Laptops often contain software that allow subtitling such as Windows Movie Maker.

Regardless on how videos are prepared, the responsibility lies with each person to ensure that their own submitted videos be captioned/subtitled or included with a transcript at the very least. Lest he or she become a hypocrite by demanding all videos be captioned.

The idea of “inclusivity” simply opens more doors to those who want to participate and understand, in this case, what each vlogger has to say. For those who are serious about equal access themselves need to be proactive in what they believe in when it comes to captioning needs. This is about the assurances on providing an accessible service to the greatest number of people and not about a single communication ideology that promotes exclusiveness to the greater number of people. If one is serious on reaching out to the greater number of people then one should also seriously consider on taking the time and effort to add subtitles or transcripts to their own video blogs or online videos.

Deaf Pagan said it well,

“I’ve always been taught that it is not enough to just sit around and complain when there’s a problem. If you’re not willing to be a part of the solution, then you’re only contributing to being a part of the problem.”

After all, when I make my own online videos I make sure I take the time and effort to include subtitles to all of my videos whenever I speak. Hopefully others will take to task this same philosophy when it comes to signing, using cued speech or by using one's voice by speaking.

UPDATE: Deaf Village's requirement that submission of vlogs be captioned/subtitled or included transcripts is not intended to create "apathy towards ASL" or "drive ASL vloggers away" but rather to create greater inclusiveness *FOR ALL*. Not all can sign or understand sign very well and having, especially, a subtitled video can help create a continued interest for those who want to learn sign language someday. Or cued speech. Or whatever. It's the message that people want to hear, watch or read about. But if your target audience is a Deaf one then you don't have to worry about subtitling or adding a transcript to your vlogs. Or if you want your message to be heard by reaching out to a greater number of people then include subtitle or transcript to your vlog. But if you want Deaf Village to accept your vlog then their guidelines must be met, which means a vlog need to have subtitle or a transcript. Otherwise, it'd be practicing greater exclusiveness to the rest of the population.

The Achilles Heel - Saying What They Mean

It’s been several days since the deaf/hh community-wide uproar broke out over the forcible removal of Rachel’s blog from DeafRead’s aggregator site based on circumstantial evidence(s), assumptions, and the refusal to engage in due process (i.e. benefit of the doubt) regarding Rachel’s own defense. The Achilles Heel in DeafRead's justification for doing so in this whole thing are primarily three things:

1) No prior notification or warning
2) No due process
3) No real clarification on guidelines on what’s really permissible or not, and the unclear definitions of some of the words behind those guidelines.

The main guideline that prompted the removal of Rachel’s blog was under DeafRead’s #6 Guideline doled out to Rachel as their "reason" for her blogsite address removal which copied and pasted here:

“6) Commerical Sites
We do not link to commerical sites for the purpose of generating profit, other than our own (we have expenses to cover!).”

Now, it is rather curious to read Jared’s latest blog entry regarding this matter. that he has done on behalf of DeafRead’s editors and owner was to try and clarify certain positions *AFTER* the fact and not *BEFORE* in the attempt to somehow “prove” as if they actually had these clarifications already set in stone (of course, fooling no one). If hindsight is your friend so is owning up to your own mistakes, too. But that has never happened…yet. However, in Banjo’s blog, “Oh the drama!” (and who hasn’t?) Tayler supposedly admitted his own error about Amy’s DVDs advertisements in an AIM conversation with Banjo. But why “admit” this one particular error in Banjo’s blog? Why couldn’t Tayler just post that “grievance” in his own blog as a step towards reconciliation and acknowledgement in making the faux pas of the year? Either Tayler gave Banjo the “ok” to print his particular comment from their AIM conversations or he did not. I am supposing it’s the former rather than the latter. And if so, then why? Is Tayler somehow trying to move forward in a way to save face by giving Banjo the “ok” to use his comments in his blog? Well, it seems so.

In other blogs I’m seeing comments that essentially point out how Rachel’s blogsite is more like exhorting a “religious experience” based on her own positive experiences with her and other people’s cochlear implants. But it’s funny when people try and point that out using a particular euphemism since there are those who are just as equally “religiously supportive” on the use of ASL even to the point where purists rail against cochlear implants as being “bad” and not good for the Deaf community. Whatever. People who do that reminds me of this phrase, “You can’t eat your cake and have it too.” Hypocrisy comes to mind, too.

Now we get into this conflict of interest complaint. In the last sentence in Jared’s blog a comment made by him that was really wanting.

“We believe it is petty behavior to target a blog by disclosing evidence.”

I disagree. You say you (i.e. DeafRead) have “evidence” but the crux of this is you either have the “evidence” and you disclose it or you don’t have it. There is nothing petty about disclosing evidence to back up your assertions and reasons for a blog removal. What’s petty is targeting a blogsite based on circumstantial evidence hinged entirely on Guideline #6 that's open wide under the sun to interpretation with no means of due process, no advanced warnings or concerns, no efforts to contact the blog owner to try and work this out and get the underlying answers first, and no real clarifications on guidelines on what’s really permissible or not based on undefined set of terminologies. What’s obviously petty is to not acknowledge their own mistakes. Jared has made clear on behalf of DeafRead editors that they did in fact err in their judgment against Rachel based on the re-introduction on new "clarifications" about DeafRead’s quidelines. Which means, in short, that the DeafRead’s guidelines were never clear in the first place.

Jared's ends with this concluding remark on behalf of DeafRead.

I hope this vlog makes it clear the reason why we recently removed an aggressively marketing blog when its relationship to a corporation was discovered. As long as there is proper disclosure or the blogger stays true to the ethos of blogging, DeafRead will continue to list deaf-related posts of the blog.

Aggressively? And against all common sense and logic they still see this as an aggressive marketing blog (Rachel’s) when all it was it was about her experiences and others about cochlear implants. All this has been at best a continuing of mixed messages by the editors of DeafRead while making no attempt at reconcillation, acknowledgement or accountability. Kind of reminds me of the last two Democratic hopefuls' own messages in 2004 and 2008.

Deaf America Syndrome

At first glance my blog title may sound like something of a disease or a condition I'm trying to infer. A disease or condition that afflicts Deaf America and that being Deaf or a person who is culturally deaf is an affliction. An anomaly. A contagion. Something that needs to be cured or fixed. We also hear the word “syndrome” almost daily. We hear about people with Down’s Syndrome, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, Rubella Syndrome, and so on and so forth. All of them deal with the negative connotation as being a disease or condition of some sort in association with the word “syndrome.”

You as a reader might be hastened into thinking that this blog entry is nothing but negative things about Deaf people, Deaf culture, and the Deaf community in America. Not so. It is not my intention to present wholly negative viewpoints just for the sake of it but more accurately an attempt to provide a more equitabe and balanced look. Questions need to be answered and how our perspectives view things differently from many different angles.

