The New York Times has an interesting report on technology and sign language and it’s actually becoming a contentious debate (as things tend to be when there are parents involved). On one side there’s people who follow A.S.L. (American Sign Language), which include separate schools for deaf, and then there are those who believe in technology, amplifying sound and speech and assimilating the deaf to “mainstream” schools.
Previously, parents would choose which method to raise their kids in but with shrinking state budgets, schools for the deaf might disappear and force people to side with technology. Parents are worried that lawmakers would prefer technology such as cochlear implants for the deaf or hard of hearing as they don’t have to allocate separate budgets for special schools. However, according to Hear Indiana, most families are choosing the technology approach already. In a release, they said:
“Today less than 20 percent of all families choose traditional American Sign Language, the remaining 80 percent want their children to enjoy the full range of sounds and to be able to listen and speak.”
I wouldn’t be surprised to see that number get even higher as the technology gets better. [NY Times]
Nathan
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 11:37 AMCochlear implants aren’t perfect. I wonder about the advice parents are given, especially against a parent’s natural tendency to want their kids to be “normal”.
Osiris Fox
Friday, July 29, 2011 at 1:08 PMBetter than being totally deaf.
Mahina
Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 1:42 AMSome that I know choose to be deaf as that is who they are. ASL will never end. It aids me with my cognitive disability. Can’t rely on technology solely as it is full of errors.