Message to Don Grushkin

My video message to Don Grushkin on his recent PSE and ASL vlog discussion about Candy's blogsite, and going after Candy about her blog about the ASL language question issue.

You don't belong here at Gallaudet University

Worst thing to say to a deaf or hard of hearing person who is thinking of going to Gallaudet University, those who are currently students, or those who have been to Gallaudet University by another deaf person who is an alumnus by saying "you don't belong here at Gallaudet University." Yes, This was actually said against Charles Wirick in a case that showed increasingly the (circumstantial) evidence was more likely over miscommunication issues than anything else along with him being a target in the effort to get him to look like a trouble maker than not. Of course, there are possibly a few more varying factors that ultimately led to suspending Wirick for one year from Gallaudet University.

Lately, Charles Wirick's videos were removed for unknown reasons over the holidays. His account was also deleted.  If you haven't seen them then you're out of luck. But here's the burning question. Was bullying involved here that ultimately cost Wirick one year of suspension from Gallaudet University? Who was doing the bullying if any? Gallaudet University administration? The students? The Buff and Blue? By fraternity and/or sorority members?  Student Conduct Board? Who pushed whom over there? And why? Those the are questions I'm trying to raise here over my last several blogs about the Charles Wirick's case. What really happened here and seems like Gallaudet University does not really care or do not wish to address the issue at all.  How ironic and interesting to see all of a sudden Gallaudet University to start with this anti-bullying campaign just recently last year in 2010. Maybe they need to look at their own administration internally a bit more deeper and see who protecting who.  I'm sure it isn't the Pawheeves doing the protecting here which has mysteriously disappeared if you click on the link. But something is certainly going on within the system that has been worked in over the years,Vishnu or not. Right, Dwight?

Anybody who is deaf or hard of hearing is certainly welcomed to attend Gallaudet University and once there, no matter the preferred mode of communication, that person belongs there just like everybody else. It's really up to the person to decide for personal reasons on not wanting to go to Gallaudet University. And once that person graduates, he or she represents Gallaudet University. Just like me. I certainly belong but that's another story.  And I'll be sure to remind people that Gallaudet University must adhere to Section 504 ruling established by Congress.

Best and Worst Responses for 2010, Part 2 of 4.

Continuing from Part 1 of 4.


April 2010

Since I got my new hearing aids, I have upgraded myself from 'deaf' to HH' I hear so much better with them and I am enjoying my friends at work so much!! Before that it was a chore to talk to anyone. Now I'm participating in the chatter and it has made a world of difference in my happiness at work.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/04/value-of-work-encounters-for-deaf-and.html


May 2010

Thanks to these people, the Deaf community is now a laughingstock.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/avdism.html

Instead of "F*ck the Deaf Community", that the hearing father already regretted, maybe it should be more of "F*ck the Mask of Benevolence Community".
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/fck-you-deaf-community.html

Wow. Strong words. Eventually that guy's daughter will turn up at an HLAA, ALDA or IFHOH Convention. She'll fit right in with the rest of us oral deaf people. No one will care how she communicates. Since more than 2/3 of all deaf people are oral deaf, she'll be in good company. ;-) I've met many, many like her.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/fck-you-deaf-community.html

Oh, I know. I know. You'll never understand.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/fck-you-deaf-community.html

I wonder If I, a mother wants to remove hair cells in my child's cochlea, will it be consider a child abuse?
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/fck-you-deaf-community.html

Hedy-- You've used that example before and it creeps me out.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/fck-you-deaf-community.html

Ulaubooooo, scoobie doooooo, fuggamatich sammywich with mayo hamncheese!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/deafhood-no-thanks.html

Mike...you never fail to disappoint me. Once again, you've shown how narrow minded and uneducated you are.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/deafhood-no-thanks.html

hee hee ... good one, Mike! hope this one will go into your year-end collection of greatest zingers. good to see you haven't lost your way with words, or your sense of humor!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/deafhood-no-thanks.html

Trevor, it's a satire. You're making a big frakking deal out of this satire. Chill out, dude.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/deafhood-no-thanks.html


Yup, Mike, you can chill now...my Deafologist group has just deemed you're not a suppressive after all. (Bzzzz) Oops that was my pager....let's see...ah...that was my commander...he says I must go back to auditing people. Well, excuse me, I'm gonna go now to spread the bliss! Peace out...
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/deafhood-no-thanks.html

I have a BA and MA in English, so I know what a satire is.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/deafhood-no-thanks.html

You got crushed by a Meriam-Webster dictionary over your two English degrees.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/deafhood-no-thanks.html

I fully expect the Deafhood "leadership" to start looking for me now, as I am within their ranks, the most dangerous threat to their plans. I am: Fiver!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/deafhood-no-thanks.html

Hmmm... the potential hazard is you and your computer might be insanely brain washed instantly.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/google-posts-deafhood-warning-on-search.html

I just saw someone creating a new word: deaffort. Have no idea what it is. It is being discussed over in a very secluded and closed video world.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/very-special-people-hate-crime.html


And, Mike, lay off that hand-rubbing gesture for pausing. Kinda make you look like a villain gleefully plotting something with hand-rubbing. I had the same problem with experimenting my first couple vlogs.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/part-ii-mikes-asl-vlog-to-deaf.html

Heh heh. My plan is working flawlessly! *rubs hands.* You know, I don't have a plan. I just rub my hands together and chuckle.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/part-ii-mikes-asl-vlog-to-deaf.html

Comment deleted. This post has been removed by the author.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/05/adversity-perspective-from-deafhh.html


June 2010

I think it's sad someone is donating such a large sum of money to a group that is about doing nothing instead of to a group that is about doing SOMETHING.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/money-donated-to-deafhood-no-thanks.html

holding a doctorate degree isn't going to make you rich and successful.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/money-donated-to-deafhood-no-thanks.html

Who makes fun of a kid? That guy is an ass.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/when-deaf-person-is-mocked-for-his.html

I honestly don't think that Deaf Hate Crime is materialized. Someone is trying to make money out of it. Hate Crime is enough.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/jumping-deaf-hate-crime-bandwagon.html

At your next Vlog, please take your hat off since I cannot see your eyes that are a significant part of ASL for understanding. thanks.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/jumping-deaf-hate-crime-bandwagon.html

