TRANSFORM E.H.D.I. MANIFESTO

 

We believe…

 

• The emergence of each Deaf child is a cause for celebration for their family and the Deaf world.

• Every Deaf child born provides the world with a deeper appreciation of language and humanity.

• Being Deaf is just another way to access a language naturally.

• A worldview embracing Deaf people, traditions, languages, gifts and capacities creates a healthy relationship for the Deaf child with themselves, their families, education and those different than themselves.

 

We grieve with a heavy heart because...

 

• The current practices of “early detection and intervention” systematically deprives the child of being joyful, unashamedly Deaf and from acquiring an awesomely natural language and instead obsesses negatively on their tiny ears and mouth. 

• The Deaf child is taught to forget they are Deaf, and those responsible for their well-being believe they must try to forget the child is Deaf.

• The massive “hearing loss” industry masks power, greed, and financial benefits in name of benevolence.

 

We demand...

 

• A total TRANSFORMATION of the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention system to one that utilizes the Early Healthy Deaf Identity framework.

• EHDI commit to an audism-free* environment, be led by a majority of Deaf people, and use signed language,

•  i.e. American Sign Language, as the most accessible language in all EHDI activities.

• EHDI promote equitable resources, funds, and Deaf professionals to expand innovative Deaf and ASL- centered materials for families and other professionals working with Deaf babies.

 

 (footnote) Audism is the attitudes and practices based on the assumption that behaving in the ways of those who speak and hear is desired and best. It produces a system of privilege, thus resulting in stigma, bias, discrimination, and prejudice--in overt or covert ways--against Deaf culture, Sign Language, i.e. ASL, and Deaf people of all walks of life. (credit: Audism Free America)