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NATIONAL
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Sacramento, CA
JURY REJECTS DEAF WORKER'S BIAS CLAIM AGAINST PLACER NONPROFIT
A jury in Sacramento federal court has decided that a Placer County nonprofit that provides independent living services to people with developmental disabilities did not discriminate against a deaf employee. A lawsuit filed in March 2013 by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accused Placer ARC of refusing to provide the full services of a certified ASL interpreter to Homeyra Kazerounian, an instructional aide. / The Sacramento Bee
Honolulu, HI
NEW LAW REQUIRES THEATERS TO OFFER MOVIES WITH OPEN CAPTIONING
A blockbuster change for Hawaii's deaf and hearing impaired is about to debut on movie screens statewide: Open captioning starts this weekend. "This allows anyone in the deaf community to read the captioning on the screen," state Rep. James Tokioka said. Tokioka helped pass the law mandating open captioning in Hawaii theaters, a first-of-its-kind measure in the nation. Up to now, deaf movie fans relied on closed captioning. / Hawaii News Now
Overland Park, KS
MOLESTATION CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST CHURCH LEADER WITH HISTORY OF CHILD SEX ABUSE
Charges have been dropped against a deaf church leader who is accused of molesting a church goer with disabilities. Prosecutors are refusing to discuss the decision involving a convicted sex offender. Rodney Sexton had been charged in Johnson County with aggravated sexual battery. Sexton was initially accused of molesting a 31-year-old man who is deaf and functions at the level of an 8-year-old child. The mother of the 31-year old is furious. "Disappointed is way past the word," the woman said. / KCTV
Oceanside, CA
WAS CIGARETTE TO BLAME FOR HOUSE FIRE? 3 DEAF RESIDENTS, VISITOR DISPLACED
A garage fire that may have been caused by a smoldering cigarette left three residents and a visitor displaced Monday and caused about $15,000 in damage to their Oceanside home, fire officials said. One of the residents — three deaf women — called for help shortly before 10 p.m. Sunday and told a dispatcher smoke from the garage was filling the single-family home. The three residents and the mother of one who was visiting for the holidays were able to exit before fire crews arrived and no one was injured. / Times of San Diego
San Bernardino, CA
TEXT TO 911 HELPS DEAF WOMAN IN DISTRESS
A deaf woman feeling symptoms of a stroke summoned help by text messaging 911, becoming the first person in San Bernardino County to use the service since the county began utilizing it earlier this month, police said. When Roseanna Raman needed help at home, she found herself in a dangerous situation. "I can't hear nobody on the phone," she said. "I don't know why it popped up in my mind, 911. And I did it. So then I text them and they text back, just like that." / NBC Southern California
Spokane Valley, WA
THIEVES STEAL CHRISTMAS FROM SPOKANE VALLEY MISSIONARIES
Spokane Valley police are looking for a group of burglars who looted the home of a family who've devoted their lives to helping others working as missionaries overseas. For 30 years now, the Ramsey family has traveled to, even lived in China as part of their far flung ministry that focuses on their faith and helping deaf children. In all those years abroad the Ramseys never had anything stolen. But once back stateside, someone kicked through their front door in a daylight Christmas eve burglary. “The first thing I saw was under the Christmas tree, every present was gone,” Leroy Ramsey said. / KXLY
Boise, ID
FAMILY UPSET AFTER SUV STOLEN WITH COCHLEAR IMPLANT INSIDE
A family is frustrated and disappointed after their SUV was stolen from their driveway on New Year's Eve. But it was something inside the car -- an expensive and important hearing aid for their young daughter -- that's even more concerning. The family says they were celebrating New Year's Eve at home when someone stole their locked SUV right from their driveway. Inside was a cochlear implant for their 4-year-old daughter. / KTVB
Duluth, MN
DULUTH MAN SAVES DEER FROM FRIGID WATER
A video of a man next to an exhausted, ice-covered deer he just rescued from a frigid river has been making the rounds on the Internet in recent days. Using ASL, the man — who shot the video himself — recounts how he was driving, saw the deer struggling in the river and felt he had to do something. Petting the deer, he names the animal “Miss Ice River” and says he’s glad it survived. As it turns out, the man in the video lives in Duluth — and the scene unfolded Monday along Interstate 35 in northern Pine County, on the icy Kettle River. / Duluth News Tribune
Houston, TX
CHURCH FOR HEARING IMPAIRED GOES HIGH TECH
Woodhaven Baptist Deaf Church, 9920 Long Point, is now holding services in a newly renovated worship center with a vibrating floor, special lighting and three screens that display magnified images of communication in ASL. The church held its first services there in mid-November, after two years of fundraising and construction. "It feels great," said the Rev. Arthur Craig, senior pastor. / Houston Chronicle
Rome, GA
