Open Letter To ALL Deaf Organizations
Two recent incidents in the media has prompted me to write this open letter to all Deaf organizations. The first incident in the media was the “House Divided” episode on the television show, House MD. In that episode, the show turned into a science fiction instead of being the usual medical drama. A boy was secretly cochlear implanted by Dr. House, then immediately afterwards, the boy could understand everything he was hearing. No speech therapy. No training. No waiting period for the CI to be turned on.
Then the boy rips out the CI. Talk about a poorly researched script!
Now we have this article in Newsweek, which is linked on DeafRead. In this article, the journalist compares the culturally Deaf to those who are mentally ill and being proud about refusing their medication.
In other words, the journalist thinks a Deaf person has to have a cochlear implant to have a good life, to have control over their lives, to be able to participate in society on an equal basis. No mention about American Sign Language or Deaf Culture is mentioned in this article.
I am personally outraged at the irresponsibility by the media. The flawed information and perceptions presented by the media are damaging to the Deaf Community. This only perpetuates further discrimination and misinformation about us, making it harder for us to get equal communication access and respect for our language and culture.
So my question to all of the Deaf organizations out there: Why aren’t you doing something about this?
There’s only so much I can do as a v/blogger. Why aren’t we seeing action on these matters from our organizations that exist to serve us?
33 Comments
Comments are closed.
KUDOS to Deaf Pundit! said,
May 5, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Kudos to Deaf Pundit! That’s what I thought for a long time… and it appears that no one is stepping up on the plate to combat misinformation. Too many organizations are focused on providing services and support, and for some organizations are too focused on the ‘bigger picture’ without doing something substantial!
If there is an organization focusing on fighting against defamation against Deaf people, American Sign Language, etc… I’ll join the bandwagon.
Only if AFA becomes a FORMAL non-profit organization with proper membership structure, and democratic /parliamentary procedure. I’ll join AFA without hesitation. Right now, its just “grassroots movement” to me, then I am not interested at all because my voice will not be heard!
WAD said,
May 5, 2009 at 9:20 pm
DP, you posted a very important b/vlog. It looks like there’s a boom in media misinformation.
All, please consider teaming up with NAD as I am sure they will be happy to assist. Check out their “Take Action” web page — http://www.nad.org/takeaction
Sacramento Deaf said,
May 5, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Nor Cal Center for the Deaf and HH of Greater Sacramento region …. Shari Farinha-Mutti? Would you help us by making our voice heard?
A Sac Deaf
p said,
May 5, 2009 at 10:00 pm
hi Deaf Pundit
thanks for vlogging / blogging this
i read the article “Listening to Madness” in Newsweek via the link you gave and i really like it – i dont really have a problem with their statement:
Just as some deaf activists prefer to embrace their inability to hear rather than “cure” it with cochlear implants, members of Icarus reject the notion that the things that are called mental illness are simply something to be rid of.
use of the Deaf activits rejecting CI in the article was really to affirm that some Deaf folks dont feel a need to be fixed and are cool with being Deaf
this is kinda the point of the Icarus group – that they prefer homeopathic and organic approaches to their mental differences
i once read an article about a few scientists offering a group of people with autism some drugs that would put them more on the normal spectrum and one person said “normal is a setting on a drying machine” most of the folks rejected to be in the study but a few eagerly did
so im a bit puzzled about your contention with the article and the quote
in terms of the House Divided episode on House – i havent seen it yet – i have to try to hunt down a captioned video of it
there has been quotes in the media recently via legislative representatives (in wisc) and doctors (in new Newfoundland) in which Deaf individuals and groups are responding
furthermore – when AG Bell Assoc wrote their “shame on you” letter to pepsi for showing ASL Deaf folks in a superbowl commercial – NAD wrote a letter to AG Bell objecting to their letter to pepsi. DBC wrote a letter to Pepsi complimenting them on the commercial and also rejecting the AG Bell letter. AFA made AG Bell Associations pattern of disinformation about ASL Deaf people one of their cease and desist demands
so i do think folks and groups are doing stuff. The House episode just recently happened, access is a bit of an issue for folks who missed the program, and also from all i have read about the episode – its a bit tricky to “rage” about it because House the program is notoriously over the edge in how they represent medicine and science – it is all science fiction. But i am sure there are gems in there to pull out and challenge them on
if anyone happens to know a link to the program with captions – pls copy and paste
DP thank you very much for vlogging / blogging about this topic. it is important and im sure many organizations would appreciate getting an email in their inbox with links to specific articles or TV programs that misrepresent Deaf folks and ASL
Much peace
Patti
p said,
May 5, 2009 at 10:03 pm
oh i forgot to mention in the UK when parliament – Duchess Deech made offensive comments about US couple trying to make a designer Deaf baby – the Stop Eugenics campaign worked hard and long to get that comment removed, get clause 14 (9) (4) out etc
so from my point of view there really is quite a bit of healthy activism but i agree it is probably not as fast or as effective as we all would like it to be
peace
patti
A Deaf Pundit said,
May 5, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Hi Patti,
Well, my problem with that article is that they are comparing apples and oranges, basically. Being mentally ill is extremely disruptive to someone’s life. And even the majority of the mentally ill themselves agree that they need some form of treatment for what they have.
