People have long since argued that the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the man himself are two separate entities and I intend to help you understand why they are one and the same. You see, Bell believed that all Deaf children be should be restored to society through a learning regimen that placed the ability to speak and hear ABOVE/OVER the ability to independently inquire and effectively acquire information as a person of the hands and eyes. With this said, it is clearly seen how the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was founded with the intention of educating the Deaf and hard of hearing solely through speech and hearing and selfishly disregarding strong evidence of what is effective in developing a fundamental sense of knowledge in Deaf pupils.
If the association were separate from the man for which it is named, it would have long since ceased compliance to the man's beliefs and ideals.
Has it? NO.
If the association were separate from the man for which it is named, it would provide continued support to those who do not procure intelligible speech or the use of hearing technology.
Does it? NO.
If the association were separate from the man for which is is named, it would view American Sign Language as a bona-fide language and essential to the education of Deaf children.
It DOES NOT.
All of the above is true of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and bear merit as prime examples of promoting an attitude towards Deaf people that is condescending, discriminating, and one that pushes for the denial of a right to language for those dependent on their hands and eyes to absorb information and communicate with the world at large.
Alexander Graham Bell, the man, strongly believed that Deaf people who cannot "speak" for themselves have no place in discussions pertaining to the education of the Deaf and equally believed that it was essential for parents and teachers to manipulate children into believing they are something they aren't, a person of the ear and voice. He has created the unfortunately long standing tradition of ignoring the needs of children of the hands and eyes and instilled in our history the selfish denial that American Sign Language IS a true and effective language in educating the Deaf. This tradition is evidenced today in the form of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which continues to limit the learning opportunities of Deaf children and their families by obscuring facts with futile ideals. That alone, is the core reason why Deaf education has been ridiculously riddled with "failures" and WHY we STILL hold the association responsible.
If you disagree, leave a comment.