Barack Obama on the Inauguration

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"Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve." - Martin Luther King Jr.

This YouTube channel will feature closed captions, so be sure to check on it often!

I would like to talk about service. Why am I doing this blog and why am I investing all this energy and passion in bringing the deaf perspective of the political process to the world?

It all started at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, August 2008, because I wanted to update what I was doing to family and friends. Blogging seemed much more easier than sending emails. However, it was not long before I realized the importance and potential of sharing my experiences and education with the rest of the world. In a world that is becoming more and more connected than ever before, I saw a golden opportunity to roll up my sleeves and get involved to encourage more deaf people to join in the political process.

Did I ever get paid for my services? No. I consider my blog to be a public resource and everything on this blog is for the world to view, learn, and use. I continue to operate this blog because I believe that I am not the only one out there who wants to make a difference. I believe that there are more of you out there just like me.

People need to truly realize the crucial importance of volunteering, doing community services, getting involved, and taking up passions/ambitions - because the more you invest in the world, the more it will invest back in you. You will be rewarded for your goodwill and you will be able to learn so much during the process of it all. The benefits are endless.

Last but not least - Barack Obama's campaign has signaled to the world that we are entering an new era for everybody. Barriers are being broken down. It's no longer time to stand on the sidelines and complain about the state of things. More than ever, people are empowered to rise up and act for what they believe is most important to them. And time has ended for deaf people to lay back and be passive, to not get involved with the community, and to not dedicate themselves to passions and service. It's time for us to step up to the plate and swing the bat in this new era.

To quote Gandhi - "You must be the change you want to see in the world."

EXCLUSIVE!! Mini-Interview at the China Embassy

I was able to ask the China Embassy's Minister Counselor (Congressional Affairs) Zhang Ping about how people with disabilities are doing in China. No transcript because voice interpretation is provided and sign language is visible.

My question: How are people with disabilities doing in China? Is the government giving any assistance to the disabled in order to help them succeed? And, are there any laws in place to give them accessibility?

You can watch the Vlog to see the answer!

I would like to thank Zhang Ping and the China Embassy for being willing to participate in a Vlog with me and The Washington Center for giving me access.

Furthermore, I would like to mention that as I walked out of the China Embassy I stopped and picked up some pamphlets and brochures. I was very impressed that one of the brochures was entirely about the "Protection of the rights and interests of the handicapped."

Inside it, there was not only one but TWO sections devoted to the deaf people: the Shanghai Orient International Sign Language School and the Shanghai No 4 School for the Deaf. There was detailed information about the philosophy of advocating education, language, and rights for deaf people and their fellow country-men/women with disabilities in China.

I took photos to show you what I picked up at the China Embassy. It is of no exaggeration to say that I was extremely impressed by the presentation of information about the nation of China's support for the healthy development of its deaf citizens. I do hope most sincerely that many other nations will follow China's example. Here are the visual evidence:

The brochure "Protection of the rights and interests of the handicapped."

Shanghai Orient International Sign Language School

Shanghai No 4 School for the Deaf

The Deaf Community and Globalism

Today we visited the Chinese Embassy and listened to the Ministry Counselor of Congressional Affairs Zhang Ping speak about the development and modernization of China over the years since Xiaoping Deng brought his transformative policies into action.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect because just last night, I had viewed the Chinese superstar Jackie Chan sign in a commercial for 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei. You can view the commercial below. Seeing Jackie Chan filled me with deep pride as a deaf person and I salute Jackie Chan for getting involved with such an important international event for the deaf. When sign language is given greater exposure, it increases higher awareness in the public about deaf people, our culture, our needs, and accessibility.

Today, the world is becoming increasingly connected through globalism. What is the deaf version of globalism?

Throughout thousands of years, humanity has always had deafness. It happens in every culture, every continent, and every country. And whenever deaf people travel, the experience of being deaf is an instant reason to bond and become friends. There is a special kind of warmth that members of the international deaf community extend to one another. Deaf communities in one country will always be concerned about the welfare of deaf people in other countries. That’s our kind of globalism. Being deaf transcends the boundaries of countries, cultures, and languages.

