Founded in 1935, The Los Angeles Club of the Deaf (LACD) was a major center of Deaf social events. Before the club started, it was very hard for Deaf people to find friends. The club helped to bring them together with other Deaf people, helping them make friendships that would last a lifetime. It was not only a place of socializing, but of playing games, having raffles, watching plays and skits, eating, and more. At the club they could relax and be themselves. It was like a family reunion even though they didn’t know everyone there. The video “The LACD Story” discusses how the deaf club got started, what it was about, and its eventual decommissioning in 1985.…
In this book, Deaf in America, by Carol Padden and Tom Humphries, the two authors wrote stories, jokes, performances, and experiences of Deaf people. They also wrote Deaf culture and Deaf people’s lives from various angles. This book is great navigator of Deaf world for hearing people and even Deaf people as me. There are several factors attracting reader. To begin with, I could learn about backgrounds of deaf people and hearing people. Authors wrote about a Deaf boy who was born into a deaf family. Until he discovered that a girl playmate in neighborhood was “hearing”, he didn’t notice about “Others”. Authors explained, “She was HEARING and because of this did not know how to SIGN; instead she and her mother TALK” (Chapter 1). This story strongly impressed me. I was born into a Deaf family too, but I grew up with hearing grandparents. In my childhood, I did intensive oral training with my grandparents. So, I can sign JSL and talk Japanese smoothly. Therefore I never felt emotion like this occasion, “Others” to hearing people. The next factor is difference of “Deaf” and “deaf”. For example, the capitalized “Deaf” people are not only “deaf” but also user of Sign Language. I haven’t known the meaning of “Deaf” and “deaf” exactly before, thanks to this book, now I can understand. When I analyzed myself, I identified as “Deaf” because I truly cherish Sign Language. In addition, Sign Language is explained as a primary mode of communication for Deaf people including me. It has full access to communication for us. Unfortunately, some hearing people misunderstand that Sign Language is a kind of gestural communication. Authors wrote about it, “ASL are often thought to be direct representations of spoken words” (Chapter 3). In my country, Japan, there are some misconceptions about JSL too. Sign Language has both iconic and abstract concept.…
Through Deaf Eyes is a film outlining deaf history and deaf culture. The movie touches on many key milestones in deaf American’s lives including: community interactions, education, recreation and work. While we have been learning much on deaf history, I was fascinated to hear the many obstacles deaf people had to overcome to reach where they are today. I am one to always route for the underdog and to me the deaf community’s history is a wonderful example of a minority persevering to achieve set goals and dreams. This movie helped me realize that while obstacles for modern deaf people are numerous, in the past they were almost…
or hearing. It gives an understanding of what its like to both Deaf and hearing parents in contrast.…
As one would expect, struggles to preserve sign language, drive automobiles, obtain employment in private and government sectors, access information, recognize American Sign Language, be treated equally, and preserve the right to determine their own destiny strengthened the cohesiveness of the Deaf community over the years. At the same time, the growing diversity within the Deaf community no longer provided consensus or universal views on issues related to educational placements and technological advancements such as cochlear implantation. It is too early to discuss these issues from a historical standpoint,…
Excited, I was truly excited because I’ve always wanted to visit a Deaf school and today was the day I would be visiting the Pennsylvania school for the Deaf (PSD). A school located in the suburban neighborhood of 100 West School House Lane and there we were welcomed! Our tour guide was all smiles as we entered the visitor center full of amazing architecture and beautiful showcases of student work hanging on walls. A group of three we were and were all students at some university in Pennsylvania. She let us know that one of the people that built the building was deaf himself and left in mind that this was going to be a school for deaf students and made it to their benefit including floor color changes when near a classroom door. The rooms where large and full of resources for the students to use. There at PSD were students ranging from early childhood education to twelfth grade. Over 200 students attended this institution. Not every student there was deaf. Some there just attended the early childhood program where they shared a classroom with other kids who were deaf and played together. Our tour guide signed and spoke English simultaneously for us who are just beginning to learn sign. Our tour guide wasn’t deaf but her daughter had meningitis at the age of two which caused her to become deaf. Immediately she started to take classes and learned sign language. Her daughter attended PSD at a young age; from then on she began working there herself. All the staff must be able to sign even if it is introductory sign language. I was already falling in love with the school and didn’t even begin my tour yet.…
