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NATIONAL
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Mount Dora, FL
NATIONAL DEAF ACADEMY IN FLORIDA TO CLOSE
The National Deaf Academy, a residential treatment facility that has been hit with civil lawsuits alleging abuse and neglect of clients, will close its doors in the next few months, an academy official said Thursday. The facility off U.S. Highway 441 provides care to deaf and psychiatric patients, both children and adults. "We will no longer provide clinical programs and services for deaf and autistic individuals," CEO Gregory Sizemore said in a statement. "Upon discharge of all of our current residents…these treatment programs will no longer be operational." / Orlando Sentinel
Rome, GA
GEORGIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF STUDENTS CHARGED WITH SEXUAL BATTERY FOR INCIDENT IN DECEMBER
Two Georgia School for the Deaf students charged with felony sexual battery were released from the Floyd County Jail on $3,500 bond Friday afternoon. GSD Superintendent Leslie Jackson released a statement late Friday afternoon and said two male students allegedly tried to assault another male student on Dec. 15, 2015, at the state-run school in Cave Spring. Jackson said the alleged victim was able to get help from the staff at the school within minutes of the incident. He also did not sustain any physical injuries. / Rome News
Johnson City, TN
MOUNTAIN STATES DENIES DISCRIMINATION AGAINST DEAF PARENTS OF CANCER PATIENT
Mountain States Health Alliance has denied discriminating against the family of a patient who died of cancer at Johnson City Medical Center. The parents of Sydnei Cantrell, Chris and Donna Cantrell, who are deaf, filed suit in December claiming their daughter had to tell them through sign language that she had no chance to live. In a response to that suit, MSHA denied discrimination occurred and also denied that the hospital system required the Cantrells to rely on their daughter or family members to act as interpreters “except when a plaintiff consented to such” or when other reasonable accommodations were not reasonably available or were rejected by a plaintiff. / WJHL
Atlanta, GA
GRADY SETTLES COMPLAINT OVER HANDLING OF DEAF PATIENT IN ER
Federal officials announced Tuesday that Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta has agreed to a settlement to resolve allegations that it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. “When a deaf patient or caregiver is unable to understand what is happening during a medical visit or procedure, it can be a terrifying experience and adversely affect the quality of care,” said John Horn, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Horn’s office said it received a complaint alleging that Grady failed to provide appropriate services in a situation involving an ER patient who was deaf and relied on ASL. / Georgia Health News
Parma, OH
DEAF MEN TAKE THE LAW INTO OWN HANDS, HONORED FOR TACKLING MURDER SUSPECT
Robert Sposit was working in his Sunoco store when police say a 21-year-old man came in to rob it. While gunfire was being exchanged between Sposit and the robber, Steve Oska, Sr and his son Steve Jr. tried to call 911 while the suspect shot at them. Steve Sr. eventually tackled the suspect and tried to keep him from leaving the store, but the suspect got away. The men were honored Tuesday night at the Parma City Council meeting, even though they didn't expect to be. Especially when you realize the father/son Good Samaritans can't hear or speak. They have been deaf since birth. / Cleveland 19 News
Danville, KY
AFRICAN REFUGEE IS BLOSSOMING AT SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
Students travel from around the state to attend the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville. One student, however, had a long journey before he ever arrived in Kentucky. A native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and a refugee residing in Burundi, Ghilain Masudi and his family made their way to Lexington with the help of Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc., in July of 2015. "The refugee service contacted us," said Soraya Matthews, director of instruction for the high school at Kentucky School for the Deaf. "They had an 18-year-old who was from a refugee camp. They wanted to know if we could provide some services for him." / Lexington Herald-Leader
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The Z™ offers the best in videophone technology, providing equipment options to meet customers' individual needs and offering features not available through other VRS providers. Professional, nationally certified interpreters follow standards of service excellence above and beyond FCC requirements. Dedicated to a spirit of innovation and commitment to excellence, The Z™ continues to set the industry standard as the nation's premier VRS provider. Go to www.zvrs.com for more information on all of our products, services and features. Don't have a Z phone? You can still join The Z™ Life by calling 888.888.1116 to connect to ZVRS from any videophone!
