Grumpy Old Deafies

Currently the International Congress on Education of the Deaf (ICED) is taking place in Vancouver. The conference website can be found here.

A statement was put forward to the congress, on Milan 1880. This is the draft text via Senan Dunne (which I got last night - about 14 hours ago, as I type):

"…The resolutions of the 1880 congress in Milan:

In 1880, an international congress was held in Milan to discuss the education of the deaf. At that time, the members passed several resolutions that effected the education, and the lives, of Deaf people around the world.

The resolutions:
1. removed the use of sign language from educational programmes for the deaf around the world
2. Contributed detrimentally to the lives of deaf citizens around the world
3. Led to the exclusion of deaf citizens in educational policy and planning in most jurisdictions of the world
4. Prevented deaf citizens from participation in government planning, decision making and funding in areas of employment training, re-training and other aspects of career planning
5. Hindered the abilities of deaf citizens to succeed in various careers and has prevented many of them from following their own aspirations
6. And prevented the opportunity for many deaf citizens to fully demonstrate their cultural and artistic contributions to the diversity of each nation

Therefore, we reject all resolutions passed at the ICED Milan conference in 1880 [about 35 seconds of applause!]

I think there will be more cheering at the end. I’ll start again - all resolutions passed at the ICED Milan conference in 1880 that denied the inclusion of sign language in educational programmes for deaf students. Therefore, we acknowledge and sincerely regret the detrimental effects of the Milan conference. And therefore, we call upon all nations of the world to remember history, and ensure that education programmes accept and respect all languages and forms of communication. Thank you."

This was accepted, and thus a formal apology made to the Deaf community worldwide. It only took 130 years for it to happen.

As late as 1990 (and possibly later), an apology was rejected. A friend said on Facebook earlier:

I attended the ICED in Rochester NY USA in 1990. I remember the uproar when delegates tried to put forward a motion for this apology. The organisers weren't having it. Just took another 20 years for it to happen...

Do not underestimate the significance of this. Will it take away the damage that Deaf people have experienced in the past 130 years? Of course not.

The tone of the resolution, should be given gracefully and received the same. A recognition of such is a statement that history should not be repeated. The absolutely crucial thing is: you cannot regret then go out and continue to make the same blunders you just acknowledged. The impact on this, educators internationally need to reflect on and no child anywhere should be denied sign language.

To those people whose lives have been hurt: yes you got hurt and this is formally recognised. It is time to hold your head up high and one hopes that there is enough space for forgiveness.

The saddest thing in all this? Those people who suffered but did not live to see this regret in their lifetimes. We owe them the future, away from the suffering of the past 130 years.

Elsewhere:
Milan 1880 (a history)
ICED 2010

Update: I got the following e mail, "
I am at ICED now - it is not "apologize" but regret+reject. CED did not agree with "apologize" because they are not a government nor an organisation with a formal structure, but a changing team that just organises a conference. But as you can see it is a strong text that explicitly rejects the pure oralism + gives recommendations - it caused many emotions yesterday, especially amongst older deaf people!"

Apparently the BC Deaf community will issue a press release today. Hope so, something as big as this needs faster press management (due to the scale of the news).

Update 2: here's the PDF link to the resolution (via NAD in USA). About 200 of the 500 participants at ICED have already signed it. Resolution will be taken to WFD 2011 for more signatories.

Posted by alison at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

Uganda's Anti Homesexuality Bill [PDF] is disturbing, across the board. Certain groups are take a harder hit, including the Deaf community. If you think LGBTQ issues have nothing to do with you, because "I'm straight" you're wrong.

You do not have to be gay to be sentenced to death under this bill.

I will go into why in a moment.

However, a bit of background. The bill creates an offence (amongst others) called Aggravated Homosexuality (s.3). If you participate in Aggravated Homosexuality, this is your sentence:

s.3(2) A person who commits the offence of aggravated homosexuality shall be liable on conviction to suffer death.

You can commit such an offence, if you have a sex with a person of the same gender, and the "victim" having a disability (s.3(e)). Victim in this context does not mean rape, but includes what is usually regarded as consensual (agreed) sex. However, here disabled people are treated not to be able to give consent to sex.

Don't think this includes Deaf people? Wrong!

"disability" means a substantial limitation of daily life activities caused by ... sensory impairment and employment barriers resulting in limited participation. (page 4)

The proposed law says: Deaf people are incapable of understanding what is going on and they cannot give consent. It assumes Deaf people (amongst others) are stupid, and do not have autonomy.

