Debate over Deaf Education

I found an article in the Chronicle: http://0-chronicle.com.maurice.bgsu.edu/article/The-Debate-Over-Deaf-Education/26019/

This article discussed the history of how deaf children have been educated in predominantly hearing schools in the past, how they are taught now, and the method they are currently considering as most efficient, effective, and educational.  There are two ways that mainstream hearing schools have historically taught deaf children, oral or bilingual.  The oral method is when a teacher teaches with speech and visual cues.  Bilingual incorporates teaching with sign language as well.  People find that the sign language improves the actual amount of knowledge impressed upon children; however, it does not let them to truly develop their reading and writing skills.  There has been much research that shows that bilingual is more effective.  However, with increases in technology, deafness and other hearing impairments can be discovered even earlier than before.  This allows parents to invest in cochlear implants much earlier.  With the advent of cochlear implants, there seems to be an upswing back toward a more oral tradition of education.

This article is interesting in the sense that it does not address at all the turmoil that the Deaf community must feel.  The Deaf community tends to be particularly opposed to cochlear implants, as they believe it is robbing born-deaf children the special experience of being Deaf.  However, as technology improves, I can imagine that hearing parents are increasingly getting cochlear implants for their children.

I imagine that Lindsay has gone to school at an institution that is predominantly hearing.  I believe that she was taught bilingually.  She had a tutor that assisted with interpretation and any subjects that she struggled with.  It was not easy, but I believe she was fortunate enough to get a good education in order to attend a university, nevermind a predominantly hearing institution.  It must be quite difficult for Lindsay to transition into college where these interpreting services are not as readily available.  It must also be difficult with such a large campus, where many everyday things are not designed universally.  It only adds to the overwhelming sensation.