This article analyzes arguments for a written form of American Sign Language (ASL) and suggests the need for empowerment of people who are deaf. It concludes that suggestions to "alphabeticize" ASL or to utilize English glosses would not be appropriate, and proposes that deaf people themselves develop a visual symbol system. (DB)

An experimental program is described that teaches hearing parents to develop communication skills in young deaf children. Emphasis is on the increased use of visual information including attentiveness to the child's visual cues, appropriate use of natural gestures, and incorporation of visual analogs to intonation and rhythm in simultaneous…

This study found significantly better lipreading scores by 31 children with hearing impairments than by 15 children with normal hearing (all 10 and 11 years old). However, correlations between degree of hearing loss and lipreading ability were nonsignificant. The study provides partial support for the doctrine of sensory compensation. (DB)