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<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>Hi Marsha,</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>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. </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>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.
</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>Blessings,</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3>Cheri Fields</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 2/21/2014 3:33:17 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
marsha.drenth@gmail.com writes:</DIV>
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<DIV>I am interested to hear about those organizations who serve persons who
use tactual sign? </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>I didn't see the original post, so I am not sure what else I should say
on the subject. </DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><BR>Marsha drenth
<DIV>Sent with my IPhone </DIV></DIV>
<DIV><BR>On Feb 20, 2014, at 1:49 AM, <A title=mailto:Cherifields@aol.com
href="mailto:Cherifields@aol.com">Cherifields@aol.com</A> wrote:<BR><BR></DIV>
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<DIV>
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<DIV>Hello Keitei,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Best Regards</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Cheri Fields</DIV></FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
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