CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE
IT'S NOT JUST HEARING AIDS:
DEAF PEOPLE AND THE EPIDEMIC
A graduate project submitted in partial satisfaction of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in
Mass Communication
by
Lisa Joy Berke
May 1988
The written and video contents of this Master's graduate
project, IT'S NOT JQST HEARING AIDS: DEAF PEOPLE AND THE
EPIDEMIC may not be copied, reproduced or duplicated, in
whole or in part, for any purpose, without first obtaining·
the author's written permission.
Copyright © 1988
Lisa J. Berke
The Graduate Project of Lisa Joy Berke is approved:
awrence R. Fleischer, Ed.D.
d.D.
Ants A. Leps, Ph.-~rt.;=chair
California State University, Northridge
ii
DEDICATION
This Master's graduate project is dedicated to Claire N.
Kaplan whose unselfish love and support motivated and
enabled me to finish this project.
iii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Donald R. Bangs originated the concept of a video on AIDS
for the Deaf Community, using Deaf performers who signed in
American Sign Language.
I thank him for allowing me to be a
part of this project.
My three advisors, Dr. Ants Leps, Dr. Richard Ruggerio and
Dr. Lawrence Fleischer, were understanding, patient and
supportive.
. u
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEDICATION ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• i i i
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• i v
LIST OF CHARTS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• vi
ABSTRACT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• vii
OVERVIEW ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 1
INTRODUCTION .•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 2
ACCESS TO AIDS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS •••••••••••••••••••••••• 3
AIDS IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 5
THE ALTERNATIVE MEDIA APPROACH ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 7
AIDS VIDEO:
THE CAST AND CONTENT •••••••••••••••••••.•••.• 10
THE AIDS SEGMENTS •••••••••.••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 12
PRELIMINARY REVIEW •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 14
EVALUATION FORMAT ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 16
PARTICIPANTS' PROFILE ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 17
EVALUATION ANALYSIS ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 20
RESULTS:
A COJ\1II1ENTARY •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 29
CONCLUSION • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 3 0
REFERENCES •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 3 3
APPENDIX ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••••••••••••••••••• 34
'
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v
LIST OF CHARTS
CHART I ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.••••••••.••••.•••••• 18
CHART II ..••.••••••••••••.••••••.••••••••••••••••••••••.•. 18
CHART I I I . • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • . • • •• 19
CHART IV •.•••..••.••••••.••.•••.••••.••••••••••.••..•.•••. 2 0
CHART V •..•.•..•..••••••••.•.•••••••.••••••.•••.•.•..•..•. 21
CHART VI ••.•.•.•••.••..•..•.••.•.•••••••••••.••••.•.•.•... 23
CHART VI I . . • • . • • . • . . . • • • • • . • • • • . • • • • • • . • . • • . • • • . . . . • • . . . • • 2 4
vi
ABSTRACT
IT'S NOT JUST HEARING AIDS:
DEAF PEOPLE AND THE EPIDEMIC
by
Lisa Joy Berke
Master of Arts in Mass Communication
A videotape about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS), IT'S NOT JUST HEARING AIDS:
DEAF PEOPLE AND THE
EPIDEMIC, was produced for the Deaf Community.
The Deaf
Community needed access to such critical information in
their native or primary language: American Sign Language.
American Sign Language is a visual-gestural language that
has its own grammatical structures which are distinct from
English, which is based on auditory-vocal input.
Normal
media channels, such as printed materials or television
programs (captioned or not) thus present difficulties for
Deaf users of English which is regarded as a second
language.
Furthermore, lack of, or inadequacy of, sign
vii
language interpreters at public forums on AIDS is also a
barrier for Deaf individuals.
Information was imparted by Deaf performers in a serious,
yet gently humorous, manner, in five vignettes.
The
vignettes were designed to promote understanding and
awareness to caution viewers regarding the different modes
of transmission of the AIDS virus.
Analysis of the videotape's success is provided through two
workshop surveys that test the participants' pre- and postscreening awareness of AIDS.
viii
OVERVIEW
One of the biggest thorns in the side of the Deaf Community
has been the lack of equitable access to the media, in its
television or printed format.
This has never been more apparent than with the Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) crisis.
Lack of
communication access means lack of information which, in
turn, prevents proper approaches or development of
preventive strategies by the Deaf Community to a lifethreatening disease.
Consequently, the Deaf Community's
knowledge of safe sex practices to lessen the risk of AIDS
is far behind that of the non-Deaf community.
This graduate project limits its scope to why it was
essential to develop an alternative media approach.
It will
briefly describe the process involved in the creation and
development (but not the production aspects) of a videotape
title IT'S NOT JQST HEARING AIDS:
EPIDEMIC.
DEAF PEOPLE AND THE
The response of the Deaf Community in two
workshop presentations to the video is briefly analyzed.
The reader is cautioned that this is not meant to be a
comprehensive treatise on AIDS, its causes or an analysis of
1
how it affects various groups, other than the Deaf
Community.
For such information, it is recommended that a
local AIDS organization be contacted or Randy Shilts'
thought-provoking book, And The Band Played On: Politics,
People and the ~ds Epidemic (1987) be obtained.
INTRODUCTION
The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia, reported
that, as of February 29, 1988, there were 54,723 people with
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the United
States ("AIDS Only Caught From Sex, Blood, and Birth, Study
Finds," Los Angeles Times, March 4, 1988).