Still laughing here on my end... showed the video to my daughter who laughed her head off. She said, "if he'd play the game once he'd know what monopoly money is".
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/critical-analysis.html

I was disappointed that they didn't make out in the end.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/sock-pow-its-deaf-dynamic-duo.html

Yep. A bunch of hypocrites. Why not attack Cerf for not giving up his AGBell medal award after 13 years? Bunch of wimps, emotional cry babies. I dare those Deaf extremists to challenge Cerf to give up his medal! I DARE YA!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/vincent-cerf-accepted-award-from-agbell.html

So...Al Gore didn't invent the Internets?
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/vincent-cerf-accepted-award-from-agbell.html

Don't you dare to mock or defile John Ebgert at all!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/poll-do-you-approve-ab2072-bill.html

Some people need the esteem booster by meeting self-appointed leaders.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/poll-do-you-approve-ab2072-bill.html

How is it good to drill a hole and scrap off skull bone and insert some sort of foreign objection inside the head just to hear well? How is it good to teach "false" language like cued speech to deaf children. How is it good for children with profound hearing loss to learn to speak and hear when it s actually just a guessing game?
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/poll-do-you-approve-ab2072-bill.html


I just read RLM’s post linking here. LOL. I must say reading his insane post keeps me sane.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/ag-bell-on-ab2072.html

It's a shame that Edwin Black has also marginalize the history of Jewish people by comparing this AB2072 bill as a possible road to eugenics.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/when-anti-ab2072-group-uses-nazi-labels.html

You or anybody else do not own deaf or hh babies. They are not your "Deaf babies." Nor are they born "Deaf" which is a cultural label to begin with.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/when-anti-ab2072-group-uses-nazi-labels.html

you spend more time going after AGBell than you do promoting ASL.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/when-anti-ab2072-group-uses-nazi-labels.html

Mike, most of us know your reputation being a subtle propagandist to destroy the Deaf community working on the betterment for all deaf babies. you made a choice to negate without going through the journey. again, you don;t want to take this journey and you choose to negate, negate...
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/deafhood-afa-and-cad-linked-as.html

That was fun!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/deafhood-afa-and-cad-linked-as.html

John, focus on ASL. Stop spending so much time, energy and effort going after AGBell, CI, and so on. This continues to be your Achilles Heel.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/deafhood-afa-and-cad-linked-as.html

Terminological Terrorism
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/deafhood-afa-and-cad-linked-as.html

It's governments and boards that were controlled by white and hearing, STUPID!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/eugenics-of-deaf-indian-sign-language.html


You see David, deaf staffs also played oppressive roles on deaf Indian children back then. This is not news.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/eugenics-of-deaf-indian-sign-language.html

Cute. Trying to shift blame on ASL/Deaf people now, aren't we?
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/eugenics-of-deaf-indian-sign-language.html

I will make my vlog about your irresponsible and uncredible article. Mike, I want you to be aware that I'll hold you accountable.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/eugenics-of-deaf-indian-sign-language.html

Hold me accountable? Over what? Do you know what a "thought exercise" is about?
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/eugenics-of-deaf-indian-sign-language.html

I've monitored him for two years now and can safely assure you. He's so stuck inside of a closed society where people's thoughts are tightly regulated.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/eugenics-of-deaf-indian-sign-language.html

Yeah, it made me smile and also very excited to read this blog and then having heavy sadness for both Native Indian and deaf communities. Oh well, at least I know that we're all okay- just as human beings.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/asl-thrives-isl-dies-and-gets-pushed.html

I’m still waiting for Ebonics sign language to materialize from the black Deaf community so they wouldn't wanted to put up with whitey ASL no more.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/06/asl-thrives-isl-dies-and-gets-pushed.html

Best and Worst Responses for 2010, Part 1 of 4.

Here's my latest review of responses from my blogs where I choose some of the best and worst responses (and some in-between) that were said in 2010. It’s up to you to decide which ones are the best and worst responses. I have done previous "Best and Worst Responses" in 2006 and 2007 but never did it for 2008 or 2009. I figured its time to do it again. Click on the links and see who said what. Perhaps you'll recognize your own response! Some of the names you’ll recognize while many others came from anonymous people. Some comments were like what a “hit and run” driver would do and be like a coward. But there were many names who were quite courteous and well behaved. A mish mash of comments to read and laugh over. Or frown fretfully over them.  I’ll put out 4 different "Best and Worst Responses" blogs from January through March (Part 1), April through June (Part 2), July through September (Part 3), and October through December (Part 4) in order to break them down into a more readable format that's not too lengthy. Here’s Part 1 (January through March). I’ll put the rest of Part 2, 3 and 4 over the next several days. Enjoy!


January 2010
Excellent post, Mike. It disgusts me, how people are buying into this, and especially how Gore is making money from all of this. Not to mention all the money we're pouring into "100-year-fixes".
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/01/are-deaf-people-more-prone-to-believe.html


February 2010
I wonder if RLM realizes that he did the exact opposite of his intention? Rather than getting people to think about A*dism (I hate that term) he made the whole Deaf Community look like intolerant jerks. That helps nobody.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/02/nfl-cochlear-implant-story-continues.html

(e, surprised? I'm not. It's not surprising that there's a lot of ignorant people in this world. Lots of idiots too. ;)
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/02/is-mike-mcconnell-anti-deaf.html

I think you're going to confuse the guy when you say you'll talk with him over the phone even though you are deaf. To me, the ability to use the phone is the line of demarcation between being deaf and not being deaf. How can someone who can understand another person's voice without any visual cues be considered deaf? I went deaf slowly over 15 years and the day I made my last phone call was the day I went deaf.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/02/is-mike-mcconnell-anti-deaf.html

I wouldn't be surprised if that happen someday. Some Deaf people are simply mentally unstable. Pink rooms for them.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/02/deaf-group-attacks-stem-cell-researcher.html

I love it! Other blogs pale in comparison to yours and frankly they are dry..dry...dry!
And thank you for coming back on DeafRead!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-do-you-like-to-read-kokonut-pundit.html

Hello nice site let me tell you that you have to buy viagra is the easy way to get better, also the web is the fastest way to get viagra online and if you want it cheaper get generic viagra thanks you.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/02/deaf-on-deaf-hate-crime.html (Reason number one to keep an eye out for spams).


