Hearing Impairments

I just received an e-mail notifying me that our board (Hearing Impairments) will be joined with  "Kids with Special Needs" (http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-psdisability) board within the next week.  I have to be honest, I am a little saddened to see this, but I have agreed to remain on as CL of this newly joined board and hope that I can continue to make people feel welcome and provide support for all.  I really hope that you all join me at the new site, and continue to share your lives and experiences with me and others.  I'm sure all will feel the same, just under a new title, and we can make new friends!  I can't believe I have been Cl of this board since late 2000 (almost 6 years!!).  What a ride...THANKS.

See you soon at our new address.

Maria,

I am very disappointed that this will occur. Is there any way to stop the merger? I know we have a slow moving board but I like that it's a small community.

I've been coming to this board for 5 years and I can't believe it will change. I'm kind of bummed.

Yup...we've been here together for a long time, but this can continue on another board!!!  I don't think we have any say.  I did mention to the moderators that i was disappointed no one spoke to me first, but obviously these decision are made without our opinions.  I hope you continue to provide support, and keep me/us updated on your family.  I'd hate to start loosing so many friends just because we have switched addresses!!

HUGS, and thanks for your support.

This does not have to happen! Not at all!

I am going to vent a bit...

I am sick and tired of these people thinking that our low incidence populations can just be rolled in to "disability" groups! There are reasons why people seek out specialty boards. About a year ago (maybe a little more), they tried to roll the "Visual Impairment" and "Deaf and Hearing Impaired" adult iVillage boards into "living with a Disability." Well, the members of those boards (I am a member of both) fought to keep them alive. We succeeded in those cases and I don't see why we can't do it again.

Just as in the big world of special education, when low incidence populations are lumped into the category "disabled" or "special needs," the unique needs of those populations go unnoticed.

Maria, you have been the CL of this board for a long time. When they tried to shut down the adult VI and DHH boards, there were no CLs for those boards, but we still kept them going. There is no need for this to happen.