Wouldn’t you love to live in a deaf golden age, where deafness is not only embraced, but celebrated as an unique lifestyle choice? How about living in a world where sign language is universal? While not easy, it is definitely possible!

For the sake of clarity, I’d like to clarify the term ‘deaf community’. By ‘deaf’, I am referring to anyone who has permanent hearing loss of any degree, regardless of whether sign language is their primary language. There are two major factions in the deaf community; the sensorians, and the audists.

Not everyone can neatly fit in each category/label of sensorian/audist; but for the sake of this article, the focus will be on those two categories.

Addressing Controversies

Since this article most likely will be a controversial article, I feel the need to address the inherent controversies briefly. If you aren’t particularly sensitive or do not have a polarized opinion, feel free to skip this section and go ahead to the Idea section.

To be clear, there is no “one size fits all approach”; each approach (whether sensorian, audistic, or a combination thereof) has varying degrees of successes with the deaf, so each deaf individual has to choose the best approach to apply to his/her life to ensure success and happiness. This approach cannot be determined for an individual by someone else; there’s such a “thing” called “free-will”. Everyone has the right to make decisions for themselves. Adopting a paternalistic approach in regards to the deaf as well as the hearing is ill-advised; it is best to work with both the deaf, and the hearing, to determine the best-suited approach that will benefit both individuals, and adapt accordingly. Attempting to impose a policy enmasse to “fix” a perceived deaf “problem” by society to make the deaf more “hearing-like” would have negative repercussions, and cause more damage than it would help. However, deafness, whether one likes it or not, is definitely defined as a “loss of hearing”. While having a deaf lifestyle may suit certain groups of people, it also may not suit other groups of people. Because of those groups that don’t benefit from having a deaf lifestyle, society makes an effort in finding an effective cure for deafness. Out of respect for those who don’t wish to engage in a sensorian lifestyle, it is recommended to avoid obstructing society’s efforts to find a cure. The only time obstruction is advised is when the cure/fix is forced on those who do not want it, and also when the cure/fix is forced on those who are unable to decide for themselves due to age or mental state.

In regards to children, I’d like to make it clear: I fully support parents’ rights to make decisions for their children, even if I may not agree with those decisions. As a father myself, I don’t want other people deciding for me how to best to raise my child, so I have no right to decide how others raise their children. So in regards to children, guidance should be provided, but force should not be applied in regards to those parents. If those parents choose to follow a sensorian or audist approach in regards to their children, or even a combination of both, that is their choice. Society, whether deaf or hearing, should only provide guidance. Ultimately, if in spite of guidance, they choose to continue with their approach, society (whether deaf, or hearing) must respect that choice. Additionally, in all interactions, even when there is a disagreement, a cordial and respectful attitude should be adopted by everyone, regardless of how the others’ attitude may be.

As for those who are wondering what my stance in the deaf community is, while I do have one, I think it best to leave my personal stance out of this article, as it ultimately would only detract from the main message of this article. Now the sensitive parts has been addressed, let’s move on to the main message.

The Idea

History is rife with victories and defeats in the battle for deaf rights, and equivalent functionality / equal access. They all have one thing in common: reactiveness. While a good reactiveness skill is invaluable, in this article, I’d like to argue that proactivity is not only a better, but ultimately essential strategy to focus on than reactivity. Proactivity and reactivity are two sides of a coin, and make up the whole of a strategy. Focusing solely on one is a surefire way to eventual failure and/or stagnation. However, the primary focus should always be on proactivity. Furthermore, I will also provide a proposal plan that if carried out, will definitely go a long way in achieving a golden age for the deaf community as a whole.

The deaf community has historically responded to an issue by reacting. While this has resulted in many hard-earned rights, this strategy simply is not sustainable.

The deaf community need a change of strategy. The deaf community needs to stop being reactive, and start being proactive. The deaf community need to start taking the initiative.

The first utmost issue that needs to be done prior to the formulation of a plan is to develop a mission statement. In any organization, the mission statement acts as a rudder to direct the organization. It is the sole overriding directive that the organization follows.

The audistic deaf community has made great strides towards achieving their goals. The largest organization that claims to represent the audistic deaf community is the Alexander Graham Bell association for the deaf and hard of hearing also known as AG Bell. Their mission is:

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing helps families, health care providers and education professionals understand childhood hearing loss and the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. Through advocacy, education, research and financial aid, AG Bell helps to ensure that every child and adult with hearing loss has the opportunity to listen, talk and thrive in mainstream society.

The sensorian deaf community also has made great strides towards achieving their goals. The largest organization that claims to represent the sensorian deaf community is the National Association of the Deaf also known as NAD. Their mission is:

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the nation’s premier civil rights organization of, by and for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in the United States of America.

