TEDxIslay - Marvin Miller - Building an ASL Community

For more information about this event, please go to www.tedxislay.com. This speech was made at TEDxIslay in Austin, Texas on May 15, 2010. All of the speakers were deaf.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

[@deaf3323]

LOVE IT!! We had needed this kind of dialogue in the Sign Language community for years. Thanks to TED for taking this step into the world view of those whose like is built on vision!!

[@Centers4health]

Martin, Hello! I am "partially Deaf" with identical twin deaf sons, and 1 hearing daughter ( all fluent in ASL and ISL) and a dog who understands "sign", and we now live in Ireland . There is a Deaf Village that is developing near the Deaf school in Dublin, and the infrastructure for a village like this is VITAL! For it to be truly "liveable" It needs the connection to an already established public transport system, safe cycling lanes and close to hospitals, and larger shopping centers. The village here has a huge Athletic centre with pool and is popular for socialising (for all ages, has great lighting, and promotes healthy, happy living, as there's no alcohol served there, or even close by. It is run by Deaf people, as well as area restaurants and small local shops, also run by Deaf people, so jobs are provided! Anyone wanting to live "in the village" is either Deaf, or have Deaf connections (family members who are Deaf, spouse, children, or who are hearing but teach the Deaf, or who are studying to become an Interpreter, etc.). Imagine how easy it is for parents on a date night, and having a list on the bulletin board in the Athletic Centre for Deaf Babysitters! Or hearing teens with Deaf parents (so they are also fluent ). It was proposed as a 5 year project, but as more people are being woven into the "fabric" of this wonderful community, it is continually growing and ! If you would ever like to come and visit, and and collect more inspiration, please message me. I have always been proactive in the Deaf community, and would love to offer our support to your project! Don't pay any attention to those who are negative and distracting, and may God continue to bless you in this wonderfully necessary plan! I look forward to more information, and to perhaps a Skype call with you! Kind regards from Ireland

[@Tar2006]

BRAVO! BRAVO! Marvin, your passion is always on.. We need to design that IronTeeth, you are the past.. We are at the future, not past.

[@michellemaltbie]

I agree to the fullest extent! ASL needs to be taught in every school in America! I'm talking like integrate it into hearing schools. Hearing people aren't exposed to ASL enough, I just wish the government would teach citizens more about this amazing community!

[@DeafSweetMind]

I am with you all the way, Marvin Miller. It can make it happens for our ASL community as well as it s for our Deaf babies/children s future to make a real difference . :)

[@ChatinASL]

No, He is not joking at all.

[@stevoph7]

He is right about the ADA, it is only helping the business not us (deaf people).

[@joanylouise7]

Ooops, just saw the close captions button so please disregard the previous comment! Thank you and God bless!! :)

[@joanylouise7]

I'm a hearer taking an ASLI class and am interested in watching your videos since we are learning about you in our studies right now, but I am unable at this point to understand your signing. I think it would be a great asset to your you tubes if you added an interpreting voice for your hearing audience. Thank you and God bless!! :)

[@OpenLoungeCast]

This is inspiring to a CODA. What would need to happen for this to unfold?

[@DeafBuffalo]

Marvin, I am with you on establishing a Deaf town/city. I'd rather that it locate in a warm sunny area like Arizona because of the solar power. Oil is not going to last forever. Yes, we need to be concerned with water but I think we can build several water tanks. The town can be in the valley so it can collect the water coming down on the slopes. Drinking water from the rooftops, etc.

[@TheSterlingJOe]

Inspiring... What is the hold back? What do we need to do to release the brake, Marvin?

[@Faiibaii8]

@tar2006 No, we cant just leave the past alone. cuz it will come and will repeat itself. best way to do is, face the realistic and deal with it...in hard way only way to bring all in one! we cant just ingore a tiny noise cuz it will get loud over time!

[@shannonhensley2942]

That city would be awesome. 3 years ago I lost the hearing in my left ear. I decide that i would learn ASL as a hearing tool. When i took the classes i realized it was really hard for deaf people to do what they really want to. I know that there are cities that are sorta bilingual like your city. But It's still working through hearing perspectives and not deaf perspective. You can go to the grocery store or the mall and someone working there knows sign language. whether or not its ASL it is some sort of sign. But its not a business run by a deaf person. I doesn't accommodate every need. We are defiantly trying to get there. But we do need a lot more deaf hands to be seen. Hearing people have privilege over the deaf community. And with that privilege we should be making sure that we don't speak for them but we do make sure they are heard.

[@maevemcdevitt9138]

I'd prefer that a Deaf town were in an area with four seasons. One thing i don't get is why couldn't the Deaf village be near the Twin cities in Minnesota since we have Thompson Hall a historic Deaf club that's been around in 1916. Also I think we should also address accommodations for Deaf people with other disabilties

[@DeafArch]

I agree with both Faiibaii8 and tar2006. We have to look at the past of our Deaf community to understand the mistakes we made and improve from there. It takes mistakes to get better whcih means we have to have a past of making mistakes in order to get better. But, about tar2006, I understand his point as RR is likely to choose to cling to old system which is actually an epic fail and I don't think his ideas will mesh well with the current Deaf leaders vision for a such Deaf community or town.

[@andresherdezjr]

I have been dreams for many years always fail cause not support deaf community

[@kwamegyeabour524]

we are fact to a deaf problem many time

[@theHolism]

And I see that you've used numerous of my pointers in this presentation. Back then you balked at my points and threatened to sue me. And now you're using some of the same pointers I gave you. That's what I find interesting.

[@theHolism]

Good speech. Beautiful points. However I'll point out the obvious for you. It does not take a community to build that dream. It only take a real strategist to accomplish that goal. I once offered some of my land to help you out and what did you say? Thanks but no thanks. And now you're begging us to join?

[@mitruxx]

are you joking?