Tips for Leaders

DEAF BAYOU e-News

May, 2006

. . . Will The REAL ADVOCATE stand up? . . .

by:  Linda Annala, B.A.,M.Ed., C.A.G.S.

DEAF BAYOU e-News Contributing Writer

 The current question of who and what an advocate does must be addressed first before the REAL ADVOCATE can stand up and present the case at hand.

An advocate is a person who takes up a cause for bettering or righting some wrongs done to a group of people rendered by the general society. As a reliable source, The Dictionary for the definitions of ‘advocate’ as follows:

“To speak, plead, or argue in favor of. A synonym is ‘support’.

“1. One that argues for a cause; a supporter or defender: an advocate of civil rights.

“2. One that pleads in another's behalf; an intercessor: advocates for abused children and spouses.”

Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, Published And Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

We can now see the meaning of a supporter or an advocate in our overall community’s struggles with different issues. An advocate usually has a firm set of beliefs on what he or she stands on and is prepared to STAND UP for oneself or for the rights of others. The Deaf community has long endured suppression, repression and oppression from the general society on the basis that a Deaf person cannot hear, and even ‘can’t do anything’. *The root word ‘-press-’ is to be pushed down under, pushed aside or pressed down again.

In an eye-catching phenomenon, Aristotle in fourth century B.C. in Athens, Greece, observed two Deaf people signing and demonstrating of their discussion of a horse they were looking at. One deaf person measured the horse using his hands and counted how high this horse was. The other Deaf person discussed the handsome appearance of this horse and even ‘looked the gift horse in the mouth.’ Aristotle was watching this dramatic scene, but heard nothing coming out of their heads or throats.

Mr. Aristotle made a lasting assumption from this mind- boggling scene and went to teach his students the following: “Language is learned by hearing the sounds and words through the ears.” Never once did Mr. Aristotle stopped to consider the alternate means of learning and acquisition of a language other than through hearing it. For the next 2,500 years multitudes of Deaf people came along and endured their lives in utter silence and sheer isolation, put down under by their own families, leaders and community members. An occasional wealthy family with a Deaf member might provide tutors for this person but there weren't that many or frequent.

To this day, or up to early 19th century, there has been scattered movements for advocating American Sign Language; other advocates argued for oralism and supplanting the Deaf people’s ears with trumpet like or bulky case of “hearing aids” thinking that to hear a language is to learn. To this day we are still in two different camps: One for sign language and the other advocating speech oriented Deaf persons.

This is to show you an example of the misconception of well-equipped people who can see, can hear, can talk, (according to Mr. Aristotle's definition) can administer to take up a position as a head of a school, university, program, or even a house of worship where Deaf people attend. If one Deaf person offers to take up a small role such as signing music, teaching a Sunday school class or interacting with other people. Would these people in charge allow this?

For more than one century, Gallaudet University (GU) was run by men who can see, can hear, can talk, barely can sign little, and ran Gallaudet for what he perceived as a right way to help Deaf people. Under these past presidents’ tenure, students attending Gallaudet University experienced a widespread sense of apathy! *Please note that Laurent Clerc, a Deaf Frenchman that Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet brought back to America was largely responsible for the success and spreading of numerous Deaf Residential Schools during the 19th century! Yet when Gallaudet College was re-named, it completely left out Mr. Clerc in standing of our Deaf History, why is this?

Meanwhile when numerous Deaf+ people matriculated from Gallaudet University with the help of Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and beyond, these Deaf+ people began attending higher levels of education, administration and business by obtaining a Master’s degree in different fields of study. Even more went on to acquire Doctorates in Philosophy (Ph.D.), Education (Ed.D) or greater.

These hard working Deaf+ people also got promoted or applied for positions from ground up from teacher up to supervising teacher, up to assistant principal, principalship, and up to Superintendent of Deaf School. We witnessed a trend of hiring more capable and matriculated Deaf+ people in various positions. They are advocates as they strongly believed that they are capable of taking over a program, an agency or a position they applied for and succeeded in obtaining the position.

There are antonyms of this word, advocate: ‘critic’, ‘detractor’ and ‘opponent’ unfortunately. There has been way too many detractors in Deaf+ community to allow these REAL ADVOCATES to stand up and be counted for their courage in their efforts to fight for a cause they believed in. However, there may be people in power positions who could divide the Deaf+ community and watch the results with secret pleasure, if you will.

