Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Deaf

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Contents 1 Open forum 1.1 Films 1.2 Deaf Schools 2 NPOV 3 Userboxes? 4 Project Directory

[edit] Open forum

I want to encourage collaboration so I propose to use this talk page for a general discussion of who we are, what we are interested in doing on wikipedia, and how we can use this project.

As for me, I'm Australian, hearing, and an accredited interpreter (though I don't work as one much at the moment). I just did an overhaul of the cochlear implant article. Like everything I've done here, it still needs work! I've got a bunch of notes for other articles, such as manual alphabet and especially the dauntingly large sign language linguistics which I would be more keen to start on if I had a collaborator!

I would also love to see more images on sign language pages. Anyone have a digital camera? ntennis 03:58, 4 February 2006 (UTC)

I second having more images on sign language pages. Simply describing them is like describing swimming, rather unhelpful. Deaf culture and language are such a big topic to cover. I'm not sure where to start. Making the WikiProject official sounds like a good idea, and would probably be more visible for people looking to contribute.

I would love to see how sign language linguistics turn out. I'm not sure I'm qualified for being a collaborator, but I can talk to some people and have them either participate or refer me to the texts on linguistics, but probably ASL specifically. I've read that most sign languages seem to share the same basic structure of Object-Subject-Verb, so that should make trying to corral all the sign languages together less difficult.

What are the examples of other projects that have been brought to fruition? It may help get some ideas of what we can do. We can cover literature and arts, historical figures, Deaflympics, linguistics, as well as the diversity of people. --Lux 06:21, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

I am more than willing to contribute to an official project, but I don't believe I have ever participated in an official WikiProject before so I'm not sure what's needed to get off the ground. Just for my own credentials, I am a nationally certified sign language (ASL) interpreter and have been signing most of my life (but not a CODA). -Etoile 19:20, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

I would just be echoing the words written above by Etoile as I haven't done much on Wikipedia, much less contributed to an official WikiProject. However to follow Etoile's lead, I know very basic Auslan, having completed one course in November 2005. -samh004 06:46, 16 February 2006 (UTC)

I'm excited this is getting rolling. These articles have been in need of revision for a long time. As for me, I've got a moderate background in ASL, Deaf culture, and Linguistics (and, ironically, editing), but not much experience on Wikipedia (and I'm up to my ears in work in real life. :P ). I'd be more than happy to throw in some really good source material or work on copyediting, but as for the actual write-up, I don't think I'll be much help. Sorry :( --Cathryn 20:44, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

Someone messaged me about trying to expand the article on CODA because s/he noticed I was affiliated with sign language. Well, that's really helpful because I didn't think about CODA, just that they're children of Deaf parents. On the other hand, I do know some notable CODAs in the United States. --Lux 00:35, 22 February 2006 (UTC)

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back. I am totally up for making our little project official! However, I still don’t think we have quite enough people for the magnanimity of what our Project entails. I would also like to see some more people with very strong experience and knowledge of both sides of the D/deaf spectrum. But let’s do it! Hopefully as we become more and more public, more people will start joining. I will begin to look into acquiring photos and videos to add. Good luck, everyone! P.S.- ntennis, do you know how to make us a full fledged Project? Because I don't off the top of my head (but I could find out very quickly). Gaep13^(talk) 03:38, 22 February 2006 (UTC)

Well it's at least half-fledged now (see note below). I agree with your assessment. Let's put it out there and hope it gains momentum. ntennis 04:16, 4 March 2006 (UTC)

I'd like to join and contribute as well. My name is Jason and I was born Deaf, raised in a Deaf family. I have a Deaf brother and I am married and I have three young boys, of whom are all deaf, as well as my wife. I graduated from Indiana School for the Deaf in Indianapolis, Indiana. I read Wikipedia a lot; however, this is my first time actually editing and writing, so please bear with me. I do hope you all will welcome me and allow me to participate in getting this major project completed. Thank you! --jrw7 22:03, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

Many times welcome! I am very happy that we can have some actual Deaf input in here, and I look forward to any contributions you will have! Please let me know if you have any questions on anything; I would be glad to help. Gaep13^(talk) 03:42, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Films

I'd love to see an expansion (and creation) of articles of films with sign language in them. Johnny Belinda and Children of a Lesser God are both good examples. Specifically, are they "good" portrayals of ASL/Deaf culture? Also, perhaps we could create a new category or article, something like list of Deaf films --Micahbrwn 09:14, 12 February 2006 (UTC)

That is a great idea. I think a list of films and literature should go on the Deaf culture page. ntennis 04:16, 4 March 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Deaf Schools

I'd also like to see a category or subcategory (unsure) with a list of all Deaf schools in the U.S. as well as in other countries. It's a fantastic idea as well for all Deaf schools to have their own article. We could briefly explain the history, location, education, and such, as well as list statistics (such as number of students, etc.). What do you think? --jrw7 20:11, 23 March 2006 (UTC)

I think this is an absolutely fantastic idea. I'll add it to the Tasks. Gaep13^(talk) 03:42, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

Are you aware of Category:Schools for the deaf? ntennis 03:57, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I just discovered that. I've also just created my very first article on my school, Indiana School for the Deaf. I am trying to figure out how to add ISD to the category of schools for the Deaf. How do you do that? Thanks. jrw7 23:54 23 March 2006 (UTC)

Great work on Indiana School for the Deaf :) It's easy to add it to the category — just put this text at the bottom of the article: [[Category:Schools for the deaf]]. ntennis 05:29, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

