Deaf Beneath

by Libby Lael

An inside look at the failing Deaf program, as well as the consequences of long term damage from the Least Restrictive Environment Mandate. The focus is on several deaf students, and Emma, the star character of the need for L.R.E. mandate reform. Real life situational cases were observed and several problematic issues, especially within the public school system and their inclusive program, were addressed. An excerpt from Deaf Beneath -- A tip for primary I.D.E.A. favors the whole placement of a child, rather than the educational aspect for the child alone. To maximize deaf children’s education, apply the law section 504 and register A.S.L. as the students’ primary language on the I.E.P. This clause will force the school to hire certified and educated A.S.L. interpreters.

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 20, 2014

About the author

Since the release of Deaf Beneath, I switched my line of focus from an in-person educational setting to a more remote digital engagement.

With absolutely no background and experience in graphic design, my only resource on hand was Microsoft Word.doc. I used that resource to design several more book covers for my mentor, Herb Borkland. In addition to my first project, for Herb Borkland’s DOG$, which helped make his novel a hot-seller in Europe, my latest book covers and custom layouts can be seen on his recent two books - A Crime Not To Try and A Borkland Variety.

A creative hobby which I stumbled upon by a stroke of luck in which I enjoy immensely. Currently, I am digitally assisting others. In my free time, I enjoy conversing with hearing people online... no one knows the person they're talking to is deaf.

Reviews

[Victoria Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening

As a children’s book author I try to ensure I provide the children with the best learning experience. After reading this book it has inspired me to do more with the hard of hearing and deaf students. Every child deserves the equal opportunity to have a successful future. Thank you for sharing this book to help educate others!

[Katherine Goldblum · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read so far...as recently as five years ago in my studies I was taught about the LRE and its supposed benefits. This book is a compelling statement against it, and the fact that people often forget that what is good for one child may not be good for all.

[Wilson Maina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers everything: racism, sexism, able-ism, and it certainly is one of a kind!

[J Greaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A interesting view of Deaf Education from a Deaf perspective . The story unravels a tale of audism and oralism in an supposedly accessible education system.

[Elizabeth Macyshyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Libby Lael is clearly trying to do something noble with Deaf Beneath. The book sheds light on the unfair treatment of deaf students in the school system and highlights how we, as a society, are failing them. This is an important issue, and I respect the effort to bring it to the forefront.

However, the book relies almost entirely on Lael’s personal experiences to make its case. While anecdotes can be powerful, they’re not enough on their own to substantiate the broader claims being made here. I found myself wishing for facts, data, statistics, or even references to other case to help illustrate the systemic issues in a more comprehensive way.

If this had been framed as a memoir, the reliance on personal stories would have made more sense. Unfortunately, the writing itself didn’t fully resonate with me either. If it were a memoir, I would have hoped for more engaging prose to draw me in and make the anecdotes more impactful.

While the intentions behind this book are admirable, its execution left me wanting more depth and a stronger foundation to support the important points it’s trying to make.

[Steve Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

With 40 years as an educator of the deaf and as a former student in different programs from age 5 to 25 under my belt, I must say that Lael's novel brought back many indelible memories in different classrooms and programs. Even after 2o years since her experience as an aide, oppressive elements remain covertly. Using Emma as a unifying character worked well for me, and I was saddened that she passed later in life. Unfortunately, archetypical characters like Mrs. Smith are alive in well, even in Deaf schools. The previous reviewer who gave the novel one star reeks with hatred, paternalism and and oppression. Therefore, university Dead Education professors better take a hard look at their curriculum and learn to respect Lael's Deaf perspective as realistically written about the fallacies of IEPS, IDEAS, and ADA.

[Ezra Goldberg · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author clearly is mentally unwell. She writes at a third-grade level and spends the entire book ranting about her fantasies of being persecuted. A lot of it seems to stem from a sort of vulnerable narcissism in which she portrays herself as a helpless victim of hearing people, and I wouldn't be surprised if she took many creative liberties.

I had checked her X account before it locked, and it was full of racially derogatory remarks, antisemitism, and arguments over politics in which she could barely articulate sentences. Very hateful and concerning.

It looks like she also stalks and harasses people who leave negative reviews: https://youtu.be/unzF3zQkLdA

[Mateus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why no one praised this deaf woman for exposing obscure and dirty acts as commonly practiced in public schools is beyond me, as long as she exposed racism, sexism, ability, and it is certainly unique! an alert that needs to be said.

[Reynelda CB · Rating 5 out of 5]

nice

[Susmita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[Merry Jonh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book

[Nitish Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Bobsham83 · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

[Md Monirul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[Suvel Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of my life