Now, if we look at the definitions of the word “syndrome” we can see that it has primarily two meanings. From the medical definition it is defined as “a group of symptoms or signs that appear together and that tend to indicate, with some consistency, the presence of a certain disease or other condition.” From a non-medical point’s of view the definition of “syndrome” is defined as “a complex of concurrent things.” This blog entry, “Deaf America Syndrome,” is about the complexities of concurrent things that meshes together with the pitting of ideas, concepts, and long held mythical beliefs between hearing, deaf, Deaf, and hard of hearing people in America. Nothing about illness but the complexities that we see and experience today.

The issues Deaf people in America have to deal with involve all of their own complexities and idiosyncrasies, including how they feel about hearing people, deaf people with cochlear implants, late deafened, or people who are hard of hearing and wear hearing aids. Many people do not always see things as other people do. Of course, this is how people behave. Our perspectives are different about life and of each other. Some perspectives are negative while others are positive. Some people refuse to acknowledge certain things in life thinking it's all a conspiracy, while others simply accept it as a given and seek better ways of doing things. Some steadfastly stick to their words until one day something dawns upon him/her and do an abrupt but humbled 180 degrees turn on their opinions or beliefs. Deaf America has its own true richness in life combined with the unique cultural upbringing that cherishes Deaf family support and friends. People try and lead a good example for others to follow but everybody stumbles along the way. We have the good, the bad, and the ugly in America when it comes to diversity and perception issues. People cannot simply ignore these things and we must face these things head on instead.

Diversity Issues.

When diversity is lacking you would know it right away. So, in the case of the blog aggregator business the best way to assure diversity is to first make sure that you have an example of that diversity in place. For a start, you have a group of people who contribute and maintain an aggregator site that exhibit that very same diversity make-up with those on the outside. Otherwise it’d just be a political tool in the attempt to claim the “diversity” label when it’s really not the case. Such an example of this may be in the form of a group that promote Deaf-centric values but do not reflect the same diversity mixture to those on the outside. Ideally, for a group of people to reflect that diversity mix would be a “cuer,” a person who is Deaf, a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, a person who is hearing and have a relationship of some kind to somebody who is deaf (e.g. hearing parents of a deaf/hh kid), CODA, late deafened, a deaf person who wears a cochlear implant and so on. Though philosophies may differ in the area of language or communication but you have a diverse group of people who share a common ideal and bond on the need to communicate with each other regardless the preferred mode of communication method. You may have people, for example, who know how to sign (e.g. SEE, ASL, PSE, BSL, FSL), those who do not know how to sign and do not want to sign, those who prefer to talk and listen only, or those who prefer to use cued speech with their talking. Each person has his or her own personal value when it comes to their hearing loss whether it’s a Deaf-centric one or not. Deaf-centric value does not take center stage on Deaf Village but is seen as an equal among other values that deaf and hard of hearing people share.

No one aggregator site is an island.

This latest incident about DeafRead (and here) reminded me of a time when people began abandoning Deafnotes several years ago for a variety of reasons. Former members began to design their own online forum websites and the net result was a noticeable shift by those who felt uncomfortable or disgusted to join these new forums. Others left and joined new forums because moderators were less heavy-handed and more neutral on allowing new members more freedom to discuss various deaf or non-deaf related topics. This includes less fear of getting booted or locked out of a discussion forum for political or apolitical reasons. The reasons for leaving or joining other deaf or hard of hearing website forums are many but in the end there are now more deaf and hard of hearing related forums that it was several years ago. And today we see many Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing related forums.

Now, for the aggregator business it is a niche business by catering to a particular subject for blogs to be aggregated. And there are just a few of them right now. But just because an aggregator website has a niche subject such as deafness to choose their blogs from, it isn’t necessarily enough sometimes. There can be this perception issue in regard to an aggregator site by those who run it. A perception by those on the outside who may see one aggregrator site as a wholly Deaf-centric and Deaf-controlled aggregator site that mostly aggregates Deaf blogs rather than a site that promotes true diversity while trying to fullfill and keep to the loyalty factor to their mostly Deaf bloggers.

And then we have those damning myths or half-truths where parents of deaf/hh children, older deaf/hh people and the late deafened from young kids who have lost their hearings to older adults who may view Deaf people as living in an insular Deaf bubble world. And why would they see that? Well, it only takes a few examples to help propagate those myths or even half-truths (and some cases wholly true) on a continuing basis where bloggers may end up on not wanting to be associated with a particular blog/vlog aggregator website simply for that reason whether it's true or not. It's the perception and the various myths, half-truths and truths that drive their decisions.

Take one particular example of a Deaf leader who represents the editors or moderators that help run an aggregator site. The leader may claim the “diversity” mantle by pointing to the fact that there are many aggregated blogs from bloggers who are deaf, Deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, cochlear implant users, late deafened, deaf and blind, cuers, or those who wear hearing aids while each of them have a different and preferred method of communicating. And that would be fine. But then this picture gets a little skewed and wanting when, for example, the leader refuses to include subtitles in his/her own video blog but signs only. Now, would the average person believe this Deaf leader’s claim of diversity when he/she refuses to add subtitles in the first place on the basis of not destroying the “purity” of ASL signing? Since there are 30 million people with hearing loss you’d have about 3% of that population that can understand ASL well enough but to actively engage to exclude the rest of the population is not a sign on acceptance or the embracement of diversity in totality. Lead by example is the heart of this question.

All this becomes a Deaf-centric, Deaf-loyalty issue and not about the firm belief on diversity when it gets down to the core issue of communication access for all. This is what Deaf Village, a blog aggregator site, is set out to do and that is to embrace diversity, promote tolerance, provide common sense ideals in regards to communication access and the proper respect to bloggers who do share those common core beliefs.

Granted, this is a long discussion on “diversity” but it was necessary to put these thoughts down. I am sure there are millions of deaf and hard of hearing people who will share the exact same sentiments as mine. There is no doubt about that. We don’t strive to live in a bubble or insular world but to become a world where everyone can be a part of by welcoming one and all. After all, we all share the one common theme and that would be hearing loss and communication access.

Rabid Squirrel Killed by A-Team

Monster "DR" Squirrel Killed by Paotie's A-Team

Done laughing? Maybe send this one over to PETA? Ok. Now, go check out and see what Paotie has to say about the deaf aggregator business and something about squirrels, too.

A one time opportunity….don’t blow it.

"I pledge the allegiance to Citizen DeafRead." Now, sign on the dotted line. And I'll need a urine sample from you.