Whatever your sexual orientation, every Deaf person should take offence at that.

So to recap, if anyone of the same gender has sex with a Deaf person and the authorities find out about it: they get sentenced to death. If you don't think the authorities will find out, read on.

The Bill does not just impact LGBTQ people but anyone. Aggravated homosexuality includes all “serial offenders".

So if:
1. You're someone who has gay sex once and doesn’t turn his partner in to the authorities.
2. You're a straight person who doesn’t turn in gay friend(s) into the authorities (Part III).

Then you get sentenced to death.

Just think about that for a moment. You know the Deaf community is small and intimate nature due to being bound by a common language. Find out some random information about someone in a social situation, and if you don't tell: you get sentenced to death. You do not need to be gay, to risk being sentenced to death.

If that does not disturb you to the core, I really don't know what will. Go and read the bill for yourself [PDF], if you don't believe me.

I guess few will be travelling to Uganda anytime soon, but one has to wonder about basic human rights of Deaf people (and many others, in fact everyone) out there. Exactly who is protecting individuals against fundamental human rights? And where the hell is WFD in all this?

Source:
Waking up Now: Uganda's Kill-the-Straight-Friends-of-Gays Bill (discovered via @zephoria).

Posted by alison at 6:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

A three day conference at the Vatican has taken place, “The Deaf Person in the Life of the Church”. Here's some footage, but no subtitles (there's some sign language used in parts, including BSL):

If you want to read more about the conference, more here.

Posted by alison at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Are we just totally in love with Google?

Today Google announed automatic captioning on YouTube.

Plus more here, if you're interested:

For the past few years, how to make user generated content (UGC) has played on my mind, and I could see the internet becoming less accessible to deaf people (a decade ago we had more access). Did people have the will to innovate, and get around this?

People like Ken Harrenstien (Deaf Software Engineer at Google), are vital to any workforce. Kind of a very good example as to why workplace diversity matters. Bring people in who'll think outside your traditional box, and push for something that your average Joe won't be so bothered. That said, geeks seem to run on creativity, and a perfect example of tech working with people not trying to change them.

This doesn't just have implications for deaf people, but the captioning will be made available in 51 languages. That's a significant chunk of the world's population, and bridging across cultures. Captioning is also beneficial for Google's business, in that it'll be able to index content better; so everyone wins. A major development in bridging people globally with huge implications on accessing content (even via basic search), yet the mainstream doesn't notice. The current trending topic on Twitter? #newmoon, which says it all.

I for one cannot wait, its certainly better than any (material) present I may receive this Christmas!

Elsewhere:
New York Times: Google to Caption YouTube Videos
Lifehacker: YouTube Adds Machine-Generated Automatic Captions

Posted by alison at 6:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Parliamentary Tours are usually held each summer, or organised by a constituent's MP, so visitors can see the Commons and Lords debating chambers, the Queen's Robing Room, etc. A question was recently asked in parliament about access:

Jacqui Smith (Redditch, Labour)

Although I welcome the progress that has been made, I want my hon. Friend to be aware of what happened earlier this year, when I tried to organise a tour of Parliament for the Redditch Deaf Club. My office was told that no one could be assigned to the group because of cost reasons. Furthermore, I understand that there is not full hearing-loop availability throughout the whole tour. I do not think that that is good enough, and I hope that the level of progress will be upped to ensure that all our constituents can access tours of this place, regardless of their disabilities.

Stuart Bell (Second Church Estates Commissioner, No Department; Middlesbrough, Labour)

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. Induction loops are fitted in the Public Galleries, Committee Rooms and main Dining Rooms. On sign language, visitor services can provide a sign language tour, if it is booked in advance. Otherwise, the diversity managers can put a Member or visitor in touch with a British sign language interpreter, which would, of course, be at the visitor's expense. The House is in the process of providing British sign language training for 12 House staff, who will be able to assist visitors at short notice and at no cost to the visitor. I hope that that is a positive response for my right hon. Friend. However, if she has other such matters to raise, I shall be happy to take them up and refer them to the House of Commons Commission.

Now, did I read that correctly? I don't quite understand what he's saying here. Here we have the government proposing it breaks its own law? Deaf person pays for the interpreter, what gives? Hello, service provider with lots of resources what about your obligation for reasonable adjustments? So parliament passes the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, then refuses to follow its own law.