March 2010

I'm glad I read this post. It makes your other posts much easier to read. I can actually see your point.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/dangers-of-using-wikipedia-to-look-up.html

You were banned for asking a reasonable question? Unbelievable!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/baby-born-deaf-deaf-members-celebrate.html

You remembered "My plan is working flawlessly."!!! *putting his little fingernail to his gold tooth, glint*
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/baby-born-deaf-deaf-members-celebrate.html


That's why I prayed and hoped that the birth of my kids would come out all intact with all 5 senses working.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/baby-born-deaf-deaf-members-celebrate.html

.... and imagine what it's like being the ant in between the manure and the grass. being culturally Deaf, going blind.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/baby-born-deaf-deaf-members-celebrate.html

Karma is real bitch for what will do to Rush if he choose not to donate his $$$ to the Deafhood Foundation.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-hope-deafhood-fails.html

As for Deafhood, it's been twisted into a psychological weapon against any d/Deaf person who chooses to use speech and hearing technology, never mind that that person probably may also use ASL and come from a Deaf family, for example. Oralism, speech, and hearing technology are the latest taboos, according to a few Deafhood activists. And thru Deafhood Foundation's associations with DBC and AFA, one can only wonder what next?
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-hope-deafhood-fails.html

Deafhood already failed. The proof is in the pudding!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-hope-deafhood-fails.html

Even Olise made lot of hate speech against deaf. WAKE UP!
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/breaking-deaf-hate-speech-found.html

Been arrested yet on Deaf hate speech charges? Lol.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/breaking-deaf-hate-speech-found.html

Whenever they disagree with others' opinions at either ASLrocks or DVTV, they would call them "hate crime/speech".  I honestly don't believe them at all.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/breaking-deaf-hate-speech-found.html


Flouride is good for your teeth.
http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2010/03/when-piano-dieshorribly.html

The next deaf/hh person to speak/voice at Gallaudet University?

I wondered just recently, how many deaf or hard of hearing people at Gallaudet University actually used their voice to speak to an audience along with interpreters on the campus of Gallaudet University? Students, alumni, guest speakers, or even one from the Gallaudet University administration? I can think of  four people who have done that and I'm sure there were more Deaf, deaf or hard of hearing people who did use their voice instead of signing.

The first one come to mind which is the most famous in the lore of Gallaudet University is Dr. Brueggemann who used her voice at Gallaudet University's graduation ceremony.  She was a last minute replacement for Celia May Baldwin after she resigned from her position because of threats against her by some nutty pro-DPN2 protesters. She was wrongfully scorned for her actions because people simply did not know the true story of why she spoke instead of signed at the May 12, 2006 graduation ceremony.

And had I had any time to actually prepare my remarks for the GU graduation last May, I probably would have signed them more or at least part of them. But I didn't have that prep time. I was dropped into the Acting Chair's position on May 10, to be exact--once CM Baldwin resigned. And I was handed the remarks she was supposed to deliver (already scripted) for graduation on May 12. In fact, they didn't even give me the script until the morning of May 12. And it still had her name at the top of it! So, using oral/spoken English, I could feel comfortable enough to develop a few of my own "touches" in the prepared script. But I sure couldn't do that trying to use ASL....

Dr. Brueggemann received hell for using her voice at Gallaudet University, mostly from bloggers and those who contributed to the discussion about her. You can watch her commencement speech video starting at 45:15.

Next is Michael Chorost, a well known cochlear implantee born with a hearing loss, who spoke at Gallaudet University in March 21, 2007 yet no outrage for this guy although he did sign his introductory name.

View externally


Next is another (unknown) person named "Bobby W." who claimed to have used his voice in 2006 to defend his student teaching experience for his degree at Gallaudet University:

If it makes you feel any better at the height of the campus scandal in 2006 while I was defending my student teaching experience for my degree from Gallaudet in front of the Education Department. I also choose to use my voice to do so. I used ASL for the answering/question session but the actual defense I used my voice. Imagine defending an education degree from Gallaudet University orally. Im sure I was the FIRST to ever do so.


I received a few funny looks from my peers and a few of the EDU professors but It was a success...


-Bobby W.

And then, of course, myself when I used my voice while I was one of the several panel members at Gallaudet University's first ever vlogging/blogging conference in 2007 that was televised live in front of an internet audience and the audience that were physically present. Most people, I think, were quite receptive of my decision to use my voice compared to Dr. Brueggemann.

In a space of about a year from 2006 to 2007 four different people who are deaf or hard of hearing used their voice in front of an audience on the campus of Gallaudet University as far as I know. Could it be a start of a trend?  I'm sure there may have been a few more examples of that since then so does anybody know other deaf/hh people who did use their voice in front of an audience on the campus of Gallaudet University? And if so, how did people respond? Looking back, why did people respond differently to each of those four different people I just mentioned? Will the future see more people deciding to use their voice instead of signing as a choice?

UPDATE: I came across another individual ( a 1975 Gallaudet University alumnus) who did an oral defense at Alliant International University (and not at Gallaudet) as described in Gallaudet University's alumni news page. But note the irony on the study of the defense was about:

'75 - Joe McLaughlin passed the oral defense for his doctoral dissertation, "Sign Language Interpreter Shortage in California: Perceptions of Stakeholders," at Alliant International University in San Francisco, Calif. in January. McLaughlin received his Ed.D. degree in higher education in June.

Racial and Ethnic Spew Against Gallaudet University President Hurwitz, why?

When a person makes an ethnic or racial slur/claim against Gallaudet University by calling the current Hurwitz administration as being run by an "all Jewish, white men" is not only irresponsible but certainly downright conspiratorial in nature as well as obnoxious. It's even worse if it came from a person who graduated from Gallaudet University. This is a slam against Dr. Hurwitz who  became the first Jewish president of Gallaudet University and was also a past president of the World Organization of Jewish Deaf. Is it a slam against the rest of the Gallaudet University administration by making it as if the university is controlled by a bunch of "Jewish men"? It certainly does bring up questions of whether there were any racist and/or anti-semitic undertones. Although it may have been written as not to mean that but to say "all Jewish, white men" simply begs the question.