UPDATE:

My email to one of the DeafRead editors:

Please remove my Kokonut Pundits link from the DeafRead aggregator list. This includes remove my blogsite name from the "Inactive Blogs" page as well. Also, remove "Deaf Strongman" and "Deaf Aikido" from DeafRead's "Inactive Blogs" page. I will not have my blogsite's name be affiliated with and used by DeafRead as part of their marketing efforts (ie. "Inactive Blogs" page). Tayler has overstepped his boundaries by pre-emptively removing Rachel's Cochlear Implant Online blogsite without any due process based on faulty reasonings and assumptions. The editors, including you Jared, are all complicit in this since Tayler is speaking on behalf of all of you. This single episode is utlimately responsible on fracturing the deaf, Deaf, and hard of hearing community even further. Yet, egos by editors seem to say that they stay the ground, not apologize or not retract what was said. Everybody knows this. Why do you think so many have requested, including Deaf, non-CI users, that their links be removed from DeafRead? Your policy is unsound, arbitrary and with no clear definitions or outline to help define your guidelines. An example can be seen in Joey Baer’s page where he promotes a Sprint Product. He is sponsored by Sprint. Hypocrisy is too mild of a word to describe DeafRead's policy/guidelines. Of all the blogs DeafRead had to pick to be forceably removed on a supposed "violation" you guys had to choose Rachel's blog which is one of the most popular cochlear implant blog around. Even I wouldn't be that stupid to use trumped up charges to remove her blog and without due process.

Again, remove all of my blogsite names from the "Blogs at DeafRead" page, including the "Inactive Blogs" section.

Have a nice day.

Mike McConnell

UPDATE II:

You know what? Both Rachel and Paotie’s blog names are still listed on the “Inactive blogs” page. Paotie, didn’t you request DeafRead to remove your blog link? What about telling them to remove the name “Paotie’s Green Couch” on the “Inactive Blogs”?

Since DR removed Rachel's they still have her blogsite name on the "Inactive Blogs" section but mislead readers with this statement:

“Inactive Blogs (230)Those blogs are marked as “inactive” because they have not written anything in a few months. Blogs either “die” or go on haitus. If you have written something to your blog and wish to re-activate it, it’s as easy as e-mailing us!”

I’d say that’d be seen as deceptive practices right there. Rachel’s site was removed and not because of “inactive” status or “died” but forceably removed. If DeafRead removed any blogs due to violation of their “guidelines” they should not have the names of these blogsites around. Plus, when blog owners request DeafRead to remove their links, it would also be in good faith that DeafRead remove their blogsite names from any list, including the “Inactive Blogs” list.
Seems like they keep the names for posterity sake or a “resume” sort of thing. I also see few others like Anonymous Deaf Law Student who recently requested DeafRead to have his/her link removed.

Why should bloggers lend their blogsite name to be used by DeafRead if they officially requested to have it’s link removed? Shouldn’t common sense say that if there is such a request DR should also be obligated to remove the name as well?


CONTINUE MAIN PAGE OF BLOG ENTRY.....

I’m writing this blog piece as probably a one time opportunity in support of Rachel only because I feel very strongly about this whole situation regarding Rachel’s blogsite. I have concluded, unamiously so, that the editors of Deafread have overstepped their boundaries using outrageous claims and the moving of the goal post.

Looking back with my contributions to the blogosphere I concede to the fact that many do see me as a “leader” of sort in the deaf and hard of hearing world and that I have something well worth contributing to those who need an anchor of some sort to help see the world for what it is which is why I’m writing this blog entry. It’s undeniable that this is not a friendly world when you have people who reject you on the basis of your hearing loss and/or cultural status. That's a simple but sad reality. And that there are people who thrive on paranoia thinking it serves as their logic in the real world.

Now, when it blows, it really blows. And when that happens then you know something is seriously wrong and you look to the source of why it went off. And this is perhaps turning out to be one of the biggest uproar in deaf/hh blogging history on the internet where bloggers who are Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing and hearing are in support of Rachel’s case in overwhelming numbers. More bloggers have asked Deafread to remove their blog link from their aggregator list at anytime than before. This is about a case where Rachel’s blogsite was summarily banned by the editors of Deafread on the basis of two things that were, of course, based on a lot of assumptions but were never checked upon or verified.

But before I go further there is this one undeniable and simple fact in all of this. All of the editors, including Tayler, FAILED to contact Rachel in the effort to allow her the opportunity to explain before them against their so called claims about the lack of notification of Rachel’s “affiliations,” “professional relationships” and the “commercialization” aspect of her blogsite concerning her cochlear implants and the company or organization that support cochlear implantation.

That’s an undeterred and undeniable fact. Face it. It cannot be shooed away with vacillating, defensive comments. It happened. That's the black eye.

Rachel was never given the opportunity for due process. Deafread editors’ own assumptions made them judge, jury and executioner without fully exploring and determining what the correct facts are in all facets of this case. This whole thing reeks of paranoia and self-righteousness. And the ironic thing is that Tayler discussed at length about “good faith” from bloggers in his recent blog comments when in fact he showed none towards Rachel in giving her the opportunity to reciprocate in her own defense. Instead her blogsite was banned from Deafread without a shred of proof based on circumstantial evidence and assumptions saying that she was there to deceive readers and (the horrors!) Deafread editors, too.

SHAME ON YOU, RACHEL!!

So, here we go.

Here are some, if not all, of the sound bites that came forth from Tayler, one of the editors, and Deafread’s site that just makes you go…”Hmmmmm.” But the first lob and accusation came from one of the DeafRead’s editors:


THE ACCUSATION!
6) Commerical Sites. We do not link to commerical sites for the purpose of generating profit, other than our own (we have expenses to cover!).

Sources:
http://www.deafread.com/guidelines/
http://cochlearimplantonline.com/blog/?p=195


THE LOBS!
“Blogs disclosing professional relationships earns trust” - yet never once bothered to describe what those “professional relationships” are supposed to be. Platonic or the quid pro quo type of stuff where financial rewards result? Again, nothing was clarified about those things in Deafread’s guidelines. NONE!

Claimed that she did not reveal her “professional affiliation” with a cochlear implant organization or company in her blog - (Fact: it has never been the requirement of Deafread to demand from bloggers to reveal any “professional affiliation” before a blogsite can be accepted. Furthermore, Rachel blogged about her being a Cochlear Awareness Network (C.A.N.) member back on April 12, 2008, almost two months ago. And again on April 20. But compare to the Ambler Rambler, she made her “affiliation” known on February 11, 2008 about C.A.N. five posts later after joining DeafRead’s aggregator list. Ambler Rambler is still around. Might as well get her blog out, too. All in all, things were made up along the way here.
http://cochlearimplantonline.com/blog/?p=122
http://cochlearimplantonline.com/blog/?p=112
http://robyncarter.blogspot.com/2008/02/political-bureaucracy-and-cochlear.html


“we publish their posts in good faith just as we did Rachel’s. If evidence surfaces that they are abusive of DeafRead Guidelines, appropriate action will be taken as we did Rachel’s.” - In other words they claim to have “evidence” that Rachel was “abusive” of DeafRead’s guidelines. They have yet presented any “evidence” to the contrary.

“It's DeafRead's job to ensure the blogs are not influenced by corporate ties.” - But I couldn’t help but noticed what Tayler remarked in Rachel’s blog comment, “It’s when they promote those products in entries that we cannot allow. This is written in our agreement with our sponsor.” – post #22. That sponsor would be Sprint. In short, Sprint is dictating to Tayler (i.e. DeafRead) on what is allowed and not. Fear of competition, I suppose. Fear of losing a sponsor, I suppose. Judgement gets clouded or influenced in this case, I suppose.

