SASL Newsletter - Fall 2017 Issue Issue 7 - Fall 2017 | Page 4

coming to the island. They were welcomed, but their view was negative towards the integrated lifestyle
of islanders. Signers, both deaf and hearing, experienced jeering for their alternative language behavior
as reported in Nora Groce's book, Everyone Here Spoke Sign Language: Hereditary Deafness on
Martha’s Vineyard (1985). This suggests that society as a whole was participating in discriminatory
practices. What has been discussed for Mabel Bell and her family points to the complexities associated
with society at that time.
Note: Thanks to Dr. Sam Supalla for feedback on my editorial.
References
Bell, M. G. (Ed.). (1898). The story of the rise of the oral method in America as told in the writings of the late hon. Gardiner G. Hubbard.
Washington, DC: Press of W. F. Roberts. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/gu_storyriseoral00hubb
Bishundayal, A. J. (2002). Mabel Hubbard Bell: A biography. Norcross, GA: Protea Publishing.
Groce, N. (1985). Everyone here spoke sign language: Hereditary deafness on Martha’s Vineyard. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University
Press.
Toward, L. M. (1996). Mabel Bell: Alexander’s silent partner. Cape Breton, NS: Breton Books.
Watson, L. D., & Watson, J. G. (2016, July-September). Educating with listening and spoken language: The legacy of Alec & Mabel Bell.
Volta Voices, 23(3), 10-13.
Reprints from
All Over the Place
Why sign-language gloves don’t help deaf people
Published on November 9, 2017
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/11/why-sign-language-gloves-dont-help-deaf-people/545441/
Plans to integrate sign language into everyday life
Published on October 24, 2017
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41723147
Uber is now offering sign language tips to riders
with deaf drivers
Published on September 29, 2017
https://www.fastcompany.com/40474992/uber-is-now-offering-sign-language-tips-to-riders-with-deaf-drivers
The Power of ASL
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Fall 2017 – Issue 7