Conference explores issues for deaf
By Jamie Klein – Express-News
The lobby was silent, yet dozens of conversations were going on.
Hands moved about enthusiastically as members of the Texas Association
of the Deaf caught up with old friends and introduced themselves to
other members.
The 45th biennial TAD conference was held at El Tropicano Hotel this
weekend. The conference hasn’t been held in San Antonio for 30 years.
This year’s focus was on parental rights, deaf culture, children of
deaf adults, cochlear implant users and the future of the deaf
community.
Compared to past conferences, this year’s event is more technical and
artistic, said Dr. Steve Baldwin, who serves as TAD president, in an
e-mail.
“For the future, I hope TAD conferences will continue to unite the
Texas deaf community and strengthen the next generation of state
leaders,” Baldwin said.
The conference began on Thursday with a world film premiere of
“Journey Through Deaf Texas” and concluded with a family night on
Saturday.
Karen Kirby, TAD conference chair, said about 150 people registered
for the three-day conference. She said she was thrilled with the
number of registrants, especially since her goal was 115.
This year was Susan Eades’ first TAD conference. When she heard it
was going to be in San Antonio, she immediately signed on to be a
volunteer.
Eades, a teacher for the deaf at Oak Meadow Elementary School who is
also hearing impaired, was especially interested in the cochlear
implant panel held on Friday.
Each of the panel’s five participants has some version of a cochlear
implant. The moderator asked the panel questions about their
experiences with the implant. Most responses were positive, with the
main complaint concerning how long the device’s battery lasts.
Eades said their answers were interesting, but she still isn’t
interested in an implant.
“I’m an excellent candidate for the implants, but I’m happy how I
am,” Eades said. “I’m not ready right now, but maybe one day.”
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