I don’t need any treatment for my deafness. Plus, the mentally ill do not have their own language and culture. We do. That is the BIG difference, and the media needs to be educated on that.
FYI, over on DVTV, Brance left a video comment under my vlog, with the link to House, MD. It is captioned too.
p said,
May 5, 2009 at 10:14 pm
sorry to post a comment again but i was racking my brain on any other recent media exposure about Deaf Culture and ASL and i recalled the editorial by Lisa Goldstein – a Deaf writer who is a member-at-large in the PA AG Bell Assoc. criticizing Luke Adams of Amazing race
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09073/955418-109.stm
First Person: I can so talk!
Many deaf people can, despite what you might hear elsewhere
Saturday, March 14, 2009
By Lisa A. Goldstein
AFA mentioned Ms. Goldstein’s editorial as being offensive to Deaf ASL folks and another example of how ASL and Deaf culture gets bashed and misrepresented in the mainstream media.
peace
patti
A Deaf Pundit said,
May 5, 2009 at 10:18 pm
They did? That’s good to know! Can I see a link to that? I am curious to see what AFA said about that.
Thanks!
KUDOS to Deaf Pundit! said,
May 5, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Patti,
I agree with Deaf Pundit here. This article is comparing Deaf Pride and Mad Pride as apples and oranges. If we try to avoid looking at the small dot as Ella Mae Lentz kept saying on DVTV, and look at the bigger picture. The main theme of the article was to explain that there is a radical group of people with significant mental health issues does not want to be medicated, and wanted to be treated humanely. Makes sense to me.
HOWEVER,
Mental Illness is very debilitating kind of disease and it affected everything. Medications is ONE of the effective treatment strategies along with other holistic approaches.
I don’t like how the writer uses Deaf Pride with this main topic of the article, and look at the number of comments under Newsweek from the mainstream public’s perception to people with significant mental health issues. Yes, they are stigmatized and ostracized by the majority. Just like Deaf people who were stigmitized and ostracized too. The small paragraph of Deaf Pride does not give Deaf community any due justice, and it just buried under the main theme of mental illness. To a regular reader, oh… okay Deaf Pride is like one of those radical people who refuses treatment for mental illness.
Can you see the perception? I am not underestimating the general public’s intelligence, and my experience tells me the general public is quite stupid and they overgeneralize everything. Just like those writers who wrote this horrendous script for House, MD “House Divided” episode. A big hyperbole piece of crap they ever created.
Patti, I asked about AFA – and if AFA becomes a FORMAL 503(c)4 organization, I will not hesitate to become a member, and I wanted to make sure that each person’s voice is heard, and we as the larger community can make huge difference with the media. Is that what AFA is supposed to do? That is one of the their mission to confront any misinformation about Deaf people in general that can be considered an act of audism?
Yet, AFA is still a grassroots movement done by few people and several followers, or I dare to say, “cheerleaders” to support your actions by quacking at the Octopus Alec G. Bell.
My question remains unanswered…. are you planning to make this organization a FORMAL one?
A simple answer of YES or NO would do.
Thank you.
Dianrez said,
May 5, 2009 at 11:19 pm
A while back Ben Vess asked why groups like DBC and AFA weren’t uniting with NAD and empowering it by numbers to do more effective action.
Good question in theory…if somewhat problematic in practice since people want to be personally and immediately involved in action, and not have to go through several formal processes.
