Audism Free America Targets The Volta Bureau<\/p>\n
The purpose of the one-day rally is to call attention to how the
\nVolta Bureau\/AGBell Association has been an active force in the denial
\nof linguistic and human rights of Deaf citizens through its practices
\nof Audism. Audism is the assumption that behaving in ways of those who
\nspeak and hear is best and desired. Audism manifests itself as a
\nstigma, bias, discrimination, and prejudice against Deaf culture,
\nAmerican Sign Language and Deaf people.<\/p>\n
Washington, DC (PRWEB) March 6, 2009 — Audism Free America (AFA), a
\ngrassroots Deaf activist organization, will stage a one-day protest
\nrally on April 3rd 2009 in front of the Volta Bureau at 1537 35th St.,
\nNW in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area.<\/p>\n
The purpose of the rally is to call attention to the denial of
\nlinguistic and human rights of Deaf citizens and to highlight how the
\nVolta Bureau\/AG Bell Association has worked to perpetuate the denial
\nof these rights.<\/p>\n
The newly formed AFA organization serves to expose AUDISM–practices
\nand attitudes based on the assumption that the behaving in the ways of
\nthose who speak and hear is best and desired. Audism manifests itself
\nas stigma, bias, discrimination, and prejudice–in overt or covert
\nways–against Deaf culture, American Sign Language and Deaf people
\nfrom all walks of life.<\/p>\n
The national landmark known as the Volta Bureau houses a shameful
\nhistory in the establishment and perpetuation of audism in the United
\nStates. The Volta Bureau was established by Alexander Graham Bell in
\n1893 who was the chief architect and advocate of the oral \/ aural-only
\nexclusive method in Deaf education in the US. Bell never tolerated
\nsign language as part of the Deaf child’s educational program. The
\nprimary reason for this relates to his position as a staunch
\neugenicist. His fear of the formation of an undesired “Deaf race”
\ndrove him to work toward denying Deaf people the right to use sign
\nlanguage, be educated together, be taught by other Deaf people, and
\nsocialize together.<\/p>\n
These ideas provide the historical roots of the AG Bell Association
\ntoday and its mission “advocating independence through listening and
\ntalking.” The organization’s fanatic lobbying for governmental
\nresources for “exclusive” programs which focus on audition and speech
\n“without the use of sign language or lipreading” for Deaf children
\nresults in infringing on the rights of Deaf children who would benefit
\nfrom becoming bilingual—using American Sign Language and English.<\/p>\n
Several years ago, the AG Bell Association publicly objected to a
\nPepsi commercial with two signing Deaf characters—an act which
\nhighlights their determination in the promotion of speaking and
\nlistening as the only desirable and acceptable means for Deaf people
\nto communicate and function successfully in mainstream society\u2026which
\nis clearly audism.<\/p>\n
AFA organizers challenge the assumption inherent in the Volta
\nBureau’s purpose: that to be “a center of information for deaf and
\nhard of hearing persons,” neglects to the most part the
\naccomplishments of Deaf signing people and their culture (in the
\nUnited States and worldwide).<\/p>\n
The AFA objects to how the AG Bell Association has sought to control
\nthe media, the medical establishment, educational professionals and
\nfamilies with Deaf children while outright neglecting the views and
\nexperiences of Deaf Americans. As a result of the advocacy of the AG
\nBell’s Association, the American public is indoctrinated with
\nattitudes of paternalism, bias and discrimination toward Deaf people.<\/p>\n
The AFA protest on April 3rd serves to direct attention to the audism
\nthat is promoted by institutions like the Volta Burea\/AG Bell
\nAssociation.<\/p>\n
In the spirit of the new administration in Washington DC, the AFA
\norganizers call on those working at the Volta Bureau and the AG Bell
\nAssociation to work with us to promote freedom from audism in American
\nlife for ALL Deaf citizens. Yes, we believe, we can.<\/p>\n
For additional information on the Audism Free America Protest Targets
\nthe Volta Bureau, visit http:\/\/audismfreeamerica.blogspot.com<\/a><\/p>\n