Established in 1880, the NAD was shaped by deaf leaders who believed in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interests represented at the national level. These beliefs remain true to this day, with American Sign Language as a core value.

While both organizations have drastically different approaches (audistic vs. sensorian), if both could learn to work together while respecting each other’s approach, this would considerably benefit the deaf community as a whole. It’d even herald a deaf golden age. While it is my hopes that one day both organizations will join forces and work united for the betterment of the deaf community with mutual respect for each others’ approaches, reality is this simply isn’t happening. AG Bell is being quite successful, while the NAD has been playing catch up. Keep in mind, AG Bell is not the enemy- neither is NAD. Those who would force their opinions on the others regardless of how the others felt—now those are the enemies. But I digress. The main problem here is that there is an imbalance. The focus is too much on the audistic approach, and too little on the sensorian approach. An equal balance needs to be achieved. Since AG Bell is being successful, one should examine their models, methods, and figure out the key to expanding the sensorian influence to balance out the audistic influence. When this is achieved, NAD, and sensorians need to ensure that they take the high road and ensure that AG Bell and the audistic approach is respected, and not oppressed. When the oppressed oppress the oppressors, then the vicious infighting cycle will simply continue, which would be quite detrimental to the deaf community as a whole.

While it’d be ideal if the National Association of the Deaf were to spearhead this effort, it isn’t necessary for them to do so in order for this to succeed. What’s necessary for this to succeed is for you, the reader, to determine how you in your current or future capacity can best contribute to make this succeed. Regardless of your current capacity or future capacity, there is definitely a way you can use it to help this succeed.

To that end, a proactive strategy has been developed. The strategy will lead eventually to what could potentially be defined as a golden age for the deaf. Every solution to a major social problem has to address four core elements: unity, influence, education, and finance.

Unity

Ever hear of the term: “United we stand, divided we fall”? Or this: “Divide and conquer”? Or especially this: “The chain is only as strong as its’ weakest link”? It’s an incontrovertible fact that if the community does not unite in this effort, the chances of it succeeding lessen. One key problem the community has been suffering from is the infamous “crab mentality”.

“Just exactly what is the crab mentality?”, you might ask. Glad you asked! As per the Wikipedia:

Crab mentality, sometimes referred to as crabs in the bucket, describes a way of thinking best described by the phrase “if I can’t have it, neither can you.” The metaphor refers to a pot of crabs. Individually, the crabs could easily escape from the pot, but instead, they grab at each other in a useless “king of the hill” competition (or sabotage) which prevents any from escaping and ensures their collective demise. The analogy in human behavior is that of a group that will attempt to “pull down” (negate or diminish the importance of) any member who achieves success beyond the others, out of envy,conspiracy or competitive feelings.

This term is broadly associated with short-sighted, non-constructive thinking rather than a unified, long-term, constructive mentality. It is also often used colloquially in reference to individuals or communities attempting to “escape” a so-called “underprivileged life,” but kept from doing so by others attempting to ride upon their coat-tails or those who simply resent their success.

Regardless of the psychological motivations, at one time or another, there will be those who attempt to pull down or detract from those who’re becoming successful, or in power, or are in the majority. This is particularly evident in the deaf community. This is one of the key reasons why unity has been consistently a problem. But there is also a less known subtle key factor that has been feeding the crab mentality. Elimination of this subtle key factor would greatly weaken, if not eliminate, the influence of the crab mentality. This may, or may not surprise you; but I personally believe this will surprise you.

This subtle key factor is… those who complain of the crab mentality. The crab mentality always has, and always will exist since time immemorial. It cannot be eliminated. What can be weakened, if not eliminated, is its’ influence. Complaining about the crab mentality gives it influence. The best thing to do in this regard is to stop giving it influence, focus on succeeding, and help those who are succeeding to continue to do so. If you see the crab mentality in action, or see someone complaining of it, shrug, tell the person to knock it off and focus on success, and move on yourself. Don’t fixate on that person, simply focus on yourself and succeeding. If you’re guilty of the crab mentality yourself, knock it off. Swallow your pride, stop focusing on other problems, obstacles, and reasons why you’re not succeeding, and focus on yourself. That’ll be the hardest thing you ever do, swallowing your pride and admitting it’s ultimately about you, not the others.  You’ll find this is quite liberating, and will go a long way at strengthening the deaf community as a whole. Those guilty of the crab mentality will find their influence greatly stripped and weakened, and their ability to drag down the deaf community greatly weakened. This would not only enable, but also greatly increase unity.

Another key issue to focus on is sustainability. It is too easy to unite to fight for an issue, only to drift apart later. Focus on reinforcing sustainability also, keep people united, passionate, and fighting for change!

