In a previous blog post, ‘Deaf Not Allowed To Teach?’, I shared an email from Ms. Kelly Laatsch, where she shared her experience of being refused interpreters during her teaching practicum at Central Michigan University.
Since that time, the university’s student newspaper has covered this story in a 2 part article series: Article 1 and Article 2. There is now also an update from Ms. Laatsch, which I have posted below, including another CMU administrator email address, for those who want to send in letters of support for Ms. Laatsch.
I personally am outraged at this situation. There is absolutely no justification for this denial of interpreters for Ms. Laatsch, on the part of the CMU administrators. Section 504 and ADA guarantees her the right to an interpreter if her cochlear implants are not enough for effective communication. Michigan State, prior to closing its Deaf Education program, had several deaf students graduate from its program, and went on to teach, without any issues.
Shame on you, Central Michigan University!
~ A Deaf Pundit
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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 eight of sixteen weeks of student teaching. In preparation for this, I requested an interpreter months ago; however, Karen Edwards, Director of Student Teaching, Renee Papelian, Director of Professional Education & Assistant to the Dean, 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 are statements that Dr. Edwards pointed out in the Technical Standards including that I “understand and speak in English.” Dr. Edwards, Dr. Papelian, 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 was encouraged to use an interpreter half time, then for the rest of the semester I am encouraged to show that I can teach “independently” 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. I believe that as a Deaf student, being unable to use an interpreter in a required course (student teaching) is in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, PA 220, Article 1, Sec. 102 (PA 220 of 1976), and others.
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). It appears to me these staff members at Central Michigan University feel the Michigan Department of Education Technical Standards (policies) trumps the laws that entitle me an interpreter without consequences.
Last week, Dr. Edwards and Dr. Papelian told me that I have to go four to five weeks without an interpreter before the end of the semester to demonstrate my “independence” as a teacher or I may not pass student teaching. What I find odd is that right on top of the Technical Standards, it states that I must meet the standards “with or without reasonable accommodations.” Dr. Edwards and Dr. Papelian still believe I must go for some time without an interpreter.
They also told me that if I don’t pass student teaching I could still get a Bachelors of Science (non-teaching) degree from Central Michigan University. I told them I want to earn my Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education, the degree I have been pursing for the last four years. In addition to this, they suggested that I could also sign a waiver stating that I will never receive teaching certification in the state of Michigan. This baffled me. I wondered why anyone would even do this. I told them I would not do this.
Another issue I have been struggling with deals with interpreters. For the first four weeks of student teaching, I had the same main interpreter every day. Some days another interpreter will be present as a team. After the first four weeks when I decided that this Action Plan was not going to be successful, I told Ms. Rood that I needed an interpreter for the reminder of the semester. I also requested for that same interpreter to continue interpreting since she stated to me she is willing to and is available to be there. Ms. Rood denied this request and instead hired an interpreter agency. I cannot tell you who will be my interpreter every day because it is random. Usually there is one same interpreter who is there but sometimes she has to go to another job and a different interpreter would be there. Some days there are two interpreters all day. Some days there are two interpreters in which one or both would come and go throughout the day. Some days there is just one interpreter. Sometimes I would go without an interpreter from between thirty minutes to a few hours. I feel this is very inconsistent and it frustrates me. It is not good for my students especially since most of these students are at-risk and they very much need consistency. Also to make my student teaching experience successful I feel it is best to have one interpreter or a team of interpreters be there every day. I feel that this would also be “reasonable accommodation.”
As you can probably see, there has been a lot of discrimination, oppression, and violation against laws. Obviously, this is a time-sensitive matter because I am in the middle of my student teaching experience. If you need more information, please contact me. Anything you can do quickly would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kelly Laatsch
The CMU contacts:
Susie Pletcher-Rood, Director of Student Disability Services
rood1se@cmich.edu
(989) 774-3018
Karen Edwards, Director of Student Teaching
edwar2kl@cmich.edu
(989) 774-4411
Renee Papelian, Director of Professional Education & Assistant to the Dean
papel1rj@cmich.edu
(989) 774-1410
Tony Voisin, Dean of Students
deanofstu@cmich.edu
(989) 774-3346
Kathryn Koch, Interim Dean of College of Education and Human Services
koch1ke@cmich.edu
(989) 774-6995
I have had left my comment at CMU newspaper to give the reasons why she should have a FULL time interpreter, etc. Damn shame….that is wrong on many levels. She has every right to have full access to her education in order to educate deaf children once she becomes a full fledged teacher.