Tayler makes the statement in his blog concerning DeafRead Guidelines saying that “published entries should not promote or market a product by a blogger affiliated with the product’s provider.” - Should not? Should not!? But I then ask the question, why the hell not? Editors can simply not select that blog entry for link publication on DeafRead.

“One must reveal any commercial affiliation..” -Any? Just any? And why the hell should they? Even a little ol' volunteer work affiliation kind of thing? Is Sprint afraid of something or what? This is one person's conflict of interest telling others not exhibit any conflict of interest. Smart move, Tayler.

“DeafRead has humans who use judgment in deciding which posts are published at DeafRead.” – Does that judgement includes banishment of a website without proof and without contacting the blog owner giving him/her the opportunity for due process? Besides, what editors do is called “discrimination at work.” That is their job. If a blogger blogs about a product he or she is pushing in a blog entry then the editors would then have the power on whether to accept the new blog entry based on Deafread’s own “simple” and “direct” guidelines or not. Besides, this gets a bit weirder and cumbersome later on seeing the excuses for their justification to ban Rachel’s blogsite.

“lack of transparency also violates the trust of DeafRead viewers” - Uh, like not revealing that you have volunteered for an organization very early on in a blog, most notably the ones that support cochlear implants? What’s next, sign a loyalty oath to Deafread’s owner and editors or what? Sounds ominously very Orwellian-like.

“..published entries should not promote or market a product by a blogger affiliated with the product’s provider.” - “Should not"...? Well, if a blogger is doing that then make sure the editors don’t link to that blog entry!

“ …product promotion of any type cannot exist in the entry itself.” - Sigh, again, listen carefully editors, simply do not link to that blog entry. But your answer is to ban a whole blogsite instead? Isn’t that a bit too…um, reactionary?

“Recently a blog was discovered to carry undisclosed ties to a major commercial industry.” - And they make it sound like Rachel committed a criminal fraud here. She a friggin volunteer! Not a paid one. Does not get any commissions or compensations. No quid pro quo stuff, either. She’s returning her thanks by helping increase awareness about people who wear cochlear implants, namely herself.

“Blogs are based on the concept that people can write openly and freely about their thoughts and opinions.” - Though they’ve gotten a bit Orwellian lately.

“ …misled DeafReaders and as a result has destroyed trust in the blog as an independent source.” -Destroyed trust? If there’s ever an exaggeration, this is it folks. Hyperbole at its best. See Exhibit A. Rachel is now painted as a big, ole meanie set out to purposely destroy people’s trust. Outright defamatory, I’d say. Tayler, please provide proof that Rachel’s action has single-handidly “destroyed trust” of readers in her blog. Nobody was misled here except for those who insist with that fantasy in mind.

“Bloggers can mention or review products as long as they are not affiliated with the company.” - OK. Editors can, again, simply not accept that blog entry by not linking to it in DeafRead. IT’S THAT SIMPLE!!!! Editors? You are reading this? Is Tayler looking over your shoulders or what?)

And then Tayler was really grasping straws by espousing a conspiracy-theory-in-the-works about Rachel and her blog.

“This blog is part of a network whose purpose is to bring awareness about a company’s product; furthermore, the blog content fits into the network’s mission statement. Consequently it has been disqualified.” - Interesting. Tayler offered no link to Cochlear Awareness Network (CAN) website. Nor a link to what their mission statement is about. Let me help you, Tayler.

Q - What is the Cochlear Awareness Network?
A - The Cochlear Awareness Network is a group of volunteers each of whom have lived deaf but have had their hearing returned through technology. They have chosen to be members of the Network to tell their stories, proactively raising awareness for the wonderful changes in their lives.

Q - What do Advocates do?
A - Basically Advocates tell their own story. They do this by making presentations to community and interest groups or clubs or one-on-one to potential recipients. They may also seek publication of their personal story in local newspapers. They may also help out at trade shows and talk to people referred by their local Cochlear Implant Clinic.

Now, I see no mentioning about the requirement to bring awareness about a company’s product. Their mission statement does not even imply this. This whole thing by the editors (note: Taylor are speaking on behalf of the editors') are nothing more than a non-sequitur thing. Even if a volunteer does discuss a particular product, so what? Really, Tayler is grasping straws here it’s literally comical. Instead of a thousand paper cuts, it’s a thousand eggs on one’s face.

Rachel wasn’t pushing an cochlear implant product on her blogsite. They made it sound like it was some criminal enterprise on what Rachel was doing by going around constantly deceiving the readers and DeafRead editors! But if talking about her cochlear implants and her experiences while growing up and into adulthood to those who are interested on hearing her even with specifics on a company brand of her cochlear implants (or even about other people’s CIs) and call that deceptive “promoting” or “marketing” then I need to sit back and have a good laugh over that one. One phrase come to mind, “making a mountain out of a molehill.” Clearly aimed at cochlear implants all the while getting into an apoplectic fit.

The short of it:

1) They claim that she failed to announce her affiliation (ie. Rachel’s volunteer awareness work) with an organization such as Cochlear Awareness Network (C.A.N.) and was justified in their decision to ban her blog link from their aggregator site based on faulty reasonings and assumptions.

2) They claim that her site is a commercial site that benefits a cochlear implant company.

The long of it?

Ongoing BSing continues with amazing feats of dodging and weaving, and the latest buzz phrases.
Time to stop this nonsense, Tayler (editors, too), and do the correct and ethical thing by apologizing to Rachel and retract what you have said in your blog. And perhaps do some serious revamping of DeafRead's policy regarding acceptable and non-acceptable blogsites and blog entries.

But first I want to direct your attention to what “Deaf Anonymous Law Student” said about this whole farce:

Goodbye to DeafRead - June 5, 2008
It pains me to say this, but I am leaving DeafRead. I orginially joined Deafread hoping that I could present an unique point of view and encourage aspiring d/Deaf law students. However, these hopes become moot when DeafRead espouses a discriminatory and Deaf-centric policy by banning a certain blog.

I have posted about our need to UNITE in order to succeed (professionally, at least) and I cannot participate in an aggregator that thwarts this sentiment.

So, if you like this blog, please do bookmark me and say hi sometimes. I welcome everyone of all stripes, deaf, Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and many more. Hopefully there is enough supporters out there to make writing this blog worthwhile.

And that's coming from a law student! That is, a deaf law student who could one day become the first d/Deaf judge.

Indeed, the espousal of a discriminatory and Deaf-centric policy. Deaf Anonymous Law Student said it very well. The person decided to leave, perhaps for good. And I'm sure other deaf/hh law students who are a part of that network group are thinking negatively about the whole DeafRead thing, too.

