Quick background history, I am not sure when it was discovered that deaf children could be taught to communicate via sign language, but up to 1880 deaf children was educated in sign language and could communicate in sign language.
On 6 to 11 September 1880, the Milan congression education of the deaf, passed a resolution that oral education was better than manual (sign) education and signing was banned. Thus begun the 100 odd years of oppressions, in the educational establishment.
By early 1980's sign language was making a comeback, it started a debate on pros and cons of sign language v speech language.
In 1989, the National Deaf Children's Society published a series of letters on this subject in their "TALK" magazine. Most of these people were hearing professionals or hearing parents of deaf children. Most of them supported the speech method of communication.
I felt I had to give my view as a deaf person. Although I was proud that my letter was published, the interesting thing was that in the follow magazine, professionals and hearing parents of deaf children there still deliberating each other's view but not mine.
A deaf child has no voice, as he/she is not legally an adult and so cannot make a formal choice. Yet, I was an adult at the time and it did alarm me to see that my view was not taken into consideration. No one ever took up my comments. I could not help but think I had no say in this matter. That was a scary thought. It was like, to think I have no control over my life.
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