And why doesn't Redditch Deaf Club just sue?

If you read the rest of the debate, it goes onto say, "We have, of course, focused very seriously on disabled visitors who visit the visitor centre." Really?

Source:
They Work For You
Hansard

Posted by alison at 9:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

Deafies are now the underdogs! A programme that features Dr. Ádám Kósa, relevant bit starts at 15:10.

Some interesting comments by Brussels, that they now need to think of 24 languages instead of 23. Hopefully Ádám's presence will start to make them think of sign languages a bit more when it comes to policy.

Elsewhere:
MEP Profile: Ádám KÓSA

See also:
Dr. Ádám Kósa addresses the EU Parliament
Dr. Adam Kosa: First Deaf Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
European Parliament Elections: Dr. Adam Kosa

Posted by alison at 10:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBacks (0)

Norwegian commercial with English subtitles:

If you've ever worked or been involved with a deaf organisation or group, you'll know the old typo error: Dead Society, Institute of the Dead, Society of the Dead.

A quick search, gives me death metal but I did find some webpage called Deaf Metal (its sound based, no point in visiting unless your ears work). Will leave the hearies figure that one out.

Posted by alison at 6:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

This morning at 09:39:44 (GMT +2) was a historic moment, Dr. Ádám Kósa addressed the EU Parliament in sign language. Here's some footage, which I uploaded to Vimeo to make viewing easier (2 minutes and 37 seconds):

You have to love the smirk on Ádám's face at the end - fabulous!

You can also find the videos on the EU Parliament website, Windows Media Player and Quicktime. The text has not been published by the EU Paliament yet.

However, this is what the EU parliament press release had to say:

For the EPP, newly-elected MEP Ádám KÓSA (HU) said he was deeply moved that as the assembly's first deaf member, he was able to use sign language. Belonging to the EU means that minority language users and people with disabilities can nonetheless achieve results, he said. Only two weeks previously, the Slovak Parliament had passed laws restricting the use of minority languages, he added, urging Europe to guarantee full rights and opportunities for minorities and people with disabilities.

As a bonus, here's a previous video of Adam (in spoken Hungarian plus some Hungarian Sign Language):

Elsewhere:
MEP Profile: Ádám KÓSA
EU Parliament Press Release
German MEP slams Slovak language law
EP member says Slovakia’s new Language Act is discriminatory

See also:
Dr. Adam Kosa: First Deaf Member of the European Parliament (MEP)
European Parliament Elections: Dr. Adam Kosa

Posted by alison at 6:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (16) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's a video of Helene Jarmer using sign language in the Republik Österreich Parament (Parliament of Austria):

Cool! Now where's sign language being used in the national parliament of your country?

Elsewhere:
Das österreichische Parlament

See also:
Helene Jarmer, Deaf Person to Sit in the Parliament of Austria

Posted by alison at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the plinths in Trafalgar Square is basically up for occupation in the name of art. In other words, someone stands on the plinth for one hour as a 'living statute'. The project describes itself as:

This summer, sculptor Antony Gormley invites you to help create an astonishing living monument. He is asking the people of the UK to occupy the empty Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in London, a space normally reserved for statues of Kings and Generals. They will become an image of themselves, and a representation of the whole of humanity.

Every hour, 24 hours a day, for 100 days without a break, a different person will make the Plinth their own. If you're selected, you can use your time on the plinth as you like. One & Other is open to anyone and everyone from any corner of the UK. As long as you're 16 or over and are living or staying in the UK, you can apply to be part of this unforgettable artistic experiment.

You can play your part in making this idea a reality - either by volunteering yourself, by telling others about it, or by experiencing it online or in the square itself.

You can see live footage here, which begs the question how come the BDA or similar is not encouraging deaf people to apply? One hour to advertise BSL. Use BSL. Be political about BSL. Dress up as a hand. I don't know, I'm not an artist.

The number of applicants exceeds places, so the more people who applied - with the aim of promoting BSL - the more collective chance deaf people have.

Well, what are you waiting for .....

Elsewhere:
One and Other
BBC: Empty plinth volunteers step up
BBC: The view from the Fourth Plinth

Posted by alison at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Two videos has been produced by and for Deaf parents in the UK as part of Everyday Adventures in Parenting; with the support of the Parent Know How programme from the Department for Children, School and Families.

My Favourite Day: Lending a Hand. Deaf parents Louis and Paula get involved in their children’s school life (4 minutes 12 seconds).

