Original letter sent May 27, 2010

Mia Orr, Consultant
Senate Health Committee
State Capitol, Room 2191
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Honorable Senate Health Committee Members:

Alternative Solutions Center, a Deaf-owned and operated private psychotherapy practice, OPPOSES Assembly Bill 2072 (AB 2072).

AB 2072 hurts Deaf children and adults by ignoring all the research and testimonials that show just how critical American Sign Language is for healthy intellectual, emotional, and social development and well-being. As psychotherapists who work on a daily basis with Deaf people who were deprived of American Sign Language as children, we can tell you that this is one of the most painful and inhumane experiences anyone could have. The failure to give Deaf children the opportunity to converse and learn in their natural, visual language is a form of communication abuse.

Vote NO on AB 2072.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Candace A. McCullough, PhD
Sharon M. Duchesneau, LCPC

Alternative Solutions Center
www.ascdeaf.com