GSD SUPERINTENDENT TALKS ABOUT STUDENTS' UNIQUE CULTURE
Georgia School for the Deaf, nestled on 480 acres of land in Cave Spring, is where Superintendent Leslie Jackson drives every morning to begin her workday. And she is continually amazed she gets to be there, doing what she loves. “I get to use my second language — ASL — all day long, and I get to see kids do amazing things every day,” she said. Floyd County has “quite a gem in Georgia School for the Deaf,” according to Jackson, who spoke to the Rome Noon Optimist Club Monday. / Rome News-Tribune
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INTERNATIONAL
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Netherlands
MISSING DEAF WOMAN AND HER KIDS FOUND UNHARMED AFTER 10 HOUR SEARCH
A large search for a deaf woman and her three children who went missing in Alphen aan den Rijn on Wednesday had a happy ending. The woman and children were found safe and sound after 10 hours of searching, the police announced. The woman was last seen walking with her children, 2-year-old twins in a stroller and a 4-year-old standing on a wheeled board attached to the stroller, around 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Where the family was in the 10 hours they were missing is unclear. / NL Times
Kent, England
UK'S OLDEST DEAF SCHOOL CLOSES AMID CONCERNS CHILDREN ARE BEING LET DOWN
Deaf children are being let down by the education system, with growing numbers of specialist schools closing and too many vulnerable pupils struggling in mainstream settings, according to campaigners. The Royal School for Deaf Children in Margate, Kent, which was the oldest deaf school still operating in the UK, dating back to 1792, is the latest to close its doors. The closure comes amid growing concern about poor academic attainment among deaf children, who achieve considerably lower test results than their hearing peers. / The Guardian
Lancashire, England
FEARS OVER FUTURE OF DEAF SERVICE PROVISION
A deaf rights campaigner has accused the county council of ignoring the needs of Lancashire’s deaf community. Len Hodson, chairman of Lancashire Deaf Rights Group, has spoken out following a council decision to end funding for an advocacy and help service which includes a British Sign Language (BSL) translation service. Mr Hodson says the service has helped deaf residents to live independently in the community and enabled them to access information and services. / Blackpool Gazette
London, England
JACK BUTLAND GIVES £5,000 TO HELP GB DEAF FOOTBALL TEAM PLAY AT WORLD CUP
The Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has given £5,000 to Great Britain’s women’s deaf football team to enable them to take part in the Deaf World Cup in Italy. The team’s campaign will cost £20,000 and a Just Giving appeal to raise half that amount has surpassed its target thanks to Butland’s gift. “I’ve learnt a lot from major tournaments, experiences I’ll never forget,” Butland said on Twitter. “I’d love for you to experience the same!” / The Guardian
Leicestershire, England
GIRLS' HUMOR WINS THEM TRIP TO KENYA AND ROLE AS AMBASSADORS FOR DEAF CHILDREN
Two girls from Leicestershire have won a national competition to become young ambassadors for a UK campaign promoting the universal human right to education. Samina Begum, 14, and Jessica Hardy, 15, both year 10s from Limehurst academy in Loughborough, will travel to Kenya next month on behalf of Send My Friend to School, to learn about barriers to schooling for deaf children. On their return, they will become figureheads for the 2016 campaign – lobbying politicians and sharing their experiences with other children and the media. / The Guardian
Ireland
DEAF WOMAN MAKES DESPERATE APPEAL FOR RETURN OF LOST HEARING AIDS
A deaf woman has made a desperate appeal for the return of her missing hearing aids. Mum-of-two Lisa Carroll lost the devices when she was getting out of her car on Monday. A frantic Ms Carroll explained: "They must have fallen out then. I'm stone deaf without them. I rely on them from the minute I wake up until the minute I go to bed. I am really lost without them." / Irish Mirror
Australia
TWO MEN CHARGED WITH RAPE, POLICE SAY DEAF AND MUTE MAN ENCOURAGED IN CRIME
Two men have been charged with raping two women in the Western Australian town of Kununurra, with police saying one man encouraged the other, who is deaf and mute, to commit the offense. Detectives alleged the men, aged 25 and 28, entered a home in late December. The older man then held a victim down and urged the younger man, who is deaf and mute, to rape the woman, they said. Police said the older man then went next door and raped another woman who was asleep in her bed. / ABC News
Australia
LET YOUR HANDS DO ALL THE TALKING
Julie Lyons lets her hands do the talking. Every day at the Woodford Folk Festival she shows others how to do the same, teaching Auslan for Adults classes in a one-hour educational workshop. Julie and a group of dedicated volunteers from Auslan for Everyone have been holding the workshops to teach sign language at the festival for over a decade. Coordinator for the group, Julie said their presence at Woodford has made a world of a difference. / Sunshine Coast Daily
Durban, South Africa
DEAF SCHOOL ACHIEVES 100% PASS RATE FOR 5TH YEAR IN A ROW