Deaf President Now! Still stirs within Yours truly’s heart as she thinks back to the events that transpired 18 years ago. For more information on this DPN, you can find more information by googling it at www.google.com and search appropriate terms or phrases.

This column was written during April when GU’s President Search Committee screened several Deaf matriculated, eligible and qualified applicants to take up the GU Presidency as Dr. I. King Jordan prepares to step down at the end of this calendar year. Surprisingly, the announcement made on May 1st had Dr. Jane Fernandes been chosen as the next ninth President of GU. This created disquiet rumblings throughout the campus as GU students knew who she was because she is employed at GU for 11 years at a few administrative positions, the latest being a Provost.
As you may have read up the latest news on “Better President Now!” we are seeing a ‘deja vu’ of what went on 18 years earlier. This is to show us that there are still caches of people who are this or that.

We will watch GU as they develop defense or cave in to the pressure of GU students and the Gallaudet community within and without. Back to DPN event, this Four Point Demand can be modified to suit any other grievances or concerns that Deaf+ community has to this day. For example, there are some Deaf Action Centers here in Louisiana that are headed up by hearing people acting on our behalf but not empowering the Deaf+ Community members (Point #1). One DAC director once told me: “Deaf-Blind people cannot learn” when I offered to arrange for, set up a photo opportunity and assist in taking applications to utilize the para transit services back in 1996 (Point #2). I was deeply shocked in seeing her sign this; I have reported this to a few people. Perhaps I should have taken out a full page ad in the Daily Advertiser and The Advocate then? Or write a letter to the Louisiana Commission For The Deaf, but this wouldn’t have been addressed anyway!

Let’s issue a rallying cry: “Deaf & Better Director Now!” as well as other positions we perceive as oppressive towards us.
These Deaf Action Centers do not have 51% majority of Deaf+ workers on their payrolls (Point #3). As for their respective regional DAC boards, there may be some deaf people serving on them but perhaps not in enough numbers to make their votes count in favor of making much needed changes in the way DACs should be run! This needs to be changed.

There is also a need for a Deaf+ leader to head up on any Board, Committee or Council so that the group then have 51% majority of Deaf+ people and make valid and wise decisions that would improve the quality of lives of Deaf people in this state.  When GU was celebrating its Tenth Anniversary of DPN, Yours truly was attending a forum at Louisiana Commission for the Deaf that very week of March 6 to 13. Yours truly sat down in the front and watched the center stage. She saw that these positions were about 15 to 17, and only 3 of them were Deaf. She made note of this, and asked who was the Chairperson of this LCD. Hearing person.

Yours Truly got in the line to air her views on the composition of an important body of decision makers. After she made the Four Point Demand as a reminder of that famous day ten years earlier. Both the Executive Director and the Chairman of the Commission heartily agreed with Yours Truly. She waited and watched in anticipation in following months to see if any changes would occur.

Did they happen? No.

A serious controversy is going on regarding the House Bill 788 which provides the much needed changes in the duties and composition of the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. That there be more DEAF CONSUMER representation with the 9 member Advisory Council. The former 17 member appointed by such and such agencies have NOT met and held the necessary quorum. The current and departing LCD Executive Director has been accused of doing things in secret when in reality, he came along and fixed the sorry state of medical facilities with a reminder that there had been a mandate since 1973 of the Rehabilitation Act and the original 1980 law establishing the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf, that these hospitals and doctors’ offices contact for interpreter services without any arguments.

Recently, Yours truly received an email from her former ‘boss’ who is now director of Texas Office for Deaf, Hard of Hearing Services: . . . he tells me about big changes made by the Texas Legislature that have resulted in his office getting much more funding to provide more services and expanding the scope of services. The Texas Legislature has listened to David Myers' reports and recommendations and he has been able to improve and expand services to the Deaf and Deaf‑Blind people . . .

(Thanks, David!)

As David went on to say that regardless of the wording or phrases in any current proposed bills, it would not matter very much. The important thing is if you have a good communicator with a batch of documentation in front of him and explaining how he or she has served the deserving citizens of this or that state. This director maintains a close relationship with his Advisory Committee, the Commission or whatever the body of members is called. The Legislature WILL LISTEN! And VERY CAREFULLY!

