Michael Rose
I recently expressed the ivory-tower opinion that deaf children are not regarded as disabled by those who operate residential schools. I am saddened to learn that this is not always the case.
A reader responded by recounting an experience with the principal of the Michigan School for the Deaf. Upon asking the principal if she thought of the deaf students as disabled, she said plainly and simply, yes.
I don't know a lot about the Michigan School for the Deaf, but I have read a little about it. One visitor to the school used the word "prison" to describe it and remarked about it being run by the hearing, with very few deaf teachers. Other schools were said to be far more open to deaf-oriented education involving professionals and families. More of the latter type are definitely needed, not only for the students who attend them, but also for deaf students who attend mainstream schools, schools which need some positive deaf education to rub off onto them.
The reader didn't mention whether the Michigan school's principal is deaf or hearing. If she's hearing and regards deafness as a disability, that's truly sad. If she's deaf and believes so, that's even worse.