1989 The Deaf Way One
"Sign Language and Education"
July 13, 1989
Dr. Garretson introduces Dr. Robert Davila, whom is the moderator for two guest speakers. The first presenter is Serena Corazza, who comes from Italy. Serena tells of her research on the history of Italian Sign Language. Serena first begin with the background of Italy during the time of Milan Convention, and then shared three deaf authors’ work that got destroyed after the decision of Oral Education law being passed by the Milan Congress. Serena shared the history of how people loved the deaf, taught them sign language, and valued the importance of sign language. In the 1960’s deaf children are being taught through oral education, the deaf children’s inability to connect with their identity as a deaf person, and how the loss of their true language have made an impact. Dr. Davila introduces the next speaker, Sam Supalla, whom in turn presents about “Educational Opportunities, The Deaf Perspective.” Sam tells the history of educational settings for deaf children within the history for American Sign Language, Manually Coded English, and Oral. Sam divulged on how the Bilingual Education Act is in fact flawed, and there is no specific law that protects the deaf children’s access to be able to learn through their language that is American Sign Language.
