Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Emmy Nominee - Rachel Coleman's Response


Rachel Coleman wrote:

The Emmy's are for television shows. The Oscars are for movies. There are deaf themed shows as well as deaf actors who have been nominated and won these awards.

I agree let's see more mainstream deaf performers and media so that the deaf can be recognized!

You wouldn't believe how hard it was for us to get ASL on public television. Many stations felt there were not enough deaf viewers to warrant a show introducing ASL. Some felt Signing Time is too educational, others felt ASL was too narrow a niche.

The bottom line is hundreds of thousands of children have now seen ASL in their homes on their TV. When they see a child using signs they CAN communicate with them rather than stare and gawk.

I was tired of my deaf child being left out because so few people knew her language.

Emmy nomination or not. We have made a difference in the lives of children. We have helped hearing parents of deaf children see that having a deaf child is not the end of the world. It is the start of a whole new world of experiences.

Countless children are growing up feeling like they have a deaf friend in my daughter Leah, whether they have met her or only seen her on TV.

This IS progress my friends and I am proud to be a part of it.



Ummm.
*YOU GO GIRL!*

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

My nieces enjoy Signing Time dvds I picked up at either ASLexpo or DeafNation a year ago...I had a short chat with Rachel Coleman there too. Nice lady.

My nieces talk to me in sign language more now...Thanks to Rachel.

Karen Putz said...

Way to go, Rachel!

Sojourner said...

Hi,

I am really happy to see that children with CI learn ASL. Its the best for them. :)

ali

Valerie said...

Very classy lady. Thank you Rachel. I look forward to more great things from you.

Abbie said...

She is absolutely right in every aspect, it is progress. A little progress is better then no progress at all..

I need to get a copy of this now...

Anonymous said...

I really am happy about Signing Time because I remember when I was little, other little kids would either stare at me or laugh at me just because they don't understand the point of seeing hands flying around.

So, now with Signing Time... it will help many, many kids to understand the point of signing and maybe will help a few if not many to be interested into ASL like.. interpreters, teachers, etc for deaf.

-SG

Anonymous said...

This would be fun to show in school. It would expose more kids to ASL and it's fun.

Suey

The Brights said...

My son absoloutely adores his Signing Time videos. We travel 700+ miles either by plane or car for every CI appointment and we never leave home with out his DVDs! Rachel Coleman is our hero :) Living in rural Montana, we have a hard time finding people to teach us ASL.

Anonymous said...

Geez! I didn't know you were going to post my comment as a real post LOL - I would have been more... more.. I don't know what! Maybe I would have been less something :)

I am glad to know there are so many of you out there who have children who are benefitting from Signing Time. Your stories inspire me!

One of my favorite Signing Time encounters was at a Deaf Expo quite a few years ago. An older man who is deaf came up to me and said, "I want to thank you! Because of you and your daughter Leah, my hearing grandchildren finally understand that I am deaf and because of your show they are finally interested in communicating with me."

When things get tough or overwhelming, I just think of that grandpa and I know it is ALL worth it.

Unknown said...

Hi Rachel,
I posted your response because it was perfect. You are a remarkable Mom and woman... I think that sometimes those roles can be and need to be separated. You have taken the role of Mom and strengthened the woman through your experience with your daughter.
And now...
You are helping the world learn to Sign.
Congratulations on all of your success, may it only continue.
I appreciate your comments.
Hugs, Jodi