Deaf Residential Schools in the US...

Sun Jan 7 11:56:19 UTC 2007

Val,

The principal at Jordanstown Schools (the Ulster Institution for the
Deaf & the Blind) said she will talk to her teachers about this - I
know they will be negative at first but I will get there eventually.

Shane

On 07/01/07, Stuart Thiessen <sw at passitonservices.org> wrote:
> Here in Iowa, we have tried to mention SignWriting to both our local
> mainstream program and the state school for the Deaf. I say "mention"
> because we are still trying to figure out the best plan for introducing
> it to the schools. Part of the challenge is that they have pressure to
> achieve English literacy. For many of them, ASL Literacy seems like
> they are going in the wrong direction, so they don't want to "waste"
> their time. So part of making SW attractive to them (and many others)
> involves having the "proof" that ASL literacy will lead to English
> literacy. Even better would be "proof" that ASL literacy will either
> lead to faster English literacy or better English literacy than the
> various other programs available that do not involve ASL literacy.
> Again, we would have to define what "proof" means. What we might call
> "proof" might not be the same as they would call "proof". So that is
> all part of the process too.
>
> So, (in stating the obvious) I think this is one of the high priority
> research items that SW advocates need to develop is something that
> shows how SL literacy impacts spoken language literacy. I think some of
> that is happening now just in the ancedotal evidence that has been
> mentioned on this list, and certainly Dr. Flood's dissertation is
> another helpful resource toward this question. Valerie's Literacy
> Project is another good avenue. So some things are happening.
>
> Now, I think all of us would agree that SL literacy is valuable on its
> own, and I think eventually people are going to realize that. But in
> the meantime, we will need to find ways to "dangle the carrot" and get
> their interest. English literacy is certainly one that will grab the
> attention of the educational community. Maybe we should brainstorm some
> other avenues that can introduce SW into the schools, and maybe we can
> come up with some other creative ideas.
>
> I do agree that residential schools are a key part of the puzzle, but
> we must include the mainstream programs as well because so many deaf
> children graduate from mainstream programs. This actually might be a
> way to instill some pride in having Deaf heritage, language, and
> culture for these mainstream students.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Stuart
>
> On Jan 6, 2007, at 23:27, Valerie Sutton wrote:
>
> > SignWriting List
> > January 6, 2006
> >
> > Now that Cherie and Donna, at the Georgia School for the Deaf, have
> > initiated a SignWriting study, it is the first Residential School for
> > the Deaf in the US to try SignWriting...at least in one classroom...
> >
> > To explain, SignWriting is used in schools in the USA, such as Hodgin
> > Elementary School in New Mexico, but Hodgin is not a Residential
> > School for the Deaf...it is a Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing program inside
> > a hearing school...mainstreamed I believe is the term...
> >
> > And perhaps Georgia School for the Deaf is not all residential either,
> > but it is still a School for the Deaf. Generally there are two in each
> > state in the US...anyway...to have SignWriting used, even
> > experimentally, at a School for the Deaf is very important, I think,
> > for getting acceptance from the Deaf Community later...If Deaf schools
> > (not just mainstreamed programs) accept SignWriting then we are
> > reaching more of the Deaf Community...
> >
> > Do you agree with this, Stuart? If more Deaf Residential Schools
> > adopted SignWriting it might gain more acceptance later? That is why
> > it would be so great if we could encourage more residential schools I
> > think...Val ;-)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Jan 6, 2007, at 8:06 PM, Stuart Thiessen wrote:
> >
> >> It has been my experience (and for understandable reasons) that
> >> hearing advocates of SignWriting are often resisted. For example, one
> >> Deaf man I met was very resistant when I mentioned SignWriting. He
> >> commented that he had met these hearing people who tried to encourage
> >> him to use the system. But then Philip and I talked with him and
> >> explained the system Deaf to Deaf. It made a big difference for him
> >> to see Deaf people who championed the system. So, with all due
> >> respect to hearing people (and to Valerie who invented the system)
> >> and to all the other hearing people on this list who are our valuable
> >> allies, I think that it pays to have Deaf advocates lead the charge
> >> where possible. That way, the system cannot be put down as a
> >> hearing-imposed system or some other such excuse. :)
> >>
> >> Now, I by no means am saying, Kelly, that you shouldn't advocate for
> >> the system. I just suggest that you try a different tack. Perhaps use
> >> it around Deaf people until you identify Deaf people who are open to
> >> the idea and curious enough to explore it more. As they become more
> >> convinced, together as a team, work to convince other Deaf of its
> >> value. By building this kind of network, you will be better able to
> >> overcome the resistance that some have toward the system because it
> >> will no longer be a hearing-Deaf issue. If you let them push for it
> >> but you simply provide some of the linguistic support that you have
> >> through your education and skills, that will be a valuable way to do
> >> it.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Stuart
> >>
> >> On Jan 6, 2007, at 19:47, K.J. Boal wrote:
> >>
> >>> Thanks Shane,
> >>> I'm planning on doing that when I can, but I've talked to some of
> >>> the leaders of the Deaf community here (e.g., the chair of Deafness
> >>> Studies at the University of Alberta), and they have been very
> >>> negative about SignWriting.  Without their support, it's definitely
> >>> going to be an uphill battle!
> >>> Thanks again,
> >>> Kelly Jo
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> From: "Shane Gilchrist O hEorpa" <shane.gilchrist.oheorpa at gmail.com>
> >>>> Reply-To: sw-l at majordomo.valenciacc.edu
> >>>> To: sw-l at majordomo.valenciacc.edu
> >>>> Subject: [sw-l] Kelly Jo - Canadian Association?
> >>>> Date: Sat, 6 Jan 2007 19:59:34 +0000
> >>>>
> >>>> Kelly Jo,
> >>>>
> >>>> another possibiliy here is...
> >>>>
> >>>> you could go and set up a Canadian Association for Sign Writing - or
> >>>> something like that.
> >>>>
> >>>> Some of us have set up European SignWriters Organisation (some ll
> >>>> say
> >>>> SignWriting) in Brussels to support the development of SW in Europe
> >>>> -
> >>>> we are being slow but more and more people are picking up on SW. Our
> >>>> first ESWO symopsium did lead to more schools getting involved - and
> >>>> have impressed the Japanese people!
> >>>>
> >>>> It will take time but you will get there - just get a few deaf
> >>>> teachers/lecturers together in Canada, say Western Canada and the
> >>>> rest
> >>>> will be good.
> >>>>
> >>>> Shane @ ESWO
> >>>>
> >>>
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> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
>