Thanks! Appreciate it! Yeah, that was my very first article I've ever created on Wikipedia. Not as hard as it sounds or looks. I didn't want to put way too much information on the article, because I feel that would take potential visitors away from ISD's website. I just put what I felt was enough information along with a link on the bottom. More will be added; however, it looks nice right now. Again, thanks. jrw7 08:09, 24 March 2006 (UTC)

Greetings. I would like to invite you to review my article The Learning Center for Deaf Children. I need a fresh pair of eyes on it. Most of the information was gleened from the website. Thanks! Jerry G. Sweeton Jr. 20:28, 21 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] NPOV

This, IMO, is going to be the most difficult element of this project. The way I see it, it actually might be easiest to stay true to both sides of the issue if critical articles presented their material from both the medical perspective and the Deaf Culture's perspective. Perhaps this would end up superfluous, but I don't think "playing the middle ground" does either side justice (especially Deaf Culture, actually). What does everyone think? Redundant or necessary? (Or is there a better way to address the problem?) --Cathryn 20:40, 20 February 2006 (UTC)

The conventional approach to controversial topics on wikipedia is to describe the main points of view, and cite the sources. To give a simplistic example, cochlear implants are championed by [XYZ medical authority] as a wonderful new treatment for deafness, and are opposed by [XYZ Deaf community authority] as an attack on Deaf culture. Readers are left to form their own opinion. Have you read Wikipedia:Neutral point of view? What article/s in particular do you think are difficult to present in an NPOV way? Maybe we can discuss some possible approaches here? ntennis 01:45, 22 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Userboxes?

I know there's already a wikibox for deaf users, but how about something that reflects deaf culture? As indicated below, a hearing aid photo doesn't really fit the "capital-D Deaf" cultural identity. --Micahbrwn 05:23, 1 May 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, I agree entirely. I think a picture of a person signing would be great, and then there can be two userboxes: "This user is deaf" and "This user is Deaf." Sadly, this again reflects our need for good ASL/deaf pictures. I don't have a camera (digital or otherwise) or else I would undertake that venture myself. I am going abroad this summer, but when I get back I think I will start to pursue pictures and maybe even video. We're a work in progress; let’s not lose steam! Gaep13^(talk) 21:57, 2 May 2006 (UTC)

What about a picture of the ILY sign? Given that's a pretty universal sign in deaf culture, no matter which country you live in. Micahbrwn 05:20, 3 May 2006 (UTC)

Great idea. U have one? ntennis 05:55, 3 May 2006 (UTC)

What about http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lagoon/1152/ILY.gif this picture? Obviously, copyright is a major concern, but since it's such a well-known symbol, it's practically fair use, no? By the way, I love the idea of two userboxes -- "This user is deaf" and "this user is Deaf" (the latter with the ILY symbol), but may I suggest something more inclusive like "This user is considered to be a member of deaf culture" or something like that, since there are some people who are (medically) hearing, but consider themselves to be culturally Deaf (i.e. CODAs, spouses of Deaf people, etc. Thoughts? Micahbrwn 19:57, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

That's interesting. I wonder if that is a US thing? My impression here in Australia is that hearing are Hearing, even though they may be immersed in the Deaf community. As for the image, the symbol is not copyright, but that particular image (artwork) is. One way to make a copyright-free image would be to find a photo on the internet and trace over it in photoshop, making a new line-drawn image and deleting the original photo. ntennis 23:57, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

Well, ntennis, that's just my take on it. I'd say it's next to impossible to reach a consensus on who is a member of deaf culture. It's a lot like the Who is a Jew? argument, y'know? In any case, has anyone found a suitable picture to use for the deaf culture/Deaf userbox that I suggested? Micahbrwn 21:11, 10 May 2006 (UTC)

So … are we going to make a "This User is Deaf" wikibox? How about a WikiProject Deaf userbox? It's been months since the topic (or any other) was brought up, after all … --Micahbrwn 02:43, 6 July 2006 (UTC)

I have a digital camera at home, and I can make a picture of myself making the ILY symbol; I personally would feel quite honored to have my hand as a symbol of the Deaf community on Wikipedia ;) I will try to remember to do it tonight. --Puellanivis 22:23, 18 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Project Directory

Hello. The WikiProject Council is currently in the process of developing a master directory of the existing WikiProjects to replace and update the existing Wikipedia:WikiProject Council/Directory. These WikiProjects are of vital importance in helping wikipedia achieve its goal of becoming truly encyclopedic. Please review the following pages:

• User:Badbilltucker/Culture Directory,
• User:Badbilltucker/Culture Directory 2,
• User:Badbilltucker/Philosophy and religion Directory,
• User:Badbilltucker/Sports Directory,
• User:Badbilltucker/Geographical Directory,
• User:Badbilltucker/Geographical Directory/United States, (note: This page will be retitled to more accurately reflect its contents)
• User:Badbilltucker/History and society directory, and
• User:Badbilltucker/Science directory

and make any changes to the entries for your project that you see fit. There is also a directory of portals, at User:B2T2/Portal, listing all the existing portals. Feel free to add any of them to the portals or comments section of your entries in the directory. The three columns regarding assessment, peer review, and collaboration are included in the directory for both the use of the projects themselves and for that of others. Having such departments will allow a project to more quickly and easily identify its most important articles and its articles in greatest need of improvement. If you have not already done so, please consider whether your project would benefit from having departments which deal in these matters. It is my hope to have the existing directory replaced by the updated and corrected version of the directory above by November 1. Please feel free to make any changes you see fit to the entries for your project before then. If you should have any questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you. B2T2 22:48, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

Sorry if you tried to update it before, and the corrections were gone. I have now moved the new draft in the old directory pages, so the links should work better. My apologies for any confusion this may have caused you. B2T2 14:46, 24 October 2006 (UTC)