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Thanks, Jason. That's precisely why it is important that deaf
people (and others who understand these issues) must speak into the
UN process about the need to think about language issues when
considering deafness. People who are used to thinking about
disabilities generally, but who don't understand deaf language and
culture, will almost certainly argue for "inclusion" in ways that
result in isolation for deaf people. Anecdotally, for example, I
know of a case in Papua New Guinea where people were arguing for
mainstream education on the basis of UN pronouncements about
disabilities, but a successful counter-argument was made on the
basis of UN pronouncements about indigenous languages and the right
to education in a language the child understands. In other words,
the people who are thinking about disability need to be made aware
of the linguistic/cultural perspective on deafness, and to think
about issues from a deaf perspective.<br>
<br>
I submitted a post to the forum this evening, which hopefully will
be approved by the moderator within 24 hours. That's something, but
it will be more effective if deaf people speak for themselves.
There is already a post (obviously by a hearing person) that
advocates inclusion of deaf children in the same schools with
hearing--an alternative perspective needs to be presented.<br>
<br>
(In writing these messages, I'm also aware that there may not be
agreement even within the deaf community about such matters. Some
deaf people may favor mainstreaming in education rather than
separate classrooms where a sign language is used. Where there is
disagreement, then that is all the more reason for deaf people to
speak up and help the world development community to understand the
complexity of the issues and the diversity of views.)<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">Albert Bickford
SIL International
Linguistic Services Coordinator, Global Sign Languages Team
Director, SIL-UND
Please use different email addresses for different topics:
sign languages: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:linguistic_services_gslt@sil.org">linguistic_services_gslt@sil.org</a>
SIL-UND: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:director_silund@sil.org">director_silund@sil.org</a>
other: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:albert_bickford@sil.org">albert_bickford@sil.org</a>
late May through early August:
2901 University Ave Stop 8217, Grand Forks ND 58202; 701-777-0575
mid-August through mid-May:
16131 N. Vernon Dr., Tucson AZ 85739; 520-825-1229
</pre>
On 2013/03/25 10:47 AM, Jason Hopkins wrote:<br>
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cite="mid:51508DA9.2030101@sil.org" type="cite">
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Last week, while waiting for the bus in Ghana I met a woman who is
working on a PhD about inclusive theological education Africa.
She was excited to talk with someone who understood the needs of
the "disabled." I took this as a chance to discuss pitfalls of
inclusive with sign language users.<br>
<br>
I gave her an example from a cellphone repair course I attended in
Kumasi, Ghana the previous day. All the participants were Deaf,
but the school was thinking about adding in the physically
challenged to help save the teacher's time. I explained even in
the Deaf only class the teacher didn't understand how Deaf need to
learn. At one point in class he projected a list on the wall and
told them to copy it, then began to teach on a different topic. I
was asked to interpret since the professional wasn't there so I
felt compelled to stop the teacher and explained the students can
either copy or watch the interpreter, but not both. Clearly no
one had advised him in this way before. Later, he told them to
watch him disassemble a phone and began to explain what he was
doing. Again, I reminded him about watching two things at once.
In both cases, the Deaf would have missed something important. I
stressed that the nature of sign language and the visual approach
required by the teachers when teaching the Deaf makes inclusive
education as currently being presented very difficult, if not
impossible.<br>
<br>
I think many, many Deaf in developing countries will be further
isolated and drop further (if that's possible) behind if the
current version of inclusive education is mandated.<br>
<br>
-Jason<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 3/25/13 4:36 PM, Albert Bickford
wrote:<br>
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<blockquote class=" cite" id="mid_51507D2A_8060706_sil_org"
cite="mid:51507D2A.8060706@sil.org" type="cite">
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Dear colleagues:<br>
<br>
(Before you get upset about the use of the word "disabled" on
this email list, please read on!)<br>
<br>
I have just become aware that the UN Department of Economic and
Social Affairs (UNDESA) and UNICEF are beginning preparations
for a high-level meeting on disability and development this
September. They have organized an online forum for preliminary
discussion of the matter. So far, the special perspective of
deaf people and sign language linguists has not been
represented. As a result, there is a distinct possibility that
approaches and strategies proposed for persons with disabilities
generally may be misapplied to deaf people, ignoring the crucial
role that sign language plays in the lives of deaf people and
deaf communities. <br>
<br>
I believe that people on this forum may want to express their
views in the online consultation that is currently taking
place. See the email quoted below for details on how to
participate.<br>
<br>
Please note that discussion closes in just a couple days, so if
you want to say something, act now.<br>
<span style="color: rgb(65, 64, 66); font-family: Lato,
'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Albert Bickford
SIL International
Linguistic Services Coordinator, Global Sign Languages Team
Director, SIL-UND
Please use different email addresses for different topics:
sign languages: <a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:linguistic_services_gslt@sil.org">linguistic_services_gslt@sil.org</a>
SIL-UND: <a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:director_silund@sil.org">director_silund@sil.org</a>
other: <a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:albert_bickford@sil.org">albert_bickford@sil.org</a>
late May through early August:
2901 University Ave Stop 8217, Grand Forks ND 58202; 701-777-0575
mid-August through mid-May:
16131 N. Vernon Dr., Tucson AZ 85739; 520-825-1229
-------
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"">Dear members of the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://worldwewant2015.org/"><span style="color:purple">WorldWeWant2015.org</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>website,</span><o:p></o:p></pre>
