Deafweekly January 6, 2010

deafweekly

January 6, 2010
Vol. 6, No. 10

Editor: Tom Willard

Deafweekly is an independent news report for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community that is mailed to subscribers on Wednesdays and available to read at www.deafweekly.com. These are the actual headlines and portions of recent deaf-related news articles, with links to the full story. Minor editing is done when necessary. Deafweekly is copyrighted 2010 and any unauthorized use is prohibited. Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive Deafweekly.

SIGN UP HERE for a free subscription. Be sure to open the confirmation email and click on the link to activate your subscription. It is required by law and prevents others from signing you up without your permission.

Last issue's most-read story: POLICE DOG BITES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT / Associated Press
Last week's website page views: 3,333
Deafweekly subscribers as of today: 3,472

ADVERTISE IN DEAFWEEKLY FOR AS LITTLE AS $18.46 PER WEEK.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NATIONAL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rockville, MD
VIABLE EXECUTIVES ARRAIGNED
John T.C. Yeh, president of Rockville deaf-services company Viable, along with three other company executives, pleaded not guilty December 14 in a New Jersey federal court to charges that include conspiracy to defraud the government. A jury trial is scheduled for Feb. 22, with pretrial motions due Jan. 11, according to court documents. A motion hearing is slated for Feb. 8. Other Viable executives who also pleaded not guilty are vice president of corporate strategy Joseph Yeh, a brother of John Yeh; assistant vice president for business development Anthony Mowl; and human relations manager Donald Tropp. / The Gazette

See also DEAF MD. ENTREPRENEUR JOHN YEH CHARGED IN FRAUD PROBE / The Washington Post

Rochester, NY
NTID PRESIDENT SEARCH COMMITTEE FORMED
Rochester Institute of Technology President Bill Destler is pleased to announce that the Search Committee to help find the next president of RIT's National Technical Institute for the Deaf has been selected. The vacancy is the result of former NTID President Alan Hurwitz's retirement at the end of 2009. Jim DeCaro, who has served as NTID Dean for 14 years, as agreed to serve as Interim President until a permanent president is seated later this year. / NTID News

Silver Spring, MD
NAD ANNOUNCES CEO PROFILE AND DEADLINE
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) calls for candidates for a visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will lead broad advocacy efforts covering the breadth of a lifetime and impacting future generations in areas such as early intervention, education, employment, health care, technology, telecommunications, and youth leadership. The NAD CEO Search Committee (CSC) has developed a CEO profile and position announcement with input from Deaf America on the character, skills, experience, and educational background for the next chief executive of the NAD. / NAD News

New York, NY
APPLE WINS APPEAL OVER ALLEGED IPOD HEARING LOSS
A federal appeals court last Wednesday rejected a class-action lawsuit seeking to hold Apple Inc responsible for possible hearing loss caused by using its popular iPod music player. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco affirmed a 2008 district court ruling that the plaintiffs failed to show that use of the iPod poses an unreasonable risk of noise-induced hearing loss. It also found that the plaintiffs lacked standing to allege a violation of California's unfair competition law. / Reuters

Harris County, TX
DEAF CHILD DROWNS IN TEXAS POOL
A 4-year-old girl who was deaf drowned Sunday in a neighbor's pool in northwest Harris County -- marking the region's first child drowning of the new year, authorities said. The child's mother called 911 around 9 a.m. after realizing the girl had been missing for a few minutes from the home, said Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesman Deputy Thomas Gilliland. While searching the neighborhood, the father spotted the girl floating in the next-door neighbor's backyard pool, Gilliland said. / Houston Chronicle

Pittsburgh, PA
TWO DEAF MEN SHOT IN PITTSBURGH
Two deaf men were shot and wounded Sunday morning in a Hill District alley during a robbery attempt. The victims, both 24, were in stable condition at Mercy Hospital. The men, who are from outside the city, told police through a sign-language interpreter that they had parked their car on Pride Street and were on their way to an after-hours establishment on Fifth Avenue when they were accosted by a man brandishing a handgun, Lt. Kevin Kraus said. / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Logan, UT
UTAH MAN FACES 25 FELONY COUNTS OF SEXUALLY ABUSING A CHILD
A 26-year-old Logan man is being charged with 24 first-degree felony counts of rape, sodomy and sexual abuse of a child and a third-degree felony charge of dealing in harmful material to a minor. Landon Louis Leishman made his initial appearance in 1st District Court last Thursday. Information about the charges was presented to Leishman through the assistance of a deaf interpreter. / Cache Valley Daily