Should we look at AFA becoming a formal organization along with bylaws, funding, leaders and representatives doing the work? Or be a subsidiary (and prodder) of the NAD toward acting for them?
On the other note, the comparison to mental illness is an interesting one.
Both groups want to determine their own lives and their own coping strategies, and to be respected for their choices. Many of the mentally ill are still competent, responsible people whose illness comes with unusual creativity and sensitivity.
Others are profoundly affected but still want to have control of treatment, e.g. the doctor respectfully empowers, not controls them. Very few are dangerous to themselves or society, and the side effects of treatment may not be worth any improvement it makes in their behavior if the feelings on the inside do not improve.
Society views both deaf and mentally ill people as people to be treated in order to be like everybody else, and often along with avoidance or contempt…or without consideration for their capabilities.
The biggest difference, to my mind, is that deaf people have a wider range of capability to function within the community.
Both groups profit by changing the public perception and instructing the public how to deal with them in the way they want to be treated.
Both will benefit from elimination of misinformation about them. Both will get their happiness, social acceptance and function increased in the right community climate.
The difference, again, also includes more ability for outreach and action within the community, in educating and mounting a media war against disinformation and misinforming agencies. Like the low-rent hacks who wrote that episode of “House”.
BR said,
May 6, 2009 at 1:05 am
I agree with you, DP.
Stephen Hardy said,
May 6, 2009 at 4:15 am
I would like to throw a few cents in this discussion.
I understand why the Deaf population wanted to preserve their way of life and a lot of Deaf babies are becoming offspring’s of the hearing parents also less Deaf babies from Deaf parents means what? This is a fierce reality and technology is advancing rapidly. Can we win against technology?
I have been following hearing technology for some years now and technology has shown a possible cure of deafness within five years from now. Most parents will not deny their children to become cured of deafness. I am not talking about hearing electronic devices (hearing aid and cochlear implants) and I have seen genetics have advanced themselves being close to curing deafness.
The target is not Alexander Graham Bell Association but the parents. A lot of parents believed that Deafness is a disease or syndrome that needs to be fixed immediately.
How can the Deaf win against technology, research, cure, and schools for the Deaf are declining due to lack of students in most states? I am not trying to be a jerk or something but trying to encourage the Deaf population to come up with a better argument that will help hearing parents with their decision-making with research backing their arguments that will allow parents to decide ASL is an excellent supplement to technology.
American Sign Language and Technology goes hand-to hand and that argument will convince parents to choose American Sign Language and technology together is really a win-win for all of us.
The House, MD television show is on Hulu.com and it is closed captioned.
The link is: http://www.hulu.com/watch/71400/house-house-divided
p said,
May 6, 2009 at 9:09 am
re: Kudos – AFA is not intending to be 501C3 – it is a network of individuals and organizations committed to direct action re: Deaf civil liberities and linguistic rights
feel free to become active with AFA or form ur own 501C3 entity as u see fit etc
re: AFA and the editoral by Goldstein – we brought it up to AG Bell executive director and other members at the april 2 meeting as another case in point example of misrepresentation of Deaf folks especially since Goldstein is an active member in PA AG Bell Association
AFA is continuing to challenge AG Bell about their misrepresentation of Deaf ASL folks and will post some info soon on actions individuals can take etc
re: the Mad Pride article – i understand your point
i think my own issue is – by distancing ourselves from other oppressed groups to assert our uniquness or that we are different or better might not be just to them and their struggle
so i dont fully see the quote in the full context it is used within the article as being offensive or misrepresenting. i do understand why and how some of you are
in the past i have written editorials to newsweek re: Deaf culture and ASL or during the time of the Unity for Gallaudet protest but they never made the press
if u care to approach them or advise ideas of how to get through to the media – pls suggest away
re: the link from brance for the House with CC – ill check it out soon
many many thanks
and again thanks for posting this topic – it is important
by the way – if any folks have specific concerns or suggestions to AFA – the best way to ensure a response is to send an email to audismfrramerica@gmail.com
even if it is just simply sending an email with a link to your blog/vlog topic in which u would like a response – that will be a big help in making sure we dont overlook ur post
its pretty impossible to stay on top of all this stuff and if it is an open letter – it is helpful to directly send it to the folks u r hoping to get responses from as well as making it public
MLK Jr said injustice anywhere is injustices everywhere – so by having all of our eyes, hands and hearts out there speaking out and taking direct peaceful action, we will breakthrough
again many thanks for covering this topic
much peace
patti
deb ann said,
May 6, 2009 at 9:21 am
Yes, we need to do something about it. My hubby told me about it after he watched the program on TV. I missed it because I was at my kids’ Band concert.
