Three years ago, Good Morning America did a piece on baby sign language that was very well done. Since then, the research continues to come in on the benefits of signing with babies and children. Here's the latest:
Being a former Baby Signs Instructor, I can't say enough how much my children enjoyed Beebo and the Diaper Doodles. These DVDs are the perfect length (20 minutes) - enough time to get a shower, get supper started or for a much needed mommy break. Did I say my children enjoyed them? I have to say there were a few perks in it for me as well.
Ever wondered what life is like for those that are deaf in other countries? The Discovering Deaf Worlds project, in which David Justice and CBS’ "Survivor: The Amazon" contestant Christy Smith, who is deaf, gives an inside look at deafness around the world.
President Obama has been welcomed by the Deaf Community with his very own sign name. Typically, a person's name is fingerspelled. However, a Deaf person (not a hearing person) can give a sign name to someone to avoid fingerspelling someone's name over and over. This is more than an act of convenience though. A name sign signifies acceptance into Deaf culture.
You may wonder after watching this video if President Obama will ever come into contact with the Deaf Community since so many people rarely if ever meet a Deaf person. Interestingly enough, Washington DC has one of the largest, if not largest concentrations of Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. It is the home of Gallaudet University (the world's only university in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate Deaf and hard of hearing students) with it's 2007 enrollment of 1,633 and 1,077 employees (44% of whom are Deaf and hard of hearing). Many students graduate and continue to live and work locally.
Having spent my Interpreting internship in Richmond, VA and DC I was overwhelmed with the richness of the Culture and was able to witness it firsthand. I even was fortunate enough to interpret for a Deaf employee inside the Pentagon, so I am sure President Obama will be aware of his new found name!
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