A KwaZulu-Natal school for deaf pupils has achieved a 100% pass rate for the fifth year in a row. The Kwathintwa Deaf School, south of Durban, also excelled with the quality of the passes, with all of its pupils managing at least one distinction, the school said in a statement. When handing over the results, Principal Dr Mavis Naidoo said that the school's 2015 results were "phenomenal." / News24
Jakarta, Indonesia
U.S., INDONESIA RAISING AWARENESS OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEAF
The US and Indonesia are collaborating through an exchange program to raise awareness to fight discrimination and limitations placed on the deaf. The US Embassy in Jakarta on Monday invited 18 young deaf professionals, consisting of 10 Americans and eight Indonesians, on a cultural exchange program. The delegates are currently in Indonesia and will meet with the Social Affairs Ministry and participate in a number of activities across the country. / The Jakarta Post
Ahmedabad, India
DEAF-MUTE ACCUSED SEEKS BAIL
The deaf and mute youth who has been accused of raping a similarly disabled girl, sought regular bail on Saturday on the ground that it was a case of love affair, and he is innocent. Anjara's lawyer said that it was a love affair between two physically challenged people, but since the girl's father was in disagreement, he'd levelled charges of rape against Anjara. After the girl's father died, the girl's sister filed an affidavit in court and requested it to release the rape accused on bail so that he could marry the alleged rape victim. / Times of India
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LIFE & LEISURE
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Lacey, NJ
HELPING HANDS: IN LACEY, A DEAF COUPLE'S QUEST TO ADOPT
Ramona’s bedroom is ready. With pink and aqua walls and a comfy-looking toddler bed, plus an array of stuffed animals and children’s books, it’s a warm, inviting place for a 4-year-old girl. The thing is, Ramona is in China. She is being adopted by Catrina Ballou-Nowrey and Billy Nowrey, a married couple who moved into this three-bedroom ranch a year ago with dreams of starting a family. Adoption is a challenging and emotional process by any measure. That’s especially true in this case because all parties are deaf. / Asbury Park Press
Staunton, VA
LETTER: DEAF PATIENTS NEED SPECIAL CARE
For the past year I have followed the progress of House Bill 1956 regarding effective communication for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients in Virginia. I personally had experienced the lack of professional interpreting services available for my mother, who is deaf, during an overnight hospital stay at Augusta Health. Initial efforts to resolve this issue were lost by Augusta Health patient advocacy. As months passed and I talked with others in our deaf community, it pained me to learn that communication barriers and lack of respect for the specific needs of deaf patients are all too common. / The News Leader
Internet
DEAF MAN FINDS OUT HIS WIFE IS PREGNANT AND HIS REACTION IS TOO PRECIOUS FOR THE INTERNET
If like the Grinch, your heart has grown cold and distant post holiday season, you might want to watch this video of a deaf man finding out his wife is pregnant. I promise that it will take you from grumpy to being tearful and hopeful in a matter of minutes. It really did a number on me. / Bustle
Worcester, MA
(HEARING LOSS) X (ISOLATION) = DEPRESSSION
Independence is a good indicator of how happy we are – what quality of life we have. This is equally true for 11-year olds and 75-year olds, but for the older American that independence may be tied to how he or she hears, or does not hear the world around them. The link between hearing loss and mental health is inextricably linked. With most people waiting six years or more from the time they notice a hearing loss, to the time they have it tested, much damage can be done to the person’s overall health. / GoLocal Worcester
Suffield, CT
THE SOUND OF MUSIC AND HER SON'S VOICE: THAT'S WHAT PROFOUNDLY DEAF AMY REAY IS LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING
Amy Reay recently underwent surgery for a cochlear implant in her left ear, and now has only one goal in mind for the New Year. The 45-year-old Suffield resident says she wants “to be in the moment and enjoy each new sound instead of rushing through it and missing out on the simple things in life.” After being profoundly deaf for more than a decade, Reay planned to begin 2016 by savoring sounds that had eluded her for so long. / Journal Inquirer
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Scranton, PA
SCHOOL RENOVATIONS ENABLE DEAF STUDENTS TO PRODUCE NEWSCASTS
In one new classroom, deaf students will produce newscasts and learn from a teacher 300 miles away. In other classrooms, middle school students will have their own dedicated space for learning. Renovated classrooms and new technology mean additional opportunities for students at the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children. "We're at a point where we're leading the way," said Jon Konzelman, director of the school. "Everything is done with the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing children in mind." / The Times-Tribune