Boynton Beach, FL
BOYNTON BEACH MOM CHARGED WITH NEGLECT AFTER FALL LEAVES CHILD BLIND, DEAF
A Boynton Beach woman is charged with child neglect with great harm after her 3-month-old son was injured so severely he is blind and deaf, perhaps permanently, and might need medical care the rest of his life. "We don't know yet if the child will recover," Palm Beach County Sheriff's detective Giselle Liriano told a judge last Thursday at a bond hearing for Madria Eyvette Roundtree. The baby, born Oct. 9, is at St. Mary's Medical Center and "does not respond to sound and has no eye movement," the report said. / The Palm Beach Post News

Albuquerque, NM
CITY MAY SHUT DOWN GROUP HOME FOR DEAF TEENS
The City of Albuquerque could shut down a home that helps several deaf teens, because of a large number of police calls. Police have been called to the La Familia group home for the deaf dozens of times, and the woman in charge says she’s doing the best she can. Back in June, a teen threatened to kill staff members, and in March, staff and a client were punched and slapped and a window was broken. One neighbor said “It’s like living next to a mental hospital with a couple 7-11s thrown in for parking.” / KOB

Latham, NY
SEARCH ON FOR DEAF DOG THAT ESCAPED ANIMAL HOSPITAL
A dog is on the lam after it managed to escape from Shaker Veterinary Hospital over the weekend. The veterinary hospital says somehow, the dog got out of its cage and then opened three different doors before getting outside. According to surveillance video from the Shaker Veterinary, it was around 4:30 Saturday morning that Luna, a white bulldog mix, got through the last door and out into the cold. / WTEN

Louisville, KY
U OF L HOPES TO LESSEN CRITICAL NEED FOR INTERPRETERS FOR DEAF
A shortage of nationally certified interpreters is expected to worsen in 2012, when all candidates for national certification must hold a bachelor’s degree. An estimated 77,000 Kentuckians depend primarily on American Sign Language to communicate -- but the state currently has only 182 certified interpreters. The University of Louisville now hopes to help fill some of that interpreter void with the development of an American Sign Language/Interpreter Education Program, which it hopes to launch in fall 2010. / The Courier-Journal

Evanston, IL
STUDENTS FIGHT TO INCLUDE ASL IN CURRICULUM
Without uttering a word, Northwestern students can obtain proficiency in another language. Now they’re trying to make it count toward a requirement. The student-run seminar “Introduction to American Sign Language and Deaf Culture” offers students a chance to learn sign language for credit but does not fulfill a Weinberg requirement. Members of the American Sign Language Club and the Associated Student Government Academic Committee are pushing to put the class on the same level as French, German and Swahili. / The Daily Northwestern

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

T-Mobile myTouch 3G at Harris-Wireless

T-Mobile’s myTouch 3G is the ultimate, customized experience. In addition to Google’s most popular apps like YouTube and Picasa, myTouch is pre-loaded with Sherpa, T-Mobile’s exclusive app that can identify a user’s location and display local information. Sherpa learns and remembers what you like and don’t like to create customized recommendations!

Check out the myTouch and all the other touchscreen devices on Harris-Wireless by clicking on the “Touchscreens” category link.

For more information, visit our website or contact us at mailto:wireless@harriscomm.com.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