Lastly, I make this challenge to the rest of the editors of DeafRead that they need to step forward and make their own personal statement, uncoerced and without any undue influence. I cannot on my good conscious accept Tayler’s words on what he has said in his defense on behalf of the editors. It is quite curious that these editors are silent on this issue which may be damning in its own right. I hope there is a King sized bed with enough room for all of the editors to lie in the mess they just made...on behalf of Tayler.

In a bubble world paranoia would be the people’s own worst enemy thinking the very worse when it has never been the case.

Now, let me end this blog entry by saying….

“My plan is working flawlessly!” *rubbing hands* Heh, heh!

More later…maybe…or should I turn off the lights now?

M-I-C-K-E-Y....M-O-U-S-E......time to say goodbye

Right now I've finally decided it's time to close down the house, put the cover sheets over the furniture, turn off the gas line, and close the drapes over the windows. It's time to turn off the lights and leave my Kokonut Pundit blog, probably for good, so that I can focus on other things right now and into the future that will require more of my attention over time. But the house will be still here should I come back, if ever, and turn on the lights. Never say never as I would say but it's really time to close shop.

It has been 3 years, 4 months, 18 days to this last day since I started blogging back on October 22, 2004. I knew that someday that my blogging will end one day. I made my mark and a good mark at that. You have gotten to know me in so many ways while others continue to get it wrong. I have posted 1302 blogs in 1236 days ranging from politics, deaf-related issues, sports, technology, multitudes of interviews, geology and the environment about idiots who actually think the world gonna boil over causing sea-level to rise 20 feet in our lifetime thinking carbon dioxide is the culprit (never mind that 99.96% of all greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are made up other gases other than carbon dioxide). But the idiocy and the madhouse will continue (both deaf and hearing) while I continue to keep my critical thinking skill, common sense and sanity fully intact.

One of my favorite book, "Fermat's Enigma," (I read it twice already) contains a favorite quote of mine which happens to be a simple concluding quote from a now famous mathematician of today, Andrew Wiles, who solved a 350 year old Fermat's Last Theorem that have frustrated the best mathematical brains for over 350 years. After solving his life long puzzle that began in his early childhood when he came across the theorem he concluded in his 1993 lecture after showing to his audience step by step on how he solved Fermat's Theorem with his now famous quote to his rapt and overwhelmed audience: "I think I'll stop here".

So, in Andrew Wiles' words I will say the same thing here on my Kokonut Pundit blog, I think I'll stop here. And cease my blogging adventure.

Just a friendly reminder tho, I'll be watching and taking notes in the blogosphere and internet-land while I continue to do thing I love to do and that is to do researching. And for those who wish to make your last comments here, please keep it civil and none of the 5 year old kiddie remarks that will surely be reflective of who you are as a person which would be that 5 year old potty mouthed kid. Though I plan to contribute my comments in other blogs from time to time when I feel it's necessary but for now, I bid adieu!



And as a post script, here is my last post about my hearing loss and my growing up. This is my last blog.


A Well Adjusted Orally and Mostly Aurally Trained Deaf/HH Person.


Growing up I had so much fun. Much of my memories stem from the many hearing (and some deaf/hh) friends I had in schools and neighborhood while growing and the many sports I participated in. As a kid I had two soccer championships (SEAA ELKs), two little league baseball championships, wrestling trophies in which in one final wrestling event I took 2nd place in my weight category, took tumbling, basketball and swimming. In middle school I continued to play soccer and basketball. And in high school took track for short while before I began my odyssey in weightlifting starting in the 10th grade as a 15 year old kid who weighed a mere 112lbs. After high school I continued with my weightlifting which gave way to powerlifting contests and finally my first ever strongman competition in which I placed 3rd back in 2006 weighing in at 191 lbs (see photo of me lifting nearly 800 lbs at 188lbs...yep, that's me back in June 2007). It was a twenty-five year span that seemingly took forever. Before that I took up a Japanese martial arts called Aikido for several years beginning in 1997 and came within one belt of getting a black belt but I decided to put it all on hold to try my hands on competing in a strongman event before it was too late. It was fun. And I'll never know what's lurking around that next corner might be for me. Such is life.

Of course, all of these sports events were "hearing" sporting events but even the teams and coaches never discriminated against anyone or me and allowed all to participate, even those who were in wheelchairs such as in one strongman competition I competed in. I have never remembered a time when I was put on the side line just because of my deafness or if people tried to discriminate me because of hearing loss saying that I am unable to participate. Balderdash! Not once did that ever happen. I even made the baseball team at Gallaudet University during a try out and I was to be placed either as 2nd base or short-stop because of my excellent ability in fielding balls and batting. But I dropped the offer so I could finish my schooling at Gallaudet instead and continue with my goal to attend graduate school afterwards. I just wanted to see if I could make a college sports team and sure enough I had the skill to do so and never doubted it. But I was more interested in using my time to study than to play sports that could take up too much of my time and away from studies, internships and classes at both Gallaudet University and George Washington University. Gallaudet University yield lots of good memories (and some really strange ones, too, even idiotic ones) and even enjoyed my time so much while as a graduate student at University of Idaho while raising a family with one daughter and then two daughters before graduating. From there on, more memories were made in while working in my career as a hydrologist. What's next in my life? Who knows?

But my biggest fondness of the time while growing up had to be the neighborhood street games like street baseball with my hearing neighbors. Others were the high school marching band competitions, the piano lessons beginning at age 7 (and I continue to play the piano to this day), violin lessons in the 4th grade, drumming, symphonic band, teaching myself how to play the saxophone well enough to play in a middle school band and the many hiking, camping and fishing adventures in the forests of Washington and Oregon with my parents and friends. But I grew up differently unlike many other deaf people who may have struggled much more to speak or listen with the help of their hearing aids. My hearing aids benefited me so much people don’t even realized just how much, especially among some of those in the Deaf community. Early intervention was the key to my success, orally and especially aurally, and with lots of dedication from my Mom and Dad to help me along and become successful.

Early on I was placed in an oral school called Birney Elementary School in Tacoma, Washington which was several miles away from my home on South Thompson Street. I was there for about 4 years until the 2nd grade. I was soon transferred to a more “mainstreamed” school in the 3rd grade. But by then I was increasingly becoming annoyed with my speech therapist constantly going over the “r” and “w” letters of which I already knew it was a “problem” area of mine. So I rebelled from doing any more speech therapy sessions. I knew I would eventually get it correct on my own. My mother knew this, too, and decided to finally put a stop to these speech sessions (some therapists simply didn’t know how to do it right with my mother watching in disbelief) and put me into a regular school without any mainstream programs knowing full well that my area of listening and speech was good enough for her to feel confident that I had what it takes to go to a regular public school. She was right. That was in the 4th grade, a breakout point of monumental proportion proving that I had what it took to go to a regular school. I never looked back starting at the 4th grade at age 10 years old.