As stated before, not knowing anything about the Deaf culture I was committed to learning as much as I could through this short film to expand my knowledge in the Deaf culture. I learned through the film that people who are Deaf have absolutely no problem with not being able to hear and having to talk using Sign Language. The Deaf communities do not consider being Deaf as flawed or even disabled, but believe they were born Deaf for a reason. The Deaf communities consider Sign Language as their own culture or even heritage - just like any other heritage that may practice their own language with others of the same…
There is an array of reasons that Gallaudet is paramount, to the Deaf and hearing community. The country's first school dedicated to advancing the education for Americans with hearing loss. Gallaudet has paved the way for other Deaf schools and colleges. The great progression of other Deaf schools would not be what they are without the University to shadow after. In fact, it is viewed by deaf and hearing people alike as the primary resource for all things related to deaf, including fantastic educational and career opportunities; open communication and visual learning; deaf history and culture; American Sign Language; and the impact of technology on the deaf community.…
Last week Rogers Hall demolition began. Rogers Hall has been closed for many years having been declared unsafe by the state. It was the elementary school gymnasium. Currently the elementary school does not have a gym and uses a large classroom as its gymnasium.…
The film “Through Deaf Eyes” changed the way I view the deaf community and deaf culture. Before watching the film I didn’t know much about deaf culture at all. I knew that deaf people had a strong community and were closely connected to one another, but watching the film allowed me to see that much more clearly. When the deaf people talked, many of them mentioned the experience of meeting and being with other deaf people. The way they spoke about all deaf schools and churches opened my eyes to the very strong sense of community and shared experiences many deaf people have. It showed me how powerful being with a group of people similar to yourself can be and how it can affect people’s life in a very positive way. The video also changed the way I viewed…
Thomas K. Holcomb’s book, Introduction to American Deaf Culture, shines a light on the deaf community and the culture they experience. The intended audience, however, is the hearing. It gives the reader insight on deaf experiences and how the atmosphere is different, even though the environment is the same. All aspects of culture are covered. The book starts off with how the culture is formed through the 5 hallmarks (p. 17). Next, the book focuses on the identity of a deaf person. This is not only limited to, labeling from the rest of the world, but also by how the person sees himself. After, the book discusses the core values the deaf community has. These values are much different when compared to the hearing community. They focus on the person engaging as a full member of society. This is done through communication, interacting, and having a sense of self-worth in the community (104-107). Eventually, literature and art are mentioned. The classifications are difficult to place. There are American works, but with the growing awareness in the recent year they have earned their own Deaf category. This is important to the deaf community because it allows “Deaf people’s lives to be better…
Nowadays, there are many things that distinguish the Hearing world from the Deaf culture. To begin with, the language is essential when communicating. The Hearing world communicates through the English language by speaking and writing to one another to get their message across. As for the Deaf culture, American Sign Language (ASL) is used. ASL can be seen as a language that is capable of expressing abstract ideas. Therefore, the Deaf culture uses not only signing, but also body movement and facial expressions to communicate effectively. The second big difference between the Hearing world and Deaf culture is the participation to their community. For the Hearing world, being involved with the community is not really important like for the Deaf…
My experiences in ASL have taught me a lot about deaf culture, such as doing the labs. I learned from watching signs of respect how to act when going to a deaf event such as what’s appropriate and inappropriate. I learned the polite way to engage in a deaf conversation. I also learned that deaf people have much of a social life as hearing people. There are always deaf events happening. Such as in the Deaf Again Mark went to events ask well. I didn’t do lab two but I’m sure I will learn even more about deaf culture.…
My sister is deaf, I myself am a part of the deaf community; I have attended sign language classes and also deaf events.…
In ASL class we learned about a very important topic called initialization. Over the years, a concept was developed when it came to signing. For the Deaf Community, the concept was called initialization. There are various examples of initialization, and then there are non examples. In order to identify these examples it is mandatory to know what initialization means, and why it can sometimes be useful.…