I have a 12 year old who is a KODA. We live in Massachusetts. My son tells me wants to study sign language to become a ”better” interpreter than what he sees on VRS or in person! In the back of my mind, a deaf school or a charter school where everyone uses sign language would be great for my son to sign more during his most of his waking hours on M-F and fulfill his dream to become a great or better interpreter than what he is used to seeing today.

Here is someone who already knows what he wants to be when he grow up!

Perhaps, MSD opening doors to koda children is a path in helping deaf children meet koda kids from all walks of life to see each others perspective in life. I agree that koda kids should start when they are very young so they are accliminated to an environment of signing ASL at all times and getting used to it. However there are times when koda kids need a breather (they want to use their voice to talk) so MSD will need to be more sensitive and work some things out with koda children who may have a desire to join in the hearing world after a few years at MSD and also at same time, make sure deaf students are comfortable.

I myself don’t know if it will work out or not. But I do really want to see deaf children and koda children to develop positive perspective among each other and to possibly go school together without having fears, doubts or concerns about each other.

Jehanne, its good that you are bringing it up. You are making everyone think and that’s good.

This is Allison Weiner, a junior at MSD. I want to say that I am proud of you for posting a vlog expressing your opinion, it’s good to know that MSD students know their rights (freedom of expression) and I’m proud of MSD for producing such a great student . I was wondering if you knew these facts: If MSD was to actually implement this policy of enrolling hearing students, the possible student would have to be fluent in ASL, there would be some kind of a test to test their ASL fluency level (not very different from a hearing test). Also, if or when MSD allows hearing students, enrollment would start with the pre-kindergarten class or below, so that they would, over time, get used to the Deaf community, etc. I honestly doubt that hearing students at MSD would be anyone other than KODAs since that would be convienent for parents and I don’t see why random hearing students would actually come to MSD. Again, it’s good that you expressed your opinion in this intelligent manner Keep it up!! Always remember, throughout your vlogging experience, this quote- “I may not like what you have to say, but I will defend to my death your right to say it.” -Voltaire

Allison

p.s. feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss this topic (or anything else, for that matter) since i support the idea of enrolling hearing students and i am always open to new opinions and ideas, they will definitely be helpful for me in the future.

Michelle, I think Jehanne raised an important point. This is a deeper issue than rejecting or shunning hearing children. This is not about whether hearing children cheat more than deaf children. It is about the differences.

Seriously, how would you handle a classroom if you were a deaf teacher and you had a few hearing students taking advantage and talking in class or during tests? At least if all the students are deaf, everyone is on equal footing here. Does that mean MSD would need to start hiring more hearing teachers to be voice police? If some deaf schools can’t even get all their hearing staff and teachers to sign all the time, how do you expect MSD to be able to get all the hearing students to sign all the time? I have heard about some MSD hearing teachers and staff who do use their voices and not sign right in front of deaf teachers and staff. It is bad enough the deaf students have to see that. It would be a shame if hearing students were at MSD and got to overhear what the hearing teachers were saying. Then they would have access to more information than the deaf students. Would they act like interpreters and share this information with them? Would they withhold the information, giving themselves too much power? What do you think?

I am a deaf mom of CODAs. I want you know that you have a right to feel the way you do about your school.

I don’t think you mean that you don’t like hearing children. It looks to me like you are just saying that you want your school to be a place where everyone communicates the same and everybody is equal.

I remember when I was young, I preferred to play with my deaf friends, even though I did like some CODA friends. With my deaf friends, we all understood each other. We had the same experiences. Mostly, my CODA friends were fun to play with alone or with many other deaf friends, but sometimes if there were many CODA children, they would start talking and drop signs. It was hard to understand them. It was not their fault. They were part of a different world.

LIke Michele, I asked my hearing children how they would feel about going to a deaf school. They said no, they prefer their hearing school and friends, but they do like to play with their deaf friends after school once in a while. I don’t think this means they reject deaf children at all, just like it doesn’t necessarily mean deaf children who want to play with other deaf children are rejecting hearing children. It is natural to want to play with the friends who understand you best and who are most like you.

I think it is important we parents learn not to take it personally and trust that when our children grow up, they will all appreciate each other in different ways.

Jehanne, your vlog shows us that you have thought about this issue. Don’t worry if some parents might be upset. I understand you very well. I think you are very brave to be honest. I wish more people will be honest like you!!