Editorial

Editorial trends in the deaf community: implications One of the most positive advances in the field of deafness over the last few years has been the establishment of state commissions for the hearing impaired. Although their exact titles may vary, the commissions are state-sponsored organizations established to meet the major needs of deaf people in their respective states. Currently , there are 17 such commissions in existence nationally. Vocational training, interpreting , education, job placement, legal services, mental health care, and related functions that are basic to enabling deaf people to become capable contributing members of society are far superior in states where commissions for the deaf exist. In general, the commissions are most effective when they have a maximum of autonomy and are answerable directly to state governors, independent boards, or cabinet-level state officers. The poorest arrangements appear to exist when commissions are under the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. In years past, fundamental aspects of the life of many deaf people was centered in the "Deaf Club." It represented the center of social and recreational life for many deaf people following graduation from the state residential schools. Leadership skills were developed in these clubs, courtships leading to marriage often took place, and in general, a social support system existed which served a majority of deaf adults. Today with television, captioned films, videocassette players, and other home-centered entertainment available, clubs seem to be declining in numbers and in the socioeconomic status of their members. Along with home-centered types of activities, mainstreaming programs have contributed to a decline in the number of "deaf clubs." When residential education was almost a universal experience for deaf youth, the transition to a club of deaf people was natural and almost certain . Today many mainstreamed youth lack the experience with and closeness to other deaf people which is basic to involvement with a "deaf club." The loser in this diminishing role of the club is not so much the minority of educated deaf professionals as it is the average and below average deaf adult. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is playing a role in the deaf community similar to the Urban League's function among black people. Its deaf membership consists primarily of middle-aged or older persons who are educated and reasonably well off. The issues for which it fights hardest, e.g., more captioned television, reflect the membership's priorities. Needs such as jobs, better education, and support for group living which are far more important to the majority of deaf people tend to assume less priority with the NAD. The major legal advances deaf people as a group are making continue to come from state legislation and administrative regulations through the combined efforts of the National Center for Law and the Deaf, state associations for the deaf, and state commissions. Court victories by the NAD Legal Defense Fund have also helped to enforce these laws and regulations. For example, interpreting laws including the rights of students to have this service and the right for legal defendants to interpreters are examples of this kind of progress. Currently the NAD Legal Defense Fund is making a major effort to insure equal access to state mental health facilities for deaf patients. Deaf children and their parents continue to fight an uphill battle on the mainstreaming front. The wealthy, aggressive, litigious parent can eventually get the multitude of diverse services needed to properly educate a deaf child in the regular public school, although it will take years if the school system resists. By contrast, the balance of deaf children and their parents take what schools offer which generally ranges from almost nothing (e.g., seating in the front of the class) to reasonably comprehensive services. SUMMARY Legislation and technology are bringing about significant changes in the deaf community. The trend seems to indicate a reasonable continuation of the services and opportunities open to educated middle and upper class deaf people. By contrast, the average and below average deaf person seems to be losing educational and vocational opportunities and the kind of deaf community they need for social support and general guidance and direction. McCay Vernon, Ph.D. Editor 862 A.A.O...