They should have done a better research before they made a show. It was not impressed.
A Deaf Pundit said,
May 6, 2009 at 9:27 am
There is a discussion going on at DVTV about sending letters to Newsweek and the Fox network about these two incidents. I think that’s an excellent idea, and it does look like many of us are interested in sending letters to correct this misinformation.
I am willing to contribute by helping draft a letter, but my time is limited due to school. So I would to see the Deaf organizations take the lead on this, and be inclusive to all of us in the Deaf Community.
White Ghost said,
May 6, 2009 at 10:00 am
*Sigh*
Whether if it’s mental illness or not, it’s all controversial.
I believe that any natural medications that produces by Native American, Chinese, and African are really operative without getting any statutory involved. For instance, some people prefer to use the acupuncture treatment without getting any chemical complications or side effects.
I think it’s getting old and nothing new.
As for House MD, I think it’s all deja vu or vice versa.
A Deaf Pundit said,
May 6, 2009 at 10:31 am
Patti, you might be interested in what Ella has to say about this over on DVTV.
http://www.deafvideo.tv/video/watch/49408/#comment-316003
RLM said,
May 6, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Deaf Pundit,
I am really glad that you take an issue with the FOX-TV’s “House, M.D.” – House Divided episode to all deaf organizations.
WHERE is the NAD’s leadership?
WHERE is the AFA’s response?
WHERE is the DBC’s response?
WHERE are other deaf organizations’ response(s)?
I am really very surprised that the AGBell and other CI organizations ever not give any letter of correction or express such concerns for misconceptual images of CIs.
Or the AGBell and other CI proponents hopefully seen that the House episode lead to more CI surgery among deaf babies and youngsters??
The Newsweek article is really out of bound for comparing deaf people’s refusal of having CIs to mentally ill individuals’ reclutance of taking medications.
I gotta go now.
RLM
KUDOS to Deaf Pundit! said,
May 6, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Patti,
Please re-read to what I said… will AFA plan to become a formal 501(c) 4 ? I did not say 501 (c) 3.
I know the limitations of nonprofit organization with (c)3 designation. I am asking for (c) 4 which allows lobbying.
Now It appears to me that AFA is not going to become an organization, except a network of individuals and organizations committed to the goal.
Suppose one person wanted to join AFA, and what is the person’s role? What if a person have $10,000 dollar donation to AFA and how will you accept this donation or ‘gift’?
That’s why I find this very frustrating that these newly founded organizations are avoiding the non-profit status and keeping the ‘grassroot-type’ of organization with no hierarchical structure or membership base. Then it means this organization can do anything they damn please regardless the community felt otherwise?
That is bothersome to me, Patti.
Thanks for answering to the question honestly. It is indeed a No.
WAD said,
May 6, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I believe NAD is a 501(c)3 organization. If so, then NAD should consider obtaining 501(c)4 status as well. Sorry to put a worthwhile pressure towards NAD.
Ann_C said,
May 6, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Anyone versed in 501(c)3 or 4 enlighten us on the differences between the two statuses, besides the ability to lobby in the case of 501(c)4 status? Somebody please enlighten us.
I strongly believe if NAD has the ability to lobby Congress, it would have more teeth than it does now. I don’t know the status of AGBell, but it certainly lobbies like hell with its money coffers. So does HLAA, if I’m not mistaken. NAD has a legal dept that advises on lawsuits brought by its members against entities that discriminate against the deaf, why can’t they extend their status to include lobbying?
Lobbying is the wielding of influence on legislative bodies that bring about changes via law enactments. It also exerts pressure on offending parties/ industries to change practices, in other words, Hollywood, for example, not just a TV producer or a group of scriptwriters or just one TV show. Another entity example is the health industry. That’s the power in numbers. If the deaf community knows that NAD can show teeth via lobbying, you bet that NAD would see a rise in membership, support and money.
A Deaf Pundit said,
May 6, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Ann_C,
From my understanding, a (c)3 organizations are mainly for social welfare. They are very limited in their lobbying efforts, and they cannot endorse any political candidates, or donate to a politician.
