I am not deaf, but I spend a lot of time in the Deaf Community. After reading and recommending a diary written by slinkerwink, I was left wondering how the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community has made informed decisions this election season. Is it fair for a candidate to expect a vote from a community they have virtually ignored? Deaf Nation has posted a video called Deaf Viewpoints: 2008 U.S. Presidential Elections* It could be viewed as a Deaf Presidential Debate. Two people who support Senator McCain and two people who support Senator Obama.
You must understand sign language to view the video, but some speech readers may be able to follow because it is very visual. I was glad to see there is a definite line drawn and Deaf people are really thinking for themselves, but are the McCain supporters really informed?
John McCain spent 11 years on the Board of Trustees at Gallaudet University and there is not one captioned video on his campaign website.
John McCain was instrumental in crafting key sections of the landmark 1990 ADA legislation, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in hiring and promotions, extending that same protection to disabled people employed by state and local governments.
He sure did! A document so vague and full of loopholes they've had to go back and write amendments to enforce it!
It would seem to me all of this should have been automatic for him. I mean no disrespect, but the man has no lips to speak of so I'm sure he depended heavily on writing notes and the use of sign language interpreters while conducting business on campus. Is he that out of touch or was this another dog and pony show for the poor disabled people? Forgive my cynicism but this shit REALLY pisses me off!
His exit from the BOT only makes me more suspicious! The chief complaint I could discern was Dr. Fernandes was not fluent in American Sign Language. Things had to be pretty bad for students to go on hunger strikes allowing things to escalate to the point 135 students 'got themselves' arrested.
He says he wants people with disabilities to have the same opportunities as everyone else. I guess that means only if you accept his suggestions. He wasn't there for the meeting where they voted to end the appointment, but he wants to cast judgments on the decision made.
Sounds like Bush to me! "If you don't get with the program I have prescribed then you don't deserve my help!" I don't know if I agree with the decision either, but it seems the university opted for the democratic way of handling things.
How soon we forget. It has been a year and McCain hasn't even bothered to take an interpreter on the campaign with him. Was he seriously trying to change a tradition established well over a hundred years ago?
Just like this recent economic crisis, he swoops in to 'save the day' and causes more trouble than he's worth, and mass exodus when he can't get his way. Is this who you really want as a president? I have worked and been apart of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community for 15 years, and its because I don't presume to know what is best for them that I have been successful.
Our job is to empower people to do for themselves. Barack Obama may not be the best candidate, but at least he's willing to level the playing field so that we all have a fighting chance. Even if you don't choose to vote for him, please at least have a chance to get to know the one you do choose.