Editor’s note: This commentary is by Alice Leeds, of Bristol, on behalf of One World Library Project in Bristol, on whose board she serves. She was a public school teacher for 25 years and is currently a writing instructor at the Community College of Vermont in Winooski.
[A] unique community of 10,000-15,000 Vermonters is scattered throughout our state. Its vibrant culture centers around its engaging language. However, this community is often marginalized, misunderstood and forgotten. Its young people can be particularly isolated. These Vermonters, whose contributions help support our state, would benefit from greater acknowledgment and allocation of resources.
A recent event in Bristol offered the opportunity to learn about Vermont’s deaf community. As hosts of this gathering, we were struck by the low turnout of non-deaf attendees and strong turnout from the deaf community and its advocates, some of whom drove long distances for our presentation and discussion. We encourage more Vermonters to consider our deaf neighbors in our daily lives.
Presenter Don Petit-Homme has been deaf since birth. He is active in the deaf community and works as an accountant for the Department of Homeland Security. Communicating through American Sign Language (ASL) and interpreters, Petit-Homme explained that deafness is part of his identity, not a disability that needs fixing, an attitude often misunderstood by the hearing community. This lack of understanding results in challenges faced by deaf Vermonters.
Individuals living in rural areas are often the only deaf person in their town, creating social isolation. Neighbors may wave and smile on the street, but deeper connections are rare. The trend in recent decades to mainstream deaf students likewise results in their social isolation, as communication with hearing and speaking classmates is limited, particularly as children get older. As it turns out, attending a school with deaf peers is the “least restrictive environment” for a deaf child. It provides full access to social integration and the acquisition of ASL, the language of deaf Americans.
As a result of declining enrollment due to mainstreaming, Vermont’s only school for the deaf, the Austine School in Brattleboro, closed its doors in 2014. This was a huge loss. Not only was Austine a school; it was also a central hub and resource for the entire deaf community of Vermont. At present, there remains a huge gap in services.
Another area of confusion is with cochlear implants, often seen by the public as a cure for deafness but viewed quite differently by at least some deaf individuals, particularly those who were born deaf. While cochlear implants offer broader opportunities and relationships for some, others find that the amount of time and effort it takes to adjust to their electronic version of sound creates a great deal of stress without the promised benefits.
There are many ways the hearing community can reach out to deaf neighbors. Petit-Homme suggests we start by making an effort to connect and communicate with deaf acquaintances. Use pantomime. Write on a notepad. Try texting. Even better, learn basic ASL vocabulary and phrases on YouTube. ASL is an expressive and fun language, with lots of opportunities to add playful body language. Don’t be shy. As Petit-Homme says, “We don’t bite.”
Co-presenter Julia Kitonis, who is not deaf, confirmed that access is possible when we open the door. Currently a freshman at UVM, Kitonis learned sign language online and directed “Songs for a New World” as a senior project in high school. The cast, which included Petit-Homme, comprised both hearing and deaf performers. The production built bridges for actors as well as audience members. Kitonis points out, “There were members of the cast who knew no sign and they [and deaf cast members] still got along very well. Humans find amazing ways to communicate.”
A bill now moving through the state Legislature offers better funding and coordination of resources for deaf individuals in Vermont. Ask your local senators to support a vote and passage of S.162 in the extended session this week.