Of this number,
30,715 people have died ("AIDS Only Caught," 1988).
More
frightening are the estimates for those who are infected
with the Human T-Cell Leukemia-III Virus (HTLV-III) what
causes, or eventually becomes, AIDS.
That number is 1.5
million (Yarbrough, 1987).
The statistics cut a wide swath through every socioeconomic, racial, gender, sexual preference/orientation,
religion, age and disability groups.
2
ACCESS TO AIDS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Massive educational campaigns about what AIDS is and how to
prevent its deadly spread have sprung up throughout the
United States in an attempt to reduce high-risk behaviors in
sexual contacts and/or drug usage.
These necessary efforts have reached different segments of
the non-Deaf community.
The Deaf Community has had very
limited access to AIDS information or has been very much
neglected by some of the larger AIDS educational groups.
Television programs on AIDS are either non-captioned or, if
captioned, the English language level utilized may be
difficult for the average Deaf viewer.
Many Deaf people are
native or primary users of American Sign Language which has
its own grammatical structures and is very distinct from
English.
English is considered as a second, but still a
difficult, language for many Deaf people.
Radio programs are obviously useless.
Newspaper or magazine
stories, like some captioned television programs, may be
written at a reading level beyond the level of comprehension
for the Deaf reader.
Pamphlets or brochures developed by
AIDS educational groups or the medical profession present
the same difficulties for many Deaf people.
.
"
3
Live presentations or workshops on AIDS by AIDS educational
organizations or similar groups are perhaps the worst
offenders in terms of accessibility to the Deaf Community.
Sign language interpreters are often not provided, thus
depriving a Deaf person the freedom of choice to attend and
participate in important discussions.
However, some AIDS
organizations, especially in cities with a large Deaf
populations such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, have
attempted to work with leaders of Deaf Community
organizations in order to ensure that workshops are
accessible.
This well intentioned approach is only a partial solution to
the problem of accessibility.
Most of these workshops have
involved the use of non-Deaf speakers who are unfamiliar
with the Deaf Community.
Reliance on sign language
interpreters reduces the fidelity of interpersonal
communication dynamics due to a number of factors, most
.commonly due to misinterpretations or misunderstandings of
information.
Deaf participants then become reluctant to
discuss or follow up on the topic in depth and often leave
such presentations with more misconceptions about AIDS than
they had before.
Some AIDS organizations, acutely aware of the situation,
have attempted to train Deaf individuals to become AIDS
educators within the Deaf Community.
4
One such group is the
Shanti Foundation in Los Angeles.
They successfully
recruited and trained approximately five Deaf individuals.
These individuals now present workshops on AIDS to the Deaf
Community not only throughout the Los Angeles area but, on
occasion, out of state.
AIDS IN THE DEAF COMMUNITY
Yet five people alone can not educate the entire Deaf
Community.
A better way was needed to disseminate the
information on a wider scale in a shorter span of time.
Information on AIDS is constantly updated but Deaf people
often suffer an information lag time, unlike their non-Deaf
peers who can easily tune in to a television or radio
program on the topic.
There are currently no reliable statistics on the number of
Deaf people who have AIDS, AIDS-Related Complex (ARC) or who
have died from illnesses related to AIDS.
However,
anecdotal stories obtained through either the Deaf Community
~grapevine"
or obituaries printed in some Deaf publications
have led to speculation that approximately 200 or more Deaf
persons throughout the United States may have AIDS or ARC.
The Deaf and hearing-impaired population of the United
States has been projected at ten percent (10%) of the total
5
population.
Approximately one percent (1%) of the U.S.
population utilizes American Sign Language as its native or
primary language.
Using this latter figure, even a very
conservative and speculative estimate of approximately one
percent of all current people with AIDS being Deaf persons
is frightening.
General misconceptions about how AIDS is transmitted and who
is at risk have aggravated the problem of collecting
accurate information.
There seems to be a view in the Deaf
Community that AIDS is primarily a "hearing disease."
there is, they believe, no reason to be alarmed.
Thus,
Deaf
people who have AIDS are viewed as aberrant because they are
assumed to be gay and/or to have hearing partners.
Simultaneously, it is essential to prevent polarization
within the Deaf Community.
When it comes to Deaf-hearing
issues (such as the recent furor over the initial selection
of a non-Deaf person over two Deaf persons for the
presidency of Gallaudet University, the world's only liberal
arts university for the Deaf), the Deaf Community is
generally united.
The specter of AIDS within the Deaf
Community is, however, creating a schism between straight
and gay Deaf people which is similar to the division within
the non-Deaf
communi~y.
The Deaf Community can not afford
this type of separation if the Deaf Community is to keep its
identity and cohesiveness intact while battling the disease.
6
THE ALTERNATIVE MEDIA APPROACH
In early 1987, Donald R. Bangs, Director of Beyond Sound, a
Deaf-run television production company, addressed the
problem of disseminating AIDS information to the Deaf
Community by developing the concept of a video utilizing
Deaf performers fluent in American Sign Language.
This
author joined him as an independent co-producer.
As mentioned earlier, the native or primary language of Deaf
American people is American Sign Language (ASL) which is
based on a visual-gestural, rather than auditory-vocal,
approach and has its own distinct grammatical structures.
ASL lends itself readily to film and video formats.