Lawrence, KS
ASL INTERPRETER CREATES ACCESS FOR DEAF AT KANSAS UNIVERSITY
Kim Bates woke up Nov. 12 with sore shoulders and a sore back. Her biceps were in pain even before she’d gone to bed. The previous evening she spent two and a half hours on her feet at the front of a hot, packed auditorium where Kansas University held a town hall forum on race. One after another, KU students, faculty and staffers unleashed. Bates was the one translating it all into American Sign Language. “It’s exhausting work,” she said. / Lawrence Journal World
Charleston, WV
FAMILY HISTORY INSPIRES WORK WITH HEARING IMPAIRED
Hear! Hear! That’s what Sara Swann wishes for everyone — the ability to hear as clearly as her products will allow. A licensed hearing-care practitioner at the Beltone Hearing Aid Center here, she gives hearing tests and recommends hearing aids to bring hearing back to the highest possible level. Daily, she travels 68 miles each way back and forth from Chesapeake, Ohio, to exercise that privilege. Because for her, it’s not just a job. It’s personal. / Charleston Gazette-Mail
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Wilmington, VT
NOVELIST MINES HER LIFE, AND HER HEARING LOSS, TO TELL STORIES
Writer Laura Stevenson has written two works of fiction inspired by her own life in Vermont. One of her books drew on the very personal experience of losing her hearing. Stevenson started spending her summers in Vermont when she was 5 years old. At the time her family had bought an old farmhouse as a second home in Wilmington. "If I could really tell you how I felt about Vermont, I wouldn’t have to write books. I write books to figure it out," she says during an interview in her home. / Vermont Public Radio
Palm Harbor, FL
HEARING-IMPAIRED MUSIC TEACHER INSPIRES OTHERS
A music teacher isn’t letting a disability keep her from following her dreams. Anne Rosato’s passion for music led her to become owner of Chosen Chord Music School in Palm Harbor. "For me, music is in the ear of the beholder,” said Anne. “It’s how you hear it, it’s how you perceive it." Anne has degenerative hearing loss. "When I was four I got hearing aids," said Rosato. Anne’s love of music only grew. / Bay NEWS 9
Quincy, WA
TRIO OF STUDENTS WIN AWARDS FOR ART WORK ABOUT BEING DEAF
Three Quincy High School students took home first, second and third place honors at a national competition highlighting the culture of the hearing impaired. The students took part in the National American Sign Language Honor Society 2015 Chuck Baird Memorial ASL Deaf Art Competition. / iFIBER One News
New York, NY
DEAF WEST SPRING AWAKENING CAST WILL ROCK BROADWAYCON
The stars and creators of the acclaimed Deaf West Broadway revival of the coming-of-age musical Spring Awakening, including Michael Arden, Austin P. McKenzie, Andy Mientus, Sandra Mae Frank, are the latest to join the lineup for BroadwayCon. The Spring Awakening panel is scheduled for Jan. 22 from 1-2 PM. Also participating will be Katie Boeck, Alex Boniello, Daniel N. Durant, T.J. Kearney, Spencer Liff and Krysta Rodriguez. Playbill has partnered with BroadwayCon to present the event created by theatre lovers for theatre lovers. / Playbill
Morehead, KY
MOREHEAD MOVIES TO OFFER SERVICES TO DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED
There’s nothing quite like a trip to the movies, but for people with hearing impairments, a key part of the experience is missing. While many don’t consider all the moving parts of a movie the Morehead Cinema Six wants everyone to be able to have the same great movie experience. Starting Jan. 20 the movie theater will start showing movies with open captions for members of the deaf and hearing impaired communities. “This gives everyone a chance to enjoy the movies,” said Daniel Totich, manager of Cinema Six. / The Independent Online
See Also LOCAL THEATER LISTENS TO CONCERNS OF PATRONS WITH HEARING LOSS / Benitolink
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SPORTS
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San Diego, CA
DEAF AND BLIND HABEN GIRMA RIDES THE WAVES IN CALIFORNIA
A 27-year-old deaf and blind woman decided to challenge herself this weekend when she learned to surf in San Diego. Haben Girma, a disability rights attorney, took to the waves at Swami's Beach with help from a surf instructor. "One of the biggest barriers facing people with disabilities are negative attitudes -- people assuming that someone who's blind can't do something, or assuming that someone that uses a wheelchair can't do something, but anything's possible," Girma, from Berkeley, told CBS 8. / Daily Mail
Oklahoma City, OK
DEAF STUDENT NAMED TO OKLAHOMA ALL-STATE CHEERLEADER SQUAD
A senior at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf has been named to the state's all-state cheerleading team. The school announced Monday that Keith Montrell Adams of Tulsa is the first deaf Oklahoman named to the team. Milt Bassett, the executive director of the Oklahoma Coaches Association, said the selection shows that anyone who is a top athlete can achieve something great, regardless of a disability. / The Associated Press
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MILESTONES
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