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INTERNATIONAL
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China
DEAF-MUTE VICTIMS 'BEATEN, RAPED, INTIMIDATED' INTO STEALING IN CHINESE CRIME GANG
A deaf woman has been arrested in northeast China and accused of leading a gang of mainly deaf-mute thieves who were threatened and intimidated into a life of crime, a newspaper reported. Police in Changchun in Jilin province busted the gang last month and detained four women and seven men, most of whom are deaf mute, the New Culture Express reported. The gang’s leaders pretended to help people get jobs to lure them into the gang, the article said. Victims then had their identity cards and money seized by the gang’s boss, Gu Li, 47. / South China Morning Post
Halifax, NS, Canada
2 NOVA SCOTIA SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF FACING LAWSUIT ALLEGING ABUSE
A Halifax law firm says it has filed a statement of claim in Nova Scotia Supreme Court alleging systemic sexual, physical, and mental abuse against children who attended two segregated residential schools in the province. Lawyer Ray Wagner says Wednesday's move is an important step in a proposed class action lawsuit that still needs to be certified by a judge before proceeding to trial. The schools named in the claim are the School for the Deaf in Halifax and the Interprovincial School for the Education of the Deaf in Amherst. / CBC News
Canada
PARENTS OF DEAF CHILDREN CALL FOR APPOINTMENT OF CULTURAL SIGNER BY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Parents are up in arms over the recent appointment of a non-cultural signer by the Provincial School Branch (PSB) of the Ministry of Education, which is responsible for the schools for the Deaf. In October, Rose Etheridge, a Milton mother of two Deaf girls, met with PSB Director Dr. June Rogers, and discovered that the ministry was in process of hiring a new superintendent to replace Cheryl Zinszer, who retires in January, 2016. “The process was flawed from the very beginning,” said Leah Riddell, a local ASL instructor. / KingstonRegion.com
London, England
BSLBT RELEASES REPORT INTO RESEARCH ON DEAF COMMUNITY
A new report has been released today, which was commissioned by BSLBT. The report is called Research into the Deaf audience in the UK: a review of evidence. It was conducted by OPM (Office for Public Management). The aim of the report was to find out more about the audience for BSL Zone programs. / BSL Zone
Leicester, England
SIX-FIGURE INVESTMENT TO TOUR DANCE BY DEAF AND DISABLED ARTISTS
Arts Council England is investing £131,450 ($187,000 US) in People Dancing’s plans to take dance and choreography created by Deaf and disabled artists on tour. The Leicester-based company is one of only 11 organizations across the country to be awarded funding in the latest round of the Arts Council’s Strategic Touring program. / Arts Council
Haarlem, The Netherlands
LAWYERS ARGUE DEAF CHILD ASYLUM SEEKER’S RIGHT TO HEARING AID
On Tuesday the preliminary injunction court in Haarlem tried the case on whether or not 4-year-old deaf failed asylum seeker Kalma had the right to an operation that will make her able to hear. The lawyers’ arguments focused mainly on whether the operation on the deaf girl is a “medical necessity." Kalma and her parents fled from the Taliban in Afghanistan to the Netherlands two years ago. Their request for asylum was recently rejected. In the two years the family lived in the Netherlands, they discovered that Kalma is deaf in both ears. / NL Times
Slovakia
MOBILE EDUCATORS TO HELP DEAF CHILDREN AGAIN
Special educators will lend help this year to families with deaf children within the 4th year of the Mobile Educator program. The program is free of charge for families. During the whole year, together 13 mobile educators will regularly visit 56 deaf children directly in families and teach parents practical games, exercises and methods to help the children. The aim of the program is to teach families how to help children develop without specialists. / The Slovak Spectator
Uttarakhand, India
UKHND BJP MOUNTS PRESSURE FOR PROBE INTO DEAF-MUTE
Terming the sexual exploitation of a physically challenged inmate of a women's shelter home here as a "blot on the reputation of Uttarakhand", opposition BJP today demanded a CBI probe into the incident alleging that a crime of this kind could not have been committed without the involvement of political bigwigs. The party said its women's wing will observe an eight-day relay fast from January 23 to 30 to mount pressure on the state government to recommend an inquiry into the "shameful" episode. / Business Standard
India
'ALL EYES ON COLLEGES FOR BLIND, WHY TURN A DEAF EAR TO HEARING IMPAIRED?'
