USDB Legislative Recommendations Meetings
“Public Meeting for Deaf Community and Parents.” We will have a meeting on Wednesday, July 16th from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Sanderson Community Center. It’ll help us understand what is behind the new state statute (i.e. eligibility, structure and placement) for USDB. That way, we can prepare to make written comments and/or presentations for our own Public Input Session with USOE on July 31.We will discuss the five points.
“Public Input Sessions: Utah State Office of Education Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Legislative Recommendations.” The dates and times for the USDB Public Input Sessions have been updated. Ours is on Thursday, July 31 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Sanderson Community Center. Please mark it on your calendar! The meeting will be a great opportunity to make comments about the legislative recommendations for the new state statute for USDB.
If you are unable to attend either of the meetings, there is opportunity to send in written comments on the statue. Written comments may be FAXED to 801-538-7991 Att. Karl Wilson or mailed by August 7 to: Karl Wilson Utah State Office of Education 250 East 500 South P.O. Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200
1 comment:
Everyone,
I was at the public meeting. Looked like a good turnout. Kudos to Jodi Kinner, MM Wilding-Diaz and others for setting up the meeting to talk with us and keep us informed on what has been and needs to be done with USDB. I appreciate the opportunity for them to let the community to ask questions and make comments. Their input (experience, knowledge and talents) is something state administrators should be listening to and be thoroughly considerate of. Why? It's overdue for crucial changes to happen to bring USDB to the top!
I have some profound thoughts, but would like bring up one topic. It was mentioned at the end of the meeting...which is more of a concern. While the meeting room (in the lecture hall) was packed with various people, I couldn't help but noticed a low number of USD alumni in seating. I understand there are many reasons for not going, but I personally believe that we need a GREATER representation of USD alumni and others (like me) who went through the USDB system for some time. I attended a few of USD's athletic games last year and the bleachers weren't full but the participants were mostly parents, families, and ASL/ITP students. Those groups contribute greatly to supporting Deaf youth, but wouldn't it help to have increased involvement by USD alumni and Deaf adults (from young to elderly)? Can we ask them in general what's preventing them to take part and be involved with Deaf children's growth? Do they realize they can make an impact on those children's life in many ways? Are they consent with the way things are going in deaf education in Utah? Or do they prefer not to get involved just because it's not their responsibility or they feel it's not an important thing to be concerned in their life? If so, then why do they go to the Deaf clubs/organizations/associations and even Deaf church? Isn't the welfare of deaf children critical enough since they will be our future leaders, teachers, mentors, colleagues, and advocates? Those are many of the questions I sometimes ask myself (for the sake of evaluating myself and supporting our community). I don't wish to judge others' intentions so I'll leave the questions for them to ask themselves. I hope I am trying to do in my part to help out, but would rather see larger united effort from the Deaf community on the subject of deaf education in Utah.
I'm not neglecting the work and endeavors that many from the Deaf community here have done to help in this area. However, it seems to me that there still are many others (Deaf people) I know of who could contribute to the academic and social development of the deaf children in our community. Those children look up to us as role models as Deaf adults leading a decent & hard-earned life, regardless of different backgrounds. Yes, parents, too, have a huge role but they and their Deaf children can also benefit from all of our influence and support. 90% of deaf children have hearing parents; in most cases these parents don't have the experience or understanding of what it's like growing up Deaf. Many of them resort to meeting pathologists and "non-Deaf-minded" experts who are likely interested in repairing hearing loss and emphasizing on assimilating into the hearing society as much as possible (clarification- we already live in the society but proudly co-exist as Deaf citizens). In response to that, once we have involvement from MORE Deaf community members such as USD alumni & fellow Deaf people in enhancing the quality of deaf children's life we can become stronger allies with parents and even educators dedicated to the same cause.
So, I plead to my brothers and sisters in the Utah Deaf Community- please come out and join us to push the ball forward for deaf children to follow through and get the best education they deserve.
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