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David is an occasional blogger, software engineer, Nintendo fanboy, liberal, news magazine addict, voracious TiVo user, and bibliophile. He was born in St. Louis, grew up in southern Indiana, and returned to St. Louis to attend Washington University. He hasn't managed to escape yet. He's a fan of free wine tastings, too many tv shows to name, and eating out. David makes his living developing web applications used internally by his employer. He doesn't blog about work because he's heard too many stories about that causing workplace troubles. There's more on the about page. |
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21 March 2005 - 9:41 am
The NY Times is running an interesting article on a proposed new deaf community that is being planned and built in South Dakota. Marvin Miller, the towns planner believes that
"Society isn't doing that great a job of, quote-unquote, integrating us," Mr. Miller, 33, said through an interpreter. "My children don't see role models in their lives: mayors, factory managers, postal workers, business owners. So we're setting up a place to show our unique culture, our unique society."There is so much to digest in this rather short statement.
Most importantly, perhaps its not society that is failing to integrate the deaf, but the deaf who are failing to integrate with society. This is a tough call, but the deaf culture often seems to be working against societal integration. In fact, the existence of a deaf culture is itself an indication that societal integration isn't very robust. I understand very well how difficult being deaf is and how living and working in a hearing world is a huge challenge for the deaf. But, when the discussion turns to role models, are the people proposing this community sure that they want to teach their kids that societal integration is not possible and that the best case is that the deaf must isolate themselves from the rest of the world to succeed?
Further, by having children grow up in an all sign language village, aren't they limiting the chances of having the children successfully integrate with the hearing world, if that's what the kids want to do later in life?
I could discuss this in more detail, but let me just say that my skepticism might very well be misplaced. However, my gut feeling is telling me that abandoning society is not a productive, long-term solution for the deaf. These special purpose communities often don't have long lifespans, and I'm afraid that young children who spend their formative years in this one might be adversely held back if they later must try to reenter (or enter for the first time!) the hearing world. But that's just the impression of a not entirely impartial observer and if these families are set on this path, I wish them the best of luck.
Posted by on 21 March 2005 at 9:41 AM
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