Culture and Community

2010-0025

ACHIEVING CULTURAL COMPETENCE : An Interview on Interpreters Working With Deaf-Blind People, Jacobs, Rhonda. 2009, 7.This document from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Deaf-Blind Member Section Web page is the text of an interview that Rhonda Jacobs conducted with Jamie Pope, Executive Director of the American Association of the Deaf-Blind, and Aimee Chappelow Bader, who has Usher Syndrome and is an adjunct assistant professor and ASL tutor with the Interpreter Training Program at Johnson County Community College in Kansas.  Rhonda talked with Jamie and Aimee about deaf-blind culture, interactions with deaf-blind people, and how interpreters can integrate knowledge of deaf-blindness into their work.   This document is available on the web at: http://www.rid.org/UserFiles/File/pdfs/Member Sections/Deaf-Blind/Deaf-BlindConnections(1).pdf

2000-0016

AT THEIR FINGERTIPS -- TV Sea: 18 minutes.  A video portraying the views of people who live with Usher Syndrome.  It describes the difficulties and adjustment associated with becoming blind while deaf. Four people are interviewed and tell (with the assistance of interpreters) what life is like for them.

1993-2759

COMMUNICATION: REACTION, Collins, Steven. 1992.  Discusses the need for deaf-blind people to be exposed to their natural language, American Sign Language.  Also talks about his belief that parents and family members of people who are deaf-blind must build a rapport with, and interact with, members of the deaf-blind community.   Proceedings of the National Symposium on Children and Youth who are Deaf-Blind, Tysons Corner, VA, December 1992.  J. Reiman and P. Johnson (Eds.)

2008-0448

CROSSING THE DIVIDE: HELEN KELLER AND YVONNE PITROIS DIALOGUE ON DIVERSITY, Hartig, Rachel M. 2007. How do those who are living with a difference most effectively cross the cultural divide and explain themselves to mainstream society? This is a central question raised by Yvonne Pitrois in her biography of Helen Keller, titled "Une nuit rayonnante: Helen Keller" [A Shining Night: Helen Keller]. Helen Keller responded to Pitrois' book in a fascinating letter. Although this article focuses primarily on these two texts, it goes beyond these works and the conflict they reveal to indicate, albeit somewhat briefly, Keller's and Pitrois' respective views on living with disability and the personality and cultural differences that influenced their divergent opinions. Sign Language Studies, Vol. 7, No. 2, Winter 2007, pp. 177-185.

2009-0212

DEAF AMERICAN POETRY: An Anthology, Clark, John Lee (Ed.) -- Gallaudet University Press: 2009, 294. This collection presents 95 poems by 35 Deaf American poets from the signing community over the past two centuries. It includes 4 poems by John Lee Clark, a deaf-blind poet and the editor of this collection. Brief biographies of each poet are included.

1993-2980

DEAF-BLIND COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY: GETTING INVOLVED - A CONVERSATION, Smith, Theresa. 1993, This ninety-minute tape offers two presentations of a forty-five minute conversation with Pat Cave and Janice Adams, two Deaf-Blind individuals. Moderated by Theresa Smith, this tape presents a discussion of topics such as general perceptions and experiences of deaf-blind adults and their communication frustration and needs.  In addition, the two interpreters, one who is deaf and the other who is hearing, share some of their experiences and perceptions.  The first portion of this tape is a full-screen, edited version of the conversation.  The second portion uses special digital effects to present all five individuals on screen at the same time.  Available from Sign Media Inc. for $59.95 ($98.95 when purchased as part of a set of 2 tapes).  Phone:  (800) 475-4756.  Publisher's web site:  http://www.signmedia.com/  

1993-2979

DEAF-BLIND COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY: OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTION, Smith, Theresa. 1993, This is a forty-minute open-captioned tape that features Theresa Smith discussing a number of topics that provide a glimpse into the multi-faceted Deaf-Blind community.  Among topics discussed are a definition and description of the community, individual communicative differences and preferences, becoming involved in the community, and setting limits.  This tape also makes use of video footage to illustrate guiding and communication preferences. Available from Sign Media Inc. for $49.95 ($98.95 when purchased as part of a set of 2 tapes).  Phone:  (800) 475-4756.  Publisher's web site:  http://www.signmedia.com/  

1995-0222

DEAF-BLIND COMMUNITY: In Touch, Neidermaier, Jan (Trans.) 1993, This is an interview with two members of the deaf-blind community in which they share their perceptions of their lives and experiences working with interpreters.   NAT-CENT NEWS, vol. 24, no. 1, September 1993, pp. 20-29.