I know this blog is viewed by the international deaf community. I’ve gotten emails and comments from people in Australia, Italy, France, United Kingdom, Thailand, and more. The people I’m able to meet and connect with are so diverse. The range of readership I’m able to reach out to is huge and it’s simply because I am deaf. I view the world through a very unique set of lens. That’s why I consider the fact that I was born deaf truly a blessing. So many opportunities have come to me that I wouldn’t have if I was hearing. The only hard part is convincing the greater world that there is nothing wrong with being deaf.

Understanding the Libertarian Party's Disability Policy

On Monday, the Gallaudet University group went on a site visit to the National Headquarters of the Libertarian Party. The purpose of the visit was to gain a greater understanding of the Libertarian Party’s political ideology in a setting in which we were able to interact with actual members of the Libertarian Party and ask them questions. Overall, I would say that the afternoon meeting turned out to be very interesting. Libertarian ideas deserve to be explained but this entry is going to be exclusively about their perspective and policy on disability issues.

First, a brief summary of the Libertarian Party. Its platform is based on the desire for more complete liberty-based governance system and strict reading of the Constitution (“It is not a living document”). From the pamphlet I picked up at the office: “Liberty means you can associate with others voluntarily, you can speak and publish freely, you can practice the religion of your choice (or none at all), keep what you earn, run your own business, and love and live as you please (so long as you don’t violate the rights of others).” Libertarians basically want less government because they wish to live more “freely” and not be constrained by laws and bureaucracy of the government. Libertarians are pro guns, don’t care about telling people who to marry, sometimes pro-choice, anti-tax, anti-regulations, and anti-public schools. Libertarians believe that as much as possible should be privatized, including schools and hospitals, so people may have more choice.

Okay, interesting enough. Now, what about their stance on disabilities? Keep in mind, all the information in this entry came from a site visit to the National Headquarters of Libertarian Party and we met and extensively questioned a member of the Libertarian Party.

Libertarians believe that all government buildings should be accessible because “the government serves all people.”

However, they explicitly do not support universal disability access – not in the broad terms of such laws like Americans With Disabilities Act. This means that, should they be privatized, schools are not required to provide interpreters and/or wheelchair access. Restaurants don’t have to serve blind, deaf, or people in wheelchairs and can deny them if they want to. Companies don’t have to hire people with disabilities and it will be completely fine with the Libertarian Party.

Why? What’s wrong with complete access?

The Libertarian Party believes that the government should NOT “force” everybody to give access to the disabilities. It’s simply up to them whether or not if they want to do that. It’s all about the freedom of choice. If a restaurant does not wish to have a wheelchair ramp, it will lose business compared with a restaurant that does have a wheelchair ramp. And it’s up to people to privately fund the interpreters for deaf people. Discriminating against people with disabilities would not be against the law in Libertarians’ eyes.

The entire Gallaudet University group and another group of hearing students in the program voiced strong disagreement with the Libertarian representative on this specific issue, arguing that if Libertarians are for strict reading of the Constitution – then “All men are created equal” should be taken literally and disability access is not only constitutional, it should be a major priority.

The debate went on for hours and it was a lively discussion full of differing perspectives. I’m glad that we were given the opportunity to meet with the Libertarian Party because I realized that – frankly – the Libertarian Party is naïve. They genuinely believe in the goodwill of humans and honestly do believe that people will give access to disabilities out of pure choice. They do not realize at all nor do they acknowledge the long history of oppression that people with disabilities have encountered and their struggle for basic civil rights. For the Gallaudet University group to go to the National Headquarters and discuss our point of view with members of the Libertarian Party, I believe it was an eye-opening experience for them and positive when you consider the greater exposure.

Day 3: CSPAN, the Congress, and Chamber of Commerce

Today was really interesting! I’m exhausted at the moment, though, because I was on my feet for the most of the afternoon and evening, and lugging a seriously HEAVY bag around. I had tried to make use of my laptop during the seminar but it wasn’t really a successful idea because I found that for today’s events, taking notes on paper was simply more efficient for me. Oh well. I’ll try to pack lighter next time.

