|
Introduction Welcome to the first issue of The Deaf Worker’s Digest. The digest explores deaf culture, history, and language. It is intended to provide resources and information to those who are interested in possibly working with the deaf. Each month the digest will contain different focus columns that will cover a variety of issues related to the deaf. If you have any questions or suggestions for topics to be covered in the digest, please feel free to contact us.
What is a deaf person, exactly? A deaf person is a hearing person who cannot hear. The statement seems strange until one considers the simple fact that a deaf person has many of the same challenges, struggles and joys as a hearing person. They are all sinners and the deaf are all saved the same way a hearing person is. The major difference among the hearing and the deaf is simply that one group can hear and the other can’t. Consider the following information.
God created the deaf. As Moses is complaining about the task God has called him to, God reassures Moses with these words: “…Who makes a man not able to speak or hear? Who makes one blind or able to see? Is it not I, the Lord?” As God has created you and me, He has also created the deaf. God’s desire for the salvation of many includes a desire for the deaf to be saved as well.
The deaf enjoy worshiping the God through song. One way that the deaf worship the Lord is through song. Since they cannot hear, they usually cannot voice enough to sing. They will often take an English song, change the grammar, add their own beat and sign the song. Of course the song is almost totally unrecognizable to the English speaking person, but God is a God who understands worship no matter the language. An example of this is a song recently signed in a deaf church service. The woman who “sang” is a hearing worker with the deaf and enlisted the help of a deaf woman to change the grammar. The column on the right is how it was signed and the column on the left is the English version.
There are many opportunities for the deaf to be educated. They can attend the local school right alongside the hearing children. Another option is to go to a state funded private school for deaf students. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. The local school keeps the child in the community and at home with the parents. The child can either use an interpreter in the classroom or can have a classroom with other children who may have a variety of handicaps and learning disabilities. A child may also be able to learn English and become a good reader. However, the deaf child often doesn’t have a good peer group with easy communication. The deaf state run school allows the child a peer group of other deaf kids. The children leave home on either Sunday or Monday and do not return home until Friday night.
The deaf enjoy cell-phone-like technology. Many hearing people carry their cell phone with them so often that we have almost begun to believe that the phone is part of our body! There is a fairly new technology that allows the deaf to enjoy the convenience of the cell phone. In the Vallejo, Ca area the most common “deaf” cell phone is T-Mobil’s Sidekick. The device has internet access and receives email and text messages. This allows the deaf to be just a phone call away from their friends.
The deaf enjoy coffee. Many people enjoy hanging out at Starbucks, drinking a coffee and visiting with friends. The deaf are very fond of that activity as well. And Starbucks is a deaf friendly company. Many Starbuck coffee shops around the nation host “Deaf Coffee Night” for the deaf community. This is an opportunity to get involved with the deaf community. The deaf gather at the coffee shops and you can try out your sign language skills. Deaf Life One worker with the deaf shared one of the most annoying questions she had ever heard. Sometimes people will approach this woman and ask, “How do the deaf drive?” Quite simply, they can and do drive. They don’t need any modifications to their vehicles. They just need to be alert to emergency vehicles coming up behind them and the general traffic. OH, that is good suggestion for all of us. |
||||
|
Home | About | Mission Fields | Opportunities | Support | Resources BIBLICAL
MINISTRIES WORLDWIDE Site
maintained by Biblical Ministries Worldwide |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