A video imparting critically needed information about AIDS
and appropriate preventive measures would enable an
efficient wide-scale distribution on a cost-effective basis.
The inclusion of Deaf performers with ASL skills would be a
signal to the Deaf Community that information would be
presented in their preferred language by members of their
own community.
They would easily understand the videotape
more than by reading captions or utilizing interpreters.
It
would also be "socially acceptable" to attend workshop
presentations where the video would be shown without fear of
stigmatization.
At the same time, this would present an
opportunity for members of Deaf groups, organizations, or
7
clubs to socialize prior to and after the presentation.
Socialization within the Deaf Community is an important
element of many Deaf peoples' lives.
The video, IT'S NOT JUST HEARING AIDS:
DEAF PEOPLE AND THE
EPIDEMIC, has a three-fold purpose:
1.
To be utilized in general Deaf Community workshop
presentations to be conducted by Donald R. Bangs
and the author as a means of disseminating
information on AIDS;
2.
To be utilized as a training tool to teach Deaf
Community leaders about AIDS so that they, in
turn,
could go to their areas or groups and lead
workshops on AIDS alone or in conjunction with
local AIDS groups or public health personnel.
To
enhance this "ripple effect," such trained leaders
would be given copies of the video.
3.
To be broadcast on television, either via the
Public Broadcasting System or a cable television
consortium.
If successful, this would reach a
large portion of the Deaf Community within a short
amount of time.
If a licensing fee could be
obtained, it would assist in offsetting production
costs.
8
The decision to use a video format meant bypassing
mainstream media channels and establishing our contact
network within the Deaf Community.
It also meant looking
for and convincing grantors who were interested in funding
video projects of the necessity and effectiveness of an ASL
video on AIDS.
A total of $18,000 was secured from the
following:
Liberty Hill Foundation
City of Los Angeles
County of Los Angeles
Deaf Care Network: Dallas, Texas
Southern California Rainbow Society of the Deaf
Additional funds were raised from individual donors.
Individuals rendered in-kind services or assistance as did
the following:
Copley/Colony Cable TV
WFAA-TV, Dallas, Texas
Century Cable
Mayor Tom Bradley
L.A. Councilman Michael Woo
L.A. Councilman Joel Wachs
L.A. County Supervisor Ed Edelman
Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness
Gay and Lesbian Community Service Center
.
"
9
of Los Angeles
California State University, Northridge
Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf
AIDS VIDEO:
THE CAST AND CONTENT
Written and directed by Donald R. Bangs, IT'S NOT JUST
HEARING AIDS:
DEAF PEOPLE AND THE EPIDEMIC consists of five
segments or vignettes with Bobbie Beth Scoggins as
hostess/narrator.
The segments were designed to include
different sectors of the Deaf Community: people of color,
straight and gay individuals, single and married people,
drug users and sexually active individuals.
The shooting of the segments, with the exception of Ms.
Scoggins' part, was done in a three-day period due
and financial constraints.
later date in Dallas, Texas.
to time
Ms. Scoggins' part was one at a
Post-production, which
included editing, "voiceunders," some sound effects and
music, took place over a period of several months.
All were chosen, except for Ms. Scoggins and David Wilson
(who has AIDS) by audition.
The cast, with the exception of
Mr. Wilson and two other performers, are all Deaf.
.
~
10
Ironically, the two non-Deaf performers are cast in a nonverbal sequence, THE DREAM, which is discussed further
below.
David Wilson was chosen because of his willingness
to share his feelings about having AIDS.
Mr. Wilson, who is
familiar with sign language, was selected despite the fact
there are several Deaf people with AIDS known to us.
We were able to reach Deaf individuals with AIDS through the
Deaf "grapevine" and personal contacts in the Los Angeles
area.
We passed word that a video on AIDS for the Deaf was
being produced and that we were interested in interviewing
Deaf persons with AIDS.
A few names were given to us.
Contact with these individuals was made through one of two
methods:
1) if we were not familiar with the person, then a
friend of that person usually asked to intercede and ask the
person on our behalf or 2)
if the person with AIDS was known
to us, we would ask directly if we were certain that s/he
would not be offended or ashamed.
Fearing the stigma,isolation and rejection from the Deaf
Community, they declined to appear on the video.
Their
refusal was not surprising, given the lack of understanding
within the Deaf Community, which is small enough to know a·
person through school or college connections or through
mutual friends even if one is residing on the opposite coast
;
of the United States.
The fear of being cut off from their
only source of daily communication and their cultural ties
11
was simply too overwhelming for them to deal with at this
stage of their lives.
The Deaf people with AIDS were firmly supportive of the
video project, however.
This is not a contradiction if one
understands that they hoped the video would promote
understanding within the Deaf Community which would enable
them to speak about their illness in a safe and supportive.
environment.
The technique used on some television news or talk shows of
~masking"
a person's face and electronically altering the
speaker's voice is simply inapplicable to a Deaf speaker.
The use of ASL requires that visual contact be maintained
with a Deaf speaker's face, hands and body.
THE AIDS SEGMENTS
The segments were designed to be entertaining yet
informative as it was felt that it would be the most
effective way to capture and maintain audience interest.
The five segments are briefly described below:
1.
THE DREAM: a non-verbal sequence involving a
straight woman who dreams that her straight male
partner has AIDS.
12
2.