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MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">In many countries,
the realization of the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs) has not been achieved for persons with
disabilities. This clearly highlights the importance
of ensuring that development processes are inclusive
of persons with disabilities and their perspectives
for the still ongoing efforts to accelerate and expand
progress on the MDGs and in the definition of the new
development framework that will succeed the MDGs,
after 2015. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">On 23 September 2013,
the UN General Assembly will hold a High-level Meeting
on disability and development, with the overarching
theme<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em><span
style="font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">“The way forward:
a disability-inclusive development agenda towards
2015 and beyond”</span></em>, at UN Headquarters
in New York. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">To ensure that the
post-2015 agenda is inclusive of disability, the UN
Department of Economic and Social Affairs in
collaboration with UNICEF is holding an online
moderated consultation to gather views from a broad
range of stakeholders on how to include disability in
the post-2015 development framework, in order to
contribute to the ongoing work for the High-level
Meeting.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">Building on the
earlier online discussion on “Addressing Inequalities
and Persons with Disabilities in the Post-2015
development agenda”, held on this site in November
(read the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fnode%2F304822%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20WorldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">summary report here</span></a>:<a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fnode%2F304822%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20WorldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">http://www.worldwewant2015.org/node/304822</span></a>)
this consultation aims to take a closer look at the
particular challenges faced by per! sons with
disabilities in different regions, and identify the
specific measures and actions to be taken by different
stakeholders to promote a disability-inclusive society
and development.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">In this context, we
would like to invite you take part in this online
consultation, starting on<span
class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong><span
style="font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">8 March</span></strong><span
class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span>and
running for three weeks until<span
class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong><span
style="font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">28 March</span></strong>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">To participate,
please visit the site</span></strong><span
class="apple-converted-space"><b><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span></b></span><strong><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fenable%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20WorldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">www.worldwewant2015.org/enable</span></a></span></strong><span
class="apple-converted-space"><b><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span></b></span><strong><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">and log-in or
register <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fregister%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20WorldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">here</span></a></span></strong><span
class="apple-converted-space"><b><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span></b></span><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">(<a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fregister%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20W%21%20orldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">http://www.worldwewant2015.org/register</span></a>).
Simultaneous consultations will take place in English,
Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian and
Spanish. The site is compatible with screen readers,
however, if you are unable to access the site, please
email your response to:<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:enable@worldwewant2015.org?subject=RE%3A%20INVITATION%3A%20Online%20consultation%20for%20a%20disability%20inclusive%20development%20agenda%20towards%202015%20%26%20beyond"><span
style="color:purple">enable@worldwewant2015.org</span></a>.
Please note that the forum is moderated, therefore
your post will not appear immediately but will be
posted within twenty-four hours.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">The recommendations
emerging from your contributions will be incorporated
into a report on the consultations to inform the
preparation of the outcome document for the UN
High-level Meeting on 23 September 2013.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">The consultation aims
to be as broad and open as possible, in order to
enable a multitude of voices to be heard from
Governments, UN system organizations, academia, media,
private sector and civil society organizations,
including persons with disabilities and their
organizations (DPOs).</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">Please invite your
colleagues, partners and networks to participate!</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">Warm regards,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) and
UNICEF in collaboration with the United Nations
Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(UNPRPD)</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif""> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">Contact: <a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:enable@worldwewant2015.org?subject=INVITATION%3A%20Online%20consultations%20for%20a%20disability%20inclusive%20development%20agenda%20towards%202015%20and%20beyond%20"><span
style="color:purple">enable@worldwewant2015.org</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif"">Discussion web site:<span
class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=64945919&msgid=483543&act=M3EP&c=1000518&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.worldwewant2015.org%2Fenable%3Futm_source%3DiContact%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3DInequalities%3A%20WorldWeWant2015%26utm_content%3D"><span
style="color:purple">http://www.worldwewant2015.org/enable</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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MS","sans-serif""> </span> </blockquote>
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