My final comment about Richard Roehm's business and a warning for the deaf community.

I want everyone to bear with me as I know Richard Roehm isn't popular subject to discuss about, but I feel that this vlog is very important for everyone to watch it. It will focus on Richard Roehm's business and his intention of bashing the people who use ASL. I did add a warning message for all deaf community in last part of my vlog. First of all, you will see a few seconds of blur in my video. (3:04-3:12) My camcorder is getting old and its automatic focus is going to be out of sync. It's time for me to buy new camcorder soon. Anyway, if someone thinks this vlog is very important message for everyone included hearing people, then I welcome any volunteer whom willing to translate this video and I will add it to my vlog. Please contact me through email before you go ahead and translate my vlog. This vlog is 13 minutes long; please complete watch the video before you make any comments. I promise this vlog is worth your time to watch it. This is my longest vlog that I had ever created; please bear with me. Thank you.

Click To Play

More information:

Richard Roehm's OCDAC (Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center, Est: 1998) is not under state's support and they are independence business corporation without any guidelines to be followed by the state of California. (www.deafadvocacy.org)

Orange County's original deaf advocacy is OCDEAF (Orange County Deaf Equal Access Foundation, Est: 1979) is under state's support and they follow all guidelines provided by the state of California. (www.ocdeaf.org)

One last thing, if you feel that I didn't give Richard Roehm a chance to redeem himself, and then I will add a doc included my conversation with Richard Roehm. I did try to open discussion with him in peaceful and private. He didn’t take this chance and here is my proof without any changes except added "( )" as correct word for error words. I didn't correct any grammar or spelling from both of us. I want to leave it as original and you can see for yourself. This conversation was send through youtube.com as private message. The conversation began on November 04, 2006 and end on Nov 20, 2006. Its 10 pages long correspond included date received.

---------------The conversation with Richard Roehm-----------------------------------

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 04, 2006, 11:53 AM
Subject: Open converse between us...
Message:

Hello,

My name is Kevin Gamache. I want to open converse with you relate to "Old Deaf Guard". I am not going to hide who I am, but I am one of founder for "Audism.org" and I am what you called, "The Old Deaf Guard".

I am willing to continue converse with you and hope to understand your perspective. Other than your frustrate, you did demonstrate your skills in high class. However, I see your frustrate hind your ability to share your dream with "Old Deaf Guard".

Let me share my background, I was born in San Diego and attend Lafayette and we use "Total Communication". When I was 12 years old, my brother and I decide to transfer to CSDR. (California School for the Deaf, Riverside). This give me both experience in two different category, ASL and total communication. I think everyone included people who support total communication or ASL has misunderstand the true meaning. It has divided us all. Let me make it clear, I don't object against deaf person's ability to speak. I can speak, but not fluent. However, I don't support to speak and sign at same time.

What you say about "Old Deaf Guard" as low class. It hurt me to hear that. We the deaf people stir up on misconcept (misconception) message. You may call me dependency, it has offend me because interpreter help me to able communicate with hearing people. In your own term, I am low class, dependency, unmature (immature), unskillful, etc. I can proof you wrong, I am student in ITT-San Bernardino and dependency. The dependency has help me to pass first two years of A.S. degree in Computer Network System in 3.84 GPA and I will graduate with B.S. degree in Informaiton (Information) Security System next year and my current grade is 4.0. My grade will not be that high if I reject the concept of dependency. Many teachers and students has respect me, because of my ability to give intelligence correspond without absurd answer or agrument. (argument)

It is up to you, either we can work it out or continue divide between two different category of deaf people. I am willing to continue correspond with you or you may call this converse irreveal (irrelevant) and no solution as "Old Deaf Guard" which is included me must expunge from this world.

Sincerely,
Kevin Gamache
Yucaipa, CA




To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 06, 2006, 09:13 PM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

This is your chance to open conversation between two different category of deaf people in peaceful talk.

Sincerely,
Kevin Gamache

From: Nesmuth
Sent: November 06, 2006, 10:34 PM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

I gave the dove and the olive branches many chances. They shot them all down.

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 07, 2006, 10:37 AM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

I am different person and I am giving myself a chance to talk with you. You should take this chance or allow past bitter barrier our open converse.

Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: November 07, 2006, 12:55 PM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

What do I get from trying to deal with a group that pretty much represents the scourge of the past.

Richard

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 07, 2006, 01:59 PM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

You mention that we are inflexible, I assume that you are inflexible, too. I just want to let you know that your claim relate to scourge is wrong. You are audist. You are carry the hearing perspective "Ideal of high class in Total Communication." I am sorry that you has set your decision. We can continue our conversation after you get clear message about "Audism".

Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: November 07, 2006, 04:13 PM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

The only clear message I get from 'audism' by waiving the audism flag, it brings in over 3 grand a week to our deaf center right now and I tried waving the ASL flag back then only to get like a dozen knives on my back.

The last thing I want to do is alienate our clients, sponsors, and our customers. I'm happy with the results so far.

And if you realy mean you want to work with me tell that to Brian Riley and he knows the magic number that I need to see in my hands before I can get all chatty with the scourge of the past.

Richard

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 07, 2006, 04:43 PM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

I want to make sure that I understand you correct. Your business earn $3,000 a week, because you are advocate of "Total Communication." The clients, sponsors and your customers support the idea of "Total Communication"?

You feel that to earn $3,000 a week justified your perspective on ASL and "Old Deaf Guard"? The money is main factor of your perspective on your statement about us?

Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: November 07, 2006, 06:09 PM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

Its gonna go up as soon as the flag I'm waving gets bigger and brighter. Thats gonna happen soon as were expanding into Long Beach. We just landed the contract yesterday AM.

Unless I get $2.4 million the ODG stole from me, I'm gonna keep on waving this flag and if it annoys you. So what and who cares.

I really dont want to deal with the ODG, or their scourge infested terrorist goons, I have a good future and it dont have anything to do with what makes the ODG roll.

I sowed these seeds 8 yrs ago and I'm entitled to a decent harvest.

Richard

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 07, 2006, 08:33 PM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

No, your perspective didn't annoying me. I just want to understand why you go to another path and against ODG. Now, you did mention ODG stole 2.4 million from you. Can you enlighten me on this story.

Thank you,
Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: November 08, 2006, 12:51 AM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

see this three times

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHK5N7F1F8U

And that's how they stole 340,000 a year for like 8 yrs already.

Richard

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 08, 2006, 11:14 AM
Subject: I am still waiting for your reply...
Message:

I hope I am not prying your privacy, what did your RPM proposal focus on? Which part did you think that cause ODG to disapproved your RPM proposal? I understand that you must have deaf culture certified to be qualify for money fund from Sacramento.

Thank you,
Kevin

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 10, 2006, 02:15 AM
Subject: Hello
Message:

I haven't hear from you about RPM.

Thank you,
Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: November 10, 2006, 07:56 AM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Do I need to bother you with my replies? I made a new video.

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 10, 2006, 11:22 AM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Yes, but it is not relate to why "ODG" reject your RPM proposal. I wonder what part in your RPM that cause "ODG" to reject your proposal.

You keep saying, "The future model for the deaf." What kind of model function you planning to establish?

Kevin

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 11, 2006, 12:47 AM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Since you are pround (proud) to wave the audism flag. Did you know the term of audism is no different from racism. Racism is based on color of skin being oppressed. Audism is based on inability to hear and being oppressed by person who think to speak is superior.

Why can't you show respect to people who not able to speak and being success?

Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: November 11, 2006, 08:55 AM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Audism is not racism. Audisim is a different way of saying 'evolution'.

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 11, 2006, 09:42 AM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Audism is similar as Racism regarding to oppression the small group. As you mention that we are small percent of deaf people who use ASL. Your attitude is ethical egoism against us and determine in Total Communication as best solution and those who are not follow Total Communication is low class. It is like you are treat black people a low class as well you treat us who use ASL a low class. I see it as similar.

Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: November 12, 2006, 10:37 PM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Audism is not racism.

I'll be doing a vlog this week on Audism hate crimes on deaf people who can speak. I'm going to associate the word "audism" with hate crimes on mainstream deaf people by the deaf extremists ands I'm goin to be using Tom Bertling's publications to cite a few of the scourges.

Richard

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 12, 2006, 11:18 PM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Audism is same group as racism, sexism, ageism, etc.

Audism mean those who can hear are superior than those who not able to hear. You giving us an attitude of able to hear and speak is superior and we can't hear or speak. All we ask is respect and allow us being success. Your attitude toward to us is same as white people's attitude toward to racism.

It is sad that money issue has cause you become vendetta against ODG. We respect who you are, but you declare we as low class because we can't speak or hear. That is wrong. As long you continue, we will educate people about you.

You called us, "Hate Crimes", "Terrorism", and "Scourges". What we did is peaceful educated people to respect our culture. You scoff at us and declare those things against us. Bottom line, you are angry at ODG just simply because you didn't receive the fund and you want revenge. That is how I perspective about you. I will expose you and clean up all mess you left.

I did start our conversation with respect and what you did is scuffle at my face. You don't understand the term of respect. Plain and clear, you don't understand how to respect the lesser group of deaf people who support ASL.

Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: November 15, 2006, 01:38 PM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Deaf people can be taught to talk and have their ears fixed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4qfNf5ZE_c

Richard

To: Nesmuth
Sent: November 12, 2006, Nov 15, 2006, 11:43 PM
Subject: Hello
Message:

I did research and you are mistake to make this statment. Not all deaf people are qualify for cochlear implant. The doctors has stated that deaf people who want cochlear implant need to have their ear analysis to see if they are qualify for cochlear implant. Not many deaf people can speak as you. If they can't qualify for cochlear implant and not able to speak. What are they? A worthless person that can't be fix? Your perspective based on one view and you didn't research on cochlear implant for qualification.

Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: Nov 16, 2006, 02:10 AM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Well youre not on any university committees that discusses the latest and unfortunately classified treatments for ailments including hearing loss.

That's why you dont know the newer stuff. And theres a reason for the stuff to be classified and people like you are one of them.

And at the meet next week I'm going to try get myself elected as vice chairman of that particular committee.

Richard

To: Nesmuth
Sent: Nov 17, 2006, 02:31 PM
Subject: Hello
Message:

The keyword is “Treatment”. We are tired of doctors’ keep saying, “We have treatment for the hearing impaired”. None of them cure us to able to hear like hearing people. We are not guinea pig; we are human beings. If you have a cure for us to hear again, we will listen.

We the deaf people who use ASL want people like you to respect us. We do exist at present time. People like you declare the world to focus on past and future and ignore the present. Excuse me, we still do exist and we will still be around for long time. How long before you decide to respect us?

I have one question for you, if you can speak and hear like hearing people. That classified you as normal. What is your business in need for disabled fund, if you are normal? It is time for you to get funds from SBA not federal funds.

Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: Nov 17, 2006, 06:17 PM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Respect is a 2 way street and too many folks on ur side dont know that.

Richard

To: Nesmuth
Sent: Nov 17, 2006, 06:48 PM
Subject: Hello
Message:

We repect your preference of life. If you want to speak and hear, that is your business. If we want to use ASL, it is our business. You declare that we use ASL as low class and we should get out of this planet. That is disrespect to us. The reason why we are not support the total communication, because those people like you tell everyone that all deaf people should use total communication, not ASL. People like you trying to decide what is best for us? I am sorry, we have a life and we able to function normal. You disrespect us by telling us by what is right in first place. You didn't respect us and our culture in first place. Therefore, we protect our culture.

What you did is trying to treat us as low class people. Did we treat you as low class people?

Kevin

From: Nesmuth
Sent: Nov 18, 2006, 09:55 AM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Again respect is a 2 way street and too many folks on ur side dont know that. What you just said proves it.

Richard

From: Nesmuth
Sent: Nov 19, 2006, 07:42 AM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Our deaf center's support base comes from people with strong beliefs in our vision of the future of deaf society. I have no plans to alienate them by promoting or standing behind anything that pretty much represents the past of the deaf society.

Our ASL classes and deaf culture workshops will be cut from our programs once it ends in the middle of December. Its no longer a requirement for the state funds as the new ODA RFP released last friday do not require these items any more.

Richard

From: Nesmuth
Sent: Nov 20, 2006, 06:35 PM
Subject: Hello
Message:

Whats on the ODA website is outdated. The recent RFP was released last friday and it was a 75 page .pdf file. RFP's are only accessible to those who have DGS certification.

Next week we'll have a meeting to discuss this finding and see how we go about it. Our ASL class and DC workshop costs are 100% reimburseable. However I've been bugged by the Irvine Toastmasters who want us to have a lipreading / speaking classes instead.

Richard

To: Nesmuth
Sent: Nov 20, 2006, 12:35 PM
Subject: Hello
Message:

I did check ODA website. May you show me the new policy that didn't require ASL and deaf culture to be qualify for fund.

Kevin

To: Nesmuth
Sent: Nov 20, 2006, 09:28 PM
Subject: Hello
Message:

You are willing to sacrifice the deaf culture and ASL to satisfied your sponsors and supporters that believe that deaf person who can speak and hear have better future. However, they didn’t speak for us. All we ask is respect our culture and accept us part of different culture in America. We haven’t received that respect from them. Since you believe in their system, you are part of them. You have forgot there are many deaf people who can’t speak and hear. Yet, you are willing to call them low class just because they can’t speak or hear.

I have decided to close our conversation after several questions being unanswered. You are stonewalling my questions and repeat the small simple untrue responsive about us. However, I did try to open conversation with peace and you choose not take advantage of it. Those responsive I received from you has determine that you are inflexible and audist toward to deaf people who use ASL. We will continue and educate people to respect us without you.

I bid you farewell and may the future preserve our deaf culture.

Kevin

--------------------End of Conversation with Richard Roehm---------------------------

Thank you for your time and I hope you understand why this vlog is very important for everyone to know about Richard Roehm's business. Again, thank you.