Workshops for Deaf People: For those of you in the Maryland/DC area, here is a flyer from the Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA). Click on the image to make the flyer bigger.

ASL = English: ASC is pleased to see the trend of more Deaf professionals taking advantage of the internet and technology to formally present their ideas and research in ASL. Traditionally, even in environments proclaiming bilingualism, there has been a longstanding, often unspoken, message that English still reigns superior to ASL. Compare how readily academic articles published in English receive credibility and status, while lectures and videos delivered in ASL are frequently viewed as less serious or scholarly. Bilingualism may refer to two languages, but in many so-called bilingual Deaf educational institutions it has not always been the case that both are accorded equal respect.

Double Standard: What is one to make of the fact that at Gallaudet University last Friday, a hearing doctoral candidate presented a dissertation defense in spoken English rather than ASL? The student spoke to an audience that included Deaf students and professors, as well as hearing students who are planning on careers working with Deaf people. This reflects a lack of an institutional commitment to honoring ASL, something that should be a minimal expectation at the premier higher education institution for Deaf people. This concession to a hearing, English-speaking graduate student, whose choice to forgo presenting in ASL did little to convey a sense of respect and courtesy, is a sad commentary on the university’s double standard. What such concessions are ever made to Deaf students, who have no choice but to write their dissertations in English, a second language for many? Imagine the reaction if a Deaf student made a request to do a dissertation entirely in ASL! Hearing students can cite insufficient fluency or discomfort in using their second-language ASL in front of an audience, but Deaf students can never opt out of having to use their second-language English to meet their program requirements.

Academic ASL: Without a doubt, Deaf people have been proving that academic ideas, once erroneously believed to be “too complicated” or “too abstract” to be explained in ASL, can be presented perfectly well in ASL. Check out the late and widely-respected Dr. Larry Fleischer’s elegant ASL lecture for a shining example of one of the earliest academic ASL presentations. Take a look at the promising new online Deaf Studies Digital Journal for another example of ASL in academia. There are many more examples online. Please feel free to share your favorites here.

ASC would like to thank Raychelle Harris, who was one of the first people to reference and cite an ASC vlog in a published paper. We also appreciate the many people who have requested permission to show our vlogs for different workshops, classes, and conferences. This is the type of respect and acknowledgement that all ASL vlogs and videos deserve.

To cite: Duchesneau, S. (2009). ASL in Academia? ASC on the Couch. Retrieved (date retrieved), from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=498.

As many of you already know, Deaf counselors are few and far between. The reason for this, in part, may be due to the fact that the national licensure exam for counselors is largely English-centric. Below, we are reprinting a letter from a Deaf lawyer, who is working to rectify the situation, and hopefully, enable more Deaf counselors to obtain their licenses. Kudos to Jonathan Whitby for his mission!

DEAF COUNSELORS AND THE LPC CREDENTIAL

Some Deaf people who obtain master’s degrees in counseling subsequently struggle to obtain the Licensed Professional Counselor (“LPC”) credential. (I say “some” Deaf people, but anecdotal evidence leads me to believe that “many” or even “most” would be more accurate.) Without that credential, their marketability as counselors is severely limited.

Although licensing requirements and procedures vary somewhat among states, many require that applicants pass the National Counselor Examination (“NCE”), which is administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (“NBCC”). The NCE, like many standardized examinations, is more about test-taking abilities and English language fluency than about the subject matter it purports to test. It is not unusual for Deaf individuals with a high level of counseling knowledge and skill to fail the NCE repeatedly, become discouraged, and give up.

Deaf counselors seeking the LPC credential might have a fighting chance if the NCE were available in American Sign Language (“ASL”), i.e. through an interpreter. However, I am personally aware of multiple cases where the Deaf individual has asked NBCC to provide an interpreter for the NCE, and that request has been denied. I am presently unaware of any instance where NBCC allowed the examination to be interpreted. (It appears that NBCC’s policy is to provide interpreters for the directions prior to the examination, but not for the examination itself.) This is puzzling and frustrating, especially given that the Association of Social Work Boards (“ASWB”) is known to provide ASL interpreters for its examination, which is used by most states to license social workers.

If you are a Deaf person with a master’s degree in counseling and have struggled to pass the NCE, I am interested in hearing from you. Please email me at whitbylaw@gmail.com.

Jonathan R. Whitby
www.whitbylaw.net

As many of you already know, ASC is a strong advocate of Deaf researchers. Here’s an opportunity to participate a Deaf-run study for those who meet the criteria. Please feel free to pass on the information to anyone you know who may be interested.

Seeking Deaf FTM Individuals

My name is Mel Whalen. I’m a Deaf graduate student in clinical psychology, writing my dissertation on the life experiences of Deaf adults who self-identify as female-to-male (FTM) transgender individuals. Anyone who identifies as both Deaf and FTM is eligible for inclusion in the study. I will pay participants for their time, as well. I will be doing interviews through videophone for those that use ASL, or via VRS for anyone wishing to utilize spoken English. If you or anyone you know would be interested in getting involved, please email me at : emupsychclinic@gmail.com. The interviews will be completely confidential and can be done under a pen name. Results will be used to help society better understand this unique community.

Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

Mel Whalen, M.A., M.S., TLLP
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Fellow
Eastern Michigan University Psychology Clinic
611 W. Cross Street
Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Email:emupsychclinic@gmail.com

Technology = Accessibility: Here’s a new twist on 12-step meetings. Deaf Off Drugs and Alcohol (DODA) is now offering meetings for Deaf folks via webcam. If anyone is interested in checking out this option, we’ve posted DODA’s flyer below. We’d love to hear back about personal experiences with this exciting new option for support.

DODA Announcement:

Deaf?

Have a problem with drugs or alcohol?

Want signed 12 step & support meetings?

Deaf Off Drugs and Alcohol offers Deaf 12 Step & support meetings led by Deaf facilitators.

All you need is a computer with a web-cam,
high-speed internet and an email account.

If interested, for more information, contact Mandie Roseberry:
(866) 326-4761 vp
(937) 222-2400 ext 239 v
amanda.roseberry@wright.edu