THE DEAF CLUB: Two close friends,
a gay man and a
straight, sexually active and ex-drug user woman
have a conversation about AIDS in a Deaf club.
The man explains how AIDS is transmitted via
sexual contact and drugs in order to dispel the
woman's fear of getting AIDS.
He also suggests
safe sex practices.
3.
THE CARD PLAYERS: Four straight men are involved
in this vignette in which one of them has
contracted AIDS by being sexually active with
different women and is now in the hospital.
A
woman AIDS educator is brought in to calm the
fears of one of the men who refuses to visit the
person with AIDS.
She tells a moving story about
the need to have understanding and compassion for
people with AIDS.
4.
THE CLINIC: Two men meet at an AIDS Testing
Clinic.
One is gay and sexually active while the
other is a straight married man who had an affair
with a woman.
They meet separately with an AIDS
counselor to learn the results of their tests and
to discuss the consequences of the results.
13
5.
INTERVIEW: David Wilson, who has AIDS, discusses
his feelings about his experiences and about
coping with AIDS.
Each of the above segments deals with the topic in a serious
manner but is sprinkled with humor as well.
The topic of
AIDS is depressing, thus gentle humor is a good way to
maintain the audience's interest.
The title of the video is a good example of this effort.
holds a double meaning for Deaf viewers.
It
On one level, it
is a pun as "HEARING AIDS" can refer to the device(s) that
are used by some Deaf people to utilize their residual
hearing.
On a second level, it quickly and effectively
demolishes the idea that AIDS is confined to the non-Deaf
population.
The title has immediately produced laughter
from audiences but the mood quickly turned serious as its
implications sunk in.
PRELIMINARY REVIEW
To test the effectiveness of the video, an extremely rough
cut of approximately seventy-five minutes without
voiceunders or sound, was shown at the Rainbow Alliance of
the Deaf's National Convention in Miami, Florida on July 4,
1987 during a 2- 1 /2 hour workshop on AIDS led by Donald Bangs
14
and the author.
It was felt that this Convention, which
brought together national Deaf gay and lesbian
representatives, was an ideal forum to introduce the video
for the purpose of gathering feedback immediately.
An analysis of the participants' understanding of AIDS will
be presented later.
positive.
Preliminary feedback was overwhelmingly
Despite unfinished editing and the poor quality
of the video, participants wanted to buy copies immediately!
The video's ability to educate and inform was the assured.
After the July presentation, re-editing was completed.
Voiceunders, music and credits were added to the final
version, which is fifty-eight minutes long.
It was then
shown at California State University, Northridge, on October
9, 1987.
C.S.U.N. was chosen as it has a sizable Deaf
student population that is integrated into the larger nonDeaf student body.
Deaf Community members who live in the
Los Angeles area also attend special workshops or forums at
C.S.U.N. that are sponsored by either C.S.U.N. or nonC.S.U.N. organizations.
At this presentation, which was co-
sponsored by the Support Services to Deaf Students under the
auspices of the National Center on Deafness (which is
responsible for Deaf students at C.S.U.N., among other
functions)
and the Southern California Recreational
Association of the Deaf, Mr. Bangs and the author worked in
conjunction with Deaf volunteers from the Shanti Foundation.
15
This presentation was extremely well-received by Deaf
students and community members.
EVALUATION FORMAT
Evaluations were given to participants at the July
(hereinafter referred to as Group A) and October (Group B)
workshops.
A pre-test was administered prior to the screening of the
video.
This was done to measure basic knowledge about AIDS.
Immediately after the screening and prior to any discussion,
a post-test was given to see if their scores changed
significantly.
The pre- and post-tests were given to participants as a set.
Each set was numbered on all pages in the lower right hand
corner so as to facilitate collating of the papers since the
pre-tests and post-tests were gathered at different times in
the workshop.
The pre- and post-test each had the same twenty-three true
or false statements in English.
The order of the statements
on the post-test, however, was different than on the pretest to prevent duplication of answers in case a participant
did not turn in the pre-test when requested.
.
"
16
The post-test
had nine additional questions regarding the clarity of the
video segments as well as room for comments about
discussions or group activity, if one was conducted.
The evaluations' English language was made as simple as
possible to reach the widest audience possible.
Some
statements were explicit in order to relate to some
participants' possible sexual practices.
An evaluation form
is in the Appendix.
PARTICIPANTS' PROFILE
It is not the intention of the author to compare the scores
of the two groups based on gender, sexual preference, age or
cultural identification since AIDS does not respect such
boundaries.
Hence,the statistics presented in Charts I, II,
III, and IV, are for informational purposes only and to
outline the fact that the participants reflect a broad
spectrum of the population.
On Charts I and II, numbers on the left side of the slash
mark are for Group A while Group B is represented on the
right side.
• 0
17
CHART I
Sexual
Preference
Male
Female
Unknown
Total
COMBINED
TOTAL
Straight
0/17
1/13
0/0
1/30
31 ( 38.75%)
Gay/Lesbian
38/1
5/1
0/0
1/30
45 ( 56. 25%)
Bisexual
2/0
0/1
0/0
2/1
3
(
3.75%)
Unknown
0/0
0/0
0/1
0/1
1
(
1.25%)
40/18
6/15
0/1
46/34
80 (100.00%)
COMBINED
TOTAL
CHART II
Male
Female
Unknown
Total
Under 20
0/0
0/2
0/0
0/2
20-29
4/7
1/9
0/0
5/16
21 ( 26.25%)
30-39
18/6
5/3
0/0
23/9
32 ( 40.00%)
40-49
14/2
0/0
0/0
14/2
16 ( 20.00%)
50 and over
3/1
0/0
0/0
3/1
Unknown
1/2
0/1
0/1
1/4
40/18
6/15
0/1
46/34
Age
TOTAL
A caveat for Charts II and IV is necessary.
