Where can you find ideas for an arts fundraiser?

Martial Arts School/Classes for Deaf or Hard of Hearing?

• Hello Everyone, I am a first degree black belt, looking into starting my own taekwondo school. I am also an education major specializing in deaf and hard of hearing students. The thought occured to me that this would be a great sport for deaf children and adults, as it does not require your ears to be great at it. Martial arts is individual therefore you do not need to depend on others to do your best. Well what I am getting at is if a martial arts school existed for the deaf, would parents be interested in the program for their children and what suggestions would you have for the school. Ideas that I have had so far is different color flashing lights for different commands, for instance Red light for "Stop, Stand at Attention and Find Instructor" Green light for "Line Up" Blue light for "Sparring Going on, Be on High Alert" Would you be more interested if the school had classes exclusively for the deaf, or if it also included hearing students. One of the thoughts that I had was having the beginners class be exclusively deaf so that they can learn the basics of the martial arts and other rules of the dojo and when they move into the intermediate or advance class have it integrated. Any other ideas would be greatly apprectiated. And if you as an adult or parent would be interested in the martial arts program for them. Thank you for all your help!!

• Answer:

  I'm also gathering info on Deaf-friendly martial arts program. The lights idea is a good one but they need to be fast response (like the slim-LED lights on police cars). How will the instructor have access to the buttons (will it be hand-held remote or wall-switch?) Simple hand-signs need to be developed as well. FYI: I'm trying to develop a short Summer session camp for Deaf & Hard of Hearing kids. It's an academic/self-empowerment camp...raising literacy, math skills, self-confidence and some fun and physical challenges. For the past 2 years, I've developed an informal group of people: student-teachers, teachers, former/present administrators. They are all associated with Deaf and HoH students and this group is interested in working on this Summer camp concept. I'm hoping to use the "EZ Defense" method...something the students can use when they return home. (I've added the link at "Source") If anyone out there interested in this Summer camp concept, let me know. I would like to see this happen. Good luck!