[NFB-DB] ASL Instruction for Deaf Blind

Fri Oct 29 23:46:06 UTC 2021

Hi All,

Thank you all so much for your input on this topic. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting or how big of an undertaking it would be, but I do work full time, and so would not be able to spend months at a training center.

I am really hoping that my hearing won’t decrease any more than it already has over the years, but I just though the skill would be an excellent one to have if worst came to worst. I wonder if we could have someone come to one of our seminars at the national convention to at least provide some kind of introductory overview. Not sure; just a thought.

Diane Graves

From: NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jonathan Pringle via NFB-DB
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2021 3:55 PM
To: 'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List' <nfb-db at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jonathan Pringle <Jonathan.pringle at hknc.org>
Subject: Re: [NFB-DB] ASL Instruction for Deaf Blind

Here is the link to search by state for HKNC staff / services

https://www.helenkeller.org/hknc/nationwide-services#toc-2

Respectfully,

Jonathan Pringle

Helen Keller National Center

DeafBlind Specialist

516.417.1165 Direct/text | 520.829.9103 VP

Jonathan.pringle at hknc.org <mailto:Jonathan.pringle at hknc.org> 

www.helenkeller.org/hknc <http://www.helenkeller.org/hknc> 

Have a suggestion or feedback to share?  <mailto:HKNCfieldcomments at hknc.org> HKNCfieldcomments at hknc.org 

While HKNC’s New York facilities are partially closed during this COVID-19 time, we continue to provide virtual assessment and training services, peer learning groups, professional learning opportunities, information and referral. We encourage you to contact us by email or phone/VP.

For Individuals with combined vision and hearing loss: To help improve the quality and quantity of services to individuals who are deaf-blind, please complete our National Deaf-Blind registry form at  <http://www.helenkeller.org/hknc> http://www.helenkeller.org/hknc.

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From: NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Ineko Gary via NFB-DB
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2021 2:12 PM
To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <nfb-db at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> >
Cc: Ineko Gary <rubiigary at gmail.com <mailto:rubiigary at gmail.com> >
Subject: Re: [NFB-DB] ASL Instruction for Deaf Blind

I think that they should hire someone in all five states to have a program for people who are deaf blind who wants to learn how to do tactile sign language. Because a lot of people who are deaf blind cannot see the interpreters hands. It’ll make it so easy so we don’t have to travel to a center.

Ineko 

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 29, 2021, at 2:10 PM, heather Albright via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Yes there is no support hear in San Antonio or south Texas region. The last support was up in Austin and that has gone on the way side, thanks to the governor’s budget cuts. Heather  

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From: Tracie Inman via NFB-DB <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> 
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2021 8:55 AM
To: NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> 
Cc: Tracie Inman <mailto:tracielinman at gmail.com> 
Subject: Re: [NFB-DB] ASL Instruction for Deaf Blind

Hey Marsha: 

 Tracie here.  HKNC certainly has a lot of good qualities. However, I do agree they need an overhaul.  Maybe the Deafblind Community should come together and push for hKNC to improve the quality of their services, make necessary changes, and become more client focused.  

  I would be very careful with hiring instructors.. Many ASL instructors do not have adequate knowledge of TASLand PT (ProTactile). It would be necessary to locate an instructor who is well versed in both in order to gain the most knowledge and skill for effective communication.  I agree that immersing in the Deafblind Community is a great way to gain knowledge, communication skills, cultural knowledge, and become part of the community itself.  

  There is a need for more Deafblind events where we can all come together, network, and provide support for one another.  ]

Kind Regards,

Tracie Inman

On Fri, Oct 29, 2021 at 9:42 AM Marsha Drenth via NFB-DB <nfb-db at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

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  

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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 <mailto: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 <mailto: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 

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From: Robin Diane Graves via NFB-DB <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> 
Sent: Thursday, October 28, 2021 6:55 PM
To: 'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List' <mailto:nfb-db at nfbnet.org> 
Cc: rdgraves2007 at gmail.com <mailto: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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-- 

Tracie Inman

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