Do you know that in Europe there are 33 deaf youth organizations? Those organizations are run by 18 - 30 year olds - deaf people - like ourselves. That is a collective voice. A body to represent deaf youth. Where is our collective voice in politics, advocacy, and activism? If we support Obama, or Hillary, or even McCain, we’ve gotta say it. As a group. Get our political influence in place. Get our leverage. Get our issues straight on. IF we have problems, what are we doing? Letting other people have a say? Or have OUR say? Where is THAT organization? Here in America, we have the NAD to represent us on the national level, but that is a generation or two away. If we’re in high school, we have the Jr. NAD. Leadership training, sure, networking, sure. After that? Where is THAT place for us? DYUSA is our bridge. It answers this gap here in America. Our time is not tomorrow. It’s now. And it starts with DYUSA. Bring YOUR action to DYUSA and begin your ACTIVISM.
Have issues? Say them. Have ideas? Say them. Want to have fun? Let’s be together! Want a piece of the action? Let’s band up! DYUSA is for us, by us, and about us! DYUSA is about America. DYUSA is about every skin color you find in America. (Even you, purple skin.) DYUSA is about every kind of sex you find in America. Girl, boy, man, woman, intersex, transgender, non-binary conformist, you name it. DYUSA is about straight love to queer love. That’s America too, folks. DYUSA is about freedom, too. Religion, beliefs, values, you name it. DYUSA is also about respect. American Sign Language is to be respected, valued, and cherished as Deaf people’s true and natural language. New signers, welcome. Native signers, welcome. Fluent signers, welcome. DYUSA does not have issues with your tools. Hearing aids. Cochlear Implants. Heart transplant. Kidney replacement. Liver replacement (too much beer?). Eyeglasses. Piercings. Tattoos. Be who you are, and be proud of who you are! DYUSA is about this generation. THE GENERATION WHO GETS IT. Deaf Culture is OUR culture! ASL is OUR language! That’s our core. We strive for equality & human rights.
It all starts this summer. The summer of 2008. New Orleans. Prior to the NAD Conference. Start making plans. Circle your calendar with a big fat red marker. JULY 3 - 7. Yep, we celebrate the Independence of this country and OUR own independent spirit! Book plane tickets. Get your car in gear. Change that oil. This summer, at
Bayou Segnette State Park, we have A LOT of sites. Come. Join DYUSA. It’s free to join - you just pay for your place (and chow). Be a part of history in making, be a part of the national forum, be a part of the creativity brew session, and we’ll have fun. It’s gonna be one heck of a good time, too. Politics, advocacy & activism. Our three favorite words. See you there.
I’m interested! How do I join?
Why is this needed? Are you with the NAD?
Yes, this is needed. We’ve been putting this off too long. If you consider our deaf friends in other countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, and so on, you’ll be surprised to hear they already have youth organizations representing the best interests of deaf people in the ages of 18 - 30. Those organizations also work alongside their national deaf associations, like the NAD.
This is why we are working with the NAD to make this official and to ensure that the deaf youth in America is represented!
The DYUSA committee will work with the NAD on running a national forum for deaf youth, host workshops, a roundtable discussion, and a panel on deaf youth.
Why is this happening right before the NAD conference?
This will give us a head start to decide what exactly we need to create changes within the system. We can then bring our ideas and passion to the NAD conference and establish ourselves.
Does age really matter?
Yes, the age is 18-30ish. Ish? We are open to those who are older than 30 but remain young at heart!
How much will it cost me?
Deaf community’s favorite word: free! It doesn’t cost anything to join and showcase your never ending support! Sign up and become a member of DYUSA, it won’t cost you a cent.
However, if you’re gonna want to come to the camp event, it’ll cost $50.00. That’s your “peg-me-a-site” confirmation. This will cover your meals too. If you like guarantees, this is the safe bet.
What is this $50.00 “peg-me-a-site” fee? What is it gonna be for?
The fifty bucks will be used to cover all little things you don’t want to worry about (snacks, plenty of water, lanterns, power surges, camp necessities like lighter fluid, logs, ice, utensils to name some) AND to ensure DYUSA grows a bit with some funds to continue doing more events in the future.
You still should bring your own stuff. As the event approaches closer, we will be able to give a more detailed list of what we can provide and what you should bring so nobody gets stranded with a sock on one foot.
How do I pay?