I continued my upward ways as a “hard of hearing” kid from there on out. All the way up to the 12th grade attending regular classes and getting my usual A’s and Bs in school. I graduated at age 18 taking pride of the fact that it was a huge accomplishment for me despite my hearing loss. With the help of my hearing aid it made a world of difference to me. It made the difference even while I went to Gallaudet University, George Washington University and eventually my graduate school University of Idaho. Sometimes people just do not see the impact hearing technology has had on me allowing me to hear all kinds of things even while I write this last blog piece listening to the cars with different engine noises and the soft “thunk thunk” of the tires running over the tar filled cracks in the street rushing by me as I sit outdoors enjoying the warm New Mexico sun on my face. Some people just do not realize or understand the power and joy of sound, and the ability to understand them. And the joys in talking and listening to people even though I am a person with a hearing loss that wears a hearing aid. I’m proud of this fact rather than feel embarrassed about it all. That’s laughable. So many people have tried to impart a certain guilt over me that I should not talk about those things and say I should be more like them or act like them rather than being who you are as a person despite your preferences. But many have no idea that I am not alone in what I can do and do well. There is no simple demarcation or line for me to stand one one side or another. Their are many people who are like me who do just fine and dandy, even without the need for ASL or sign language. Isn't technology great?

Being somewhat an “orally-trained” kid very early on I definitely became that well adjusted kid growing up who did extremely well aurally so. That’s indisputable. I became that well adjusted person - emotionally, intellectually and even culturally among the hearing people. I knew all long what my identity was while as a teenager and well into my adulthood even while I made Deaf friends at Gallaudet University and afterwards. I take pride in my identity. I take pride knowing who I am while I continue to make new friends along the way (both deaf and hearing whether they know signs or not, prefer to speak and listen). My life wasn’t a “struggle” but it consisted of one challenge after another succeeding each time. One rung at a time on a ladder, I faced it each time and moved myself higher. I didn’t run away from it. Instead I sought to improve and expand myself rather than use the past as a crutch by blaming deafness or other people for my so-called “hardship.” Or have that defeatist and negative attitudes saying that things are just “too hard” or whine that “it’s a waste of time.” Negative thinking breeds negative results. It's not about perfection but because the person WANTS to do it. That's the difference. You have to want it. You don’t know until you try. You just do it. And if you’re comfortable with who you are as a person with a hearing loss then that is all that matters. If you’re confident with your identity no matter what that might be then that is all that matters. No amount of huffing or puffing from people on the other side will make a difference in saying that you do not have an identity. Doing so just simply makes them look puerile and selfish. I cherish my identity. I know who I am. People have no right to put words in my mouth or into others saying they do not really have an identity. They may not say it outright but some do so simply by reading between the lines they write. Nobody "owns" other people's identity or have a corner market on what a "true" identity is like. Doing so presumes too much and is nothing more than bile ego to say such things.

My journey is not about my deafness, it’s about a journey that makes me….me. It’s a personal journey of mine and not about a “Deafhood” one since deafness is not what identifies me that makes me...me...but my life, my experiences, my preferences to talk and listen, my family and kids, my sports, my writing, my career, and the challenges that I faced such as forest fire fighting or strongman competition. Everything rolled into one. My true identity is who I am, and not what other people say that I ought to be as. Doing so makes them that selfish bunch of people by denying mine or others their very existence that makes us…us. Some people value their loss of hearing and culture while many others value their hearing and their own culture.

Over the years as a blogger on Kokonut Pundit many others saw me as a role model as a deaf/hh person either in their emails to me or in their own blogs. I am grateful and humbled by those people who see me for who I am and not what they want me to be as and be that selfish person. I intend to continue being that role model and let people know that deaf and hard of hearing people can do anything….even hear and speak.

Once more, I bid adieu. Take comfort in the fact that you have somebody who can be a supporter for you. If you ever need someone to speak up for you, send me an email and I will stand before a podium with a microphone and project my voice into the audience if need be. If you need support or guidance, contact me and I’ll do what I can. If you want to talk to me over the phone and yak give me a call. I'm available. If you want to meet me, let me know and I can either talk with you or sign with you. But it's time to say goodbye and that everybody belongs and feel welcomed no matter what! Just like in the heyday song of Mickey Mouse.

I’ll be here.

Watching, waiting…..and listening.

Separating Facts From Fantasy

Why is the author of Deaf Anthology writing up fictional stories about CI and kids with CIs who are somehow terminally depressed enough to kill their own parents, friends or whatever like this fictional story emblazoned at the top of one Deaf blog page "SHOCKING NEWS: CI DEAF CHILDREN KILLED THEIR PARENTS IN LOS ANGELES, DEAF ANTHOLOGY EXCLUSIVE! " ? Despite the clear warning that all Deaf Anthology blogs are fictional and the warning is prominently displayed at the very top of the blogsite, even that wasn't enough to get the readers' attention, some actually believed that the story was true (read the comments, you'll get a kick out that). The story was either so believable or repugnant to readers the fictional story ended up being taken down by the blog author.

I guess because so many people objected to it and that it was starting to become a rumor (scroll down until you see the yellow highlight) on the internet? Who knows exactly why this fictional story was taken down. But the question I have is that are some people simply desperate to try and paint a bad picture about cochlear implants and the people who wear them in the form of a fictional murder story? Is this good or bad form?

Do stories like these are looked upon with a certain subtle glee hoping that these things would happen hoping it'll give them enough to make a point (and that would be anybody's guess). But in the real world when was the last time you heard about a deaf guy or a kid with a CI go on a murder rage? All I can remember in the news about a deaf or hard of hearing person committing murder crime that received a lot of press or are reported in the Deaf community are mostly by criminals who are Deaf. A crimie where a Deaf person murders another Deaf person who are either a relative, an in-law, friends, lover or a by-stander. Now, I'm not trying to be one sided but that's all I can remember. I guess stories do become sensationalist news because it's about a Deaf on Deaf crime. So, I don't know if the media are biased in reporting these stories but I suppose the guilt lies in the Deaf community for reporting these stories far and wide in their blogs and emails that enabled me to remember these specific stories.

The stories I remember are:

The Simich Jr's murders "Deaf Man (Simich) Kills Deaf Sister and Deaf Brother-in-law. Silent Murders. "

The Joseph Mesa murder case where a Deaf man murdered two Deaf classmates at Gallaudet University.

A 43 year old Deaf lesbian who murdered a Deaf woman and then hacked her body into several pieces.

And this year's murder which is actually a 27 year old murder case that was recently solved that led to the arrest of a Deaf man who officials believed he murdered his 15 year old Deaf girlfriend back in 1981.

Sure, it could be a matter of time until a deaf person with a CI commit a murder crime against a deaf, hh, Deaf or hh person. But will the Deaf blog world go on a sensationalist blog spree talking about how CIs are bad and how wearing a CI may have caused the deaf person with a CI to commit this heinous crime against a hearing, deaf, hh, or Deaf person? But just let us hope that day will NEVER happen just as we hope that we will NEVER see another Deaf on Deaf murder crime again or any deaf on deaf, hh or hearing crime.