2
2.50%)
(
4
5 (
(
5%)
6.25%)
80 (100. 00%)
In Chart III,
participants may have chosen their identification on either
a cultural basis or a medical definition.
There is no way
to distinguish between the two on the survey.
Participants'
selection of communication modes in Chart IV do not indicate
18
whether they are aware of the difference between American
Sign Language or PSE/Signed English (Pidgin Signed English
is a system where ASL lexical items may be borrowed and may
be utilized in the English grammatical pattern) .
Thus, it
created difficulty for the participants to correctly
identify which mode they utilize in daily life.
It is
interesting to note that several chose a combination of ASL
and PSE or ASL, PSE and Oral even though this was not
specified on the survey.
CHART III
Cultural Identification
Group A
Group B
COMBINED TOTALS
40
21
61
( 76.25%)
Hard of Hearing
4
8
12
( 15.00%)
Hearing
1
4
5
(
6.25%)
Unknown
1
1
2
(
2. 50%)
46
34
80
Deaf
TOTAL
19
(100. 00%)
CHART IV
Si~n Lan~uage
Mode
Group A
American Sign Language
Group B
COMBINED TOTALS
25
7
32 ( 40.00%)
PSE/Signed English
6
16
22 ( 27 .50%)
ASL/PSE
9
8
17 ( 21.25%)
ASL/PSE/Oral
1
2
3
(
3. 7 5%)
Unknown
5
1
6
(
7. 50%)
46
34
TOTAL
80 (100.00%)
EVALUATION ANALYSIS
The video has successfully met its main objective of
providing an increased understanding of AIDS.
six surveys obtained from Group A,
Of the forty-
43.47% of the
participants recorded an improvement in their scores between
the pre-and post-tests.
Chart V lists the individual scores
of the pre- and post-tests and its difference, on the basis
of the twenty-three true/false statements.
20
CHART V
TEST COPE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
PRE-TEST SCORE
86.95%
95.65%
82.60%
65.21%
56.52%
52.17%
65.21%
95.65%
78.26%
86.95%
95.65%
82.60%
52.17%
86.95%
91.30%
73.91%
47.82%
82.90%
56.52%
82.60%
100.00%
56.52%
95.65%
91.30%
91.30%
73.91%
91.30%
95.65%
100.00%
65.21%
78.26%
69.56%
65.21%
52.17%
65.21%
91.30%
86.95%
82.60%
78.26%
95.65%
73.91%
82.60%
78.26%
78.26%
100.00%
82.60%
POST-TEST SCORE
86.95%
95.65%
78.26%
78.26%
73.91%
73.91%
78.26%
78.26%
73.91%
91.30%
100.00%
78.26%
56.52%
86.95%
86.95%
65.21%
69.56%
73.91%
73.91%
91.30%
95.65%
69.56%
95.65%
91.30%
91.30%
78.26%
91.30%
73.91%
95.65%
82.60%
73.91%
82.60%
91.30%
69.56%
91.30%
95.65%
65.21%
86.95%
73.91%
95.65%
78.26%
86.95%
73.91%
69.56%
100.00%
78.26%
21
DIFFERENCE
0
0
-4.34
+13.05
+17.39
+21.74
+13.05
-17.39
-4.35
+4.35
+4.35
-4.34
+4.35
0
-4.35
-8.70
+21. 74
-8.99
-17.39
+8.70
-4.35
+13.04
0
0
0
+4.35
0
-21.74
-4.35
+17.39
-4.35
+13.04
+26.09
+17.39
+26.09
+4.35
-21.74
+4.35
-4.35
0
+4.35
+4.35
-4.35
0
0
-4.35
As the chart indicates, twenty people or 43.47% improved
their scores while seventeen or 36.95% saw their scores
decline with nine, representing 19.56%, remaining unchanged.
In Group B, twenty-one or 61.67% of the thirty-four
participants showed an increase in their scores as indicated
in Chart IV.
Only six persons or 17.64% showed a decline
with seven or 20.58% unchanged.
22
CHART VI
Test Code
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Pre-test Score
86.95%
91.30%
91.30%
100.00%
91.30%
82.60%
86.95%
86.95%
69.56%
100.00%
73.91%
56.52%
95.65%
69.56%
95.65%
82.60%
95.65%
69.56%
82.60%
7 8. 2 6%
43.47%
91.30%
82.60%
86.95%
78.26%
91.30%
86.95%
95.65%
95.65%
86.95%
91.30%
43.47%
65.21%
73.91%
Post-Test Score
91.30%
86.95%
100.00%
95.65%
91.30%
78.26%
82.60%
91.30%
86.95%
95.65%
91.30%
78.26%
95.65%
82.60%
95.65%
82.60%
100.00%
82.60%
86.95%
91.30%
47.82%
100.00%
95.65%
86.95%
95.65%
91.30%
95.65%
100.00%
86.95%
86.95%
95.65%
60.86%
78.26%
86.95%
Difference
+4.35
-4.35
+8.70
-4.35
0
-4.34
-4.35
+4.35
+17.39
-4.35
+17.39
+21. 74
0
+13.04
0
0
+4.35
+13.04
+4.35
+13.04
+4.35
+8.70
+13.05
0
+17.39
0
+8.70
+4.35
-8.70
0
+4.35
+17.39
+13.05
+13.04
The difference in the improvement of the two groups may be
attributable to the fact that the first group was shown an
admittedly poor quality, rough cut of the video while the
second group saw the higher quality, final and edited
version.
