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 [...]
Frontrunners in Ghana
Not too long ago I was backpacking in Central America, exploring the nomad’s life through three different countries. Having said this, I recall meeting a deaf dude at a cafe in Costa Rica. He expounded to me about a leadership program in Denmark infused with leaders. He said the leadership program consisted of an [...]
The Canary in the Coal Mine
Just as I’m flying to California State University Northridge to present at their Deaf College Student Leadership Conference, I was reading a copy of Newsweek. There was a story on the infectious appeal of the #Occupy Wall Street movement. One particular quote stood out to me: “In 2008 vast new numbers of Americans transformed [...]
From Sesame Street to Self-Discovery
Ninety-five percent of deaf children have hearing parents. What does that mean? It means that many of us are used to being the only deaf person in the family, in the community, or in school unless we are at a deaf school. It means that our family is our first introduction to the ways [...]
Stuff Deaf People Like #6: Kitchens
Kitchens are a very special place to deaf people. It is the only room in a house that is important. If you want to find a deaf person, go check your kitchen. There are probably one or fifty in there. Check all the corners, sometimes they are hiding in there chatting up a storm. If [...]
Deaf at the Drive Thru
In the days before iPhones, internet and video chat, the Deaf Community was limited in ways to communicate long distance. Local Deaf Clubs served as a way for deaf people to gather and communicate in the way they were most comfortable, in person. Many thought of the gatherings as a way to preserve American Sign [...]
Disability – It’s Time for a New Word
Last week, I received paperwork from the local school district to fill out for my son. “Preschoolers with Disabilities” was written at the top. This caught me off guard for two reasons: first, I can’t believe my baby is ready for preschool already! But more importantly, “Disabilities?!” I’ve spent the last two years trying to [...]
Starbucks and Accessibility… Welcome Back to the Madness, Madness, Madness…
Not to hammer away at my favorite franchise – Starbucks – yet again, but my friend “Jane” recently sent me the following email, and I asked her for permission to share both it and my reply with Deaf Echo readers. Here it is: “Hi Chris! The following story happened to a friend of mine today [...]
Way to Represent!
Countless deaf people tuned in last night to watch the finale of Celebrity Apprentice for one reason: to find out if Marlee Matlin won. Ah, Marlee. If she and the deaf community declared on Facebook that they were in a relationship, the status update would read, “and it’s complicated.” On one hand, she is our [...]
ABC’s Switched At Birth
ABC FAMILY’S GROUNDBREAKING NEW ORIGINAL SERIES “SWITCHED AT BIRTH” PREMIERES MONDAY, JUNE 6 AT 9:00 ET/PT Lea Thompson and Constance Marie Both Mark Their Return to Television As Mothers Who Learn Their Daughters Were Switched in the Hospital after Birth Academy Award ® Winner Marlee Matlin Will Appear in a Guest-Starring Role Burbank, CA (May [...]