News Release from David Eberwein!!!

Wednesday, 25 July 2007

News Release from David Eberwein!!!
Hello,
I totally support this because it is indeed ironic that hearing babies can be taught ASL skills while deaf babies can NOT be taught ASL skills but rather be forced to learn AVT methods instead....I believe too much time is lost in developing the language skills. They can chose to speak later on in life if they desire, but when they're very young, signing is vital to the language, emotional, mind, creative thinking, and so much numerous others that are so critical to the wholesome development of the child. I am thrilled to see that more people getting involved with this, and I feel it is way overdue for that. I am with them totally!!! Hope you will lead your support for this cause. Bless your heart. Di
NEWS RELEASE FROM DAVID EBERWEIN
Dear friend,
Tomorrow morning I fly out to Washington, DC, to join John Egbert’s campaign to have ALL Deaf babies sign. We will be campaigning in front of the Alexander Graham Bell Association convention in Arlington, VA.
Thursday, July 26th- the Deaf Bilingual Coalition gathers at Gallaudet.
Friday & Saturday, July 27th & July 28th- we will be at the AGB convention, with media attention, etc.
We want all Deaf babies to be proficient in both ASL and English. We are puzzled at the irony of the wildly popular “Baby Signs” where hearing babies are taught to sign before they speak. However, with the AVT (Audio Verbal Therapy, where signing and any visual cues are strongly discouraged), Deaf babies are not signing. If it’s good for hearing babies (increased IQ scores, reading readiness, confidence, etc.- check Amy Cohen Efron’s “The Greatest Irony” vlogs for more information on this), then it should be good for Deaf babies.
I am asking your help with the following;
-forward this e-mail
-spread awareness of our campaign
-hold discussions on this special event (increase our consciousness)
-watch blogs & vlogs closely the next 3 days and afterwards
-respond rapidly to e-discussions (we will be extremely busy with the campaign.. to busy to rapidly respond)
-donate to The Deaf Bilingual Coalition to cover expenses (possibly to cover interpreting fees, Xeroxing pamphlets, and any other overheads)- you can donate through http://www.cad1906.org (California Association of the Deaf)- go there and click on the left side (Support for the Deaf Bilingual Coalition). Even $5 will help us a lot.
For further information, go to John Egbert’s site- <http://blog.deafread.com/egbertpress/2007/07/22/deaf-bilingual-coalition/>
I will try my best to keep you posted over the weekend. If you are interested, page me at <mailto:dme@tmail.com>dme@tmail.com, and I’ll inform Colin of your interest. (He’ll be the contact person while I’m gone this weekend).
For our Deaf children. For their success and happiness.
David Eberwein