.
"
The difference also may or may not be attributable
23
to the fact that each group had a preponderance of
individuals with specific sexual orientation which may have
reflected their level of understanding of AIDS.
Further
speculation is pointless as no measure was taken of the
participants' reading comprehension of English which may
have influenced the scores.
Each workshop group, as a whole, improved their scores on
many questions.
Chart VII below reflects each group's
difference between the pre- and post-test in percentages for
each of the twenty-three questions in the evaluation.
and False (indicated as
~T"
or
~F")
True
answers in parentheses
are provided for the reader's convenience only.
CHART VII
QUESTION
Group A
Group B
If you are HIV-positive, that means
you don't have to use safe sex(F)
+17.39
+2.94
AIDS and ARC are the same thing (F)
+13.02
-23.53
-8.70
-2.94
-10.87
+26.47
If you have AIDS, it is okay to drink
beer, wine or whiskey every day (F)
+2.18
+29.41
You can not get AIDS if a Person With
AIDS touches or hugs you (T)
-6.52
-8.82
If you are with the same partner for
more than ten years and do not fool
around with other people, you may have
a very high risk of getting AIDS (F)
AIDS may be passed through a woman's
menstrual period (T)
24
Condoms are not 100% safe (T)
-4.35
I can get AIDS from toilet seats (F)
+6.52
HIV Negative means you have AIDS (F)
+30.44
+14.70
AIDS may be caused by blood
transfusions before 1985 (T)
-8.70
+14.70
If your partner comes in your mouth,
it is safe (F)
-4.35
-5.88
+15.22
+2.95
+6.52
+14.71
+6.53
+5.88
If your partner fucks you in the
asshole, condoms are not needed (F)
+11. 76
0
You can get AIDS from donating or
giving your own blood to a hospital
(F)
Only gay people get AIDS (F)
Using condoms during intercourse is a
good idea (T)
0
+2.95
AIDS is caused by the flu (F)
-2.18
-2.94
Sperm and blood can carry the AIDS
virus (T)
-2.18
+8.8-3
Vaginal licking is totally safe (F)
+6.53
+5.88
If you are a drug user, sharing
needles is not safe (T)
+2.17
-2.94
Masturbating your partner is safe (T)
+8.70
+32.35
Lesbians who are not bisexual or drug
users have a very small chance of
getting AIDS (T)
-4.35
-5.88
A pregnant woman who has AIDS can give
AIDS to her baby in the womb (T)
+2.18
Weight gain is one of the possible
symptoms of AIDS (F)
0
+2.94
0
Group A improved its performance on twelve questions
(52.17%) while slipping on nine questions (39.13%) and
leaving two (8.69%) unchanged on the post-test.
25
The
participants in Group B improved as a whole on fourteen
questions (60.86%) with seven declines
(8.69%) unchanged.
(30.43%) and two
This reflects the successful ability of
the video to impart crucial information.
The declines help
to spotlight areas that are appropriately covered more in
depth during post-video discussions or lectures.
More notable than the statistics above are the comments of
the participants.
Group A and B overwhelmingly approved the
video's segments and the video as a whole.
A few comments,
some of which have been revised by the author for clarity,
are excerpted below:
Give more workshops in Deaf community!
AIDS Counselor doesn't give clear information --vague
... let's help all over the world and support AIDS fight!
Need to educate kids at High School
[about] AIDS ...
[In the Deaf Bar scene], I felt that the straight woman did
not really understand the situation.
I would like to see
the gay man give her more information.
[The Card Players scene is] excellent -- convincing that
touching and hugging and/or loving [a PWA] won't [give you]
AIDS.
As a whole, I think you have presented an excellent
workshop ...
Editing will improve the pace ...
26
I appreciated you very much for showing us video about AIDS.
It helps me to understand [more clearly] .
Need to interview Deaf person with AIDS.
DO SOMETHING!
Well done -- very explicit.
Am not fluent in ASL but grasped 85% of what Bobbie Beth
Scoggins presented.
[Deaf Club Bar scene is a] good social example to use.
[The Card Players scene is] very moving for me -- see the
importance of friends supporting one another.
[The HIV Test/Counselor scene is] a shocker as results were
not what they expected -- counselor did a great job.
[David Wilson is a] courageous young man ...
Keep up with your work!
Thank you for educating us!!
Really [learned a lot].
I had been involv[ed] with hearing
people but [without an] interpreter.
I'm glad the film
[was] shown[n] by Deaf people.
[David Wilson] does not show his true feelings but I know it
is very difficult to see inside of his feelings/emotions.
Very clear,
very descriptive
[David Wilson was] excellent, need someone with guts to tell
something about themselves.
[Bobbie Beth Scoggins was] excellent as a media person
excellent use of ASL -- very clear yet informative!
