2006年VOA标准英语-Deaf Students Victory Could Be a Defeat for Dea

By Brian Padden
Washington, DC
01 November 2006
 
watch Gallaudet Celebrates

During the student protest at Gallaudet University, in Washington, DC -- the world's only university for deaf and hard of hearing student -- two visions of leadership were debated.  The student protestors wanted a leader who would fight for society's acceptance and accommodation of the deaf.   The incoming president advocated integration¹ of the deaf into society through lip-reading and the use of technology to help the deaf hear. 

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Gallaudet students celebrate victory   
  
The student protest at Gallaudet University, a prestigious² school for the deaf and hard of hearing, is now over.  On October 5th, student protesters shut down the university for a few days and continued their demonstrations³ even after police arrested those blocking the entrance to the school.   In the end, the students got what they wanted. The incoming president, Jane Fernandez, has been fired.  The students were opposed to Fernandez for a number of reasons.  

 
Michael Deland 
  
Michael Deland, President of the National Organization on Disability, says the protest exposed a common dispute within the disabled community between equal rights advocates and those looking for a cure.  He says the protesters see the university as a deaf sanctuary⁴ and sign language a symbol of their equality.  And he says Fernandez, who advocated more integration into society and new technologies, like cochlear implants⁵, to help the deaf hear, threatened that view. 

"Those who sign, that's the signature aspect of being deaf just as if you are in a wheelchair, that is your form of identity.  I happen to feel that she was interested in technological⁶ developments in the new research and feel strongly that could have added a much-needed dimension to Gallaudet." 

While the students may have succeeded in preventing Fernandez from becoming president of Gallaudet University, the debate continues between those demanding respect and those searching for a cure.  

1 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

2 prestigious   

adj.有威望的，有声望的，受尊敬的

参考例句：

• The young man graduated from a prestigious university.这个年轻人毕业于一所名牌大学。
• You may even join a prestigious magazine as a contributing editor.甚至可能会加入一个知名杂志做编辑。

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 sanctuary   

n.圣所，圣堂，寺庙；禁猎区，保护区

参考例句：

• There was a sanctuary of political refugees behind the hospital.医院后面有一个政治难民的避难所。
• Most countries refuse to give sanctuary to people who hijack aeroplanes.大多数国家拒绝对劫机者提供庇护。

5 implants   

n.（植入身体中的）移植物( implant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Hormone implants are used as growth boosters. 激素植入物被用作生长辅助剂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Perhaps the most far-reaching project is an initiative called Living Implants From Engineering (LIFE). 也许最具深远意义的项目，是刚刚启动的建造活体移植工程 (LIFE)。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 医学的第四次革命

6 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。