Comments, Questions, and Answers

Abstract

COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, AND ANSWERS by Alan B. Crammatte The Comments, Questions, and Answers department is published as a service to professional readers and parents of deaf children. It is an attempt to provide practical information on the basic aspects of deafness, particularly in relation to education. Although all questions submitted cannot be used, those considered to be of greatest interest to readers will be published. Answers are prepared by competent authorities. Material submitted must contain the writer's name and address. Address questions and comments to: Alan B. Crammatte, 897 Windsong Drive, Arnold, MD 21012. COMMENT—Deaf Awareness has arrived in the museums of Washington, D.C. A release from the Smithsonian Institution announced the appearance of Deaf Dimensions, a dance company composed of hearing and hearing-impaired performers. The release describes the performance with these words: "Dance and American Sign Language are creatively combined to form a new dimension of communication ." COMMENT—A new doctoral program in the area of hearing impairment has been announced by the Department of Learning, Development, and Special Education at Northern Illinois University , DeKalb, IL 60115. Besides the usual academic criteria, applicants should have scored 1100 on the Graduate Record Examination. A grant from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services enables NIU to offer stipends of tuition, fees, travel, insurance, and $9,600-$10,000 per year. Interested persons should contact Dr. Alan Repp, Coordinator of Doctoral Studies, at 815-753-0567. TO THE EDITOR: I wish to commend you on the editorial in the March 1985 issue of the Annals, entitled "Gallaudet College—New Leadership." Dr. Lee has the potential for becoming a fine leader for Gallaudet College and, as you so well stated, for influencing the welfare of deaf persons both nationally and internationally in positive ways. It was good of you to welcome him to his new role at Gallaudet and to express confidence in him. Your comments on "making inroads into the layers of administrative fat" seemed to me to be a departure from your usual objective point of view. Administrative staffing is a function of mission, goals, and structure in any college or university. If one views Gallaudet College as a small, single-purpose institution, then it would seem to have excessive administrative positions. The college has made significant strides in becoming the equivalent of a land-grant institution for deaf persons with model preschool programs , continuing education, extension centers (in cooperation with other institutions of higher education), major research commitments, professional schools, and the liberal studies curriculum which is the heart of the institution. Such a structure, wherever it is found, requires adequate administrative staffing. I make the statement above really in support of Dr. Lee and his goal of moving Gallaudet College toward university status. If this happens, I trust we will see an appropriate structure and an investment in leadership which will assist the college to obtain the greatness it deserves. Edward C. Merrill, fr. Past President, Gallaudet College REVIEWS Steps Toward Effective Production of Speech (STEPS), Eugene C. Sheeley and Doris McQuiddy, set of seven softbound booklets, approx. 50 pp. ea., single set free, Southeast Regional Center for DeafBlind Children, P.O. Box 698, Talladega, AL 35160. These booklets, printed in large type, are intended to provide parents of children who have hearing and vision impairments with information about hearing loss, vision loss, diagnosis, treatment, education, hearing and vision aids, and more. The booklets are advertised as being of special use to "parents with low reading levels , parents whose second language is English, parents who need large print, [and] aides and subprofessionals." The readability of these booklets is indeed low (a second-grade level estimated from Fry's readability graph). It is very difficult to write on such a level and still provide readers with content that is informative and not misleading. Booklet #5, "How to Take Care of a Hearing Aid," is the most well-written of the five booklets reviewed. The content, including instructions on care and problem-solving techniques, is valuable. Booklet #7, "How to Take Care of A.A.D. / July 1985 199 ...