Even as Savitribai Phule Pune University becomes the first to open up to the needs of the visually- impaired — with three more set to open this year— activists claim that institutes have turned a deaf ear towards those with hearing disabilities. In December, the University of Pune called for proposals for separate colleges for people with special needs. Out of the 52 proposals forwarded to the state government, they could not accommodate the proposal that came from Vasudeo Bhanudas Patole, who has been working for the hearing-impaired for the last 23 years. / The Indian Express
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LIFE & LEISURE
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Los Angeles, CA
ELLEN DEGENERES SURPRISES DEAF GUEST WITH A WONDERFUL GIFT
For 34 years, Sarah Churman couldn’t hear. But recently, Sarah had surgery to repair one ear and, for the first time, could hear something miraculous, the voices of her two young children and husband. Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres was so touched when she heard their story, she brought the family on her show to discuss Sarah’s miraculous hearing recovery and give them a very special surprise. / GOOD
Romney, WV
LOCAL YOUTH COLLECTS GOODS FOR DEAF AND BLIND STUDENTS
Landon Dunham couldn't wait to visit the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind's multi-sensory class Tuesday afternoon, because he was taking more presents everything from iTunes cards to swimming equipment to the students. Upon walking into the room, Dunham was warmly greeted by teachers and assistants as he began showing some of the items he'd brought for the students. No stranger to this special school, Dunham first began collecting items mostly with the help of his family and friends, but more recently with some community support including local businesses three years ago. / Martinsburg Journal
Waynesboro, VA
WAYNESBORO CHURCH MINISTRY HELPS DEAF WITH WORSHIP SERVICE
A growing ministry at a church in Waynesboro is changing the lives of people who are unable to hear. Members of the Deaf Fellowship at Wayne Hills Baptist Church are using sign language to spread God's word. The Wayne Hills Deaf Fellowship allows the deaf to worship in American Sign Language (ASL). It is a way for them to understand the church service and not get lost in translation. Wayne Hills Baptist Church opens its sanctuary to all walks of life and on Sunday the door to a small meeting room is open to the deaf. / WVIR
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Do you love to go on a cruise vacation . . . or ever want to go on one?
You can join deaf group cruise or create your own for you and family and/or friends and even groups. This Full Time Cruise Travel Agent is Deaf. You can call 801-331-5235 VP. It is a free service. You can see at www.MyDeafCruise.com to see available deaf group cruises. They are going to Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean, South America, Etc.
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WORKING WORLD
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Sault Ste. Marie, MI
SAULT NATIVE ASSISTS WITH SIGN LANGUAGE INTEPRETER PROGRAM ACCREDITATION
A former Sault Ste. Marie woman has helped Oakland Community College in metro Detroit earn something it has never had before.