(c)4 organizations are also for social welfare, but they have far less restrictions on lobbying, and they *can* endorse political candidates.
This PDF explains what a (c)4 organization can do, very well. http://afj.org/assets/resources/resource1/Election-Activites-for-501-Social-Welfare-orgs.pdf
Ann_C said,
May 6, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Thanks, DP, for the (c)4 info.
Just wondering, the NAACP has been African-Americans’ national voice for a long time. The organization has put pressure on large entities/ industries such as Hollywood and the media to portray African-Americans’ image as a positive one. How do they do this, thru political lobbying, lawsuits, public relations, a combo of aforementioned, or what? This is what NAD should look at– how did this organization achieve that goal?
A Deaf Pundit said,
May 6, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I dunno. It’s a very good question, and I agree. NAD needs to look at this, and model themselves after the NAACP. Hopefully they will if they are reading this blog.
WAD said,
May 6, 2009 at 8:29 pm
FYI, 501(c)4 incubator program is offered at Campaign for Community Change.
http://www.campaignforcommunities.org/what-we-do/501-c-4-incubator-program
p said,
May 6, 2009 at 8:30 pm
kudos –
sorry i missed the 4 instead of the 3 – but regardless you are right that AFA has no plans to apply for either at this time
so if ur $10,000 donation or anyone else is contingent upon 501C3 or 4 -AFA is out for u
DBC and NAD have 501C3 (DBC via CAD)
I dont really know of any 501C4 Deaf centered organization but hopefully u can start one and drawn in those large donations – u clearly have a vision and passion and that is a must
Deaf pundit – i have been wanting to view the comments in ur vlog thread inDVTV but the videos r playing slow – ill try to check in back later
RE: i really love that u r generating interest and commitment on this issue – looking forward to the letter folks come up with
im hoping to view House tonight and then formulate thoughts on a response also want to see some action re: cullen’s comments in Wisc publication
again glad u have presented this topic
peace
p
A Deaf Pundit said,
May 6, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Hi Patti,
I just typed up a draft letter to Fox and Newsweek … Insane Misha will be v/blogging it tomorrow morning, most likely. Please feel free to use the draft letter, and adjust it to your satisfaction.
I look forward to seeing AFA’s response on these two matters, along with their response to the Cullen situation.
Thanks for stopping by with your comments!
p said,
May 6, 2009 at 11:17 pm
AWESOME – u go girl
wow u r quick
will check them out soon
AFA is focusing on the Wisc situation presently but will definitely check out what u have going and also may consider kinda a blanket “busted buddy” type of email template folks can send out when the feel the media has misrepresented and ask folks to alert AFA and other groups they want to follow up on it etc
AFA will hopefully have time to look into different “bodies” where they can send an open letter – like screen writers guild etc, journalist association, various groups letting them know the jig is up type thing – in a nice way while educating etc while simultaneously addressing specific cases
me very excited – thank u again
finally my computer seems to be able to play videos at normal speed but i must go to bed smile
tmw me hope to be able to see the comments in ur DVTV thread as well as HOUSE
oy – so little time in a day
again thank u for initiating this discussion and for not just discussing but actually doing by drafting a letter – awesome
seriously i think the Deaf community is one of the most creative groups i have ever seen and such people power – if we could just make the time, focus and have a good healthy number of friends with good sharp and kind critical eyes – we would rock the world
peace
patti
A Deaf Pundit said,
May 7, 2009 at 11:11 am
FYI – Insane Misha has v/blogged about this.
http://blog.deafread.com/misha/2009/05/07/letter-campaign-to-house-md-newsweek/
And Patti, good to know! Thanks
Wife of Deaf Adult said,
May 8, 2009 at 8:51 am
Dear Jeannette,
I too saw the House, MD episode “House Divided”. I was appalled at the lack of research the show did before scripting, filming, and airing the episode. However, I was also disappointed with the actor, if he is deaf, that he didn’t advocate for himself and the Deaf community. He could have and should have educated the producers and staff of House about Deaf culture.
Also, he could have mentioned ADA law that would have required an interpreter be there in the room, not relying on the mother character to interpret. That is a conflict of roles, and a medical facility as wealthy as they wish us to imagine it is, should have that protocol. The characters should have requested or demanded an interpreter present in all aspects…
That being said, it is a tv show, and it featured a deaf actor (am I right about him actually being deaf?)