You have a better choice now, click here. Just whip out your credit or debit card and pay! OR, do this old-fashioned way, send a check of $50.00 to NAD for DYUSA. This is a fully operational system. You can also do money orders to NAD for DYUSA.
What is the big event?
That’s our launch event at Bayou Segnette State Park, from July 3 to 7, 2008. That’s where we’ll all get together and determine the exact direction & agenda of DYUSA. It’s all about activism, advocacy, and social justice. Be a part of it!
Bayou Segnette?
Yeah, a state park only twenty minutes from the New Orleans city center and comes with a wave pool! There are currently 34 sites reserved under DYUSA, and each site is designed for RVs but can be used as a car park with a tent on the site. Each site sleeps six, and that means we can have 204 eager DYUSA members coming! For more information about the park itself and maps, check out their site: http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ibyusegne.aspx
Wait a minute. Wasn’t it at KOA before?
You’re brilliant. A loyal reader, we want to add. Yes, it was at KOA Kampgrounds before, but the problem? LIMITED spots. We could only fit 50 people in the reserved 9 sites, unless we get more RVs. (We weren’t sure how big this would be, but word has been growing good and strong!) We decided to investigate and found Bayou Segnette State Park. It’s much bigger & better!
Well, I have not been very involved with the deaf community. Can I still come?
YES. The goal for this is to have a DIVERSE group of attendants to ensure that all deaf youth are represented. The only requirement is that you are passionate and want to become involved.
What if I just show up? Like, last minute?
Ah, remember what we said about “guarantees” - sure, you can just show up. We ain’t stopping you, but no guarantees you have a meal waiting for you. We’ll just need to work a bit more to squeeze you in (find you a warm place for the night, all that). But if you plan on showing up, bring $50.00, just as well.
I’m going but what can I do while I’m waiting for it to happen?
Advertise! Spread the word! Make noises with your friends and people you see! And set up deaf youth organizations in your hometowns/states/current town!
What should I bring?
Money, tents, food, clothes, cars, supplies, and whatever else you think would contribute to the exciting event!
What is the schedule like at Bayou Segnette? What will I do other than frolicking around?
Plenty! Nothing’s fixed right now as we’re working on shaping our schedule but to give you a very general overview of how things will look like…. arrive on Thursday, and we’ll get our introductions tossed around, and some socializing to break the ice. Then we’ll have our first group forum to discuss “why” are we all here. On Friday, we hope to have two big discussions on the following themes: what do we know about our own regions, states, and what do we want to see out of our local deaf communities; and a meeting with the NAD. Discuss how they can help us, and how we can help them. Transparent is the key word here. Then we celebrate July 4th with fireworks! On Saturday we hope to have a guest speaker or two, and more discussions covering themes of politics and activism. Then on Sunday we wrap the event up with a real meeting. Like, we vote. How do we want DYUSA to continue doing us some good? What do we want DYUSA to do? Events? Camps? Lead a revolution?
And of course, we’ll all have fun, plenty of ideas are brewing among the committee!
If I’m flying in, how will transportation work?
We regret to inform you that we’re not running a limo service, although we wish we do. Budget is limited now, so we ask all of you to please try to find your way here to Bayou. Carpool, hitchhike, walk, crawl…. do whatever it takes, but do come! (Use DYUSA Facebook Page to hitch rides!)
Hey, is there any deadlines?
JUNE 15th is the deadline! Pay $50 sooner and you will be guaranteed your spot! If you cannot pay by the 15th, we will update the website and let you all know what’s the next step. We are aiming for inclusive and that would mean you still can show up, but without guarantees. We set the deadline to see how many are going and that would help us to plan the event accordingly!
I’d like to talk to one of the organizers and ask more questions. That cool?
Sure. We do have Tara Holcomb behind the deafyouthusa@gmail.com, so she’ll be answering your questions. BUT, you can also find us easily on Facebook. Just write on our wall, or on the DYUSA wall, and we will definitely yowl answers to your questions.
Well, one last thing. Any incentives?
Sure. First fifty people to sign up for this camp and deposit $50.00, who are also NAD members (ha!) will get free basic NAD conference registration. (This is the first time we’re trying out the WFD/WFDYS model. Dunno what this means? Come & find out more!) We’re also working on a bunch of possibilities, but it’d ruin the surprise, wouldn’t it?
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