callVRS has a new facelift and continues to give you the "freedom of choice"! callVRS allows you to find your favorite interpreter for your many needs. Keith Wann is now showing his serious side by bringing us a VRS company that his parents would be proud of...and one where interpreters want to work. You have seen him do silly commercials for other VRS companies, but he is also a Nationally Certified Interpreter, NIC Master and CI CT and calls himself a profesional Coda interpreter. "For the other VRS companies, I was a paid actor, with callVRS my true voice can be heard... It's time we have a VRS provider focus on the interpreters along with the callers to make the VRS experience better for everyone" www.callVRS.org - dial callVRS.info on your video phone.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INTERNATIONAL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Edmonton, AB, Canada
DEAF MAN CHARGED AFTER STANDOFF
A deaf man is facing charges after he allegedly barricaded himself inside his ex-girlfriend's home with a weapon, spurring a four-hour standoff with police last Tuesday night. Police used a TTY machine, which converts voices over a telephone into written words, to coax him out around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. The ordeal began around 8:30 p.m. when police were called to a home with reports that an armed man had barricaded himself inside. Police say the 45-year-old man had been at the home earlier in the day and had allegedly threatened his ex. He also reportedly hurt himself. / Canoe.ca

Winnipeg, MB, Canada
DEAF LINGUISTICS PROFESSOR A TRAILBLAZER AT U OF M
University of Manitoba linguistics professor Erin Wilkinson is into firsts in a serious way. Wilkinson believes she's the first deaf professor at the U of M, and Canada's first deaf linguistics professor. There's only a handful of deaf linguists in the U.S. and Wilkinson is aware of only two other deaf professors in Canada in any discipline. "My work really focuses on comparative sign languages. There is so little research," Wilkinson explained through her full-time interpreter, Sherra Hall. / Winnipeg Free Press

Brisbane, QLD, Australia
VIRGIN BLUE 'LOST DISABLED PASSENGER'
A deaf woman who boarded a flight in Melbourne was lost at Brisbane Airport for five hours and missed a connecting flight because Virgin Blue staff failed to assist her, despite assurances to her relatives they would do so. Surge Singh booked the Monday morning flight for his 38-year-old aunt Saras Wati, who is also mute and unable to read or write English. He was later told Virgin Blue staff did not know there was a special needs passenger on board and after a frantic search the woman was found in a distressed state several hours later by staff from another airline who noticed her wandering around the airport. / News.com.au

Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
OFF TO AFRICA TO HELP DEAF KIDS
Cochlear implant recipient Ceilidh O’Sullivan is setting out to conquer new worlds this year. Ms O’Sullivan is planning a trip to Uganda in May to help deaf children who have not had the same chances in life as she has. Almost two years after receiving her implant, Ms O’Sullivan said it had changed her life. The plan for the Uganda trip came after a chance meeting at a deaf festival. “I met this woman who had been over there before and I got interested,” she said. / Bundaberg News Mail

London, England
STEPHANIE CLEANS TEETH -- IN SHADES
Stephanie Beacham showed she cannot leave her Hollywood lifestyle behind as she began her first morning in the Celebrity Big Brother house by wearing shades as she brushed her teeth. The star was first up on Monday morning after taking an early night, and started the day by reaching for her sunglasses. And she kept them on as she headed to the bathroom for a spell of stretching in front of the mirror while she took care of her teeth. / The Press Association

See also STEPHANIE BEACHAM / The Sun

Knutsford, England
PCT CAVES IN AND GIVES BOY HEARING IMPLANT
A deaf child from Knutsford has won a year-long battle against Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT for a life-changing operation to improve his hearing. Matthew Millbanks, 5, of Aylesby Close, was initially refused an operation for a second cochlear implant, even though the Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT is legally required to provide the operation according to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence. After a year-long battle, the PCT finally backed down this month, after the third application for funding, and agreed to fund the second cochlear implant. / Knutsford Guardian

Doncaster, England
DEAF SCHOOL GIVEN NEW 'SUNSHINE COACH'
Pupils at Doncaster Deaf Trust will be enjoying trips and outings when they return to school after the Christmas holidays, thanks to a new coach given to the school by the Variety Club. The Yorkshire Region of the Variety Club Children's Charity provided the trust with a Sunshine Coach, to help enhance learning experiences and add to the programme of activities already in place within the school and the college. The coach, which has a specialised fixed lift to help disabled passengers, will enable pupils under the age of 19 to travel on various educational outings. / Community Newswire

Beaconsfield, England
DEAF CHARITY WINS LOTTERY FUNDING FOR RESEARCH
A Beaconsfield charity is set to carry out extensive research into the health of deaf people after it was awarded nearly £500,000 ($800,000 US) by the Big Lottery Fund. SignHealth, a healthcare charity for deaf people, will lead the project on behalf of a group of over 60 deaf organisations. Small scale studies in the UK show that deaf people have significantly worse physical and mental health than hearing people and experience considerable difficulties in accessing healthcare and health information. / This Is Local London

