[nfb-db] nfb-db deaf inclusion

[Cherifields at aol.com]

Hello Keitei,
 
If you are considered deaf-blind, then you must know that not all  
deaf-blind are not all deaf-blind.  The term is loosely used to include all  degrees 
of persons with hearing and vision loss.  Those of us who are  considered 
blind have varying degrees of blindness.  And the same goes for  deafness.  
 
Obviously, if you could not hear at birth, you would most likely have been  
educated in the ASL.  If you are educated with the deaf environment you are 
 better served with the deaf culture.  If you are raised with the blind  
environment you will most likely stay with the hearing community, even if you  
use ASL.  
 
The deaf-blind who are tactile only, have other organizations that serve  
them.  This is primarily their community.  Since there are not a large  
enough number in any one location, they will involved themselves with  
associations that meet their needs.    
The reality is, will society accept and include the deaf-blind?  How  can 
we expect society to accept deaf-blind if as a whole the blind community  
does not accept them or the deaf does not accept them?  Inclusion must come  
from those who are NOT deaf-blind.  And not the other way around.  
 
With the advent of new technology and education changing to include rather  
than exclude society will change as we integrate disabilities.   Just as 
years ago the children with disabilities were all segregated  in  their own 
disability.  This would make it harder for others without those  disabilities 
to accept them.  
 
Best Regards
 
Cheri Fields
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