DEAFBC

Wednesday, 9 November 2011

‘Sign bilingualism is a human right, not a privilege!’

The third day of the WFD-EUD conference in Ål, Norway concentrated on exploring positive examples from around the world on education, the deaf community and sign language policy development.

Tuesday started off with the keynote presentation from Dr. Peter C. Hauser from the Rochester Institute of Technology (USA) who shared recent cognitive neuroscience and psycholinguistic research findings on deaf and hearing individuals. According to Dr. Hauser there is no research supporting claims that learning sign language would interfere with speech development. On the contrary it enhances language acquisition. According to Dr. Hauser, it is important for hearing families to accept that their child is deaf instead of seeing the child as “broken” or disabled. He also emphasised the importance of deaf mentors and positive role models for both deaf and hard of hearing children as well as their parents.

The president of the Ugandan National Association for the Deaf (UNAD) Mr. Ambrose Murangira brought into the discussion perspectives from Uganda showing the struggles of the Ugandan deaf community and deaf education from the 1960s to present day. The key lesson learnt from Uganda is that there is a need for a strong deaf community which can influence the education policies and societal attitudes towards bilingual education.

Director of the Development Department of the Finnish Association of the Deaf (FAD) Ms. Kaisa Alanne presented the Finnish example of sign language policy planning providing a comprehensive analysis of its development leading to the Language Policy Programme for sign languages adopted in 2010. The Finnish example shows that although sign language is recognized in the constitution the legal obligation does not necessarily guarantee the realization of linguistic rights in practice. Whilst continuing its work on the national level, FAD has also aimed to contribute to the language planning development in other countries through its development programmes in, for instance Kosovo and Albania.

Dr. Dirksen Bauman, Co-ordinator of the Office of Bilingual Teaching and Learning from Gallaudet University introduced the Bilingualism mission adopted in 2007. Currently students’ language and communication skills are evaluated in both American Sign Language and English whereas in the past it was predominately written English. Through these changes in its curriculum Gallaudet, is in the process of becoming a genuinely bilingual university.

Ms. Berglind Stefánsdóttir, EUD President and Mr. Colin Allen, WFD President wrapped up with a statement:

“The sessions today have proved that the recognition of sign languages in national law is not enough. National and regional stakeholders and policymakers must ensure that legislations are put into practice and implemented so that Deaf children can enjoy full human rights and become equal citizens. “

For immediate release

Monday, 7 November 2011

Sign Languages’ status under threat in Denmark and the Netherlands?

WFD – EUD conference attendees noted with alarm that the status of sign languages is under threat in Denmark and the Netherlands. Recent developments in Denmark have led to the adoption of an educational philosophy which denies deaf and hard of hearing children any visually accessible communication, including the right to education in sign language. At the same time the Netherlands is undergoing debates over sign language’s place in the education of deaf children.

World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and European Union of the Deaf (EUD) together with the Ål Experiential College and Conference Center for Deaf People and with financial support from the Norwegian Foreign Ministry are organizing a conference from 6th to 9th November in Ål, Norway. The conference titled Sign Languages as Endangered Languages brings together deaf community leaders, academics and educators to debate the status of sign languages and emerging trends in sign language education.

Monday’s keynote presenter, professor emeritus Stuart Blume, from University of Amsterdam discussed the globalisation of technology and the start and spread of cochlear implantation programmes. According to Blume, deaf community leaders do not seem to have the same networks and access to politicians and media as the advocates of the cochlear implants. He also introduced idea of learning from the indigenous peoples’ experience in promoting their rights and suggested deaf communities to build coalitions and look for allies in anthropologists, sociologists and researchers on a national level.

President of the Danish Deaf Association (DDL) Ms. Janne Boye Niemelä presented the alarming situation in Denmark where 99% of all newly born children are offered cochlear implants; yet at the same time the provided support services do not include sign language but instead concentrate on auditory verbal therapy. With the number of deaf schools decreasing the recent developments in the Danish society would seem to aim at promoting speech to the detriment of Danish sign language. Furthermore, according to Ms. Corrie Tijsseling the deaf community in the Netherlands is currently dealing with a similar debate on sign language’s place in deaf children’s education.

The president of the Swedish Association of the Hard of Hearing (HRF) and the former president of International Federation of Hard of Hearing (IFHOH) Mr. Jan-Peter Strömgren highlighted that both hard of hearing and deaf children should have the right to bilingualism and give them the opportunity to choose later their linguistic identity. He also recommended good cooperation between associations of hard of hearing and deaf people pointing out that also many hard of hearing people use sign language.

The conference will continue on Tuesday concentrating on laws and best practices in promoting and protecting sign languages.