Kelly Flores, who grew up in the Sault and is a 1986 graduate of Sault Area High School, recently guided the college on its path to developing a certified sign language interpretation program. Last fall, the program earned accreditation from the Commission on College Interpretation Education, making OCC one of only five institutions across the country to hold that distinction. / Sault Ste. Marie Evening News
Tupelo, MS
WOMAN IN THE MIDDLE: TUPELO RESIDENT INTERPRETS FOR DEAF COMMUNITY
If Julie Seawright couldn’t keep a secret, she’d be out of a job. She’s an interpreter for the deaf, although that’s not exactly true because she also interprets American Sign Language for hearing people. “I work in hospitals, doctor’s offices and lawyer’s offices. I’m at business meetings and factories,” said Seawright, a 32-year-old Tupelo resident. “Anywhere you would go, they would be able to hire an interpreter.” / Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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New York, NY
FINAL BOW: DANIEL N. DURANT ON THE 'UNIQUE EXPERIENCE' OF STARRING IN SPRING AWAKENING
It's safe to say that Daniel N. Durant didn't expect that starring in a small black box production of Spring Awakening in Los Angeles would lead to making his Broadway debut. Yet everything about Spring Awakening has defied the odds. As the show's run comes to a close, Durant looks back on how this particular experience, in his mind, fulfills the main goal of theater itself. / TheaterMania.com
See Also 'SPRING AWAKENING' FROM A HARD-OF-HEARING POINT OF VIEW / Talahassee Democrat
Milwaukee, WI
INTENSE PREPARATION, CREATIVITY BEHIND THEATER INTERPRETERS
While dancers stretched backstage and musicians warmed up, two performers ran through their lines as they prepared to tell a story with only their fingers. A few minutes before the curtain rose to a packed house for the touring Broadway show "Newsies" at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Sandi Smith and Pamela Sue Conine walked out and stood in a small space next to the two front rows of seats on the left side of the stage illuminated by a dim spotlight. Smith and Conine were not in playbills handed to theater-goers, but the ASL interpreters played every character — more than 30 — and performed every song. / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jacksonville, FL
DEAF STUDENT WINS 'AGAINST THE ODDS'
By the time Kristina Garcia started performing with the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind’s Dance Troupe in high school, she knew the stage was where she could prove to herself and others that nothing can hold her back. Graduating from St. Johns River State College’s Florida School of the Arts last summer with her associate degree in acting, she was nominated by the college, and won, in one of four categories comprising the LeRoy Collins Distinguished Alumni Award. Garcia was presented with the Against the Odds award, recognizing her success at FloArts despite the challenges of being a deaf student with speaking roles on stage. / The Florida Times-Union
Washington, DC
CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEAF THEATER ARTISTS
Opportunities for the incredible array of deaf theater artists across our country fall far short of the numbers that this talent pool can fill. Our desire to make sure this generation of talent has more opportunities to excel onstage and offstage led us to the idea of bringing together both artists who are deaf, and leaders in the field in the areas of producing, playwriting, and funding, to ask the question “How do we create more opportunities for deaf talent and what are the obstacles to a fully inclusive theater field?” / National Endowment for the Arts
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SPORTS
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Tulsa, OK
TULSAN'S SPIRIT LANDS HIM AS FIRST DEAF ATHLETE ON ALL-STATE CHEER SQUAD
The smile that Montrell Adams sports right before the toe touch dazzles. He never stops, either. Round-offs and flips the length of a room. Pikes. Herkies. Hurdlers. Tucks. And he yells. He really belts it out, even if he can’t hear the shouts back. His energy is matched only by his athleticism. “You are able to bring up the spirit of a player and a school,” Adams said through an interpreter using sign language. / Tulsa World
Frederick, MD
FUELED BY MEMORY, SANCHEZ HELPS MSD SINK INDIANA
To make contested layups, Maryland School for the Deaf’s Yave Sanchez relied on his wide, muscular, 6-foot frame and the toughness that served him well as a lineman in football. But to make free throws, all Sanchez needed was his memory. With MSD trying to hold its lead over Indiana in Saturday’s Clerc Classic championship game, Sanchez remembered how missed free throws contributed to his team’s loss to that very same opponent in that very same game last season. / Frederick News-Post
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MILESTONES
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Meridian, MS
MISSIONARY REMEMBERED FOR PASSION TO SERVE
Each night, International Mission Board missionary Ray Hodgins prayed for the Deaf. He saw their faces. He knew their names. He desired for the lost Deaf around him to know Jesus. "Who will tell these folks about Jesus if we don't?" he had asked. "Who?" Hodgins, 52, died of a heart attack on Jan. 18 while on stateside assignment in Mississippi. He often challenged those around him to share the Gospel. He trained and empowered Deaf believers in three different countries, Uruguay, Paraguay and Mexico. He was appointed as a missionary with his wife Cindy in 2001. / Baptist Press
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EMPLOYMENT
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You can advertise your job openings here for just $20 a week (up to 100 words, 10 cents each add'l word). To place your ad, send the announcement to mail@deafweekly.com.
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Advocates in Framingham, MA is Hiring!