27
This part [HIV Test/Counselor scene] and David Wilson's were
the most educational. But the part where the man gawked
[when] he tested positive is absurd.
I am having some trouble understanding and following the
video because I am not highly skilled in sign language.
[David Wilson's interview is] very emotional
Very informati[ve] and is the key to educating the Deaf
community.
[I never knew that AIDS could be passed] through pregnancy.
[Bobbie Beth Scoggins] is better than Dr. Ruth .
... broke stereotypes.
[David Wilson] shows an excellent positive attitude.
congratulate his articulate manner and candor.
I
I think it's about time we were more open about sex.
Both actors [in the HIV Test/Counselor scene] seemed to take
the news too calmly ... I'd have gone thru the ceiling.
I should go ... and have a [HIV] test.
It added humor to an otherwise serious topic.
[David Wilson's interview is] o.k.
exploitative.
Felt a little
I have to give [David Wilson] lots of ... credit, especially
showing his face.
28
The comments clearly reflect the need for and the success of
the video.
One of the most common threads running
throughout the workshops was the fact that David Wilson,
good as he was, is hearing.
our inclusion of Mr. Wilson.
Many participants questioned
When the problems of
interviewing a Deaf person with AIDS was explained, the
audience initially responded in stunned silence.
That, more
than anything else, had a deep impact and encouraged
discussion on how to give support to Deaf persons with AIDS.
RESULTS:
A COMMENTARY
The evaluation analysis above clearly shows that information
provided to the Deaf Community in its own language by its
own members is the most effective method to impart
information about AIDS.
The results of the surveys point
towards the direction of increased understanding and
knowledge.
The surveys reflected two diverse groups within
the Deaf Community:
straight individuals.
gay and lesbian individuals and
Post-video screenings discussions
will aid in furthering the depth of understanding or to
update AIDS information.
29
CONCLUSION
In the aftermath of the two presentations, word has spread
through the Deaf Community that an ASL video on AIDS is
available.
Orders have been steadily coming in for copies
of the cassette, which is priced at $32.50 per copy.
The
orders have come from diverse groups such as AIDS
organizations, Deaf Community service organizations, college
programs and schools for the Deaf.
It is interesting to
note that schools are willing to purchase the video,
considering the content is explicit.
It is the author's
suspicion that the video is primarily aimed for the staff
and faculty.
If the students are shown the video, it may be
possible limited to high school students.
As a result of the video, more workshops on AIDS for the
Deaf Community have sprung up throughout the country.
These
workshops are usually undertaken by local Deaf Community
agencies or programs.
Not all the workshops, however, are
conducted by Donald Bangs or the author but by other
speakers such as the Shanti Foundation volunteers who
utilize our video.
The video, which offers basic but vital
information, has gained more exposure which leads to more
requests for in-depth workshops or purchase orders.
Yet, more needs to be done.
Pamphlets or brochures that
accompany the video should be made and distributed to
•
f)
30
workshop participants so that they can refer to it when
necessary or to share them with people who may be unable to
see the video.
These pamphlets or brochures can also be
designed to stand on their own for reference purposes.
The
pamphlets or brochures should be written at various reading
levels for the Deaf Community.
Deaf students, regardless of age, should be taught about
AIDS.
Such programs can be designed according to age and/or
educational levels.
A
followup (and more comprehensive) study on the
effectiveness of AIDS educational programs for the Deaf,
including a reassessment of the present video, may be viable
within two years.
The purpose would be to see if
understanding and awareness of AIDS has increased.
New
information about AIDS will certainly surface which may
require a new video to be developed.
A study about current sexual behavior within the Deaf
Community could be undertaken now with followup studies to.
be conducted at either two or five year intervals.
This
would determine whether such behaviors have been
substantially changed as a result of increased awareness of
AIDS.
31
The video, to date, has met two of its goals: to be utilized
in workshops and as a training tool.
The third goal,
broadcasting the video on PBS and/or cable television is not
yet a reality.
However, explorations have been undertaken
with Boston's WGBH-TV and with West Hollywood's public
access television program.
It is expected that within a
year, we will achieve our third goal.
More importantly, it has begun to open the doors of
understanding AIDS within the Deaf Community.
This video is
the first step in helping the Deaf Community learn to cope
rationally with this disease that is permeating our society.
This alone is the hallmark of the success of IT'S NOT JUST
HEARING AIDS:
DEAF PEOPLE AND THE EPIDEMIC.
32
REFERENCES
AIDS Only Caught From Sex, Blood and Birth, Study Finds.
(March 4, 1988). Los Angeles Times, p. 8.
.
d the Band Played On: Po 1.lt~cs,
Shilts, Randy.
(1987). An'd 'c
New York: St. Martln's
People and the AIDS Epl eml .
Press.
Yarbrough, Lon.
(1987). AIDS Survival Manual: A Civilian's
Handbook For Fighting Global Immunological Warfare.
Sacramento, CA: GIWC.
33
XIGN8ddV
AIDS VIDEO EVALUATION
,
J..
DATE
:2.
SEX: M
3.
AGE ----
4.
SEXUAL PREFERENCE:
F
i:.ESBIAN
GAY
5. DEAF
BISEXUAL
HARD-OF-HEARING
6. ASL USEF.
STRAIGHT
HEARING
PSE/SIGNED ENGLISH USEF.
