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One issue plaguing the Deaf community is the decreasing importance of teaching Deaf children and their hearing parents American Sign Language (ASL). Whether these children are born deaf, are continually losing their hearing, or suddenly loose their hearing, these children are subjected to the audiologist establishment in the name of "fixing" their "problem." Many audiologically deaf children are denied early access to ASL and therefore suffer language delays in both ASL and English.
One issue plaguing the Deaf community is the decreasing importance of teaching Deaf children and their hearing parents American Sign Language (ASL). Whether these children are born deaf, are continually losing their hearing, or suddenly loose their hearing, these children are subjected to the audiologist establishment in the name of "fixing" their "problem." Many audiologically deaf children are denied early access to ASL and therefore suffer language delays in both ASL and English.
I applaud Utah's Parent and Infant Program for Deaf/Hard of Hearing (PIP) who "recognize that early identification and services for children with a hearing loss can significantly optimize developmental potential." They focus on helping Deaf and hard of hearing children reach appropriate language, social, emotional and academic development and get them ready for preschool. However, I recently went to an activity hosted by PIP and most of the parents in attendance were still speaking with little to no attempt to sign to their Deaf children.
I applaud Utah's Parent and Infant Program for Deaf/Hard of Hearing (PIP) who "recognize that early identification and services for children with a hearing loss can significantly optimize developmental potential." They focus on helping Deaf and hard of hearing children reach appropriate language, social, emotional and academic development and get them ready for preschool. However, I recently went to an activity hosted by PIP and most of the parents in attendance were still speaking with little to no attempt to sign to their Deaf children.
I think in order to educate others and inspire change we need to take a more active stand. I believe that working with PIP to organize a traveling art gallery of protest art, depicting the oppression and struggles the Deaf community has faced would be impactful. I would deliberately have art displayed that shows the limited access to communication that Deaf children experience. Deaf artists, of all ages, and the genre De'via, a genre of Deaf art that intentionally shows Deaf oppression, would be on display. This traveling gallery could travel to all the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind, museums in Utah, public schools, colleges and universities, public libraries and hospitals.
I think in order to educate others and inspire change we need to take a more active stand. I believe that working with PIP to organize a traveling art gallery of protest art, depicting the oppression and struggles the Deaf community has faced would be impactful. I would deliberately have art displayed that shows the limited access to communication that Deaf children experience. Deaf artists, of all ages, and the genre De'via, a genre of Deaf art that intentionally shows Deaf oppression, would be on display. This traveling gallery could travel to all the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind, museums in Utah, public schools, colleges and universities, public libraries and hospitals.
Having this travelling protest art gallery will help educate others. Education is key. You cannot make decisions on what you do not know or understand. Organizing this will help in reaching my community involvement goal by showing I am an ally to the Deaf community and support teaching Deaf children ASL. Deaf children are truly valued by the Deaf community and I think this art will be inspiring. It will show parents there is another way of looking at deafness other than an audiological problem they need to fix in their children. It will show the parents it is possible to learn sign language along with their children which will provide a future full of rich communication experiences.
Having this travelling protest art gallery will help educate others. Education is key. You cannot make decisions on what you do not know or understand. Organizing this will help in reaching my community involvement goal by showing I am an ally to the Deaf community and support teaching Deaf children ASL. Deaf children are truly valued by the Deaf community and I think this art will be inspiring. It will show parents there is another way of looking at deafness other than an audiological problem they need to fix in their children. It will show the parents it is possible to learn sign language along with their children which will provide a future full of rich communication experiences.
Community Partner Report
Community Partner Report
Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
In 1992, the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was established in the Salt Lake Valley. It is one of the largest state-funded facilities in the nation. The facility has a full-size gym, kitchen for cooking classes, lecture hall, meeting rooms, office space, as well as interpreter certification and assistive technology demonstration labs. I have attended and volunteered at many events at the Sanderson Center and I conducted additional research about them on their website through DSDHH, Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The mission of the Sanderson Center is "to elevate, unify, and empower the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Utahns by building an inclusive community with full communication access." Their vision is that "The Utah Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind community shows the world what life looks like, free of barriers."
Their mission and vision show that they are providing resources to combat the societal history of unequal communication access. They put on events that families can participate in together using ASL. People can bring Deaf members of their family and socialize in a place with no barriers to communication. The Sanderson center is taking a stand for and persevering their language and their culture. They are aware of the need for children, families and individuals to have access to resources for their success.
The Sanderson Center would be a great partner to get involved with the community organizing and activism protest art project. If we could hold the gallary at the Sanderson Center in their gymnasium it would be a great community event. The invitation to view the ASL protest art gallery could be extended to the entire community. Families at USDB, college students, elementary schools, all could be invited. The Sanderson Center is the hub for Deaf families in the community, so the gallery should be at a place where we can stand together and fight for the rights of Deaf children and their rights for equal communication access.
Pickleball night at Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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