First off, the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees is consisted of 10 men of which not all of them are white or Jewish, along with 7 women. This is not counting the two from Congress. The Board of Trustees were the ones who picked Dr. Hurwitz to become Gallaudet University's next president.  As for the "Hurwitz administration" it is consisted of the President's Cabinet and Staff.  The make up of people there are just as varied with men and women of different ethnic and racial backgrounds rather than an "all Jewish, white men" run administration.

The President's Cabinet is consisted of Dr. Alan T. Hurwitz (President), Dr. Stephen Weiner (Provost of Academic Affairs), Paul Kelly (Vice President of Administration & Finance), Eward Bosso (Vice President of Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center - KDES), Lynee Murray (Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations), Donald Beil (Chief of Staff), Cynthia King (Chief Information Officer), Catherine Andersen (Associate Provost of Enrollment Management and General Studies), Ann Powell (Associate Provost for Diversity) and Fred Weiner (Executive Director of Program Development).  The President's Staff, it is just as varied as well when you look at the names and faces of both men and women.

There is nothing in this current administration to show that it is run by an "all Jewish, white men" if you look at Gallaudet University's organizational chart. You can see that the Board of Trustees is at the top of the organizational chart, and not president Hurwitz.  He would be second in line. Those who work directly under president Hurwitz are Paul Kelly, Lynne Murray, Stephen Weiner, Cindy King, Ed Bosso and Don Beil. Certainly not a cadre of people that fits the "all Jewish, white men" ethnic/racial slam.

Such an accusation is simply irresponsible coming from one deaf person who have said such a thing as seen in a YouTube's comment area yesterday. And, no, I won't point out where or who this person is. Use your imagination. It wouldn't take much to figure out who this person is. You-know-who. Yet it is perfectly alright to question a person's line of work but to raise a person's ethnic upbringing (i.e. Jewish, Catholic, etc) or racial profile shouldn't be a part of the discussion in the first place. As for Hurwitz's case, his Jewish background and "whiteness" have nothing to do with running Gallaudet University as a whole. As far as I can tell, Dr. Hurwitz is still committed to diversity. 

There is no place for anti-semitic or racist undertones aimed at Gallaudet University or the president. Not at this day and age. Not ever.

Oh, btw, Merry Christmas!

ADDENDUM: If you are going to respond in the comment section do not use names. 

Charles Wirick YouTube Video Response

Finally, Charles Wirick has something to say on YouTube video.

Previous blogs on Charles Wirick

Mystery of the missing BnB's Wirick article
The curious case of the Wirick case
Charles Wirick responds to charges in his blog
Poll: Was Charles Wirick bullied and targeted unfairly?
The Charles Wirick's Case: Part 3 of 3 - Ganged up? 
The Charles Wirick's Case: Part 2 of 3 - Rumors
The Charles Wirick's Case: Part 1 of 3

Fund Ella's Hope

Here's a good Pepsi Refresh Project to click on and vote for $25,000 on helping promote greater awareness on the importance of Early Intervention Therapy for a child with this condition. Once a diagnosis is done early enough then proper treatment can begun in earnest that can enable a child to catch up to age appropriate grade levels on communication. Autism can be a life disabling condition unless early invention is done.

Next to vote for is the "Give Deaf Children a Voice" Pepsi Refresh project idea for $250,000. Currently it is in 33rd place. This is also another early intervention help on communication, only this time is to help deaf and hard of hearing children get the gift of speaking that will last a lifetime.

And while we're on the subject of Pepsi, some people continue to misconstrue the AGBell "Superbowl" Pepsi letter that was written almost 3 years ago on Jan 31, 2008 thinking it's a letter attacking sign language. Again, this hardly the truth when it's about raising awareness to Pepsi officials that the majority of deaf and hard of hearing people do not know sign language.  The letter explains to Pepsi that their commercial merely help perpetuates the false myth that most deaf and hard of hearing people know sign language. That is not true. The majority of deaf and hard of hearing people use spoken language as their primary mode of communication. Nothing more. Nothing less. And certainly not an attack on sign language or Deaf people.

Mystery of the missing BnB's Wirick article

This has gotten rather curious. An article written by Derrick Behm on Charles Wirick about his one year suspension over his alleged spreading of his own shooting threat rumor has suddenly disappeared off of the face of the Buff and Blue electronic newspaper website. A website that is owned by Gallaudet University and operated by the The Buff and Blue staff. The October 26, 2010 article disappeared around during the week of December 13. That article may have disappeared on December 17th on the same day when, supposedly if it is him, Charles Wirick created his own blog to counter accusations that he was the one who perpetuated the shooting threat rumors. December 17th was also the same day I decided to do a blog about Wirick coming out with his own blog and that's when I tried to check out BnB's article "Wirick suspended for one year for shooting threat rumor" to see if any additional comments were added but only to find out that the article/blog was taken completely off of the BnB website. My question is this. Why was it removed, Derrick Behm?

This was the second time that BnB did this. The first time it was taken off briefly only to only to correct the article and then it came online shortly thereafter. So far it has been two days since the Wirick article was taken offline.  Although the March 23, 2010 article "Barefoot Trouble" on Charles Wirick is still available about his barefoot walking attempt on campus about him getting back to "nature" so to speak. 

Regardless, the missing BnB article on Wirick is not forever gone. I have it on my MediaFire file hosting page and is available to those who would like to see it. Contact me if you want a copy of the missing article. It can only be seen using the Windows Internet Explorer browser page since it was saved as a Explorer browser. The saved copy of that BnB missing article also contains the 28 comments. Before it was deleted I think there were in excess of some 30+ comments. Since we might not get any answers until after the Christmas break in January 2011 I will keep the missing article available to those who wish to view it in the Windows Explorer browser page. Just let me know.

For what it's worth, I think Charles Wirick might have a case against the Student Conduct Board. A lot of things are not adding up here.



Previous blogs on Charles Wirick

The curious case of the Wirick case
Charles Wirick responds to charges in his blog
Poll: Was Charles Wirick bullied and targeted unfairly?
The Charles Wirick's Case: Part 3 of 3 - Ganged up? 
The Charles Wirick's Case: Part 2 of 3 - Rumors
The Charles Wirick's Case: Part 1 of 3

Video: deaf ice fishermen

Here's a video of deaf ice fishermen somewhere in Europe, perhaps in Russia, Poland or Lithuania. Although not in ASL and there are some captioning but not in English. Still it's interesting to see how they communicate and fish. It was a bit of a contest on seeing who got the most fish. You can probably make some sense of some of their signing but that's about it. The winner appears to be a woman and if so then the title of this YouTube video shouldn't be "fishermen." Heh.

