National Public Radio’s Article on Cochlear Implants–Heavily Biased?
Many of the comments under the article on cochlear implants that appeared on National Public Radio’s (NPR) website on April 8th, 2012 claim that it is heavily biased in favor of cochlear implants, and poorly researched. Also of note are two remarks by Dr. John Niparko, an expert in the field, and the lack of [...]
You Pray They Fall Right
I built a rope swing for my son Jack the other day. Not the world’s safest creation… yet. The tree is old and gnarly—it’s possible his weight (increasing hourly) could yank the whole branch down. Or the knot could slip, though I tied it seven times. Or he could fall again as he did [...]
ventriloquist dummy
She said it sounds funny when you say that Say it again And it made her laugh So I said it again that funny sound He said no that’s not how you say it The ‘g’ is silent And he said you have a beautiful voice And when I said what I said they [...]
IMHO: From a Parent’s Viewpoint
In a recent article, “The Distrust Runs Deep on Both Sides?” the author asserts: It’s not like these parents find out their child is deaf, go on the internet, discover a deaf community sharply divided between the oral and ASL-using camps, panic, and somehow decide they’ll embrace the oral camp while never trusting any [...]
Indiana’s Journalgazette.net Publishes Excerpt of “The Distrust Runs Deep on Both Sides?”
Indiana’s Journalgazette.net has published an excerpt from Christopher Jon Heuer’s recent DeafEcho.com article “The Distrust Runs Deep on Both Sides?”. Check out the excerpt under “Public’s denial driving frustrations of the deaf”. (The Journalgazette.net article is a compacted and slightly edited version of the original DeafEcho.com article.)
HB 1367 – The Distrust Runs Deep on Both Sides?
As a critical reader of media, I find myself left with a lot of questions after reading the article entitled “Deep Division on Deafness” in journalgazette.net (based in Fort Wayne, Indiana) regarding HB 1367. These questions are not meant to point out fault in the story itself, but to bring these questions before the [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]