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What kinds of resources helped you in school as a hard of hearing individual? Did your teachers and colleagues understand what you needed? Were or are your needs being met?  Is the education system providing enough of these services today?

I would love to hear your feedback,

Lori

hi lori, one of my best friends is deaf. she just recently settled on a law suit because the hospital didn't get an interpreter for her when she had an accident, and had complications due to not getting the right treatment. it's been difficult for her in many ways over the years. one big issue i have is why don't public schools make sign language a necessary class from grade 1 on up ? it would be so nice for deaf community to be able to have everyone talk to them!

does she have any relationships with deaf community? has she contacted Galluadet who may know how we can bring these issues to the forefront? Or Lexington School for the Deaf?

Hi Lori,

I was born hearing, grew up hard of hearing and became deaf at the age of 19.  I think that the education for hard of hearing kids is better today thanks to more awareness about assistive devices (FM systems, real time captioning, interpreters, acoustic panels, etc.) but we still have many, many hard of hearing students who are bluffing their way through life.

 

yes many do bluff their way through... hopefully disaboom.com can bring more awareness to others

that is why i like to put up information about this. do you belong to any organizations?

Yes, I am a board member of Hands & Voices and I run the Illinois chapter, IL Hands & Voices.  I actually have an article about social bluffing:

Calling Our Bluff.

Hi Lori, Karen, Debbie,

I moved this thread here to Deaf/Hard of Hearing, hope you found it ok.

Not being deaf/hard of hearing, I don't have any first hand experience with the education system in this regard. My daughter has several friends who are deaf and heavy users of mobile tty devices and cell text messaging (even more so than than their hearing peers).

I know many public schools, at least in NY, have added ASL as a language option along with the usual Spanish, French, etc. I took American Sign Language I in college, as I found it beautiful, creative, and a useful extention of non-verbal communication. I'm working on getting Tom to add video to the chat (he says chat can support it) to allow ASL chatting, and selfishly give me a chance to practice.

Found your article Calling Our Bluff. interesting, Karen. While my disability is psychological,  DISALIFE: Out of Closet, it is one, like being deaf/hard of hearing, that is not readily apparent. I spent a large part of my youth bluffing to cover up my social phobia and anxiety. These skills did allow for greater social acceptance, but at a cost to my personal identity and self worth.

I read you loud and clear,

Bruce

DISALIFE

 

I do want you to know I agree that the mainstream should have this as part of their ciriculum. What do we have to do to implement this?