Advocates is seeking talented professionals to join our team, providing health services within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.
Clinical Program Manager: Perform functions of Direct Care Counselor, program supervision/direction.
• Qualifications: MA; or BA/BS and 3 years’ experience.
Community Crisis Stabilization Clinician: Provide mental health and substance abuse services.
• Qualifications: BA and 2 years’ experience.
Direct Care Counselor: Supervise daily activities, provide support/guidance/role modeling. All shifts available!
• Qualifications: BA/BS; or HS diploma/GED and 1 year experience.
Mobile Clinician: Provide clinical supervision and rehabilitative direction to individuals who carry a diagnosis of mental illness, assist in the coordination of services, provide clinical leadership.
• Qualifications: MA and 1 year experience; or BA/BS and 3 years’ experience.
Minimum Qualifications Include:
• ASL fluency.
• Valid driver's license/reliable transportation.
• Related education (as applicable).
Visit www.advocates.org/careers to apply today!
Advocates is an EOE/D/F/M/V.
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Rochester Institute of Technology
Instructional/Support Faculty
Your friend has found job(s) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) that you might find interesting. Located in Upstate New York, Rochester is a metropolitan area that provides a world class quality of life.
Rochester Institute of Technology is a privately endowed, coeducational university with nine colleges emphasizing career education and experiential learning. The RIT student body consists of approximately 14,750 undergraduate and 2,900 graduate students. Enrolled students represent all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
RIT offers degree programs ranging from AS to PhD in over 80 disciplines from fine arts to business to computing and engineering to sign language and liberal arts, to name a few..
To view these or any of our jobs, please visit our Career site at http://careers.rit.edu
http://apptrkr.com/712670 2088BR - Instructional/Support Faculty
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Come Work With The Best!
Northeast Arc has full and part-time positions, working with adult individuals who are deaf, available in Lynn, Salem, Swampscott and Beverly, MA. You'll be working with deaf individuals using various communication skills including gestural, written and Signed English. Do you know ASL? If so, I'd like to speak with you about our direct care positions. We offer an excellent benefits package, paid trainings and the support you will need to become a successful part of our experienced, long-term team of professionals. For additional information or to send your resume, please email Kathy Tracy Ktracy@ne-arc.org.
Compensation: $12 for per diem shifts and $14 for PT/FT shifts.
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Rochester Institute of Technology
Instructional/Support Faculty
Your friend has found job(s) at Rochester Institute of Technology(RIT) that you might find interesting. Located in Upstate New York, Rochester is a metropolitan area that provides a world class quality of life.
Rochester Institute of Technology is a privately endowed, coeducational university with nine colleges emphasizing career education and experiential learning. The RIT student body consists of approximately 14,750 undergraduate and 2,900 graduate students. Enrolled students represent all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
RIT offers degree programs ranging from AS to PhD in over 80 disciplines from fine arts to business to computing and engineering to sign language and liberal arts, to name a few..
To view these or any of our jobs, please visit our Career site at http://careers.rit.edu
http://apptrkr.com/712346 2097BR - Instructional/Support Faculty
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PAHRTNERS DEAF SERVICES
A Division of Salisbury Behavioral Health
PAHrtners Deaf Services is a dynamic team of behavioral health professionals serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and adults. Our environment is one of incredible teamwork and mutual support with a staff comprised of 85% Deaf or Hard of Hearing. As a result of our commitment to the Deaf/HoH community, PAHrtners is rapidly growing with the creation of new programs and expansion of our existing programs. Whether you are a high school graduate, recent college graduate or professional with many years of experience in the field of human services, we have a career building position waiting for you! E.O.E.
PAHrtners Deaf Services is in collaboration with Green Tree School & Services to open a school program for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students with additional needs in Philadelphia, PA
-- POSITIONS AVAILABLE AT GREEN TREE SCHOOL & SERVICES IN PHILADELPHIA, PA
Special Education Teacher Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Full-time
Para-educator Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Full-time
Staff Interpreter
Full-time, Part-time or Flex available
Behavior Manager/ Behavior Management Assistant
Full-time