But this Deaf Anthology thing is a blog that produces some fictional stories that squarely shows that the author is against cochlear implants. Although it is a literary expression and doesn't "mean anything" just as writing a fictional book about assassingating a current U.S. president may not "mean anything." I'm sure many people will take a jaundice view of such a novel or writing even if they claim that it doesn't "mean anything." Somehow, as it seems to me, I wonder if there is ever the possibility that some people are actually hoping that those stories will someday come true like this one here. But for now it's just a fantasy for some Deaf readers to enjoy. And I wonder how would hearing people react to those stories?

All in all, it's better to separate facts from fantasy or else people will believe just about anything even if you do have a disclaimer clearly displayed saying it's all a fantasy or fiction. Still, some people will believe what they want regardless even if the evidence is right before their eyes.

UPDATE: Despite what the Yahoo cache says it did have the disclaimer up but I was informed that there was no disclaimer at the top at the time when "CI Deaf Children Killed" was written. I suppose a disclaimer went up later as an afterthought (probably by people asking if the story was true) and the fictional story was subsequently removed for unknown reasons (but I can make a pretty good guess why).

The Economics of Deafness and Cochlear Implants

This is not my survey but a d/Deaf person who is majoring in Economics at University of Colorado.

Welcome to our survey site. Our purpose is to receive your responses as to the economic issues concerned with cochlear implant recipients.

The cochlear implant can be an expensive endeavor. Does the implant decrease or improve your quality of life? Do you like it? Do you not like it? Do you have more money or less because of the implant? Did the implant interfere or help with your college education opportunities? We examine these questions in this survey, and hope to help the academic world understand your feelings and your experience more.

This research is being done to learn more about cochlear implant users and the economic benefits, if any, that came out of it.

The aim of this study is to learn how deafness and CIs affect opportunities for education, income, skills, and your d/Deaf/HoH identity. This survey first asks questions about education, you, your background, your deafness, your implant (if you have one), and your outlook. You'll also be asked to share your experience and thoughts you may have. I appreciate very much your careful consideration of the survey questions. The main benefit to you for filling out the survey is the opportunity to share your experience with cochlear implants. With this information, audiologists and implant professionals may gain a better understanding of how to boost your or your child's experience with the implant. Final results may be published.

The survey is confidential. No names or addresses are required. So, if you are a cochlear implant wearer and want to participate in this survey then go and take the survey. Also, as a clarification, again, this survey is being done by somebody else, and not by me.

The Value of Cued Speech

When cued speech works.












I specifically choose these videos because they came with subtitles so that everybody can have the opportunity to understand what is being said in those videos. Subtitles are in short supply in many videos whether geared toward hearing, deaf, hard of hearing or Deaf viewers. Enjoy these videos and learn more about cueing. No attacking, please.

More cochlear implant bloggers needed in DeafRead?

Is there a need for more of these CI bloggers in Deafread? Something like Rachel's blog? For so many years there have been a chasm between those who support CI and see that it does really work very well and those who support ASL and believe CI doesn't work that well or worse. But what I have been seeing lately are more discourses and discussions on the issue of cochlear implants, some have been quite fruitful while others are a bit perverted.

I did a quick Google research using a variety of keywords associated with "Deafread."

"CI" and "DeafRead" - 10,300 references.
"cochlear implant" and "DeafRead" - 3,940 references.
"ASL" and "DeafRead" - 21,700 references
"ASL" and "deaf" - 494,000 references
"American Sign Language" - 2,250,000 references
"hard of hearing" - 2,210,000 references.
"cochlear implant" - 497,000 references.
"hearing loss" - 5,040,000 references

Interesting figures. Make what you will with those data but people deal mostly on the issue of hearing loss first rather than about Deaf culture or ASL among the 30+ million people with hearing loss in the United States.

In Jodi's blog one commenter made this comment about Harlan Lane's own attitude towards cochlear implants which is quite compelling in terms of unwillingness to acknowledge certain things and/or help promote proper discourses:

He not only refused to admit that they could work, but when my friend attended one of his lectures with his hearing, speaking deaf CI daughter and approached Lane afterwards asking him to speak with her, Lane refused. Talk about close mindedness!

Do we have these little "Harlan Lanes" running around doing the exact same thing in some of the cochlear implant blogs or even in other non-CI blogs refusing to even acknowledge those with cochlear implants can and do extremely well in the speaking and listening skill area even to the point that ASL wouldn't be a need for them? But sometimes I can't help but think that some Deaf and even hearing supporters (e.g. Harlan Lane types) have managed to somehow hurt the image of the Deaf community by their very act of narrow-mindedness and attitudes. And all people have to do is point to these instances in blogs, vlogs, newspaper clippings, and so on on what Deaf culture is like seen (to them) as unwilling, cruel, or even an unacceptable bunch of Deaf people who are against other deaf/hh people who choose an alternative preference in life other than a Deaf culture one. A case of political correctness run amok might be seen to be as one of them, too. It only takes a few bad apples to spoil the rest of the basketful of good apples to ruin the picture. Yet some deaf forums are starting to take steps to insure that those types of Deaf responses (i.e. "negative activities") are eliminated or reduced through warnings or banishments. Quite telling coming from one Deaf forum when it comes to image control. Again, all of this go to this deep, deep question of mine that I've been asking over the last two years, "unity for whom?"

UPDATE: For ya'll who may be reticent or adamant at the idea of seeing more cochlear implant bloggers (or even cued speech bloggers for that matter) in DeafRead, complain to DR editors about that. And make sure that DR will not want to welcome all deaf and hard of hearing vloggers and bloggers with open arms into the deaf/hh v/blogging community and learn from them and their perspectives on life as a deaf or hh person. Don't look to me to complain. Not cool. Look into the mirror if you want to complain about that. And for the record, I never said I was unhappy with DeafRead. Provide a few Google stats do not mean I am unhappy with DeafRead. Far from it. Although I do provide some interesting blog articles to get people to think. I, in fact, welcome all deaf, hh, Deaf people with open arms and that we are all in the same boat when it comes to communication access. Variety is the spice of life. But if you insist on being that limited group that will only open arms to those with a conditional requirement then go for it!

Cochlear Implant and Swimming..doing the impossible

Here's a cool video of how a deaf kid can wear a cochlear implant and swim in a swimming pool without it getting wet. This means diving into the water, jumping in, swimming, splashing and all that stuff. How? Take a gander at this video for this BTE cochlear implant. Thanks to the ingenuity of this kid's Dad, he can now swim and hear what people are saying. Even hear underwater. And, oh, btw, the deaf kid sounded like any other hearing kid to me. His voice sounded just great. I'll get around to it and use Overstsream to add the caption in later. But the video does provide a "screen transcript" of sort explaining the warnings and other useful information.

Enjoy.

A Keyboard-less Computer Era at Gallaudet University?

