The Lives of Deaf Mexicans is inspiring and informative!
"Unlike other cultures, Deaf culture is not associated with a single place, or a native land; rather, it is a culture based on relationships among people..." -
A Journey into the Deaf-World - Lane, Hoffmeister, Bahan
The Lives of Deaf Mexicans: Struggle and Success opens with the sights and sounds of Mexico and population statistics. The estimated Deaf population is three hundred thousand.
Thirty deaf babies are born every day.
Margarita Mucino Adams tells us the Mexican Deaf are isolated, illiterate or under- educated and poor, but they are vital to the
future of Mexico. Today the deaf are placed in various schools around Mexico City. In rural areas, schools do not exist. Back in the 60's
when America was finally taking note of deaf needs, the Mexican government closed down the one government funded deaf school. Those
raised in the old deaf school feel the newer schools teach different signs in different areas, which they feel will cause confusion and
hinder communication among the deaf. There is a similar problem in America as you move from state to state. When private funded
schools opened the Hearing teachers wanted oral teaching because they couldn't sign. Other countries have gone through the same battle,
including America.
Adams interviews Deaf leaders, teachers, parents and older students who explain the need for deaf education, so the deaf can grow up
to be successful adults. The author then proves success is possible for the deaf as she interviews deaf professionals - a taxi driver,
boat driver, store owner, artist, a draftsman, and a tailor.
The Lives of Deaf Mexicans is a captivating documentary. Knowing the basics of Deaf History in America, I found it interesting to compare the two countries. It was touching
to see so many deaf determined to overcome educational and social hindrances. I watched the DVD twice before moving on to the bonus with producer Joe Dannis. In the bonus, Dannis
explains his goals in creating the documentary and why he chose Mexico. He tells of some memorable experiences while filming and the realization that there were four students
in the first Paris deaf school who went out in to the world to spread Sign Language and Deaf Education. He discovers that one of those students went to Mexico. He also explains
the phone/tty/fax situation and Deaf Club popularity in Mexico. Dannis generously gives credit to Margarita Mucino Adams for her knowledge and contacts.
The DVD has voice-over, closed captioned, and English & Spanish subtitles. The documentry is easy to follow and the caption is easy
to read and understand. I would love to see more of these documentaries informing the public about deaf cultures in other countries.