I just emailed my reasons to the staff. Here is excerpt of this email, hope this should make them reconsider:
Dear Sirs and Ma’ams,
Hope this reaches you just fine. I’ve read the article from CMU newspaper and my friend’s blog about this issue that ensues about not getting full access to employ FULL time interpreter for the student teacher at CMU. I’m truly dismayed to find this situation has gone way out of hand due to lack of understanding the importance for Deaf people to have FULL access to any such communications.
Even though, Ms. Laatsch has the cochlear implants BUT she has EVERY right to request one or two full time interpreters to get the wealth of teaching education to cater the Deaf children of all grades. Keep in that mind that cochlear implants are NOT even 100 percent effective. Only up to 95 percent or even less. The public misconception is that cochlear implants are somewhat “miracle” that every Deaf with C.I. (cochlear implants) can hear every single thing. That is truly myth. I’m very disheartened to see Ms. Laatsch being denied to the proper service that she wishes to continue her Deaf Education program to become a full fledge teacher to teach Deaf children which are OUR FUTURE DEAF GENERATION. You may end up wasting her hard working toward her degree.
You may have violated her Civil Rights due to the fact of your denial and weak attempt to send a part time interpreter. That is so wrong on many levels. She has EVERY right to that such service. You should honor her request and provide her the interpreters WITHOUT any questions. That is her right, not privileges. It is her RIGHT. Always remember that Deaf people have their native language…..American Sign Language. That is our truly language, nothing else.
Please, I beseech you to reconsider this decision and allow her to have FULL ACCESS to the interpreters to continue her education which is very important to Deaf children and next generation as well.
Thank you for your full attention.
Misha
Upon reading the information available to date, it seems audism is alive and well in Michigan. Down thumb, Paul
Misha, I agree with you, I second.
CMU, you failed provided for Ms. Laatsch’s right and you were not follow up the A.D.A law that you should not violated of Ms Laatsch need to be interpreter with you .. No matter what you want to be became to be teacher for deaf children. You ought arrangement to get ASL interpreter.. You thought. It is not meaning if the person who is wear C.I. Cochlear Implant to know everything about listen the instruction. Impossible! Impossible. Often inaccurate information were WRONG by instructor’s lipread often confused everyone. You have to hire Oral with a ASL interpreter do have a training for oralism.
I feel that Ms Laatsch’s right which mean she choose to be better to knowledge what she want to became teacher for deaf children. she would not teach to deaf children to became hearing. Impossible. Something different than other deaf student if they choose to use ASL interpreter. We are not follow your own right. Simple, you violated of her rights.
It is very irony for her to suffer and failed grade because of that of your refused to accommodation . And Her grade is going to be failed because Ms. Laatsch do not understand. Instruction’s lipread would be difficult with 30-40 feet from. If she cannot see too far with instructor’s lip read would not show her what instructor say in lecture are very difficult.
You are responsible to hire ASL interpreter. Her instructor are uneducated and kind of unprofessional
Margaret A-T
Sigh! This is another example of ignorant administrators. I cannot believe this situation arising in Michigan. Get a lawyer. However, how about “No Teacher Left Behind” law that is needed to be effective. Try “https://www.nycteachingfellows.org/” for those who have bachelor’s degree in any field other than education and must not be certified. I am Deaf and applied for this program in NYC. I got an invitation to an interview event in March which is only a first step toward this program. Nice things about this program is that after 7-week pre-service extensive training program during summer, you start as a full time teacher immediately and take 2 courses each term at the expense of NYC Dept of Education until you earn Master’s degree in Special Education and be certified.
FYI, Dean of Students email bounced back to me as undeliverable. Hmm…either his email is wrong or whatever. The rest went through.
Misha
It could be that the Dean’s getting a LOT of emails complaining about this situation and set it up to bounce any that isn’t in his contact list or a few keywords.
Thanks for sending in the email, Misha. I know Kelly appreciates it!
Same things, the email already bounced same person. Misha. Sound likely he has a overwhelmed email from deaf community.
Margaret ; )
It is definitely Kelly’s right to have interpreters for teaching!
The administration at CMU should have it brought to their attention the gift Kelly has of being fluent in two languages and the wonderful benefits that skill will bring to her students, both the hearing and the deaf? Having Kelly and one or two interpreters will give the students richness and increased awareness of two languages. The hearing students will be enriched by the fluency of ASL and the deaf will be enriched by her fluency in English (which Kelly demonstrated to us with her written language). All the students will increase their abilities to pay attention and focus in the classroom. Imagine what a blessing it will be to students, parents, and to Kelly to have her in the classroom with two consistent interpreters!
CMU staff, are you listening?