tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-394601210865935956.post374864327374361436..comments2016-01-24T15:37:27.320-05:00Redeafinedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04987084486695852155noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-394601210865935956.post-56771121667614580992012-03-29T20:38:23.992-04:002012-03-29T20:38:23.992-04:00J- It's true, the fact that genetic deafness was so prevalent on Martha's Vineyard did make things easier in a sort of cyclical way-- hearing people knew many deaf people and so learned sign language to communicate with them, therefore learning that deaf people were no different from them, which in turn made it an even more mainstream/accepted trait. Hopefully a similar effect can be achieved if more people can about deafness and learn sign language, spurring on the same cycle. The key, like always, seems to be in education. Thanks for reading!Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05225252008262628098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-394601210865935956.post-58701827426003495542012-03-19T07:37:57.679-04:002012-03-19T07:37:57.679-04:00That was a very interesting story about Martha's Vineyard. I'm a Mass native and had never heard that history before. It seems there are two threads going. How do you encourage a broader use and understanding of sign language within a community and how do you shift society's view of deafness from disability to trait. Since, it isn't always a trait from birth and may be caused by external forces, is it harder for people to define?JShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12892044925199859125noreply@blogger.com