I recently received an email from a woman named Kelly Laatsch. A friend had referred her to me, asking that I support her in her civil rights issue. Her story is quite astounding, and so I am going to share her story here, in her own words.
—-
Hello,
I am a Deaf student at Central Michigan University, currently student teaching and in place to graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in May 2012. I was provided sign language interpreters for my courses including education courses at Central Michigan University for the last four years.
Currently I am in week two of sixteen weeks of student teaching. In preparation for this, I requested an interpreter months ago; however, Karen Edwards, Director of Student Teaching and Susie Rood, Director of Student Disability Services stated that I do have the right to an interpreter, but if I use an interpreter I may not pass my student teaching requirements based on Michigan Department of Education Teaching Technical Standards. There is a statement that Dr. Edwards pointed out in the Technical Standards that states that I must “understand and speak in English.” Dr. Edwards and Ms. Rood created an Action Plan to “wean” me off from using an interpreter to “help” me become “more independent” (first two weeks I was able to use an interpreter full time, following two weeks I can only use an interpreter half time, then for the rest of the semester I need to show that I can teach without an interpreter). I have cochlear implants and can speak for myself and hear fairly well; however, I still need an interpreter for things I miss
Dr. Edwards and Ms. Rood let me know that I can use a FM System and that this would not strongly affect whether or not I pass student teaching. They may be thinking that using an FM System still allows me to use my own “body and mind” to show how effective I am as a teacher (and that using an interpreter makes me less effective as a teacher). Even with my cochlear implants and with an FM System, I am still not going to be able to effectively communicate with the students, parents, and other teachers as well as I could with an interpreter.
I have filed a complaint (in October 2011) against Central Michigan University through Office of Civil Rights. They are still processing my case (may take up to 180 days); however, so far it does not look good. It appears to me they feel the Michigan Department of Education Technical Standards (policies) trumps the laws that entitle me an interpreter without consequences.
Obviously, this is a time-sensitive matter because I am now student teaching. For the next two weeks I am “encouraged” to only have an interpreter with me half of the time. Then in two weeks I am “encouraged” to not have an interpreter or I may not pass because of my use of an interpreter.
—-
Ms. Laatsch, in the close of her email to me, asked for letters of support for her, to the CMU administrators and enclosed their information. So, please feel free to contact these individuals and let them know how you feel about this. Remember, please do try to keep it civil in your emails!
- Susie Pletcher-Rood, Director of Student Disability Services: rood1se@cmich.edu
- Karen Edwards, Director of Student Teaching: edwar2kl@cmich.edu
- Tony Voisin, Dean of Students: deanofstu@cmich.edu
- Kathryn Koch, Interim Dean of College of Education and Human Services: koch1ke@cmich.edu
Reaction: O_O (wide-eyed in disbelief.)
If any colleges/universities want the deaf students majoring in education to become the best teachers, they HAVE to provide all means to help them… that includes interpreters. Even with CIs, people do miss out some… especially in the large noisy classrooms with over 25 kids.
Astounding. This is an overlap between an education situation and a working place situation, and the ADA law still applies to future working situations. Interpreters are not only an educational support, they are also workplace assists. This isn’t about Ms. Laatsch’s physical fitness to teach, it is about giving her the necessary equipment to be an effective teacher.
sigh. i’m not surprised to see this. that policy is in violations of ADA and Sec 504
Astounding indeed…and the worst thing is that a Director of Student Disability is advocating this? This is like advocating that a student with prosthetic legs to student teach in a building with no handicapped ramps.
A similar situation happened a couple years ago in Colorado too-a deaf student majoring in education was told at the end of her studies that she wouldn’t be allowed to graduate because she could not teach children using phonics or take/pass a course in phonics. (Details ambigious on my end) but she successfully sued her school. Her case might be informative in this case. Best of luck combating bureaucratic idiocy.
I’m also Deaf Teacher for High School – Mathematic, Science and Technology. It doesn’t make any sense to me by pointing out with Michigan Department of Education Teaching Technical Standards states that she must “understand and speak in English. I need to see their Standards. She spend 4 years of her education at Central Michigan University to obtain her Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education by May 2012. That is a lot of $$$ for her to obtain her B.S. in Elementary Education and same time trying to tell us that we must “understand and speak in English” There is so much flaws in it.
We have successfully Deaf Teacher students graduated from BA Deaf Education and M.Ed in Deaf Education with/without interpreters at Gallaudet University. She have the right as this ADA and VR Act 504 law will trumps over Michigan Department of Education Technical Standards (policies) anyway. Law always superseded over policy. ADA & VR Act 504 states that she have right to obtain interpreter in order for her to pass her requirement with Technical Standards in school place and work place as well.