In about 5 years perhaps that just might happen according to Bill Gates as a start when computer keyboards start to phase out in favor of speech interfacing:

“In five years, Microsoft expects more Internet searches to be done through speech than through typing on a keyboard” Gates also stated that Microsoft is following up its support of UC but will use both speech and text interfaces for information access and search technologies."

Now, can you imagine Gallaudet students sitting in front of their computers at one of Gallaudet University's computer rooms 10 years down the road with nary a keyboard in sight trying to talk to a computer by asking it to look up a particular subject while doing an internet search for a homework assignment? Don't worry, even today hearing people have trouble with their OnStar computer recognition software on the simple task of saying a phone number for the car's computer to dial out. Though it's too bad that Gallaudet University does not seem to have an interest in Christian Vogler's work on his years of work on computer ASL recognition while he was at Gallaudet University. Will Gallaudet University sit around hoping ASL-recognition technology will come to them? Or will Gallaudet University be the catalyst to encourage and support on the development of ASL recognition software on their own campus instead? Five years away isn't that far off before things begin to change.


"Tea. Earl Grey. Hot." — Capt. Jean-Luc Picard

When Technology Produces a Shift in Communication Model Thinking

How interesting it is to watch people react to a certain technology being used and how it changes people’s perception for the better when it comes to communication access issues.

For example, some Deaf people are sometimes vexed on trying to be completely loyal by adhering to an “ASL-only world” in all situations versus wanting total independence when it comes to communication (i.e. ability to freely communicate with anybody even those who do not sign) and the feeling of inclusion. But they are faced with a reality that living in an “ASL-only world” is not always possible (unless you happened to live on the campus of Gallaudet University) due to numerous reasons (e.g. interpreter shortages, lack of quality interpreters, unavailable interpreter nearby, timeliness of interpreters showing up, scheduling conflicts, 3rd party “independence” or your “shadow,” hiring costs, and so on). Not all Deaf people have this access to this “ASL-only world” in every situation. One good example of how one piece of technology continues to help solve one communication situation between deaf and hearing people and that is the UbiDuo communication device. But over the last year or so there has been some fear and backlash about the UbiDuo thinking it is meant to permanently replace ASL interpreters, must have good English skills or that the device “threatens” Deaf culture.

“This is not about replacing interpreters,” Curry said. “This is about the power of face-to-face communication and the ability to strike up a conversation on the spot.”

"There is a lot of misperception that deaf people with strong (American Sign Language skills) can’t use it, 95 percent of our (UbiDuo) customers are ASL users. It doesn’t matter if your English is good or bad.” - Jason Curry (co-founder and CEO of sComm, Inc).

Now, if several hundred UbiDuo devices were sold since beginning of last year mostly to customers who are ASL users then shouldn’t that fact alone be enough to dispel the notion that using such a technology cannot destroy Deaf culture? Or that user is required to be proficient or “perfect” in the English language to use the UbiDuo? Facing the unknown can produce irrational fear. Jason reiterates his point again in his latest UbiDuo newsletter about English skills.

Some people (hearing and deaf/hard of hearing) think that ASL users can’t use the UbiDuo because of their English skills. I want to emphasize that ASL users with low level English can and do use the UbiDuo. So many clients who use ASL have made it clear to us that they are thrilled to have the ability to communicate independently and freely for themselves with hearing people. Don Garretson, a strong ASL user, made this statement: “It is not about my English, it is about me being able to talk to anyone I want on my own.” sComm is committed to giving those who are deaf or hard of hearing the power to converse independently and freely no matter what their grammar skill levels are.

Also, another shift in communication model thinking involves several hospitals, such as hospitals under the Baptist Health System Beaches in Florida, which purchased several UbiDuo devices last year to help address their “special needs communication” area. But it’s not what you think if you’re thinking about “special needs” part of it. Rather, the UbiDuo is mostly geared toward hearing patients. At first, people assumed that the device will receive little support but the reaction was the opposite. There was lots of overwhelming support for this device in the clinical area.

For example, in one hospital in Florida a staff took the UbiDuo communication device around to various in-patient and out-patient units where various staff members worked and simply placed the UbiDuo on the counter without saying a word and began typing. Every staff member from various hospital units that came into contact with the machine figured out how to operate it within a few seconds. And opened up a conversation using the communication device and showed how easy it is to use such a communication system.

Hospitals like the ones under the Baptist Health Systems Beaches are now exploring additional applications for the UbiDuo for vented patients (intubated patients for breathing but talking is impossible), closed head injury patients (loss of control of vocal cords, stuttering, brain injury affecting speech, etc), Autistic patients and even patients with post-cancer laryngeal surgery. Any patient without the ability to utter speech could benefit from the communication device along with the added feature of wireless portability and the ability to save, print and post transcripts for their records.

Again, the UbiDuo is not in the business of replacing interpreters but rather in the business of providing greater communication freedom and choice in face-to-face situations. Over time this communication freedom will simply get better for us all.

Can you name other technology that has helped produce a shift in communication model thinking from deaf and hard of hearing people?

When an Idiot Suggests Prank Calls Using IP Relay

Of course, only a moron or mindless idiot would do this prank. This imbecile with a mental acuity of a 2 year old who thinks that doing a prank pizza call using an IP Relay service is loads of fun! Kind of like a 2 year old who gets his jollies poking his fingers into his own doody pile. It just really stinks. Never mind the guy is 21 years old. This guy really "Digg It" this prank idea enough to write up a suggestion on the "Digg It" forum on how to "prank your neighbor" thinking he/she is the most clever person in the world! My lawd..a genius! Even in the hearing world you have these morons who ruins it for the rest of the deaf and hard of hearing people who depend on IP Relay services to make their calls. This guy need to grow up.

Adversity and...the audacity of hope?

Location: Dog Canyon on the Sacramento Mountains in New Mexico near Alamogordo.

Here's another deaf guy named Stephen Hopson of Adversity University who prefers to use his voice in his (first ever) video blog, too. He's also a motivator and a professional speaker who travels alot doing speaking engangements. Check out his first video blog post of him speaking and him thanking me in his blog on helping him get started with the subtitling idea. Thanks to my captioned video blogs of me speaking that intrigued him about me. One thing for sure, people like me and Stephen Hopson are not afraid to use our voice to speak in front of a video camera or a crowd of people.

Adversity, we all face them at one time or another. For deaf and hard of hearing people, their adversity is hearing loss. The ability to speak and/or listen shouldn't be about the "audacity of hope" on achieving those things. Not with technology we have today and better educational understanding when it comes to early intervention for a deaf child or baby on developing better listening and speaking skills. Those things should be expected as achievable and very reachable goals and not some mundane "audacity of hope" kind of thing we're hearing about today. Maybe 40 years ago but certainly not today. And even less so 10, 20 and 30 years down the road when technology and, especially so, biotechnology will continue to change the landscape for those with hearing loss.

UPDATE: See an updated or a "redacted" version of "adversity" here.