Links referenced in this vlog

• DeafLinx on Deaf Education
• About.com on Deaf Ed
• Bi Lingual Deaf Education
• Carl Schroeder - Deaf Educator

Michelle: I was deaf at 2 and 1/2 years old and entering most hearing school which I was lucky to have deaf education 20 years ago.

Julie: In response to your vlog, I think that the prevalent attitude (about how Deaf Education isn't successful) is really the most incapacitating of all. I have seen many wonderful deaf programs, and I have also seen just as many "failures" in the hearing community. Despite all these conflicting situations, the consensus remains that we view Deaf Education to be just as disabled as the Deaf. Our focus should instead be on improving our assets - and we do have plenty of them. Everywhere. If you know where to look.

Cynthia: Lauren, I am Deaf and had experienced all walks of life growing up. My parents are hearing. When they found out I was Deaf at the age of 2, they made sure I had Deaf friends, teachers, babysitters, attending a Deaf school and have access to communication which was ASL. I had Deaf exposure at an early age. I thank them for that. I am who I am today! The last 29 years, I have been working for the Regional Day program for the Deaf. Sad to say, the Deaf children in public schools don't have that self idenity, self esteem, Deaf culture and ASL exposure. In this situation, they have the "most restrictive environment" instead of "the least restrictive environment". What I see now also these children grow up being dependent on hearing people for a lot of things. We do not see them having leadership skills. It is heartbreaking.

Cherilyn: Hey! Very thought provoking questions. As a deaf parent of a deaf child who hasn't gone into 1st grade or higher, I do worry about the time that comes when the curriulum isn't fit with my child's intelligence level. Deaf school are usually known for their "low standards" on the IEP/Curriculum. Mainstream would be great, however there's not a great interpreter for school as they are not under scrunity as community interpreters in getting certified in their area of expertise. So, raising a deaf child can be somewhat difficult not only for a hearing parent but for a deaf parent due to the opinion of the educators or so called educators that ALL deaf students are created equal. If one would be willing to be diverse on providing the approrpate level of education toward deaf children of advanced intelligence within the school. I could go on and on.. as I have so much to say but I will not. :) We are hoping to work on our state and see if we can change it.. one step at a time.

Byron: Hi, Lauren. I met you when you were with Deafywood and performed in Kentucky some years ago. Anyway, about deaf education- over the years, the interpretation of the term 'least restrictive environment' has led to numerous misconceptions. It should be applied more to deaf schools rather than public schools/programs for the deaf in public schools/etc. because deaf schools offer everything to deaf children with minimal obstacles. They have full access to core content, teachers, social opportunities, and most importantly- communication with adults & peers. For public schools/programs for the deaf in public schools/etc., the term should be 'the most restrictive environment'. I could go on all day about this.

Ryan: Hello, Lauren. I grew up in the Deaf Community. I graduated from all Deaf schools, NTID, and RIT. I may be not the best ASL signer in the world, but I am one of the worst lipreaders and voice speakers in the world. When I was a kid, I thought that speech therapy classes were worthless and silly thanks to my peer pressure. I have a job for almost seven years. I am left out for the most of time because I am really bad in speech and lipreading. I feel sorry... I should have worked much harder in these classes when I was a kid. My advice for a deaf child is to remember that speech and lipreading are the main keys for getting accepted by the huge hearing world. Indeed, I still hate lipreading and speech, but I see that they are really necessary for a deaf adult's better social and work life in the hearing world. I am not kidding you...

Brent: Hi Lauren, I agreed your comment from vlog today. There are many diffent methods among deaf schools and mainstream schools in America. I see some maintsream schools seem fast growth than some deaf schools may lead to cut down someday. That is real difficult for deaf or hear parents of deaf children to choose. Speaking of your name, Who are you? Your name sound like Laurent Clerc? Are you a Deaf Educator? I traveled to Europe include 11 countries, I have been in Laurent Clerc's residential school in Paris, France. I was very touched in there after I read a biography book of Laurent Clerc! All right, I see some different countries tried to teach deaf childrent to learn to communication their foreign sign languages and speech with foreign languages but i feel sad for them becasuse deaf people were unable to find their jobs after graduated from their schools in many different countries. I will travel more and learn more better in Asia and South America someday. Thank you! Brent

Christopher: i graduated from mainstream school in 2000, but in hearing impared class with other deaf people. i like deaf education and i wish more deaf school will be built in different area, not just 1 place each state, but more in cities.