[nfb-db] nfb-db deaf inclusion

[Cherifields at aol.com]

Hi Marsha,
 
I attended the Florida deaf-blind Association who are  mostly deaf and non 
speaking.  I am deaf=blind, but hearing impaired and it  was a very awkward 
situation to be in when I am not sign language  proficient.  Even though I 
have other family members who are and do sign,  it doesn't make it a 
comfortable situation .  This group here in Florida  have aligned themselves with 
the association for the deaf.  The main reason  is that they can get persons 
who are proficient in sign language to sign for  them.  
 
We in the NFB Deaf-Blind Division national are trying  to be inclusive.  
All our conference calls are on the phone and most of us  have trouble 
hearing.  Also until we are able to get more states to include  the deaf-blind by 
creating a division, we will have difficulty getting funds to  provide SSP's 
and other means to help at our national convention.  The  purchase of some 
fm systems was made, but that may not be the answer for  everyone.  Some of 
us are getting our own neck loops.  
 
Blessings,
 
Cheri Fields
 
 
In a message dated 2/21/2014 3:33:17 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
marsha.drenth at gmail.com writes:

I am interested to hear about those organizations who serve persons who  
use tactual sign? 
In regards to terminology. Anyone who has a combined hearing and vision  
loss is considered by the state, government to be deaf blind. Now wheather or  
you identify with with the deaf blind culture is another subject. There are 
 groups of the people, the blind, the deaf, and the deaf blind. But there 
are  certainly cross overs. Yes there are some deaf persons who don't like to 
 touch, thus they are unwilling to talk  to a deaf blind person. But the  
same can be said for persons who are vanilla blind. The groups have a hard  
time understanding each other, relating, and being accommendating each other. 
 This of course is not for all persons within those groups. 


I didn't see the original post, so I am not sure what else I should say  on 
the subject. 



Marsha drenth    
Sent with my IPhone 


On Feb 20, 2014, at 1:49 AM, _Cherifields at aol.com_ 
(mailto:Cherifields at aol.com)  wrote:



 
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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