ORAL ONLY
PRE-TEST
HERE IS A LIST ABOUT AIDS ... PLEASE CHECK TF.UE OR FALSE
FOR EACH PART:
TRUE
FALSE
a.
If you are HIV-positive, that m~ans
you don't have to use safe sex ..... .
b. AIDS and ARC are the same thing ..... .
c. If you are with the same partner for
more Lhan ten years and do not fool
around with other people, you may have
a very high risk of getting AIDS .....
d. AIDS may be passed through a woman's
menstrual period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
e. If you have AIDS, it is okay to drink
beer, wine or whiskey every day ..... .
f. You can not get AIDS if a Person With
AIDS touchs or hugs you . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
g. Condoms are not 100% safe ........... .
h. I can get AIDS from toilet seats .....
i. HIV Negative means you have AIDS .....
(PLEASE COMPLETE THE BACK OF THIS PAGE)
35
2
~o..\sc.
.j. AIDS may be caused by blood
transfusions before 1985 ............ .
k. If your partner comes in your mouth,
it is safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. If your partner fucks you in the
asshole, condoms are not needed ..... .
m. You can get AIDS from donating or
giving your own blood to a hospital ..
n. Only gay people get AIDS ............ .
a. Using condoms during intercourse is a
good idea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
p. AIDS is caused by the flu ........... .
q. Sperm and blood can carry the AIDS virus.
r. Vaginal licking is totally safe ...... .
s. If you are a drug user, sharing needles
is not safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
t. Masturbating your partner is safe ..... .
u. Lesbians who are not bisexual or drug
users have a very small chance of
getting AIDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
v. A pregnant woman who has AIDS can give
AIDS to her baby in the womb .......... .
w. Weight gain is one of the possible
symptoms of AIDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
------------------------------------------------------------
.
;
36
3
7. DID YOU LIKE THE AIDS VIDEO?
YES
NO
COMMENTS:
8.
so-so
DID YOU UNDERSTAND BOBBIE BETH SCOGGINS (Hostess)?
YES
NO
COMMENTS:
so-so
"---------"
9. DID YOU UNDERSTAND THE DEAF CLUB BAR SCENE (Gay Man and
Straight Woman)?
YES
NO
COMMENTS:
so-so
10. DID YOU UNDERSTAND THE CARD PLAYERS SCENE?
YES
NO
COMMENTS:
so-so
11. DID YOU UNDERSTAND THE HIV TEST/COUNSELOR SCENE 12
discuss their results with counselor)?
YES
NO
COMMENTS:
mer1
so-so
12. DID YOU UNDERSTAND THE DAVID WILSON INTERVIEW?
YES
NO
so-so
COMMENTS: - - - - - - - - - --- -
-----
--~
----------
-
--------------------------------------------------y---------
(PLEASE COMPLETE THE BACK OF THIS PAGE)
. ,,
37
4
POST-TEST
HERE IS A LIST ABOUT AIDS ... PLEASE CHECK TRUE OR FALSE
FOR EACH PART:
RHE
FALSE
a.
I can get AIDS from toilet seats ....
b. Only gay people get AIDS . . . . . . . . . . . .
c. AIDS may be caused by blood
transfusions before 1985 . . . . . . . . . . . .
d.
If your partner comes in your mouth,
it is safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
e. Masturbating your partner is very safe.
f.
If your partner fucks you in the
asshole, condoms are not needed ..... .
g. Condoms are not 100% safe . . . . . . . . . . . .
h.
If you are HIV-positive, that means
you don't have to use safe sex ...... .
i. Lesbians who are not bisexual or drug
users have a very small chance of
getting AIDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
j. If you are with the same partner for
more than ten years and do not fool
around with other people, you may have
a very high risk of getting AIDS ..... .
k. AIDS may be passed through a woman's
menstrual period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1. You can not get AIDS if a Person With
AIDS touchs or hugs you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
m. AIDS is caused by the flu . . . . . . . . . . . . .
----------------------------------------------------n. AIDS and ARC are the same thing ..... .
----------------------------------------------------o. If you are a drug user, sharing needles
is not safe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ·
p. You can get AIDS from donating or givi~g
your own blood to a hospital . . . . . . . . . . .
38
5
----------------------------------------------- T~& I ~0-\~~
q. A pregnant woman who has AIDS can give
AIDS to her baby in the womb ........... .
r. Weight gain is one of the possible
symptoms of AIDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
s. Using condoms :iuring intercourse is a
good idea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ·..... .
t.
If you have AIDS, it is okay to drink
beer, wine or whiskey every day ........ .
u. HIV Negative means you have AIDS ....... .
v. Sperm and blood can carry the AIDS virus ..
w. Vaginal licking is totally safe ......... .
(PLEASE COMPLETE THE BACK OF THIS PAGE)
39
6
13. DID YOU LIKE THE TALK BY DON BANGS AND LISA J. BERKE?
YES
NO
so-so
COMMENTS:
----- --·-------------------------
14a. DID YOU LEARN A LOT IN YOUR SEPARATE MALE OR FEMALE
GROUP?
YES
NO
so-so
COMMENTS:
14b. WHAT DID YOU LEARN IN YOUR GROUP?
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS:
--------------------------
-- ----
--
Thank you for helping us with the AIDS Video Evaluation.
Remember, let's DO SOMETHING to stop AIDS!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------
40