The curious case of the Wirick case

Yesterday Charles (Chas) Wirick seems to have written his own blog to protest the one year suspension against him. A charge as it appears was related on starting the shooting rumor but he contends it wasn't him who began the rumor but others as he explained. He announced in his blog that he is appealing the ruling of the Student Conduct Board hearing.

There are questions as to how these hearings start. According to the Office of Student Conduct Disciplinary Proceedings (OSCDP) it appears that anyone can make any kind of charges:

Any member of the University community (administration, faculty, staff, and students) may request charges against any student(s) for alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct.

Seems pretty easy to go after students if their is an agenda to retaliate.The OSCDP continues:

All allegations of violations should be prepared in writing and directed to the Coordinator of Student Conduct. In addition, any allegation of violations should be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place.

If Charles Wirick says that others were the ones that started the rumors then where are the charges against them?

The Coordinator of Student Conduct may conduct an investigation to determine if the reported allegation(s) has merit and/or if they can be disposed of administratively by mediation or mutual consent of the parties involved on a basis acceptable to the Student Conduct Office staff. If the charges cannot be disposed of by mediation or mutual consent, the Student Conduct Office staff may later serve in the same manner as a non-voting member of the Student Conduct Board in a hearing.

Apparently mediation never occurred and that charges against Wirick were pending until after the hearing when they doled out the suspension as punishment.

According to disciplinary proceedings Charles Wirick does have the right to appeal his charges and suspension against him but there's a caveat...is it too late? Unless he has some new information or other relevant facts that were not available at the time of his hearing and within 5 days of his decision.

I. The student shall be informed of the right to appeal a decision to the Director of Student Conduct (or the Executive Director of Student Affairs, if the Director served as hearing officer in the case). A decision or judgment of the Coordinator of Student Conduct or hearing official may be appealed by either or both of the parties involved on the following grounds:

* The disciplinary conference was not conducted fairly and in conformity with prescribed procedures, which made it unfair. Deviations from designated procedures will not be a basis for sustaining an appeal unless significant unfairness results.

* New or newly discovered information that could not have been produced at the conference. In order for the Director of Student Conduct (or the Executive Director of Student Affairs, if the Director served as hearing officer in the case) to consider new information sufficient to alter a decision, or other relevant facts not brought out in the original conference, such information and/or facts must not have been known at the time of the original conference by the appellant.

* The decision is not supported by substantial information considering the record as a whole. That is, the facts in the case were not sufficient to establish that a violation of the Student Code of Conduct occurred.

* The sanction imposed was excessive or insufficient and not appropriate for the violation.

An appeal must be in writing, must indicate the basis of the appeal with an explanation, and must be made within five working days of the date the parties were notified of the decision. In an appeal case, sanctions assessed by the initial Coordinator of Student Conduct or hearing officer may be held in suspense until acted upon in appeal. The appeal will be reviewed by the Director of Student Conduct (or Executive Director of Student Affairs if the Director served as hearing officer), and he or she may affirm, reverse, or modify the sanction originally determined. The Coordinator of Student Conduct shall convey pertinent information related to the case. The decision of the Director of Student Conduct (or the Executive Director of Student Affairs if the Director served as hearing officer) is final.

Regardless, it appears to be a messy situation where the victim in all this appears to be Charles Wirick. What it appears is that miscommunication or misunderstanding was the possibility from those who could not understand Wirick's signing since he was still learning how to sign appropriately. He may have misapplied certain signed words or gestures that might have changed the context of what he was talking about and not about him making threats to do the shooting. Even Michael Sprouse made clear of Charles Wirick's background painting him through the implication that he's not a good signer because he was raised oral and with little exposure to Deaf culture and community.

Sprouse described Wirick in frank terms. “He was raised oral without much exposure to Deaf culture and community—and here at Gallaudet he, for the most part, was an outcast. Wirick vented to me before about deaf-to-deaf avdism, which enraged him. He didn’t like how Gallaudet treated him and didn’t know how to fit in the university.”

Big question of the day.  Did the Coordinator of Student Conduct, Student Conduct Office staff and Student Conduct Office itself ever consider the possibility of poor signing as a possibility for misunderstanding and miscommunication to occur causing other students to use that information and begin their own version of a rumor which ended up painting Wirick as a possible shooter?

After all in the Buff and Blue blog they wrote what Michael Sprouse said of Wirick on his signing:

“He looked so determined—full of menace—when he made that statement,” said Sprouse. He stated that Wirick described in graphic American Sign Language how the Kappa Gamma (KG) fraternity brothers, circled in their clique, would be gunned down in the cafeteria, and then the Phi Kappa Zeta (PKZ) sisters would be next."

Graphic ASL? I have two questions. If Charles Wirick not fluent in signing then how can it be "ASL"? It'd be more like PSE or lot of manual signing. Did Wirick sign in SEE? Second question, if it's not done in "ASL" then how was the "graphic signing" done? What did it look like? And so on. And if he's not that fluent or fluid in signing then shouldn't the possibility of poor signing be cause of this miscommunication and misunderstanding as a reason for rumors about him get out of control?

Yes, it appears that something is not right here. If Gallaudet University (i.e. Dr. Hurwitz) have any sense they should look into Wirick's case, the people in the Student Conduct Office and investigate further on these things.  Charles Wirick could be a case where he was unwittingly discriminated against and misunderstood because of his signing ability. And if so, then this does not bode well for all current and future students new to signing at Gallaudet University that their signing could be misconstrued/misunderstood as a threat to campus should they be in a casual discussion at a cafeteria, at Rathskeller or anywhere else on campus.  Did that happen to Charles Wirick? Was he a victim of poor circumstances here? Does Gallaudet University discriminate against poor signers?

We would like to know, Dr. Hurwitz. Do the right thing and look into this.


Addendum note: Curiously the Buff and Blue blog on Wirick is no longer available but I do have a copy of it should it not re-appear which I think it will to include news of Charles Wirick popping up with his own blog protesting the suspension. If not, then I will make the copy available for all. 

Gallaudet University struggles

With apologies to Cox and Forkum.