Influence

Name one deaf United States congressman or senator. Or even a state governor. Betcha you can’t. Whether this is due to disinterest, or lack of directional influence on those with the most potential for politics by mentors, fact remains that politics is something the deaf sensorian community has considerably limited degree of influence in. Which brings me to the key point here: any real impact is achieved via influence. Gandhi had influence. Martin Luther King had influence. Steve Jobs had influence. Obama had influence. Reagan had influence. Warren Buffett, Richard Branson, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Mother Teresa, and so on. They all wielded an impressive amount of influence. Those people have one thing in common: they’re many of the biggest movers and shakers in human history. In more ways than one, everybody, including those in the deaf community, has had their life forever impacted thanks to those people. The deaf community has recently begun to penetrate many sectors; but one I have yet to see is politics. If the deaf sensorians were to successfully engage into high-level politics, then they’d be in a position to considerably influence the course of deaf life. I cannot stress this enough; the deaf sensorian community needs to start strongly encouraging their youngsters to consider a career in politics.

It’s not just politics the deaf sensorian community needs to gain influence, it’s also in the areas of education, and medicine. I’m not just talking about becoming teachers, professors, doctors (although those are ALWAYS needed!); I’m talking about rising through the ranks to engage in the high level field. I’m talking about the Board of Education, American Medical Association, National Education Association, whatever large organizations wield key influence in education and medicine. When a deaf sensorian gains a key position in any of those key positions, the deaf sensorian community influence increases by an insane degree. I’m not even kidding on this. It’s a huge advantage to have to have someone in those type of positions. This is why AG Bell has been so successful, their people have successfully obtained positions in all of those type of positions, and are able to dictate the course of deaf society nearly unchallenged.

Mentors—I’m talking about the guidance counselors, college career placement counselors, teachers, professors, businessmen, lawyers, doctors, and so on—I’m talking about all of you professionals with a capacity to mentor someone—need to seize all opportunities to encourage anyone with a sharp mind and potential to be successful in politics to consider that. Encourage everyone to rise up the ranks as high as they possibly can go, and beyond. Don’t be afraid to encourage them to reach beyond the stars; they’ll never find out what their maximum potential is unless they try to reach for the seemingly impossible and beyond! Even if you don’t think you’re a mentor, you most likely are already one. Have you ever given someone advice, even a brief small advice? Then you’ve served in a mentor capacity, however small. You then therefore already have the ability. Use it! I’d like to also emphasize: don’t just consider mentoring someone: consider rising up and engaging into politics. Anyone can do it, you don’t have to be Albert Einstein, you don’t have to be smart as hell, you don’t have to have politics experience or the money. All you need is your passion, and a hunger to grow, learn, expand, to fight for change, however small or large. If you have the hunger, feed it! Do it, rise up, and encourage the others to do so too!

Education

Hop on over to this web page real quick: http://www.doncullen.net/?p=670

At the time the data was compiled, it was March 2011. It’s now May 2012. See the states in orange? They’re red now. That’s right, the school for the deaf in those states have closed. Other schools are also now endangered.

You’ll notice there’s a very uncomfortable trend of those schools closing down. What’s even more uncomfortable is that when each school is evaluated on their academic merits compared with the hearing peers in other public schools, there is a large disparity. It is my personal belief that the cause for this is those schools are adopting a parentalistic attitude in regards to the deaf students. Low educational and academic standards run rampant. High expectations need to be established- higher than the hearing peers even. Challenge the students to perform better than their hearing peers, and this will result in incontrovertible proof that the deaf schools are highly beneficial, and produce first class highly educated citizens.

Name one four year college exclusively for the deaf in the United States other than Gallaudet University.

That’s right, you can’t. Even citing the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, which is part of Rochester Institute of Technology, doesn’t qualify because they are simply a program of RIT, and also because the students there are attending classes at RIT simply because NTID is unable to offer high level courses. One can’t even cite community colleges because they aren’t four year colleges. Gallaudet University at this time, is the sole four year university exclusively catering to the deaf with a strong sign language tradition. Even then, when comparing the academic performance of the students with other four year universities, one can see a definite disparity in performance. Whether this is due to questionable standards, low expectations, paternalistic attitudes, or students coming in with considerable gaps in their high school education (or a combination of all of those factors) remains to be seen. One also can consider their graduation rate bouncing up and down while hovering at an four year average of 35% (with last update of 41%), and compare that to the US national average of 55% – in fact majority of the states have graduation rates above 50%. Even Gallaudet’s minimum standards for admission in comparison other four year universities reveal a significant disparity.

As said in the previous section, the deaf sensorian community needs to get their people in key educational administrative positions and put into an effect an overhaul of deaf education. The community also needs to establish strong presences at educational conventions, associations, and so forth to make their voice heard. Think proactive, find any possible venue and get the voice heard. Don’t just wait for an issue to come up and fall into your laps, get out there and start shaking things up! You’re an alumni, go pay a visit to your old school and monitor their performance. Get involved! Even if you don’t live near your old school, swing by your local school, your local school for the deaf, local colleges for the deaf, and start asking questions! Get creative as to finding ways to put pressure on those academic institutions to significantly increase deaf academic performance!