Dundee, Scotland
YOB NICKS DEAF WAR VETERAN'S TV ON CHRISTMAS DAY
A callous burglar was last night branded "the lowest of the low" for the Christmas Day theft of a deaf war veteran's telly. Widower Robert Steele, 95, was left heartbroken over the theft of his new 45in plasma screen. The World War Two hero, of Dundee, needs an extra-large screen to be read subtitles clearly. The sick thief struck while Robert was enjoying Christmas dinner with his family. / The Scottish Sun

Niigata, Japan
DEAF FILM FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN NIIGATA CITY IN MARCH 2010
Seven instructors of a group in Niigata City, called "The Sign Language Lecture 'The Hands'," has formed the Niigata Deaf Film Festival organizing committee with the aim to offer every one, regardless of being deaf or hearing, the opportunity to enjoy the deaf movies. The committee plans to hold the festival in March, 2010, advancing the selection of the movies with sign language or visual expressions used in the work. / Deaf Japan News

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Join The Zevolution! The Z™ offers you the best in videophone technology with 24/7 access to topnotch, nationally certified interpreters and features you just can’t get anywhere else! The choice is yours, and we can help find the videophone solution that’s right for you. Are you always on the go? The Z-340’s WiFi capabilities and lightweight, compact size make it perfect for travel. Do you want an easy-to-use, all-in-one videophone that is simple to install? Check out Z-Ojo! Tired of missing calls when you are in the next room? Our Z Alert feature will send a message to your PDA or pager to let you know someone is calling. And there’s so much more! Go to www.zvrs.com for more information on all of our videophone solutions and features. Don’t have a Z phone? You can still get The Z™ experience by calling 888-888-1116 to connect to ZVRS from any videophone!

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Happy New Year! Take 10% off in 2010!

What’s your New Year's resolution? If the answer is being on time then you’ve come to the right place! Purchase either the Sonic Boom Alarm Clock or the Sonic Boom Alarm Clock with the vibrator at 10% off in January! It has many great features including a built-in receiver to pick up transmissions from other signalers.

Call 1-800-233-9130 (V/TTY) or visit our website for more details. For a copy of our NEW catalog, email your request to: sales@weitbrecht.com. We’re now on Facebook! Come visit us!

WCI. Your Single Source for Assistive Technology

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LIFE & LEISURE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oakland, CA
DEAF HOPE WON $25K FROM CHASE VIA SOCIAL MEDIA!
Deaf Hope won $25K from Chase Community Giving via Social Media! Facebook users voted Deaf Hope of Oakland, CA for one of their favorite charities in Round One of Chase Community Giving. Deaf Hope met the eligibility requirements of the Official Rules and this organization run of, for and by Deaf received the most votes made the Top 100! Deaf Hope will receive $25k to help serve Deaf community better. Over the next several weeks, Deaf Hope will be submitting their Big Idea for what they would do with $1 million dollars. / Deaf World As Eye See It

Vineland, NJ
ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, CCC STUDENT LEARNS
In many ways, Candice Brown is a typical college student. She takes a full class load at Cumberland County College, works part time at her school and is a member of the track team. But Brown also has overcome obstacles in her life that most students won't ever face: She is legally deaf and blind. When Brown was 10 years old, she was diagnosed with adenovirus encephalitis and experienced complications. Doctors originally thought Brown simply had caught a cold, but the virus attacked her brain and she fell into a coma. "At 10 years old, you feel invincible," she said. "Then one day, you wake up and it's not how it's supposed to be." / The Daily Journal

Greenwood Village, CO
HELPING CHILDREN LEARN HOW TO 'LISTEN'
She calls volunteering her destiny, and it has carried Winnie Moss through the past 40 years of her life. It happened out of something selfless for her son, David, who was born hearing impaired and without the ability to understand sounds as anything other than noise. In search of help, Winnie Moss's family packed up their belongings and moved from South Dakota to Denver in search of hearing therapy. "When you first learn that your child is deaf, you don't know what to do, because you have never had a responsibility for a child like that," said Winnie Moss, 76, the January 2010 9Who Care winner. / 9NEWS

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Purple Communications, Inc.
www.purple.us

Your choice for top quality Video and Text Relay experience. Download our latest all-in-one communication solution for PC - www.purple.us/p3. It’s FREE and it offers you the convenience of using video and text relay, video to video, and address book on your desktop or laptop with a webcam. Try it today and experience the best! www.purple.us/p3.

