A 12-year-old hearing impaired student from New Jersey has been threatened with suspension if she continues to use sign language to communicate.
Danica Lesko of Branchburg, N.J., was told that sign language, which she depends on to communicate, was not allowed on the bus.
The reason?
Other students on the bus would get out of their seats in order to bully Danica for using sign language.
In an ignorant effort to single out the victim, school officials sent a letter to Danica's parents blaming their daughter for the absurd incident.
This is not just a disgusting, bizarre example of victim-blaming. Stony Brook School is also effectively silencing Danica and enforcing an environment where bullies' needs take precedent over all misunderstood students.
The school should not seek to limit the communication of students with disabilities; instead, it should combat the teasing that took place on the bus and educate its students to respect diversity.
Danica has every right to be in the conversation.
Tell New Jersey School: Don't Ban Sign Language!
We the undersigned urge you to stop the school policy that restricts the use of sign language on school buses.
Danica Lesko deserves the right to communicate with others and it should not be seen as potentially dangerous to other students.
The school's efforts would be much better suited to educate the children of Stony Brook School to respect diversity.
The punishment should have been directed at the students who teased Danica for her disability.
Please do not blame the victim in this circumstance.
We ask you to immediately apologize to Danica and her parents and issue a public statement concerning your dedication to the education of students with disabilities.
Thank you for taking our comments and concerns into serious consideration.