Moving on Up. Two Deaf families find that after school clubs have allowed them to find new jobs and make the most of existing ones (5 minutes 8 seconds).

Its good these videos have been produced, and portrays the families involved in a positive light.

More videos have been made, and can be found here. However, before you all rush off and click onto the link: I don't see any of them being accessible.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, however, if the government is serious about inclusion it has to make accessibility part of its tendering outputs. No exceptions. Its really not okay to just subtitle two films that feature deaf people, and exclude deaf people from the rest. To do so, is breaking the law. If these films were made accessible, then that would be great.

See also:
Parliament: Deaf Parents Access to their Children's Education

Elsewhere:
Everyday Adventures in Parenting
Parent Know How
Department of Children, Schools and Families
Shiny Red TV

Posted by alison at 5:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Last weekend was Glastonbury, which means photos start popping up on Facebook. At the festival there was a DeafZone Tent, and this is one of the many photos snapped:

I have to admit I totally howled out laughing; a nice bit of activism with humour. An obvious dig at the RNID and their ear plugs / Don't Lose The Music campaign.

Photo credit: Maartje De Meulder

Posted by alison at 6:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Some of you will have seen this before and it has a USA slant, but gets a point across: D-PAN's Waiting for the World to Change.

Elsewhere:
D-PAN: Deaf Performing Artists Network

Posted by alison at 12:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Last night I came across this quote, by Elie Wiesel. I put it on my Facebook page, but thought I'd share it here, as its very relevant:

"Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented." Elie Wiesel

Think about it. And please drop us a comment, as to what you think?

The Rebuttal also picked up on the quote, the post is worth a read and has way too many UK parallels.

Posted by alison at 9:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Today the EHRC launched the Human Rights Inquiry 2009.

Last Friday I got an e mail from the EHRC telling me there would be a webcast this morning:

The event will be broadcast live over the Internet giving you the opportunity to watch the launch of the inquiry's final report. Visit http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/fairer-britain/human-rights/human-rights-inquiry/ from 10:45 on Monday to join the event.

Secondly, @EHRC was reporting the event on Twitter, reminding us to watch the event. I actually wanted to watch this, because its an area I'm interested in. So by 11.15am, when there was no redirect from the earlier link we were given, I asked a question. I got a reply:

Anyway, no guessing for what came next: it was not accessible for deaf people. I even alerted @EHRC to the problem, but I got no reply.

My complaint to EHRC:

I am a deaf person. Today I tried to watch the webcast at: http://www.hereforeveryone.com/

For part of the webcast (when Jack Straw spoke), an interpreter was partly in the frame of the camera. This was not perfect, as the camera was so positioned that some of his signs were off screen, and secondly there was no mechanism to make the video bigger. I was then surprised, the camera angle changed position so the interpreter was completely out of the screen and I could no longer follow. This continued with wide screen shots of the proceedings. It then went back to part interpreter shots, however the angle was then quickly altered. The open floor / Q&A session, I do not see any interpreter or any other means as to how I can access this live webcast.

This is equivilent of turning off the sound for hearing people, as a webcast is broadcasting. Secondly, there was no subtitles or alternative live broadcast for deaf people who do not use BSL. I do not expect a body charged with the promotion of equality to discriminate against certain classes of people. It is rather ironic that a launch to promote human rights, excludes certain classes of people, no?

Please treat this as a formal complaint against the EHRC. Could EHRC tell me if it thinks it is discriminating against me for the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if not, why not.

I shall look forward to hearing from you.

EHRC is so far removed from deaf people its unfunny. Except they cannot see it, because we're on some crusade for mainstreaming equality. Fine in theory, but there lies a central problem with such an approach: to treat everyone the same, is discrimination. Look at any anti discrimination legislation to see this, which is why you get certain schemes such as positive discrimination.

So, if the above is true, how come EHRC streamling of equality is different? Why is suddenly everyone the same from gender right through to disability, on par? Yes I can see its merits, but to also adopt such an approach, means people are starting to fall through the cracks. In fact I don't think deaf people got to the start line. You go to the main EHRC website, and tell me where the BSL is.

There is nothing more I can add, except the webcast is still running as I type this, and still inaccessible. Yep, that's right. I've no idea what the body charged with equality and supposed to be protecting my interests, is saying.

See also:
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

Posted by alison at 12:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (23) | TrackBacks (0)