Canada might get a deaf college of its own - unless the popularity of cochlear implants makes it unfeasible. That is the gist of this article in the Toronto Star, "School Plan for the deaf sparks outcry: Milton proposal reignites debate over sign language versus ear implants." (TheStar.com, August 9, 2007).
A few notable quotes from the article:
"Yet some wonder who would use it. So many deaf students now have surgical implants to help them hear that enrolment at sign language public schools is dropping."
"Since Ontario began screening all babies for hearing loss in 2001, more than 800 have been identified and about 94 per cent have chosen to have cochlear implants."
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Declining numbers at a signing school or Gallaudet do not always mean anything.
The question is how many of those in the declining numbers, who are in the mainstream programs, are literate and college-bound. Also, they fail to mention that deaf schools have become a dumping ground by some districts for their failed deaf products.
Until we get the facts and statistics on these declining students, they have no ground for credibility. We need to establish a strict monitor of every school, deaf or hearing, where the deaf child is and maintain documentations over the years.
Doesn't it strike odd that oralism is behind the reason for illiteracy in many deaf children and people for decades yet not once media has said anything about it or its association - AGB. Oh, wait a minute, AGB has a load of money and may have had some influence.
Nothing new that media puts ASL, signinng deaf schools and Deaf people in not so positive light.
Sad, sad, sad...
Katherine
Dear Katherine,
So what your saying is that deaf schools are full of "failed deaf products?" So where are the successful deaf products, Profoundly deaf to Hard of Hearing, where are these kids, I guess they are all being successful in mainstream programs which explains why we dont need deaf schools anymore because like you said they are now dumping grounds for the "failed deaf products."
So lets solve that problem by eliminating deaf schools.
You then went on to state "until we get the facts and statistics" stating you wanted facts from these schools yet you yourself was in a big rush to spout off how oral education is the reason for the decline in deaf literacy rate with not an ounce of "facts and statistics" to back up your claim.
I would suggest if you plan to argue intellectually to at least have an open mind on the topic and not let your personal bias cloud the reality of the situation.
If the United States cant maintain a deaf school we can be sure Canada wont do much better.
Post a Comment