On Emotions and the Classroom—A Forbidden Combination?
After vehemently protesting a classmate’s opining on how Latin@s*–“illegal” ones, to be exact—have more language rights than Deaf U.S. citizens do, based on the availability of the “press 2 for español” telephone option. The professor emailed me later in the day, urging me to remove emotions from classroom discussions. When I name [...]
FCC “Lock-In” Plan: Hurting Deaf Consumers
Let me get this out in the open: I am not much of a “phone person.” I never really developed the habit, as I could not really use the phone well, beyond a small circle of familiar persons. When I was thirteen, I was introduced to the TTY, and this was a minor miracle, as [...]
HB 1207 – A New Concern on the Horizon for the Indiana School for the Deaf?
You read that correctly. This article does not concern HB 1367, the bill that is causing so much controversy and uproar in the deaf community of Indiana (and the wider national deaf community). Deaf Echo has recently come across information on a new bill that may have serious ramifications for the Indiana School for [...]
Deaf Resource Availability for the Urban-ly Challenged
I was born in a small town. And I live in a small town. Oh those small communities.* Okay, so my town may not be Mayberry; we do actually have modern conveniences like electricity and cable TV. But how do you find the best resources when the nearest deaf “person” is your neighbor’s 15-year-old dog? [...]
My Letter to the Indiana Senate Appropriations Committee (“Oppose HB 1367″)
Dear Senator: My name is Dr. Christopher Jon Heuer, and my dissertation, professional research, and work all fall within the fields of literacy, language acquisition, and Deaf Education. HB 1367 will soon come before you for review. I hope you will consider my arguments against it and oppose it. At the very least, I [...]
Consider What You’re Fighting to Win–My Post on Hear Indiana’s “Support HB 1367″ Facebook Page
For the background on the story, see Michele Westfall’s recent DeafEcho.com article. The following is a recent update on the issue: HB 1367 apparently passed in the House in Indiana, and will soon make its way toward a final vote (with amendments). Below is a slightly revised version (note to the general audience: don’t post [...]
Indiana School for the Deaf vs. Hear Indiana
Maybe you have been hearing stories coming out of Indiana and wondered what the fuss was all about. To understand the situation in Indiana, you need to know the back story. I will give you a hint upfront: oralists are up to no good. The back story begins with Indiana School for the Deaf [...]
Science of the Orgasm
[During orgasm, parts of the brain show heightened activity as other regions… (Janniko R. Georgiadis / University Medical Center Groningen).] To unlock the secrets of the climax researchers are looking behind the scenes and into the nervous system, where the true magic happens. AS they seek to document and demystify one of life’s great [...]
IN SEARCH OF DEEP SIGN 7: death people
There is a child somewhere who has not heard of death. There is always a child who has not heard of death and always a child breathing who does not think of stopping breath, or even that it could be stopped, making a rhythm of despair. Subtle, yet textured in their ignorance they are [...]
Notes from a Helicopter Dad
My son is three. Keep this in mind. So I walk into his pre-school classroom last week, right? This room has two teachers: Mr. Rogers* and his assistant—let’s call her Vladmilla. Mr. Rogers is a young guy. Professional, mindful of the children as human beings with feelings… yes, even at the tender age of [...]