Pingback: Talk about AUDIST! - AllDeaf.com
Oh. My. God! There is SO much wrong with this! “wean off an interpreter”? “must be able to speak English”. By these standards, almost NO Deaf person would be granted certification in mich. Speechless! (and yes, I’m aware of the irony of that choice of words!)
Disgraceful. Miss Laatsch’s situation is clearly in violation of Section 504 and she needs to get in touch with the Civil Rights Division at the US Department of Justice. ASAP!
R-
This is just wrong. I’m also a cochlear implant user and a CI won’t provide full access. Spoken language is at best only partially accessible with CIs even if they’re an improvement over hearing aids. I can’t believe the gall of Karen Edwards and she should know better – considering the nature of her job.
Sadly, some fields do require you to hear and communicate (air traffic controller is one of them). Is she trying to become a teacher of the deaf? Just curious even though I think deaf people can be a regular school teacher instead of a teacher who specialized deaf education.I hope they will realize that the need of interpreter does not mean she can’t teach phonic or other things, they are there to help her not miss out in a fast paced teaching setting (where she is more likely to miss out even if she can hear well with CI and speak) .In fact, I think deaf people have more understanding of phonics since some of them have been taught how to speak using phonic and taught how to use phonic to help them pronounce words they never heard before since they can’t always pick up conversations around them.
plus, how is interpeter any different from CART and FM system? they both accomdate the deaf (accept FM is less effective because it is trying to use her weak sense and make it “powerful”)
As everyone here has already stated this is a violation of ADA. However what bothers me the most is the “weaning off” process from an interpreter. I mean seriously, WTF? This was actually thought up and implemented by the Director of Student Disability Services, Seriously? When I read stuff like this, I think I should have just stayed in bed…
Although most Deaf teachers teach deaf children and young adults, there are a few who work with hearing children, learning- and developmentally-disabled children. Their only difficulty is receptive–they use an interpreter or aide to fully understand the students. They may find that most students adapt quickly and modify their queries or comments so that the teacher can lipread better. (The aides are also useful in maintaining discipline when one’s back is turned on a class of hearing students.) Overall, however, teaching is heavily communication dependent and it makes more sense to stay in the Deaf sector.
Perhaps the Deaf teacher should, while in college, re-word their goal statements to “deaf education” so that college administrators don’t throw unnecessary requirements in their way. Once the degree is in hand, the Deaf teacher can go wherever there is an opening and accommodations are available.
The said school’s policy is clearly and unmistakenly in violation of ADA and Section 504; therefore, Ms. Laatsch should immediately file a lawsuit in the Department of Justice. Meanwhile, I shall be only too happy to write the letters to the people you have aforementioned.
What about written a Change.org about her barrier & discrimination to judge after she need to file complaint about 504 section definetly discrimnation. Somewhat NAD do not support her due to unemployed.. What about being need to charity for money to pay legal expense? My English is dull and hard to thinking to leaving the comment.
Just wonder?
Margaret
Just wondering… What is the aftermath?? Did she graduate? I am hoping for the happy ending.
Arista, I just posted this couple of weeks ago. And May 2012 is 3 months away. So it’s still in progress. As far as I know, her civil rights are still being violated.
I will post an update when new developments occur.
Sorry… I was half asleep thinking it was May 2011. :/ The question should be I will be just wondering in months to come… Keep me posted on the aftermath. Hoping for her to graduate with her rights still intact. The biggest and 2nd goof I have made on a blog in 8 years. Sorry again. Yikes!
Hello, I am a Deaf individual who got my Teacher’s Certificate in Michigan several years ago. I did not attend this university, but a different university (Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan). During the years that I attended my university’s Education program, I did need to take several exams to move on to the next level of Teacher’s Education. However, never once was I denied an interpreter. During my student teaching, I taught in a self-contained Deaf class at a hearing high school, and I didn’t need an interpreter full time. However, when my Teaching Supervisor came to observe me teach a lesson, then I did need an interpreter at those times. I was never denied one. During all my examinations to get my state Teacher’s Certificate, I was never told that I can’t get that because I need to speak English. I passed all my exams and received my Teacher’s Certificate, and I graduated from the Teacher’s Education program with high honors.
It’s sad to see this “discrimination” still exist in this century! I graduated from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama in 2001 with B.S. in Elementary Education. I did my student teaching at a public school teaching all hearing 5th grader. I had interpreters with me the whole time. I will be in front of the students and the interpreter will be behind the students interpreting. It was a very pleasant experience as I did have the option to teach at the Deaf school nearby but wanted to challenge myself and educate others that a Deaf teacher can teach any education settings. I’d be happy to write a letter of support.
Pingback: Update On Deaf Teaching Ban | The Deaf Edge