[NFB-DB] ASL Instruction for Deaf Blind

[heather Albright]

I tried this approach and the deaf community did not want to meet my needs when I tried taking classes. I could only have a reader or a scribe not both. I could not use audio in the lab so I brought flash cards so they could show me the signs  and they did not allow me to do this, no talking in the lab. So I thought printed flash cards would do and guess that was not good enough. I was not going to talk, I was going to show them the flash cards and I had a letter to explain what I needed. But, I could not sign so I was not welcomed.  So the deaf community does not want to make modifications for the blind community, that is really rich. I left in tears because I did try to make things work. My professor was deaf and I did not have an issue with this, but, a person with a disability should be more inclined to understand the needs for a student with another disability, guess that was in the another life time. I was discouraged by the colledge for even considering to take an ASL class and I told them why I needed it and they still would not support me. So it is five years down the road and I get nothing accept for worsing vision and less hearing. I only have light perception  now before, I had mobility sight, what ever that ment. I used to hear well enough to cross a street, quiet street,  now I cant do that anymore and when the wind is blowing, I cant hear someone calling me at all. I was grabbed because I cant hear someone calling me and they proceeded to yell at me for not responding to them. I do not go out anymore it is not safe. BUT NO ONE HAS BOTHERED TO PROVIDE ME WITH SERVICES AND I am real tired of someone telling me I am making it up. No one has the right, unless they want to walk in my shoes. Heather 

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From: Marsha Drenth via NFB-DB
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2021 8:42 AM
To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List
Cc: Marsha Drenth
Subject: Re: [NFB-DB] ASL Instruction for Deaf Blind

I did attend HKNC, yes it was a good experience for me but it had alot of major issues. Instruction at HKNC goes at a snail pace. I had to fight for every single thing I needed for example ASL, tech, and more. They are very paternalistic and although many of us who go there have already lived on our own, worked, had families, and dealt with many adult experiences; they are so cautious and won’t allow anyone to do anything outside of the prescribed model its stifling. Again, I learned much more then what I would have in a short amount of time then if I had not gone, but it comes with alot of considerations. 

If you want to learn ASL, immerse yourself in the DeafBlind community, not just those who are hard of hearing blind, but those who are deaf and use ASL. Immerse yourself in the hard of hearing communities. Take classes at the community college and or local deafhearing communication center. Or pay for private lessons. If there is a will there is a way. 
Marsha drenth  
Sent with my IPhone  
Please note that this email communication has been sent using my iPhone. As such, I may have used dictation and had made attempts to mitigate errors. Please do not be hesitant to ask for clarification as necessary. 


On Oct 29, 2021, at 9:20 AM, Lisa Ferris via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:
I have wanted to learn ASL, too. But I had always heard that HKNC is not really that proactive at teaching ASL. Also, not everyone is in a position to move away from home for a year, just to learn something that most people can learn by taking a class once or twice a week for a few hours. I have also heard the downtime at HKNC is ridiculous. Why doesn’t HKNC have a network of tutors that could work with DB people locally? I am not saying that center training can’t be beneficial to some, but I’ve done all my blindness trading in all areas except ASL/Protactile years ago. It would be totally disruptive to my life and a waste of time to do it all over again. (Also impossible, because I’m on the transplant waitlist.) It just seems to me that HKNC could offer more local or regional specific trading, but it always seems like all the regional reps want to do is get you to go to the center. It’s frustrating.
Sent from my iPad


On Oct 28, 2021, at 7:38 PM, heather Albright via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Yes, I would see if voc rehab will send you to the center to teach you. I think you have to be tested and have doctor’s notes to allow you to attend. I think it is either a 6 to 9 months at the center. That is what I heard from others who did attend. I wish you luck. Heather 
 
Sent from Mail for Windows
 
From: Robin Diane Graves via NFB-DB
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2021 6:55 PM
To: 'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List'
Cc: rdgraves2007 at gmail.com
Subject: [NFB-DB] ASL Instruction for Deaf Blind
 
Good Evening Listers,
 
I am totally blind with a severe hearing important, and I would like to become fluent in ASL and tactile signing. Does anyone have an idea as to where I might gain such instruction? I am in the state of Indiana.
 
Diane Graves
President
NFB of Indiana 
 
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