Try one of our Powered by Purple® services:
www.hovrs.com / www.i711.com / www.ip-relay.com / www.purple.us/interpreting

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Kramer Financial is a deaf financial services firm with representatives licensed in 49 states and the District of Columbia. We offer a wide array of services and products including:

Investments / Insurance / Retirement Planning
Education Planning / Tax Planning / Estate Planning

Two office locations, four financial advisors, and three staff members - working together as ONE team to help you work towards your financial goals.

For further information or to make an appointment, click into www.kramerfinancial.com
Or call at 240-575-2309 VP.

Securities and investment advice offered through FSC Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC. Kramer Financial is not affiliated with FSC Securities Corporation or registered as broker-dealer or investment adviser.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WORKING WORLD
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Stroudsburg, PA
LINCOLN GEAKE RETIRES FROM POCONO RECORD AFTER 42 YEARS
In June 1967, Lyndon B. Johnson was president, the Shelby Mustang GT-500 Fastback was released and Lincoln Geake came to work in the production department at the Pocono Record. After 42 years, Geake, now 62, retired last week from the creative services department at the Pocono Record. Though he couldn't speak or hear, he communicated with staff by sign language, notes, gestures and a big smile. / Pocono Record

Glen Falls, NY
DEAF STUDENT FINDS MENTOR IN MANAGER OF AUTO BODY SHOP
Tim Arnold gave a confident double "thumbs up" and a broad grin to Jack Perna, who returned the gesture. Though there's not an exact translation in American Sign Language, the two communicated the universal symbol for how they feel about their student-mentor relationship. Perna, the body shop manager at Whiteman Chevrolet in Glens Falls for 17 years, is working with the 19-year-old deaf student in a three-week BOCES auto body internship to fulfill requirements for his two-year career-tech program. / The Post Star

Atchison, KS
TEEN REFUSES TO LET HEARING LOSS SLOW HER DOWN
At a small ice cream shop in downtown Atchison, Kan., Savanna Law calmly attends to each customer -- scooping ice cream, making salads and pouring drinks like a seasoned pro. The way she confidently handles the cash register, works the cappuccino machine and cleans the counter, you’d think the 17-year-old had been working at the Snow Ball for years instead of just four months. And there’s no way you’d know she’s deaf. The home-schooled senior has worked hard to make it that way. / St. Joe News

North Miami Beach, FL
DEAF TEACHER INSPIRES HER STUDENTS
When Cathy Oshrain first became a teacher, she wondered how she would communicate with her students. Oshrain, who was born deaf, had been hired to teach hearing students at North Miami Beach Senior High. She was one of only six deaf teachers at traditional public schools in South Florida. But for Oshrain, an expressive and energetic woman with an obvious passion for her craft, connecting with students was never a problem. / Miami Herald

Orangeburg, SC
STUDENTS USE CAROLS TO LEARN ASL
The Christmas spirit filled the halls of the Old Dawn Center on the campus of South Carolina State University. The center is home to the university's Speech Pathology and Audiology Program, where students clad in Santa hats were recently engaged in learning using a different approach. As a requirement for the Introduction to Manual Communication course, students entertained their peers by performing holiday songs in sign language for the Introduction to Audiology class. Instructors say these songs provide an easier way for students to learn. / The Times and Democrat

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Use Hamilton Web Relay® to make and receive calls over the Internet in a private environment, separate from buddy lists and potential disruptions. There’s nothing to download -- it’s all web-based making the service available wherever you can connect to the Internet!

Now you can receive calls with a locally-based, 10-digit Hamilton HomeTown Number™.

Don't have a HomeTown Number? Register today and share your number with friends and colleagues! Visit http://www.hamiltonrelay.com and click on the "Make & Receive Calls Now" icon to check it out.