Are there people who are afraid of changes that may occur when HB 788 is voted on and passes to become a Law? Will there be people who think that Deaf people cannot make good decisions on the behalf of several agencies that assist Deaf people, from womb to tomb. State Department of Education has endorsed a lot of mainstreamed programs with interpreters in place to facilitate the communication, education and action occurring in these classrooms. What about interactions that Deaf children need from their own peers who are also Deaf?

What about the successful role models that Deaf+ people have made in leadership roles within their communities? There are several excellent Deaf students who come from Deaf families who can provide very significant support and encouragement to their own peers by interaction and sharing.
As adults, we are faced with a wide variety of choices of how we spend time with our families, on the job and recreational activities. You may note that these people would eventually be drawn to places where Sign Language is openly supported and encouraged. Also they are drawn to places where Deaf people take up leadership roles within their own organization and doing an excellent job!

Even when there are some community activity occurs, there are Deaf workers working throughout the hall or fairgrounds performing their assigned tasks! They get paid by their Deaf Employer or organization! Deaf+ people LIKE to be around other Deaf people who are capable and encouraging! This could bode well when the Advisory Council begins their work along with the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (or this may be changed also to show the winds of change!)

Will the REAL ADVOCATE stand up please? If there are too few brave souls; so be it. You can advocate for yourself, for the cause you strongly believe in! If you sit back and be quiet, and complain to your friends how unfair this or that has happened. This is NOT the way to change the state of affairs. Unite we become stronger and advocate for the Deaf & Better Leadership NOW!

There are still scores of programs throughout this country that still are headed by people who can hear, can see, can talk and can drive around, and dictates what is best FOR THE Deaf or Deaf-Blind. Let’s change this trend to reflect the bold approach made by GU students this month... “Better President Now!” And we can adapt that to fit whatever programs, agencies or organizations that are run by the upper echelons of command? “Deaf & Better Superintendent Now!”, “Deaf & Better Director Now!”, “Deaf+ & Better Leader Now!” just to name a few.

After 18 years of allowing some people to ‘stay on and on at one’s job and not doing any effective and productive leadership, we are getting tired of waiting for much needed changes to happen NOW! This also might signal the transition of a retiring director to someone at the agency to take over as a ‘caretaker’ director and there will BE NO CHANGES WHATSOEVER! Stuck with the broken recording, "Same Old Story continues!"

Therefore we may have to choose our battle plans carefully and focus on what’s most important to us. We realize that in any given region of this state, there are 8 regions as drawn up by someone sitting in LCD office a decade or more earlier and thought it would improve the quality of lives of Deaf+ people. Alas, this did not happen. It was just a cosmetic makeup just to cover up some blemishes or flaws. When the REAL ADVOCATE stands up, there should NOT BE ANY REPRISALS! (Point #4).

With the House Bill 788 in our Legislature which is quite controversial and now on hold as these people mediate the role of more Deaf and Deaf-Blind involvement. House Bill 1029 and Senate Bill 195 have gone through in hearings and committees, and were put on the floor of our august Louisiana Legislature and were voted upon favorably! These two bills will be meshed into an Act in which Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco is to sign it into law soon as stipulated at the end of each bill.

We should follow up with a note of appreciation! Read this again, “FOLLOW UP” with e-mails, memos, letters, phone calls and in person visits to your legislator’s local office. We are serious about getting what we need if we are to survive in the 21st century! Perhaps our descendants in the 22nd century will truly appreciate our earnest efforts done today.

Will there be many REAL ADVOCATES, stand up and be counted please and join ranks to unite with one another and rally for the best common goal we have:

Deaf & Better Leadership NOW all around us! And throughout this state of Louisiana!

STANDING UP FOR REAL DEAF+ LOUISIANA,

Advocatory yours,

Linda

EDITOR'S NOTE:  We at DEAF BAYOU staff will monitor the progress and mediation of this House Bill 788 as the lobbyist is working on to modify on the proposed "Advisory Committee" or whatever "group identity" from 100% Deaf , Deaf-Blind, Hard of Hearing and Speech Impaired (way too contoversial to a better blanced sense of represntation such as half of the Consumer plus 1% and the Service Provers at varying levels of services rendered , Agency Sponsors or a satisfactory combination. This formula would have to be a fair blance of having 51% Deaf+ Consumer and 49% Providers.)