Amazing Angel Donors! Become an Angel Donor too! March 17, 2008
*HANDS WAVING!!! KUDOS!!!*
Amazing Angels in our community have stepped forward and made generous donations towards the Deaf Bilingual Coalition California Chapter. The mission of DBC CA is to protect the rights of our Deaf Babies and promote Unity for Humanity.
Thank you!!!
California Association of the Deaf (CAD) Bay Area Chapter
Mr. and Mrs. Marie Smith
The Gough and Lentz Family
The Silicon Valley Deaf Club
Never too late to do the Right thing. Come and be Amazing Angel Donors!
Let Us Come Together March 17, 2008
Deaf Bilingual Coalition is the first organization of its kind created specifically to advocate for all Deaf babies to get full and free access to language. For Deaf babies, this is clearly American Sign Language (or any other Natural Sign Languages.) With incredible findings made by professionals about the benefits of sign language for babies, it has only solidified DBC’s belief that sign language is the best way for Deaf babies to learn language. This leads to increased bonding between Deaf babies and parents and creates happy, healthy families. With a strong language base and the support of parents, these babies will grow up to be successful adults. Thus, DBC’s motto: sign from the start, success for a lifetime.
Alexander Graham Bell Association FOR the Deaf is against any use of sign language with Deaf babies. Instead of educating parents about the proven benefits of sign language, they choose to instill fear through perpetuating myths as evident in their website and recent letter to Pepsi. “…myth that all people who are deaf can only communicate using sign language and are, therefore, isolated from society” (AGB website).
It is for this reason that the California chapter of DBC is organizing a rally during AGB’s California chapter conference. We are also sending representatives of DBC into the conference. We want to show that ASL enriches our lives and enables us to be full members of society. We want to build bridges with oral Deaf and parents of Deaf children. We want to break down myths that AGB is spreading.
Let us be VISIBLE and PRESENT! Let us welcome parents of Deaf children into our community and share the beauty of our culture and language. Let us open our minds and hearts to Deaf people who did not grow up with sign language. Let us come together.
Deaf babies deserve no less.
The Greatest Irony March 16, 2008
Hearing infants benefit from sign language, which accelerates their English development and increases their IQ points (www.babysigns.com, www.kidsign.com ). DBC emphasizes that Deaf infants deserve the same benefits!
American Sign Language’s (ASL) benefits: With the advent of Baby Signs**, it is clear that ASL benefits hearing babies. Their English development is greatly accelerated, and families experience less frustration. Therefore, if ASL is good for hearing babies, ASL is even better for Deaf babies and children.** www.babysigns.com and www.kidsign.com
Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT): AVT, actively backed by the Alexander Graham Bell Association, has stated a position where Deaf babies should be “taught” without the use of sign language or lipreading. AVT also actively discourages parents and family members from using sign language or accessible English.**AG Bell Academy, Principles of Auditory-Verbal Therapy, 2007
You All Inspire Me! March 16, 2008
Yes, I’m feeling more connected to the ‘historical movement/rights’ era… and how we have SOOO MUCH WORK to do to pull together our cherished Deaf community back together!! From babies,
youth, young, adults, and elders. It is all about humanity! The circle of life…
What agbell has done…. is obviously split our community. We need to reach out to those who have been disconnected from our cherished Deaf culture and community! Reconnect everyone together again to create +++++ positive +++++ movements, steps and go forward with PRIDE! 
Heads up, chins up, smileeee and shine! Show ur light for we know we are right.
This is a humanity rights issue for us too. We may or may not realize we are always fighting something daily. We dont have to let that drain us. We can become light from it and move forward!
You all inspire me!
Kristen Weiner
Rally on March 22nd! March 15, 2008
DBC California Chapter Rally
March 22nd, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm (come when you can!)
777 Bellow Dr. Militpas, CA 95035- Outside Crown Plaza Hotel
(where AGB is having their state conference)