With all the latest campus bullying, the continuing abuse of new labels, closed society, Gallaudet University seeing less charities and donations each year, Deaf elitism, and the worsening economy make it all the harder for Gallaudet University to press forward for a more open and accepting university for all hearing, Deaf, deaf and hard of hearing students one would think these things would make it easier for Gallaudet University to contend with?  Hardly. The cartoon on the left aptly describes the weight the university must pull and endure.

I'd like to take this opportunity to raise a few facts and one of them is that Gallaudet University is seeing a serious reduction on gifts and pledges over the last few years now. All pledges or gifts (donations) must be reported in Gallaudet University's annual financial reporting under the Government Performance and Results Act. Pledges and gifts or donations are given by both Gallaudet University's alumni and non-alumni people. In 2007 it saw $9.5 million in gifts and pledges but in 2008 and 2009 saw drastic reductions in givings each year at $6.9 and $3.1 million dollars, respectively.  The report explained that the downturn in the economy was a big factor. Perhaps with the right people on board will help devise ways to help increase donations and monetary gifts. We'll see how that goes over the next 2 to 3 years. But lately there has been some grumblings about the recent hiring and appointments at Gallaudet University. Will a 3rd protest happen?

Charles Wirick responds to charges in his blog

It appears that Chas (Charles) Wirick has set up his own blog to counter charges against him "Charles Wirick evidence from Cases." Go and read what he has to say, if the blog is in fact Wirick's which it does appears to be so. The same message in his blog was also left in my blog comment as well

I, Charles Wirick, am appealing the ruling of the Student Conduct Board hearing on two basis:

The decision was not supported by substantial information considering the record as a whole. The facts in the case were not sufficient to establish that a violation of the Student Code of Conduct occurred.

Fact:

There were no physical, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, and coercion proven at the hearing. I did not, according to the facts do any of them.

Seven students reported a possible threat of a shooting according to DPS reports. This is suppose to be the reason why I was detained and questioned.

Facts according to DPS reports:

Justin Christian reported that Matt Harris and Jerrod Cunningham were talking about shooting.(It was these two and Justin McDormain and Michael Sprouse that were in the student center talking about the shooting before I arrived) Justin did not name me.

Justin McDormain is not a student. He said at the hearing that Michael started the rumor, not me.

Jelynn Louis reported that Matt Harris and Jerrod Cunningham were talking about a shooting. I was not mentioned.

Britny Latham stated that Matt Harris and Jerrod Cunningham were talking about a shooting and that he started a fire in the dorm. I was not mentioned.

Amanda Biskupiak admitted that I warned her, but she did not understand my sign.

Rachel Steingieser said the same thing as Amanda and repeated that she did not understand my sign.

Stacey DeLaune reported that I warned her about the shooting that 4 others were talking about in student center. She told me to go to DPS and report it so I did.

The sanction imposed was excessive and insufficient and not appropriate.

I was found guilty of spreading rumors that scared and caused panic. I was suspended for one year.

Fact:

I threatened no one.

I was told to report threats to staff, which I did.

I went to DPS and reported it.

I went to Nikki my dorm staff and reported it.

I did not start the rumors, proof shows that four other students did.(Justin, not a current student, admitted that Michael started the rumors at the hearing and he is Mike’s friend).

We are told to report threats. If rumors are grounds for suspension then that should have been the charge and all students that spread rumors should have gotten the same suspension. One year is excessive.

You can read previous blogs about the Charles Wirick case in Part I, II and III.

According to Charles the confusion and misunderstanding appears to revolve around the signing miscommunication on not being able to understand some of Charles Wirick's signing. I brought up this possibility in my earlier blog. Interesting. And that he wasn't the one who spread the rumor.

Gallaudet University - An Indoctrination Camp?

Let's look at the term "indoctrination." From the Merriam dictionary it means, "to imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle." In other words, indoctrination is the process of inculcating ideas, attitudes, or cognitive strategies. Accordingly so, an indoctrinated person is expected not to question or critically examine such doctrine (or a set of ideas or beliefs that are taught or believed to be true) they have learned. The word "inculcating" is to teach those by frequent repetitions or by admonitions (shaming).

No doubt that Gallaudet University continues to try and indoctrinate new students to new ideas, concepts and principles as would any colleges or universities. What sets this university from others is the constant inculcating of ideas and attitudes on campus through repetitions and sometimes through shaming (or admonition) by both students and staff. Instead of welcoming new ideas that may appear anathema there's a process where admonition may take place. One was the recent admonition of allowing "hearing space" on campus. Another kind of admonition could be against those who speak instead of signing while in a public space during a private conversation. And perhaps compare that to some students who may listen to their iPod music through their earpieces with the cords dangling while walking around on campus? Which ire would be greater or possible in receiving that admonition? Another could be the question of whether one student was supposedly not "Deaf enough" as one of the possible reason for his expulsion and perhaps an example when conformity failed and admonition succeeded? Or what about the admonition of the new Board of Trustees makeup that include Donna Sorkin and Vinton Cerf? 

What about the attempt to inculcate new ideas and concepts by successfully inculcated graduates to others like injecting "deafhood," "avdism," "deaf center," "subaltern elite," "colonialism," and so on and at the same time use those concepts against other deaf or hard of hearing people instead of welcoming them as part of the larger hearing loss family and seek out greater diversity? Is it better to adhere to a constant mindset that's more Borg-like in its philosophy when it comes to distinctiveness, ironically so? Or is respecting diversity and various philosophies be the better path as Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz is attempting to do in his "From Isolation to Innovation" as described during his presidential briefing focusing on partnerships and pulling down barriers?

Are we seeing an increase in diversity, for example, the Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees  appointing (not hired but appointed!) of Vinton Cerf and Donna Sorkin, and the hiring Catherine Murphy as the new Executive Director of Public and Media Relations? How so? Well, Vinton Cerf is hard of hearing and is a part of the majority of deaf and hard of hearing population that does not use sign language. He is known as the "father of the internet" and works for Google since 2005. Vinton Cerf was also the recipient of an award from Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  Donna Sorkin is currently vice president of consumer affairs at Cochlear Americas and at one time served as the executive director of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. And as for Catherine Murphy, she was once recently the director of communications and public affairs for the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing before coming to work at Gallaudet University. Lots of diversity being incorporated into Gallaudet University at the upper level. As a reminder, Gallaudet University is now accepting new nominations of new Trustees.