When Marlee Matlin began acting Deaf community applauded, then criticized her for speaking on various occasions. Where do you stand?
Should we be grateful House MD producers and writers included deaf as an episode, or criticize them for not getting it right?
When a baby starts walking, takes a few steps and falls, do you criticize for falling or applaud the steps???
Educate, don’t criticize.
A Deaf Pundit said,
May 8, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Dear Wife of a Deaf Adult,
The burden of obtaining the information lies with the writers, not the actor. The actor is paid to do a job, which is to act out the script that’s been presented to him. I do not know whether he’s deaf or not, but why does he HAVE to educate the writers?
If it was a television show that did not regularly feature medicine, then this would be different. Given the premises of House MD, where obscure, rare illnesses and diseases are often portrayed, I find it difficult to believe that the writers couldn’t educate themselves about the basics of the cochlear implants and how deaf patients are supposed to be treated in the medical system.
There are certainly times to educate. And there’s also times to criticize.
This time was the time to criticize.
Sean Gerlis said,
May 9, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Deaf Pundit and all,
Thank you for bringing this up. I believe it is very important that we have people out there who do share the similar concerns about how the media perceive on our culture/community.
I’d like to share this with you –
In two weeks ago, I was a dedicated House, MD viewer. I absolutely loved that show so much until I saw an episode “House Divided” (http://www.hulu.com/watch/71400/house-house-divided FYI – it’s captioned, just click on “CC” button on bottom right corner of your viewer). I left off from this show with an unpleasant feeling. I didn’t even bothered in bring up any discussion about that show with my wife, Rebecca nor my friends. Last week, Rebecca tivo’ed latest episode of House, MD and asked me if I wanted to finish in watching that show before she deletes the program. I told her, to go ahead and delete it. I’m not in the mood to watch that show anymore.
She goes like “AHA!” points at me, saying – you true biz hate that show because of that episode – “House Divided”. It’s like my subconscious played a trick on me by saying I’m not interested in that show anymore. Which actually means, I am disgusted with that show due to that episode.
Now, you are asking us (organizations) to do something about this. Wow. That’s a tall order, IMHO. I don’t know about other people, but I can only speak for myself. I serve on several organizations and represent a lot people in our community. For instance, I serve as a president in New Jersey Association of the Deaf (NJAD), a board member of National Association of Deaf (NAD), and so forth. When I saw your vlog – my emotion echoes yours.
But, I’m totally tapped out. I have so many things to do. There are so many people out there who think it’s something we (people who actively involves in organizations) are the ones who should be doing this. Oh god, it’s a tall order! I’m telling you – we are volunteers who sacrifice our time, energies, efforts, and more to do the advocacy work for the community.
Why can’t you and everyone else join one of the advocacy-driven organizations and do something about it. I’m sharing this with you. Most advocacy organizations need more people like you. They need more manpower to do this type of activity.
Look here – we have:
Deafhood
Audism Free America
Deaf Bilingual Coalition
State Associations
National Deaf Black Association
National Asian Deaf Congress
National Hispanic Council of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
National Association of Deaf
And many more…
We all need people like you to get involved one of these organizations to preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.
It pains me to see other people comment about this or that organization is not doing anything about it; or not being registered as not-for-profit organization (Section 501 c3); complaining about how it is unethical for people to pay in order to vote (I’m sorry, it’s a common practice in United States of America, not only to Deaf, but every hearing organizations too.); getting into some petty acts to pull someone down (crab theory, and all that.); and many more. Why cannot we settle our difference and work together for once and all?
OOoops, sorry about that, I’ve blabbed and got off the point. *Ahem* Back to the point, When you mentioned, “I’m only a blogger/vlogger, only so much I can do about it. I’m limited to what I can do. I just cannot get up and get someone’s attention about it. ” (Quoted from your vlog – not blog). I would like to make a small suggestion – why don’t you contact someone in “xyz” organization and say “What can I do about this”. I guarantee you would be surprised what you can do.
Disclaimer: This comment has nothing to do with New Jersey Association of the Deaf and/or National Association of Deaf as organizations. This comment is made from me, as an individual, not in a representative of an organization.
A Deaf Pundit said,
May 10, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Sean,
I’ve drafted form letters for everyone to use. It is over at Insane Misha’s vlogsite.