1993-1677

DEAF-BLINDNESS: AN EMERGING CULTURE?  Macdonald, Roderick (deaf-blind) 1989, 17. This paper traces the emergence of deaf-blind people through education, employment and social union into a modern community and culture. It takes note of individual accomplishments as well as the achievements of organizations for the deaf-blind. The article notes several characteristics unique to the deaf-blind culture:  touch, group communication, dependence on interpreters, social mores imposed by deaf-blindness, games, class barriers, reduced general knowledge, economics, and language.   The Deaf Way. Paper presented by Roderick Macdonald, president American Association of the Deaf-Blind, July 11, 1989

2002-0327

GUIDELINES: Practical Tips for Working and Socializing with Deaf-Blind People, Smith, Theresa B. -- Sign Media, Inc: 2002, 288. This second edition of Guidelines includes expanded chapters on topics such as tactile sign language, interpreting, conversation and physical environment.  New information and more examples are included.  Three new chapters include: Support Service Providers; Authority, Power and Control; and Meetings.  The book is intended for people who know Sign Language, who are already experienced in "deafness" and in interacting with Deaf people, and who want to know more about "deaf-blindness" and interpreting for Deaf-Blind people.  Professional interpreters, student interpreters, and anyone who wants to communicate and/or work more effectively with Deaf-Blind people will benefit from reading this book.   May be ordered from Sign Media, Inc., 4020 Blackburn Lane, Burtonsville, MD 20866.  Phone:  (800) 475-4756.  Cost: $24.95  Publisher's web site:  http://www.signmedia.com  

2001-0475

THE MIND TRAVELLER: The Ragin' Cajun, Sacks, Oliver. -- BBC Worldwide Americas, Inc. 1998, 50 min. This video takes a look at Usher Syndrome through the experiences of Danny Delcambre, a deaf-blind restaurant owner in Seattle, Washington. Neurologist/author Oliver Sacks explores the nature of deaf-blind culture, American Sign Language, and tactile signing with several deaf-blind adults in both Louisiana and Washington.  This is available for loan or videostreaming via the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP; www.dcmp.org).  Requires membership in DCMP, which is free to qualified applicants. 

1996-0782

AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR PARENTS: What We Wish You Had Known, Collins, Myra; Delgadillo, David; Frawley, Matt; Kinney, Ginger; Lugo, Joey; Lundgren, Jean; Price, Kathy; Rybarski, Shirley. September 1, 1994, 3pp. This letter composed by a group of people with Usher Syndrome who meet weekly at the Helen Keller National Center advises parents to inform their Usher children about their disability, what it is called, that it is genetic, and that it can get progressively worse.  The stress and embarrassment produced by symptoms of their condition in the teenage years (night blindness, clumsiness, difficulty in poor lighting) and the insensitivity of teachers unknowledgeable about the condition is discussed.  None of the contributors received special services before age 17 and they feel that orientation and mobility training should start earlier with parents' support.  They advise parents of deafblind children to learn and use sign language and to insure that their children learn tactual sign, sign tracking techniques, and Braille while they are still in school and before they actually need it.  They also discuss the emotional ramifications of diagnosis and worsening vision: anger, frustration, and depression, sometimes suicidal, and stress that it is important that parents learn how their children feel and earn their trust by being honest with them about their condition.  Available in Spanish.   USHER FAMILY SUPPORT

1994-0477

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY: WE HAVE USHER SYNDROME, Chiocciola, Theona; Harrison, Syble; Kesner, Beverly; Lejeune, Janice; Stender, Andrew; Tunison, Winifred; Herrada, Rosenda; Levine, Frank; Lugo, Joey. 1994, A group of people with Usher Syndrome describe their feelings concerning the Deaf community's lack of understanding about the loss of sight experienced by those with Usher.  They suggest ways that members of the Deaf community could interact with people who have Usher Syndrome.   USHER FAMILY SUPPORT, vol. 1, no. 4, Winter 1993-94, pp. 4, 9-11. 

2008-0573

UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY: Liz Halperin, Simon, Julie H. -- Region X Interpreter Education Center at Western Oregon University: 2001, 48 minutes. This video is intended for interpreters, students, educators, parents, and members of the deaf community. It is designed to provide viewers with a better understanding of multiculturalism and diversity within the American deaf community.  In this video, Liz Halperin, who is deaf-blind, shares her experiences and perspectives. ASL with English voiceover.

2008-0574

UNDERSTANDING DIVERSITY IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY: Mark Landreneau, Simon, Julie H. -- Region X Interpreter Education Center at Western Oregon University: 2001, 39 minutes. This video is intended for interpreters, students, educators, parents, and members of the deaf community. It is designed to provide viewers with a better understanding of multiculturalism and diversity within the American deaf community. In this video, Mark Landreneau, who is deaf-blind due to Usher Syndrome, shares his experiences and perspectives. ASL with English voiceover.