Perhaps the real "fencing problem" is the indoctrinated members who managed to isolate themselves even further by attacking those whose only crime is having a hearing loss and different set of philosophies?

Has Gallaudet University become less of an educational experience and more of an indoctrination process by spitting out indoctrinated students?  Or is Dr. Hurwitz helping to turn that around by helping Gallaudet University become more diversified?

Just playing the devil's advocate here. Or am I? Though I'm still thinking...

Do you get chills and goosebumps listening to certain music?

For those born with a hearing loss or those who lost some of their hearing very early in life, I am wondering whether hard of hearing or deaf people get chills and goosebumps whenever a certain music is played. A research article came out recently that discussed why some people get chills and goosebumps whenever they listen to a particular genre of music.  Do you get chills and goosebumps from listening to a certain music?

I get chills from listening to certain kind of music that comes with singing, especially with a chorus along with certain instruments that help deliver an additional emotional energy to it all. One good example of chills I get every time I listen to is the Hallelujah! chorus music. Recently a Hallelujah! flash mob took place at a mall last month. It was recorded and put onYouTube where it has gone spectacularly viral with over 18 million views (see below) since November 17, 2010. For me on the voices it depends on the vocal texture, vocal timbre, and vocal transition points like breaks, lifts and falls can certainly hit me and give me goosebumps. Hallelujah! is one of those pieces when the chorus is done right with the music will give goosebumps. But then there's another component to this Hallelujah! that brings more "inspirational chills" and that's the message behind the song.



Hallelujah (Aleluya)
Written by George Friedrich Handel

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
(For the lord God omnipotent reigneth)
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
(Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah)
Hallelujah

The kingdom of this world;
is become
the kingdom of our Lord,
and of His Christ
and of His Christ

And He shall reign for ever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
and lord of lords forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
and lord of lords forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
King of kings forever and ever hallelujah hallelujah
and lord of lords
King of kings and lord of lords

And he shall reign
And he shall reign
And he shall reign
He shall reign
And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings forever and ever
and lord of lords hallelujah hallelujah
And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings and lord of lords
King of kings and lord of lords
And he shall reign forever and ever

Forever and ever and ever and ever
(King of kings and lord of lords)

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah

What is John Tracy Clinic expertise in?

There seems to be a bit of a round robin by certain Deaf people in taking pot shots at the John Tracy Clinic program. What some Deaf people don't seem to understand is that the JTC program is very specific in what it can offer and the support they can give to parents of kids from age 0 to 5 years old that were diagnosed with hearing loss. Obviously, if an organization has a specific expertise in what it can offer then that is what they can offer and nothing else. The expertise at John Tracy Clinic is in spoken language which can be used with any other communication approaches. 

John Tracy Clinic offers information and distance courses for families of children with hearing loss ages birth to five. The focus is language development with ideas for learning through child play and family routines. The expertise at John Tracy Clinic is in spoken language which is emphasized in onsite programs such as the Parent/Infant Program and Preschool, as well as via Distance Education for Parents, but many of the techniques can be used in any communication approach. The key is to provide children with early and complete access to communication to help them fully develop their language skills. Development of complex communication skills helps children be ready for school. There are no limits to what children with hearing loss can achieve.

Many techniques used in the JTC spoken language program can be used with other communication choices or options such as Auditory-Verbal, Auditory-oral, Cued Speech, Total Communication, and Formal Sign Language (American Sign Language (ASL) or Sign Language of other countries).  It is obvious that JTC recognizes ASL but that is not their area of expertise. Their area of expertise is spoken language. It has always been like that. They do recognize that there is no one shoe size fits all and that the parents are the ones who make their own informed decision regarding their child with a hearing loss when it comes to communication and language options.

What does JTC offer?

1) Early detection of hearing loss and information on individualized intervention

2) A spoken language learning opportunity for infants and preschoolers who are deaf and hard-of-hearing and their parents

3) Guidance, support and instruction for parents in the special skills necessary tohelp their children learn spoken language

4) Distance education serving parents and families throughout the world

5) Over 60 years of experience in teacher and professional education

Again, John Tracy Clinic main area of expertise is and has always been in the spoken language area. Without their help I would not be who I am today as seen in my video dedication to JTC. May they continue for many more decades.

Pick the Pepsi Challenge to help Deaf Kids!

Here's your chance to vote in the 2010 Pepsi Challenge and vote for your favorite idea on who could could use a $250,000 grant. Voting ends on December 31, 2010. So, go ahead and vote! And maybe a chance to help out 175 deaf kids!




Here are the goals should John Tracy Clinic get the award:

* Provide significant funding for one year of preschool services
* Teach parents how to advocate for their deaf child's future
* Help 175 deaf children learn spoken language

I am Fiver! speaks again...

An anonymous commenter "I am Fiver!" left another comment under a blog I covered a few months back about this "Fiver" person. The guy who proclaimed to be "the most dangerous threat to their (Deafhood) plans."

Here's what he/she said after reading previous comments:

Interestingly, a number of readers posted their own experiences or views that seemingly reinforced a number of my own. These are independent and largely anonymous voices that lend validity to some of my assertions. Of course, there are always the naysayers.

Shel has been the most vociferous with her attempts to rationalize these methods that are oppressive to those children with residual hearing and speech that can be developed. The “bi-bi” approach, or rather “movement” is operating under the guise of “teaching language and culture.” This implies that ASL and Deaf culture are only incidental to the teaching, when in fact, those concepts are the main goal. Auditory methods and speech articulation are suppressed under the rationale that it is necessary in order for these children to “assimilate” ASL to proficiency. There are many fallacies regarding this assumption. But just bear in mind that these people are profoundly affecting the lives of these children by altering the primary language to ASL and by exposure to a culture that has not been defined.

There is no theory or empirical evidence that ASL is a “bridge” to English language learning, even though this very premise has been claimed by many renowned (unnamed) educators of the deaf. In the past these advocates for “bi-bi,” ASL, etc. have alluded to, or insinuated that such a thing exists. But when pressed, they admit that there is no evidence. This has not stopped them, however. They are fervently working to manufacture “studies” and seeking out established language experts to validate their methods, by claiming parallels about how hearing persons learn foreign language. It is not the same! Learners of a second language have already acquired their primary language!

