Show LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 1 Support Any Form of Deaf Communication To The Editor I am writing in response to an article by Dixie Martinson published May 21 in the Horizon In this article Ms Martinson quoted me as supporting Oral Education for all children who are de deaf As an educator of deaf children for forthe forthe forthe the past 15 years I would like to make it clear that I support all options of communication for children It is the legal and ethical responsibility of school systems in conjunction with parents to develop an appropriate program for each deaf child Oral communication is one mode for some children American Sign Language is one i imode mode for other children i This is not a decision forced upon parents and children Each parent and child has the right to make the communication communication communication j choice they value and feel is appropriate for their needs Then together the parents educators and child design a program to meet the childs child's individual needs be they communication or academic Rather than appearing tobe to tobe s be polar opposites oral communication or American Sign Language may be viewed as two of the many options within with with- in the continuum of communication modes i Instead of a polarized argument 1 l believe that the personal communication choice of these individuals individuals 1 j als should be respected and supported j I Carol G. G Ruddell Hearing Impaired University Program-University of Utah i |