Deaf Again - Assignment Example

Questions and answers

1. What is DCS? Give an example in the book where this was evident. Compare DCS to Hearing people chatting.

DCS refers to distributed control systems. These involve a combination of control elements that are distributed throughout the system. The author of the book ‘Deaf Again’ applies such a system. However, DCS is in a way limited to the deaf.  The use of sign language is an element that has enabled communication among deaf people.

2. Why are the deaf children of deaf parents considered lucky?

Deaf children are considered in a way lucky and privileged within society. They are treated as people with disabilities and in a way favored by the community. Every member of the community is concerned with the success of the deaf child. In the case study, Mark was born without this disability but later grew deaf. His parents were deaf. However, Mark was a lucky child since his parents without the use of sign language, which in a way could have interfered with his speech and later affect his studies, educated him.

3. What reasons did the doctor give the author's parents NOT to sign?

The author states that the parents opted not to use sign language when educating Mark. They had the belief that signs will interfere with Mark’s ability to speak. This could later interfere with his level of understanding during education. On the Fence is another collection of deaf writers that depicts the hidden world that those with hearing disabilities live as a virtually invisible population. The parents and grandmother of Mark feel much proud that Mark is educated without the use of sign language which they believed might interfere with his education.

4. What is the crucial age window for children to pick up a language? (Be specific). How does this affect deaf children? How can it affect them later in life (middle school, high school)?

As per the argument of Mark Drolsbaugh, a child should pick up a language at the age of one to two years. This will enable their parents to identify any disability and be in a position to employ corrective measures before the situation is severe. This will also enable deaf children to establish whether they can pursue learning with or without the use of sign language. The picking of language at this age also establishes a foundation on the education basis, enabling the child to pursue the various aspects of learning like speaking, reading, and writing more effectively.

5. What were the author’s views on the cochlear implant for himself and for others? Would he get one? What does the author suggest hearing and deaf people should do after their child is implanted?

Mark, although he was deaf, remained determined. The support he got from his parents gave him a chance to pursue learning and prosper in education. The author regrets his slow growth and development of emotions. It took him so long to appreciate and be proud of the ‘deaf culture’. Deaf people should appreciate themselves and get encouraged that they can still prosper regardless of their disability. After a deaf child is implanted, the parents have a responsibility to support him or her. This should be through emotional support, financial support, and provision of basic needs that will strengthen the child and make them appreciate their life condition. This will even motivate them to undertake important activities within society like education.