Finance

The fourth, last, but not least, issue to consider is finance. Have you heard of the “We are the 99%!” movement? From what I understand, the majority of the US wealth is held by only 1% of Americans. Pretty damn small. But did you know that this problem is even more significant for the deaf? An alarming high percentage of the deaf are simply not financially sound. The biggest reason for this is lack of financial education in nearly all of the schools for the deaf. Even the colleges that have programs for the deaf do not make financial classes mandatory.

Another reason for this issue is also because of parents. Majority of parents of those who are deaf barely teach their children about finance, if at all. So the schools for the deaf, in conjunction with the colleges, will need to start taking up the slack, and fill in this gap. This will provide the deaf with key financial principles they can use when they pursue their career and go through life.

Money, unfortunately, is what makes the world go around. Money grants one greater amount of influence, and also determines the quality of education one’s children will get. So the importance of this factor cannot be stressed enough. If you consider yourself financially sound, perhaps you could consider mentoring others who aren’t and guide them towards becoming financially sound. If you choose to go that route, make sure you establish a clear boundary: while you provide guidance/mentorship, your finances are  off limits. Avoid investing money into them without first considering all factors. There’s an old proverb: “Give a man a fish, and you’ll feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he’ll feed himself for a lifetime”. Same thing applies here; instead of investing money, consider teaching them financial principles.

Conclusion

If all four factors are addressed, there’s an excellent chance a golden era for the deaf will occur. A key principle to always remember and follow is patience. Always remember to be patient with those who’re learning to be more than they are. Also remember to encourage those you mentor to also pass it forward; have them also help others.

Most of all, don’t just react as events and issues happen; don’t just wait for something to happen. Be proactive, get out there and make life better for everyone, including yourself! Just think about it: if you’re reading this, chances are, many others are also. Some of those people will become motivated, and will get out there to become movers and shakers. They’ll be fighting to make YOUR life better. Shouldn’t you return the favor and do the same for them? Don’t forget, by getting out there and becoming proactive, others will see you, and emulate you—they’ll be inspired too even if they don’t mention it! Don’t ever get discouraged when you don’t see something happening; something IS happening! Give it time, endure, and keep going!

I just had someone review this article, and asked her if she was inspired by the article. She said “I’m not in a high position. What can I do?”.  Another example concern someone might mention is “I don’t even have a job or a degree. What can I do?”

Very good concern, and quite valid too. Here’s what you can do—do you know sign language? If so, stop by local restaurants, businesses, organizations, and offer to teach them what you know. Don’t worry about whether you’re qualified: which do you think deaf people in general would prefer: a business that didn’t even know sign language at all, or some sign language? I think it’s pretty obvious what deaf people would prefer! Another thing you can do is volunteer to teach other people sign language even if they’re not in a business or organization.

Another thing you can do, as I said above in the education section, go visit your local schools and ask questions, just ask how they’re doing, ask for the numbers so you can see them. Save them, visit them every once in a while and if you see the numbers are still low or dropping, ask questions, put pressure on them to do better. Write letters (or ask someone to help you write a letter!) to the administration to demand accountability, force them to work hard at improving their performance!

Another suggestion you can do is go to local businesses, transportation services, and so on. Look around. Is there anything that isn’t deaf friendly? Talk to whoever is in charge and try to work with them, if necessary, put pressure on them to make it more deaf-friendly!

What about those who aren’t deaf, but have a role in the deaf world, such as interpreters, counselors, ASL students, teachers, doctors, actors, and so on? You of course have a huge role in the lives of deaf sensorians everywhere, believe it or not. I know it’s hard to believe the impact you have on deaf sensorians, but believe me, you do! You’ve already taken the first extraordinary step: making the choice to become involved. The next step is tough, but still very much doable: this is to STAY involved, to really invest yourself into bringing about a bright future for sensorians everywhere. If you go into it with a paternalistic attitude, then an attitude adjustment is in order. As long as you remember that you’re working with deaf sensorians, you’ll be insanely awesome! Don’t worry about your language mastery, remember; even the deaf sensorians had to learn language at some point.  Focus on developing a love for it, enjoy the challenge of it, and let it become part of you. Just by becoming involved with deaf sensorians, by falling in love with sign language, with the visual aspects, you’re transforming yourself into a sensorian.  Value it for what it is; what you invest into it will pay you back handsomely! Embrace it, it’s a beautiful thing that you’re sharing with the deaf sensorians!

I know I’ve said it repeatedly, but I think it’s a good thing to emphasize to conclude—don’t just react, be proactive!