Hamilton Relay. That’s what I’m talking about.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Keith Wann's ASL Comedy Tour 2009-2010

Keith Wann, renowned for his hilarious, sidesplitting comedy performances, is now producing and hosting the ASL Comedy Tour 2009, which will travel the U.S. this year. With American Sign Language (ASL) artists presenting solo performances incorporating comedy, skits, songs, improvisation, and stories, each show lasts two hours. Sponsored by www.CallVRS.org, the multi-city tour is designed to be affordable for each location - making it ideal as a fundraiser for participating organizations.

“We really want to reach out to all communities, so we are sharing in the costs and profits at each location. We will work closely with booking parties to maximize profits for their organization and to bring in as many people as possible for a night of laughter, socialization and fun,” Wann said. “We also offer workshops by some of our performers, which can be held the day of the performance. People can come to our workshops, and then unwind by attending the comedy show that evening.”

www.aslcomedytour.com
Contact KemiProductionsInc@gmail.com.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Fort Collins, CO
DESPITE DEVASTATING HEARING LOSS, WOMAN STILL HAS SONG TO SING
Despite hearing issues from birth, Mandy Harvey immersed her life in music, singing since age 4 and becoming an award-winning vocalist in high school. When she auditioned for the vocal music programs at Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado, both quickly accepted her. Her goal was to become a college, jazz vocal instructor. But just months into her freshman year at CSU, Harvey noticed her hearing was going. Despite new hearing aids, six months later, all of her residual hearing had disappeared. For someone who had built her world around music, it seemed the cruelest twist. / The Coloradoan

Washington, DC
DEAF THEATER STAFF MEMBER INSPIRES CUSTOMERS, COLLEAGUES
It's a normal Friday night at the movies in mid-December. The crowds stop by the concession stand for the requisite popcorn and soda and are likely to receive a dose of inspiration along with their order. All thanks to Jivan Petit, a "concessionist" on the night shift at the AMC Loews Georgetown 14 theater on K Street Northwest, where he has worked for five years. The 30-something Mr. Petit has been deaf since he was 1 year old, save for being able to sense some vibrations. / Washington Times

Rochester, NY
NEW DEAF THEATER WEBSITE
New deaf theater website coordinated by Aaron Kelstone with the assistance of EDR staff Simon Ting and Cathy Clarke and faculty member Patricia Durr. This website showcases and promotes the works of national deaf and hard-of-hearing actors, performers and scriptwriters available through the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, a college of Rochester Institute of Technology. The site is designed for actors, performers, scriptwriters, students, teachers, scholars, and researchers. It offers access to biographies of the actors, performers or scriptwriters with descriptions of their work. Articles, scripts, book chapters and links to related sites are also featured. http://www.rit.edu/ntid/deaftheatre/

Internet
RARE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: CLOSED CAPTIONING HISTORY
The only known video footage of the “father of closed captioning,” Dr. Malcolm J. Norwood, is now available for viewing on YouTube. This interview was shot in 1979, at the beginning of the development of closed captioning. Links to other closed captioning historical material appears in the accompanying program guide. This is brought to you by the National Association of the Deaf and the Described and Captioned Media Program. / YouTube

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Sorenson Video Relay Service® (SVRS®) is an industry leading communication tool for the deaf community provided by Sorenson Communications. Created with high-quality video technology, SVRS brings life into the conversations of our customers as they call family, friends, and business associates at no cost through a professional SVRS sign language interpreter and a cutting-edge videophone. SVRS is provided 24-hours a day, and 365 days a year, connecting the deaf and hard-of-hearing to anyone at their convenience. For more information, visit the SVRS Web site at www.sorensonvrs.com.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SPORTS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Frederick, MD
2009 WIDEX SPORTSMAN AND SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
ICSD (International Committee of Sports for the Deaf) is pleased to announce that Terence PARKIN of South Africa and Aksana PETRUSHENKA of Belarus have been selected as the 2009 WIDEX Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year by the members of International Committee of Sports for the Deaf Selections Commission through electronic ballot. They earned 68 and 65 points respectively. / ICSD