It was very entertaining to actually be part of the CSPAN audience in real-life. It was kind of surreal to acknowledge mentally that I am watching something that is going to be shown on TV in front of millions of people. Simply put, I was just glad for the interpreters. It’s important for deaf people to be visible and for the hearing world to see sign language so they may acknowledge the existence of deaf people and our language.

In the afternoon, we had a tour of Congress. The building itself is beautiful and so representative of American democracy, values, and governance it was a honor to step inside. However... Maybe it’s because I’m a local girl, having lived in the shadow of the Capitol for four years as a student at Gallaudet University. I wasn't that satisfied with the volume of information I heard from the docent at the Congress. I wanted to hear more advanced information about the Congress on the caliber of The Washington Center’s lectures. Listening to basic information about the building didn't satisfy me but seeing the breathtaking beauty of the Congress itself was more than enough! The best part of the tour was passing the entrance to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office.

We then had a reception at the United States Chamber of Commerce. We had an excellent speech about media by Bob Schieffer, who is a well known journalist at CBS and the moderator of the third presidential election debate between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain. I enjoyed the speech very much; the food was tasty; but standing in Chamber of Commerce... It was kind of inevitable that my mind drifted off to Bill Richardson at times.

Walking to the Metro station to get home, I literally got so excited in front of the hotel that the Obama family is staying until they are moving in the White House permanently. My camera ran out of battery so I looked for a picture off the internet of the hotel itself, and found these two. The labor union AFL-CIO is giving the Obama kids a very warm welcome and I found their sign very – in deaf slang – “touchy” (as in, heartwarming, touching, special, aww) :-)

The Hay Adams Hotel, where the Obamas are staying at until they move in the White House.

The AFL-CIO's welcoming message to the Obama kids.

State of Emergency Declared for Inauguration Day

BECAUSE... The deaf population is high in the DC/Metro area.

BECAUSE... I’m a local girl.

BECAUSE... the world’s only liberal arts university for the deaf is in DC.

BECAUSE... Gallaudet University has announced that due to transportation problems related to the Presidential Inauguration, it is letting students check in as early as Wednesday the 14th.

BECAUSE... All members of the DC community should be conscious whenever a state of emergency is declared, even if it's for funding reasons and massive crowds.

BECAUSE... of all these reasons, I found this press statement important enough to share with you. President Bush has declared a state of emergency for the Inauguration Day. Please READ the following carefully and pass it on to all local DC deaf residents.

The President today declared an emergency exists in the District of Columbia and ordered federal aid to supplement the District's response efforts in support of the 56th Presidential Inauguration. The declaration makes available funding and support for the purposes of ensuring the District of Columbia and the federal government are optimally prepared and postured to respond to the 56th Presidential Inauguration, beginning on January 17 through January 21.
The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to provide appropriate assistance for certain emergency protective measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act. FEMA will also be authorized and prepared to coordinate any necessary response efforts, should an emergency arise. Specifically, assistance is available to the District for emergency protective measures that are undertaken to save lives and protect public health and safety. Direct Federal assistance, at 100 percent federal funding will be provided during the period of January 17-21, 2009, and reimbursement of emergency protective measures (Category B), under the Public Assistance program, at 100 percent federal funding for work performed on January 20, 2009. FEMA will reimburse for eligible emergency protective measures performed on January 20, 2009, only if the District has expended on the Presidential Inauguration during the period of January 17-21, 2009, the $15 million appropriated to it for "Emergency Planning and Security Costs" by the Continuing Appropriations Resolution 2009, P.L. 110-329.
FEMA Administrator David Paulison named Donald L. Keldsen the federal coordinating officer for federal coordination operations in the District of Columbia.
The Presidential Inauguration has been designated as a National Security Special Event (NSSE) by the Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's role is to be prepared to respond to a natural disaster, acts of terrorism and other man-made disasters.

Serge Okogo: Obama's Economic Stimulus Package

Serge Okogo is a student at Gallaudet University from Gabon, Africa. He is one of the 8 Gallaudet University students attending the Presidential Academic Seminar for Inauguration 2009. Here, he asks both Bob Beckel and Cal Thomas about Obama's Economic Stimulus Package.