Indiana Association of the Deaf
A cooperating member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE DEAF – Est. 1886, Inc. 1967
Response to Alexander Graham Bell Association:
The recent “Response to Washington Post article about Nyle DiMarco” from Meredith Sugar, Esq.
of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) sadly is
what we have come to expect from this organization. It is a continuation of a policy of
misinformation, disinformation and preying on a world that is ignorant with respect to the realities
of Deaf people. It is our responsibility to not let their words blindly be taken for any more than they
are, a sales pitch that conjures up the worst images of a used car salesman.
The National Association of the Deaf has smartly weighed in on this topic. NAD Response
Generations of deaf children have been steered towards listening and spoken language and
away from utilizing signed languages. Generation after generation they have failed to acquire
listening and spoken language skills. This comes at a catastrophic cost. It is unfortunate that a
few success stories seems to validate an approach that has left behind a Grand Canyon filled
with people who have not had success with developing listening and spoken language skills.
This article claims that deaf children can always pick up American Sign Language (ASL) later
when they are not able to succeed as a “hearing” person. Nothing could be further than the truth.
The critical language acquisition years are true for ALL children, no matter what the mode of the
language. Mayberry
We live in a world full of our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and
children that have been irreparably harmed by the deprivation of language in the hopes that they
might learn how to speak. Had these harms perpetrated on any virtually any other group of
people they would have faced demands of reparations and would ring synonymous with the “trail
of tears,” or worse.
Research has, time and time again, clearly demonstrated the benefits of using sign language as
early as possible and has equally demonstrated the harms that come from not using it early.
Sanders, Malloy, Baker
In just a few short paragraphs, upon careful review, it is hard to find any truths. Here are just a
few of the challengeable claims.
False claim: ASL exists as a communication option for deaf children.
Truth: ASL (and other signed languages) is a language, rich and complex that has clear benefits
for ALL deaf children and is most critical from the ages of birth-3. In fact the White House
published in 2013 that “ASL is a vital language for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.” Wikipedia
Speech, however, is a communication option, not a language. Parents should never be forced
into choosing one mode of communication and rejecting others. ASDC
False claim: It (ASL) is just one such option and its use is declining.
Truth: ASL fits well into a variety of options, in fact many educational programs that utilized ASL
also include other options including speech. It is a fact that ASL use is growing in many areas and
is the one “foreign language” option that is actually growing in popularity in schools and colleges
across the country.
Misleading claim: 90% of the families with parents with typical hearing and deaf children are
choosing listening and spoken language for their deaf child.
Truth: a thorough search of the web found no solid statistics for this. In fact, we are seeing a
growth in the number of children with cochlear implants who are embracing the use of sign
language and participation in the deaf community. ASDC
False claim: DiMarco’s statements perpetuate the misconception that deaf children cannot listen
and speak well.
Truth: DiMarco’s statements are absolutely absent of any connotation that deaf children cannot
listen and speak well. It simply is not mentioned or implied in any way. What he does challenge is
the myth that one must be able to hear and speak in order to be successful.
Misleading claim: Deaf children growing up today have unprecedented opportunities to develop
listening and spoken language.
Truth: Numerous independent studies have shown that efforts to teach deaf children speech and
listening skills as a primary method for communication rarely achieves more than 25% success
rates, leaving 75% of the children severely delayed in many areas including language
development. Patkin, Lund
Misleading claim: Recent studies show that children who solely utilize listening and spoken
language, rather than in combination with ASL, demonstrate better listening and spoken language
skills than do children who follow a combination approach.
Truth: A web search for this did not yield any results. Without references it is impossible to
verify or discuss the validity of any such research. Numerous studies have shown no harm and
actually benefits to learning speech by combining it with ASL. NAD Position Statement, Davidson,
Hassanzadeh
Additionally, the evidence from decades of research is clear that early exposure to ASL leads to
better academic achievement, reading scores, cognitive development, social skills and selfesteem. They are battling the reality that ASL offers nothing but benefits to children, including the
children whose families have chosen to try to maximize listening and spoken language skills.
There is absolutely no scientifically valid reason for depriving deaf children of signed language on
the gamble, at odds none of us would choose for ourselves, that they may be able to develop
listening and speech skills good enough to function in limited settings as an adult.
We agree that when informing parents about educational options that current and emerging
evidence should be considered. There is a serious lack of research on the long-term results of
deaf children who have cochlear implants. This research article is the only one we have seen and
raises serious questions as to the real success of this approach over time. It also delves past
speech and listening abilities to dig into deeper communication, psychosocial issues and actual
educational outcomes. One of the sobering issues raised is that when family makes decisions,
they are often based on hopes and aspirations for their children rather than the information they
receive. The article emphasizes that professionals need to be diligent in working with families to
ensure they are making informed decisions. Punch
We are concerned that the numerous risks associated with listening and spoken language
options are not accurately conveyed to parents in order to make truly informed decisions. FDA
You can check the IAD Facebook Page for other thoughtful pieces on this topic.
Nyle DiMarco is the ultimate threat to their ideology. Young, successful, intelligent and just one of
the great many success stories that bilingual, ASL-English education that places the highest
priority on the overall development of the person and especially the maximization of their
cognitive development, not an over emphasized prioritization on hearing and speaking robs the
majority of Deaf children of their critical language and cognitive development years. It seems that
when faced with being cornered with the truth, they will stoop to the lowest of lows in order to kill
the truth.
We, the Deaf community, are here to stay and are essential to any discussion regarding deaf
children. We are here to make sure the truth is told about the way we have been poked, prodded,
and made to endure hardship after hardship because others who have never walked a day in our
shoes “know what is best for us.” The reality is that even with all the advances in treatment,
therapies, invasive surgeries and focus on our ears and our mouths the evidence is clear that
there are no miracles. Historically and today, the number of deaf people who succeed in such a
manner that they can function near the levels of hearing people in most settings is not anywhere
near a majority, rather it hovers around 25%. This means that the majority of deaf people have
been subjected to these treatments and therapies at a cost that can never be recouped. They
have been deprived of the most critical years for developing the whole person, including
language, cognitive and social development.
Demand better. Demand the truth. We ask that AG Bell issue a formal apology to Nyle DiMarco,
to the Deaf community and to the thousands of families that have been misled by their biased
conduct in the name of salesmanship and that they cease-and-desist in belittling the importance
of American Sign Language for deaf children.
Bert Pickell, President
Ronelle Johnson, Vice President
Colleen Baird, Secretary
Lisa Wilson, Treasurer
Board Members
James Carr
Bonita Ewan
Kathy Hill
Laura Smith
Norman Wilson