St. Augustine, FL
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? ASHLEY FIOLEK, MOTOCROSS RIDER
Ashley Fiolek, a former student at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, landed on the national radar this year. The 19-year-old already has an eventful 2010 planned. After undergoing surgery for a broken collarbone in early September, her father Jim said that Fiolek and her Honda Red Bull Racing Team are scheduled to resume practicing on Jan. 2. Jim also said that Harper Collins is publishing a book on his daughter which is set to be released in April. / St. Augustine Record

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
COMING EVENTS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Newark, CA
CALIFORNIA NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE FOR ASL PROFESSIONALS
Teachers who teach American Sign Language to Deaf and hard-of-hearing students as their first language are invited to attend a national event which will be held in Fremont-Newark, Calif., January 13-16, 2010. The American Sign Language Roundtable (ASLRT) event focuses exclusively on Deaf students whose first language is American Sign Language. The conference will be held at Ohlone College Newark Center, 39399 Cherry Street, Newark, CA 94560. The theme of this year’s conference is, “ASL Language Planning in Deaf Education: Engaging, Empowering, Electrifying.” / CSDF News Release

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
EMPLOYMENT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You can advertise your job openings here for just $20 a week (up to 100 words, 10 cents each add'l word). Start spreading the news! To place your ad, send the announcement to mail@deafweekly.com.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

EXCITING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AT GLAD, INC.

* Job Developer / Interpreter - Crenshaw, CA EDD
* Job Developer / Interpreter - Rancho Cucamonga, CA
* Community Interpreter - Los Angeles, CA (LIFESIGNS)

To learn more about these positions, please visit our website, www.gladinc.org.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jr. Video Production Specialist
Reports to: Sr. Director of Marketing Communications
Department: Marketing Communications
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Location: Rocklin, CA

About Purple Communications:
Purple Communications is one of the nation's largest providers of communication services for the deaf, hard of hearing, and speech-disabled communities. As a leading provider of onsite interpreting services, video relay and text relay services, and video remote interpreting, the Company delivers a wide array of options designed to meet the varied communication needs of its customers.

Purple Communications’ vision is to improve the quality of life of its customers by being their premier provider of high quality, innovative communication services that break down communications barriers.

Brief summary of duties:
· Work with Producer in Arranging for, Producing, and Completing All Video Production Projects
· Responsible For Completing Video Productions According to Requirements
· Serve As An Influential Member of the Production Team
· Excellent Opportunity for Entry Level Experience and Innovation Leading to Significant Corporate and Community Recognition

Areas of Responsibility:
· Work with a team of video editing and technical professionals
· Write or organize scripts in accordance with specifications
· Work on motion picture and video production
· Work with digital photography and stills
· Perform research as required
· Arrange for talents for video production
· Operate digital video equipment in studios and remote locations
· Collect and edit large amounts of media files and data
· Work on post-production projects with producers
· Assist with web development efforts
· Produce videos for deaf/hard of hearing audiences; assimilate effective communication modes
· Provide top-notch customer service to both external and internal customers
· Work closely with producer/staff in maintaining expectations and results

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
· Associates degree in Arts & Imaging Science or equivalent, with focus on film and animation.
· American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency and knowledge of the deaf culture required
· Strong desire to try new things, open to input and feedback, and dedication to aspire to be the best
· Effective working relationship with video producers, and has personality to work effectively in a supporting role
· Strong research skills
· Experience with using specialized equipment related to video production, and software used for web, video editing, and animation development
· Time management skills to handle multiple, competing demands and priorities, and work effectively under pressure.
· Ability to communicate effectively; and present information and respond to questions from groups of clients, customers, managers, and the public.
· Human relations skills to build effective working relationships with staff, customers, and community groups and individuals.

Physical Requirements:
Employees may experience the following physical demands for extended periods of time:
· Sitting, standing and walking (95-100%)
· Keyboarding (40-60%)
· Viewing computer monitor, videophone, and pager requiring close vision (40-60%)

Work Environment:
Work is performed in a business office environment. Some travel to company, customer and vendor sites, including some that are out of state may be required.

Disclaimer:
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job. Employees are expected to follow their supervisor’s instructions and to perform the tasks requested by their supervisors.

TO APPLY:
Please submit your resume to: www.purple.us
Purple Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Principals only please.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Click here to subscribe or here to advertise.