The goal of our schools, whether they are public schools for the hearing or public (state schools) for the deaf, the majority of states require that English must be taught as L1 (English=First Language). This is not happening in deaf schools where ASL is being taught as L1 (ASL=First Language). In such cases, this is clear violation of state law. Children must be taught English in order to function and be economically viable in the world, once they leave the school. I suppose, I do not know, but suppose, that they will rationalize their actions by saying that deaf require a visual language in order to communicate. All that they are doing is engraining these children into a language that is little known or used outside of deaf circles.

The minds of young children are “in the process” of being wired in early childhood. Although much of this “wiring” occurs in the first 2-3 years, it continues for many years after this “ideal window” for language development. Once a child is “wired” for a language of a certain type, that mode becomes life-long and unlikely to change. Proponents of the “bi-bi” movement know this, and are pressing forward with this misguided approach that will create a whole new generation of deaf individuals bereft of English language skills, recognizable speech, and enculturation into an extremely small minority “society” that has historically, and likely to remain a social and economic under-class in perpetuity.

I shall stop now. May I ask those whom seem more interested in speculation about my identify and the desire to "defrock" me before the Deaf establishment that will cause the hammer to come down, please be so kind to simply focus on the message. I understand that you probably can't but then its sufficient evidence that what I am saying must grate at your sensitivities, perhaps even create a bit of paranoia?

I am Fiver!

Interesting comment. And, seriously folks, I don't know who this guy is. But he/she certainly brings up some interesting discussion. Are Deaf culture and ASL under assault?

Does Section 504 and ICED prevent "ASL at all times" at Gallaudet University?

Gallaudet University is an institution on higher learning and is supposedly home where communication accessibility reigns supreme.  However, students who go to Gallaudet University are not necessarily fluent in signing or even ASL.  Many do benefit from the use of their hearing aids or cochlear implants enabling them to speak and listen. But students new to Gallaudet University must contend with the fierce indoctrination of ASL. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if previous students left Gallaudet University because they were harassed for not being "Deaf enough" or that they feel they couldn't "fit in" which was how Charles Wirick probably felt.

For many students and staff on the campus of Gallaudet University the politics of being Deaf means that ASL should be the only means of communication on the campus of Gallaudet University for all students. That's what Ruiz is favoring in the Buff and Blue newspaper. But here's where it gets sticky with president Hurwitz.  He recently celebrated the new ICED resolution on the global call to "accept and respect all languages and all forms of communication." Which is good or is it? But then it gets compounded with Federal laws covering communication accessibility.

According to Section 504, and since Gallaudet University is a recipient of federal financial assistance as a post secondary institution which has an obligation to ensure accessibility to students with disabilities, including those with hearing loss and the need for communication accessibility.

An important responsibility of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability against students with disabilities. OCR receives numerous complaints and inquiries in the area of elementary and secondary education involving Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 794 (Section 504). Most of these concern identification of students who are protected by Section 504 and the means to obtain an appropriate education for such students.

Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Section 504 provides: "No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . . ."

OCR enforces Section 504 in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from ED. Recipients of this Federal financial assistance include public school districts, institutions of higher education, and other state and local education agencies. The regulations implementing Section 504 in the context of educational institutions appear at 34 C.F.R. Part 104.

Services you should be able to request at Gallaudet University:

* American Sign Language Interpreter
* Signed English Interpreter (SEE-Signing Exact English or PSE-Pidgin Sign English)
* FM Systems and Conference Microphones
* Voice interpreter
* CART
* Remote Captioning
* Cued Speech Transiliterator
* I-Communicator
* Typewell/C-Print
* Professional or Volunteer Notetakers

Even though Gallaudet University obviously supports ASL many are calling for the exclusive use of ASL for all or ASL at all times. That'd be if only the educational institution in question was a private educational institution that receive no federal funding then it wouldn't fall under the rules of Section 504.  But since Gallaudet University receive annual federal funding for as long as it has been opened it must abide by Section 504 laws.  Section 504 gives the power over to students who may request communication accessibility other than ASL.

That's a stark but humbling reality there.

Since president Hurwitz supports the new ICED resolution which does call for pluralism and to "accept and respect all languages and all forms of communication," and that Gallaudet University must follow the laws under Section 504, it would be interesting to see how president Hurwitz can reconcile these things in the midst of a call for "ASL at all times" along with changing campus demographics seeing more hearing students while competing with other universities and colleges on recruiting and retaining deaf and hard of hearing students.

Maybe Gallaudet University is slowly losing it's recognition as a Deaf Mecca?

Anybody want a HUG? (click on it!)

Polls results: Cyberbullying problem on ASLrocks vs DVTV - which is worse?

Interesting polls results so far on the cyberbullying issue in ASLrocks and DVTV. I asked a question if cyberbullying a problem in ASLrocks and DVTV. Was the cyberbullying issue a serious one? Not really that bad ? Little or no cyberbullying? Or that cyberbullying simply does not exist? Both polls had a total of 77 votes so far and so it's not really a good sample or indicative of the true overall feeling about those sites. However, that being said, the poll results do provide a window of what people are saying.

Results for ASLrocks on a poll asking whether cyberbullying is problem over there:

- 70% of the votes selected "Yes, very serious."
- 12% of the votes selected "Yes, but not that bad."
- 10% of the votes selected "No, there is little or no cyberbullying.
- 8% of the votes selected "No, cyberbullying does not exist on ASLrocks" which garnered 6 votes.

Results for DVTV on a poll asking whether cyberbullying is a problem over there:

- 23% of the votes selected "Yes, very serious."
- 21% of the votes selected "Yes, but not that bad."
- 43% of the votes selected "No, there is little or no cyberbullying.
- 13% of the votes selected "No, cyberbullying does not exist on ASLrocks" which garnered 10 votes.

Perhaps the results for ASLrocks aren't a surprise since Convo Relay recently pulled their ads from ASLrocks (see here and here). After that happened ASLrocks reverted back to a members-only viewing site rather than continue to be an open and transparent site to all viewers, members and non-members alike. DVTV continues to be an open and transparent site.

Polls are still open for those who haven't voted. Remember, these polls are not scientific polls and results should be taken with a grain of salt. Nonetheless, results are interesting so far.