Deaf Anthology # 69: "Cap D'Agade, Deaf Utopia"

"Vive Le Sourds," (translation; long live the Deaf) quoted by, French PM Francois Fillon, in a historic groundbreaking ceremony of a Deaf township in Cap D'Agde, in the Languedoc-Rossillion region along the Mediterranean coastline of southern France. "We are a nation of immigrants, but the Deaf came within, and Cap D'Agde is where Deafhood is a reality, not just in theories but in practice," quoted by Alain Juppe, French Minister of Town and Country planning. Deaf French citizens took the initiative to submit a proposal under Title XI, of the Constitution, requesting an autonomous region of their own.

The Palais Bourbon passed legislation granting Cap D'Agde special municipality status as a Deaf town last year. 1.25 billion euros in economic development was also approved for its infrastructures, half matched by the European Union.

According the the recent census, Cap D'Agde, have a population of 40,000, five hours from Paris on the TGV rail, there are presently 6,700 Deaf residents. However with its special economic zone status, the Deaf population is projected to grow to 20,250, becoming a majority within five years due to stipends from the government available to the Deaf to relocate there. Tourism is their major industry. The civic center, several apartment complexes, two Deaf schools, training center, health clinic, are now under contruction to meet the demands of the new Deaf society. Architectural firms have been contracted to assure a barrier- free environment, Cap D'Agde will have wi-fi access, communication kiosks throughout the town so all Deaf will be active participants in their affairs. In the fall, the community will elect its first Deaf mayor and council. Public section employees will be required to be fluent in French sign language before they are hired. Private section are mandated that all their employees be fluent within two years, to qualified for the no-layoff clause in their union contract. The Police and Fire personnel's are now taking paid in-service sign language courses, the Cap D'Adge ordinances required that 25% of the department be Deaf, the quota will increase in proportion of the Deaf population over the years.

A Deaf Californian have been commissioned to create a Clerc statue for its town square.

French tourism officials, in partnership with local Chamber of Commerce, have started a promotional campaign to increase awareness, "Visit Cap D'Agde, you will naturally fit in!"

In an effort to encourage Deaf business ownership, low-interests loan are available. KFC is the first Deaf franchise to operate within the municipality. "The Deaf have their own place to live, work, and play," quoted a Deaf bartender at the Ernest Hemingway, a popular local hangout. "Cap D'Agde will be the Martha's Vineyard of the 21st century, the only differences is that we Deaf can produced our own brand of wines," remarked a Deaf patron.

Tax incentives are available to multi-national corporations, to relocate here. A portion on the northwest side have been rezoned as a light industrial area. Airbus announces its intention to relocate here as from their experiences, that the Deaf are reliable employees. Renault are now in negotiation with Deaf representatives, about the building a new plant in C'Agde with an all Deaf management team. It was the minority of Deaf shareholders that was able to convince the Board to consider such a major project, that analysis felt will be greater returns on their investments.

Deaf immigrants from other nations will be able to apply for a conditional residential permit to obtain employment, temporary housing allowance, universal health care, etc. One must be a productive member of our society to obtain French citizenship, we will deport any Deaf who failed to live up to our expectations, we are not a welfare state, unlike America. We don't want the Deaf to be a burden to our society, and we have the tools to assist them to be independent, responsible in their life.

Cap D'Agde have announced that it will host an international symposium on Deaf culture in the year 2011. They hope to host the Clin-D'oeil, an international Deaf festival of the arts at the same time. The last event was held in Rheim, outside of Paris in 2007. Check out their website at http://www.clin-doeil.eu/lang2/crbst_0.html . Also on top of this blog is the performances from that event on Youtube, just click any image for a few minutes of entertainment. Next year, C'Agde will put in bid to host the summer Deaflympics in 2017 at its Taipei meeting, France host the first Deaflympics back in 1924, isn't it about time we return to our roots. Delegates expresses support due to Cap D'Agde unique environment.

Cap D'Agde is the Deaf utopia, a natural environment, where we can bodily freely express our ourselves in our language, in, vibrant, visual community.

The Vlog above is an insight to Deaf French history since its inception.

Deaf Americans are welcome to visit Cap D'Agde, you may contact us at http://us.franceguide.com/ for more information on travel to France. A passport is required.

This is Smokey, stay tuned for the next episode of Deaf Anthology. Good Night, Deaf America!