In the regulations it reads "Athletes taking part in the Deaf World
Championships shall be forbidden from using any hearing aids or cochlear
implant aids during competitions."


I, like many others, am a profoundly deaf person who has chosen the OPTION
to wear hearing aids. This decision was made in early childhood and has
been a part of my life from that point onward. I should not be
discriminated against for that choice. Growing up deaf and having to learn
how to survive in a hearing world is a very difficult thing to do. Sounds
that help a person function in society, and are taken for granted by the
majority of hearing people are a blessing to have. Crossing the road,
waking up with an alarm clock, asking for directions and going to the
grocery store are but a few examples of daily life that if you have no
hearing become very difficult tasks. To this end the technological
advances made in the area of auditory aids has had a huge impact on the
lives of millions of deaf people. Unfortunately though even with such
breakthroughs the are still those that are caught up in the traditions of
the deaf cultural world. I am deaf, and even with the use of a hearing aid
I have to read lips to know what people are saying to me. I do not need to
learn how to live in a deaf world. I live in a hearing world as do all
deaf people. Deaf children all over the country are are being taught how
to listen and speak, this is done with the use of hearing aids and cochlear
implants. If we as a deaf community are to survive in this hearing world
then we need to embrace the opportunities that technology has to offer. We cannot discriminate against each other, unfortunately the sad fact is that we are, and this discrimination is being levied by an organization that
certainly should know better and be more understanding about new technology
and its impact on options for deaf people.


Until the United States and World Deaf Golf Championship are included in
the Committee International Sports for the Deaf. I believe its rules and
regulations should be kept separate. I believe that it is time for us to
move forward and not dwell in the deaf traditions of the past. After all
this is the 21st Century and we have made great progress in minimizing acts
of discrimination. It's time to change this outdated and unfair rule.


PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION TO CONFIRM YOUR SUPPORT TO THE USE OF HEARING
AIDS/COCHLEAR IMPLANTS DURING U.S. AND WORLD DEAF GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS.