Deafweekly January 23, 2008

deafweekly

January 23, 2008
Vol. 4, No. 8

Editor: Tom Willard

Deafweekly is an independent news report for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community that is mailed to subscribers every Wednesday and available to read at www.deafweekly.com. Please visit our website to read current and back issues, sign up for a subscription and advertise. Deafweekly is copyrighted 2008 and any unauthorized use, including reprinting of news, is prohibited. Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive Deafweekly at no charge.

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NATIONAL
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JAMES LEVOY SORENSON, VRS PIONEER, DIES AT 86

James LeVoy Sorenson, founder of Sorenson Video Relay Service and Utah's richest man ($4.5 billion, said Forbes), died Sunday of prostate cancer at the age of 86. When Sorenson founded Sorenson VRS in 2003, he "revolutionized the way the deaf communicate," colleague Dave Johnson told The Salt Lake Tribune. The following year, Sorenson developed a relationship with Gallaudet University through his son, James Lee Sorenson, a member of the school's Board of Associates. The elder Sorenson went on to make one of the largest donations in school history, a $5 million gift for the James Lee Sorenson Language and Communication Center (SLCC). According to a GU's Daily Digest, Sorenson made his last visit to the campus in April 2007 for the SLCC groundbreaking ceremony.

MICHIGAN STATE TO OFFER SIGN-LANGUAGE DORM

Students at Michigan State University in East Lansing will have the option to live in an American Sign Language dorm starting in the fall, said The Detroit News. MSU's ASL Living/Learning community will be one of the most innovative programs in the nation, university officials said in a statement. "We're moving ASL out of the classroom and into living," said Harold Johnson, professor of education. Students of any major can apply if they know basic sign and will commit to using ASL in the dorm, but MSU is specifically encouraging students in the deaf education, social work and communicative sciences and disorders programs to live there.

NAD FILES TWO MORE ADA COMPLAINTS

The National Association of the Deaf issued two news releases last Wednesday to announce its latest complaints filed with the U.S. Department of Justice alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In the first, against Washington Mutual, Inc., the NAD alleges a bank supervisor cited company policy in refusing to accept a credit application from a deaf caller through Video Relay Services. In the second, against PETCO Animal Supplies, the NAD alleges the company refused to provide sign-language interpretation for four deaf couples at a dog training class in Sioux Falls, S.D. Both complaints ask for investigations, and the second seeks reimbursement for interpreter fees that the deaf couples ended up paying themselves.

COFFEE BEAN CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLED

A settlement was announced last week in a class action lawsuit that affects people who are hearing impaired, visually impaired or use a wheelchair or scooter and have been to a Coffee Bean store in California between October 24, 2005 and December 10, 2007 -- or would have, but for the barriers. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court against International Coffee and Tea, LLC, sought to make Coffee Bean redesign its stores for better accessibility, said a news release from plaintiff attorneys Brodsky & Smith, LLC. Coffee Bean denied liability but agreed to pay $500,000 to a damages fund, plus up to $250,000 in lawyers' fees.

SUNSHINE COTTAGE HIRES NEW CEO

The Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children in San Antonio, Texas will get a new chief executive officer this summer when Jerry Christian takes on the job. Christian, currently the superintendent of the Alamo Heights Independent School District, has a history of success and will bring new opportuniteis and challenges, Carolyn Walthall, executive director at Sunshine Cottage, said in the Express-News. "His insight and experience will prove invaluable," she said.

CITY, WOMAN BATTLE OVER PIT BULL BONNIE

A dispute between the city of Parma, Mo. and a deaf woman named Doris Hayes could be decided in court next week, said KFVS. The dispute involves Hayes' dog Bonnie, who acts as her owner's ears and is credited with saving her life. "The stove was on fire," said Hayes, "and she started licking me and got me out of the house." But Bonnie, a pit bull, isn't officially trained or certified, and pit bulls are illegal in Parma. The city might make an exception, said Mayor Randall Ramsey, if the dog becomes certified and Hayes keeps her from getting loose.

RIDOR RETURNS AFTER TWO-MONTH ABSENCE

Controversial deaf blogger Ricky D. Taylor, whose RidorLIVE.com website went dark in November, reemerged this week with a temporary blog titled, The Countdown to the Resurrection. Taylor, in his first new entry, said he did not owe readers an explanation for his absence and wanted to "cap my life private as much as I can." He then reported a threatening letter he assumed was from from "pea-brained fool" Richard Roehm; derided fellow blogger Elizabeth Gillespie (Mishka Zena) as a "bitter queen"; disparaged DeafRead.com for its "redundant yakkings"; and, in a second post, called rumors of a meth addiction "quite offensive and at the same time, flattering."

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INTERNATIONAL
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'DREAM HOME DRAW' NETS GROUP OVER $400,000

Tracey Shaver, 34, of Sudbury, Ont., Canada was home sick Sunday when she got a call informing her that she won top prize in Sudbury's Ultimate Dream Home Draw, a house, furniture and car package worth $360,000 CDN. More than 55,000 tickets were sold for $20 apiece, said The Sudbury Star, generating $1.1 million and leaving more than $400,000 after expenses for the local branch of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association. The seventh annual Ultimate Dream Home Draw was the best one yet, said branch director Kim Scott. "The first year we did this, we didn't even have $1,000 in our account," she said.

CANADIAN FILMGOER'S COMPLAINT: NO INTERPRETER

Genevieve Deguire held a press conference January 14 to discuss the complaint she filed against the University of Ottawa with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Deguire, who is deaf, attends the monthly Ottawa Cinema Politica film series and was rebuffed in her requests for an interpreter, said The Fulcrum. Deguire said the school has a duty under the Ontario Human Rights Code to provide interpretation during the films and discussion period that follows and could easily do so with the $67 million surplus it recorded last year. But U of O attorney Michelle Flaherty said the school simply rents space to Cinema Politica and has no obligation to make other groups' programs accessible.

$18,500 GIFT TO HELP INFANT HEARING PROGRAM

Officials from Stanton Territorial Hospital in NWT, Canada received a check worth $18,500 CDN Monday from the National Elks and the Royal Purple Fund for Children to help the hospital's Infant Hearing Program. The Elks have always supported hard-of-hearing initiatives, said Robert Collinson, president of the Territorial Elks Association, and when the hospital decided to have an audiology department, "we got involved." According to Northern News Service, the money will be used to purchase a portable hearing test system to use during travel clinics.

BLIND, DEAF MAN CHRONICLES WORLDWIDE TRAVELS

Tony Giles, 29, is going to Spain and Portugal later this month, visiting the United States in March, traveling to Switzerland in April and planning trips later this year to Alaska and Morocco. Giles, who is completely blind and 80 percent deaf, told the Weston & Somerset Mercury that kidney problems may bring on dialysis within a few years and he wants to enjoy his freedom while he can. Over the past 13 years Giles has bungee jumped in New Zealand, skydived in Australia, explored a cave in Ireland and visited dozens of other countries, always coming home to Milton, Weston, England every couple of months to visit his mother Aileen or sister Annette. Giles is seeking a publisher for two books he has written and he maintains a website -- www.tonythetraveller.com -- about his worldwide adventures.

TV INTERPRETER 'ACTUALLY TRAPPED IN CORNER'

A report in the satirical publication NewsBiscuit claims the BBC has admitted that the "sign language lady" on a children's TV show was "actually trapped in the corner of the screen and frantically waving all this time to attract attention." The experience was horrible, said the woman, identified as Susan Waterford. "I don't know how to sign or anything, so I just waved my arms around randomly." NewsBiscuit, which claims to offer "the news before it happens," said a representative of deaf charity RNID decried the "token figure in the corner" and accused the woman of repeatedly raising her middle finger to the camera. Said the spokesman: "That wasn't what Bob the Builder was saying at all."

SKIP GIFTS, SAYS MAN, 90; GIVE TO CHARITY INSTEAD

Ronald Hornby told friends and family in Ireland to skip the gifts for his 90th birthday this year and give the money to the RNID Northern Ireland instead, a gesture that netted the charity $1,530 US. Hornby, of Maguiresbridge, who wears hearing aids in both ears, told the Fermanagh Herald that RNID Northern Ireland "provides much-needed information and support and fantastic products, which make life so much easier." Hornby said he was delighted with his loved-ones' generous response, and RNID Fundraising Officer Marie Armstrong called Hornby's request "a tremendous gesture."

AUSTRALIAN FENCER HOPES FOR OLYMPIC RETURN

Australian fencer Frank Bartolillo, who told The Sydney Morning Herald that his deafness is an advantage that helps his concentration, hopes to return to the Olympics for a second time this summer in Beijing. "I think being at a second Olympics would be different for me," said Bartolillo, who competed four years ago in Athens. "I think I'd be a lot calmer." But despite being Australia's top-ranked fencer, Bartolillo must work two jobs and cannot afford to travel to all the qualification events. He is pinning his hopes on a tournament in Thailand in April, scheduling six weeks in China to train beforehand.

HEARING SET FOR EX-TEACHER'S APPEAL

A former teacher in Borneo who is appealing his conviction and sentence of 18 years and 12 strokes of a cane for raping a 14-year-old deaf student was released on bail and told to come back to court March 7 for a hearing, said The Borneo Post. Shahmirul Salleh, 36, was found guilty on November 30, 2004 of raping the girl at the Tauran Special Education Primary School in May 2003. Salleh's attorney said at a High Court hearing January 11 in Kota Kinabalu that had not received notes on the case from the Sessions Court. The prosecutor said she had not received the notes, either.

QATAR POLICE COMPLETE DEAF TRAINING

Fourteen policewomen and civil cadets in Doha, Qatar received certificates last week for completing a 10-day course in communicating with "deaf and dump" people, said The Peninsula. Instructors from the Qatar Deaf Social Centre led the training, which covered fingerspelling and signs for basic terms. The course was offered by the Police Training Institute, whose Colonel Hamad Khamis Al Kaabi called the deaf community an "unavoidable segment of the society." Said Al Kaabi: "Our aim is to have an effective communication with them and find out solutions for their problems."

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LIFE & LEISURE
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FLORIDA LIBRARY BRANCHES OUT WITH VIDEOPHONES

All 21 branches in the Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library System are now equipped with videophones for deaf patrons, said The Florida Times-Union. Sorenson Communications of Utah donated the equipment, and Sorenson spokeswoman Ann Bardsley said Jacksonville appears to be the first library to deploy the technology systemwide. The libraries already have high-speed Internet, so the new service doesn't cost them anything. "If a person can't afford a high-speed Internet connection," said Sorenson marketing staffer Cameron Tingey, "at least they can go to the library to make a call."

KENTUCKY AGENCY TEAMS WITH POLICE ON VISOR CARDS

In an effort to prevent miscommunication between deaf motorists and police, the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Kentucky State Police have developed a Visor Communication Card. The cards are laminated and designed to fit under a vehicle's sun visor. (Never store them elsewhere, the KCDHH advises, to avoid misunderstandings with police). Hundreds of motorists have applied for the cards since they became available earlier this month on KCDHH's website, but they are available only to Kentucky residents.

VIRGINIA CHURCH OPENS ARMS TO DEAF WORSHIPPERS

Members of Dayspring Baptist Church in Danville, Va. have been studying sign language and providing interpreters at Sunday services for months, said the Register & Bee, despite the lack of any deaf worshippers. That was expected to change with the church's first Deaf Friends' Day last Saturday, featuring a kick-off meeting, two services, lunch and fellowship. The thought of deaf children raised without religion "burdened my heart," said Pastor Tim Smith, so when Dayspring parishioner Lee Ricketts said he wanted to start a deaf ministry, Smith was "thrilled to take on the challenge." The new ministry isn't just for the deaf, Smith added; bilingual services can also benefit hearing-impaired seniors.

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WORKING WORLD
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KROWN MANUFACTURING SEES CONTINUED GROWTH

The Fort Worth (Texas) Business Press recently profiled Krown Manufacturing, a longtime maker of alarm clocks, alarm system accessories and phone devices for the deaf. Sid and Barbara Ander, who are both deaf, founded the company as Compu-TTY Inc. in 1982 after moving from New York to Texas three years earlier and finding "nothing available for the deaf and hearing impaired." In 1995, they bought California-based Krown Research, which made the text telephones, and moved the company to Texas. With about a dozen employees and plans to introduce a handheld, pocket-sized American Sign Language dictionary, Krown expects continued growth. Marketing and sales director Bryan Davis said he saw a young person with music blaring from tiny earphones and thought, "I'll see you in about 20 years."

GOAMERICA FINALIZES MERGER, ACQUISITION

GoAmerica, Inc. announced January 10 that it has finalized its merger with Hands On Video Relay Services and its acquisition of Verizon Telecommunications Relay Services. GoAmerica and the new additions combined would have generated revenue of about $110 million in 2007, said a news release, and the move, made possible with $125 million in equity and debt financing, is expected to result in "material cost savings and synergies over time." Said GoAmerica CEO Dan Luis: "We are positioned to hit the ground running."

ILLINOIS SCHOOL ADOPTS POSITIVE BEHAVIOR PROGRAM

A Vernon Hills, Ill. school that houses a program for 85 deaf and hard-of-hearing students has introduced a new Positive Behavior Support Program, becoming one of more than 700 schools in Illinois to adopt the national program. The John Powers Center, with a deaf program that serves students ages pre-school to junior high, launched the program, titled "Hands Working Together," with the deaf and signing student body in mind, said the Daily Herald. Students earn tickets for good behavior, and hope to earn enough for a school-wide pizza party. "We are going to be teaching what behavior we expect," said Principal Terri Nilson-Bugella, "instead of just always punishing the kids for the negative behavior."

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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FOXY BROWN ASKS FOR PRISON RELEASE

Rap star Foxy Brown asked a judge last week to be released from prison so she can receive treatment for her hearing problem. Brown, sentenced in September to one year in prison for violating probation, said through her attorney Laura Dilimetin that she could go deaf if she cannot visit a Los Angeles clinic to have an electronic ear implant repaired, said Gigwise. A District Attorney official objected to the request, saying inmates have no right to choose where they receive medical treatment, and Supreme Court Justice Melissa Jackson held off on a decision, saying she wanted more proof of Brown's condition.

KDES STUDENTS PERFORM 'DREAM' ON OPRAH WINFREY

Two students from Gallaudet University's Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES) appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on Monday. Justyce Abbott and LaDasha Williams were chosen from a group of 10- and 11-year-olds from all over the country to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his special day. According to Inside Gallaudet, Justyce and LaDasha used sign language to perform Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech for the segment, which was filmed at the National Mall.

RIT PRESS PUBLISHES BIOGRAPHY OF ROBERT DAVILA

RIT Press at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology announced last week that it has published a biography of Robert R. Davila, current president of Gallaudet University and former (and first deaf) CEO of RIT's National Technical Institute for the Deaf. "Moments of Truth -- Robert R. Davila: The Story of a Deaf Leader" tells Davila's story as he rises from poverty to become a national leader in education and a role model for deaf and Hispanic youth. Davila, the highest-ranking deaf person ever appointed to a federal government position, said he was "flabbergasted" when first told that his biography would be written but realized the book's "greatest value is in its potential to inspire and motivate" young students.

KENTUCKY FIFTH-GRADER JOINS SCHOOL BAND

Travis Rosser, a fifth-grader at Lewisburg Elementary School in Russellville, Ky., "hasn't let his deafness stop him" from playing drums in the school band, reported the News-Democrat & Leader. Travis, who is learning to play various instruments and hopes to join the marching band in high school, "is just a remarkable kid," said Tina Callahan-Dye, his school interpreter. Travis became deaf when he was 2-1/2 from meningitis and learned to read lips and use sign language. He chose to be in the band, said Travis, "because it's cool," and chose to play the drums "because they're cool."

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Attention: ASL and Deaf Culture Teachers...

Another exciting new product by THOMAS HOLCOMB and ANNA MINDESS is now
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6. Reaction sheets to help your students process their feelings about attending deaf community events;
7. Exercises to encourage your students to develop the right attitude about deaf culture;
8. Tips on how to locate appropriate deaf community events to attend, how to meet deaf people , and how to initiate and develop friendships with deaf individuals;
9. A bonus section with opportunities to increase awareness of the following features of ASL: listing, fingerspelling, repetition, and back channel feedback

Have your bookstore contact info@treehousevideo.com now to order bulk copies of the A SIGN OF RESPECT DVDs for your classes.

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SPORTS
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KEVIN HALL WINS FIRST GOLF TOURNAMENT

Deaf golfer Kevin Hall won the first tournament of his career last week in Florida, reported USA Today, but the event went largely unnoticed. "How ironic," wrote DeWayne Wickham. "A deaf man wins a golf tournament, and those of us who can enjoy the sounds of life hear nothing of it." Hall, 25, learned to play golf at 9 from his bowling coach and earned a journalism degree from Ohio State University on a scholarship. He earned $11,909 for last week's first-place win on the Hooters Pro Golf Tour (and $23,470 so far this year) but he has to pay entry fees and "we can't afford to fly," said his father, Percy. The golfer "ought to have a sponsorship deal," wrote Wickham, "as an example of what someone with a disability can do."

INDIANA WINS TITLE FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR

Wrestlers from the Indiana School for the Deaf captured their second straight national championship last weekend at the National Deaf Prep Duals in Indianapolis. The Deaf Hoosiers were favored to repeat after winning last year in California, said the Indianapolis Star, and they did not disappoint. "Our hard practices really paid off," said coach Michael Paulone. "I knew our team would do well because we had all our boys back from last year." But it's not all about winning, he added. "Making and having friends like these from (the National) is really pretty special."

NBA VET'S BASKETBALL CAMP PLANS 29TH YEAR

Mike Glenn, a 10-year NBA veteran, learned to play basketball while growing up the Georgia School for the Deaf, where his father was math teacher and basketball coach. Speaking recently to the Aiken (S.C.) Sunrise Rotary, Glenn recalled asking his deaf friends why they never went to summer basketball camp. "Mike," he was told, "there are no basketball camps for deaf kids." Glenn never forgot his friends, said the Aiken Standard, and in 1980, while playing for the New York Knicks, Glenn started a free basketball camp for deaf boys and girls, the first such camp in the country. This June in Atlanta, the All-Star Basketball Camp for the Hearing-Impaired will celebrate its 29th year.

NEBRASKA FISHERMAN IS 'FISH OUT OF WATER'

The Omaha (Neb.) World Herald profiled deaf fisherman Ralph Sudbeck this week, saying the 50-year-old is "relegated to the fringe of small-town society" and "well, a fish out of water." Writer Dane Stickney accompanied Sudbeck as he guided his 18-foot boat through chunks of ice on the Missouri River and used a net to catch a boatload of buffalo fish and a few carp. Back home, he quickly turned the fish into fillets and brought them to the Green Diamond restaurant, which features his catch at Friday fish fries. Driving home, Sudbeck abruptly turned into a cornfield, gesturing as if to throw away the road. "Sudbeck doesn't believe in roads," wrote Stickney. "He prefers to make his own."

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UNITED STATES AMERICA DEAF BASKETBALL ORGANIZATION (USADBO)
SECOND ANNUAL MEN and WOMEN BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
on March 26, 27, 28 and 29. 2008 at PAL PARSIPPANY POLICE LEAGUE 33 Baldwin Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054 (Off Route 46) 8 ELITE MEN and 4 ELITE WOMEN BASKETBALL TEAMS from U.S.A. Region
Men Listing: RIVERSIDE of CALIF., INDIANAPOLIS (G.I.D.C.),
EAST ZONE (Washington DC), TWO TEAMS from FLORIDA,
CAROLINA (N.C.), STATEN ISLAND (Deffamilia),
BRIDGEPORT of CONNECTICUT
Women Listing: MARYLAND, ROCHESTER,
TUCSON of ARIZONA, MINNEAPOLIS
WED., MARCH 26 - REGISTRATION AT TEN A.M., PLAYERS GATHERING ALL DAY
DEAF PERFORMER ENTERTAINMENT with D.J. SUPA at 7 P.M.
THURS., MARCH 27 - REGISTRATION AT TEN A.M. PRELIMINARY GAMES at 12:30 P.M.,
NINE GAMES WILL BE PLAYED TILL END OF 11:00 P.M.
FRI., MARCH 28 - HALL OF FAME CEREMONY at 11:00 A.M. TILL 2 P.M. HONORING TWO
BASKETBALL ATHLETICS RICHARD ROONEY and JOHN BINGHAM
Admission on Buffet will be sell at door at 10:00 A.M.
SEMI-FINALS BASKETBALL GAMES OPEN AT 4 P.M. TILL 11:30 P.M.
SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2008 - CONSOLIDATION GAME STARTS AT 11:00 A.M.
WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS AT 12:00 P.M.
MEN CHAMPIONSHIP STARTS AT 2 P.M.
USADBO TROPHY AWARDS CEREMONY STARTS AT 8 P.M.
DEAF PERFORMER SHOW STARTS AT 9 P.M. TILL 10:30 P.M.
DANCING WITH D.J. SUPA TILL MIDNIGHT
16 VENDORS EXHIBIT BOOTH on DISPLAY - REFRESHMENT ON SALE ADMISSION PRICING AT DOOR
REGISTRATION - $10.00 (All must pay One-Time)
WEDNESDAY ENTERTAINMENT SHOW - $10.00
THURSDAY PRELIMINARY GAMES - $10.00
FRIDAY SEMI-FINAL GAMES - $20.00
SATURDAY CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES - $10.00
SATURDAY AWARD AND ENTERTAINMENT NIGHT - $20.00
PROGRAM BOOK - $10.00
EARLY BIRD COMBO SALE - $50.00 (end of February 18, 2008)
LAST EARLY BIRD COMBO SALE - $60.00 (end of March 19, 2008)
FULL COMBO RATE AT DOOR - $70.00
USADBO HALL OF FAME BUFFET (NOT INCLUDED and Price to be announced in March)
FOR HOTEL AND DIRECTION AND FREE BROCHURE, PLEASE CHECK ON
WWW.NJDEAFEXPOSITION.COM - WWW.USADBO.COM
E-MAIL: ALLEPRE@aol.com or Video Phone and FAX: (516) 997-1037
Make Check Payable to AMERICAN DEAF EXPOSITION and mail to
P.O. BOX 251, CARLE PLACE, NY 11514

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COMING EVENTS
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PRINCETON, N.J. TO HOST JEWISH DEAF CONGRESS

The early-bird deadline of January 31 is coming up soon for the Jewish Deaf Congress Conference, which will take place August 13-17 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Princeton, N.J. The program includes tours, workshops, entertainment, Sabbath services, deaf rabbis roundtable, training for Judaic ASL interpreters, open forums to discuss the JDC's future, and kosher meals. The conference website is www.jewishdeaf2008.com/ and Marla Berkowitz (president@jewishdeafcongress.com) can be reached for more information.

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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). Start spreading the news! To place your ad, send the announcement to mail@deafweekly.com.

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FEGS

Counselor, Deaf Services - Full-Time
Long Term, Temporary Assignment (1/08-9/08)

FEGS, one of the largest health and human agencies in the country, has long provided a comprehensive range of services to individuals who are Deaf, Deaf-blind, or hard-of-hearing.

Join our energetic, talented team of professionals providing comprehensive case management services to adult Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals who are psychiatrically disabled.

Our Behavioral Health Division seeks experienced professional to join the staff of their Manhattan Continuing Day Treatment program (located in the West Village), to provide group and individual counseling to Deaf adults who are chronically mentally ill.

Must be fluent in American Sign Language. Bachelor or Master degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related human service field preferred. Minimum of 1 year experience working with Deaf or hard-of-hearing psychiatrically disabled individuals.

Long term, temporary assignment (1/08-9/08). Send resume and cover letter, indicating salary requirements, to ekatz@hr-dynamics.com. For more information about FEGS Deaf services, visit: www.fegs.org/deaf. EOE

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT GLAD

GLAD is an Affirmative Action Employer with equal opportunity for men, women and people with disabilities. For more information on the following positions, please go to: www.gladinc.org. The status of all positions is: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt, Full Fringe Benefits unless otherwise noted. All positions are open until filled.

-- Hard of Hearing Specialist - Riverside, CA
-- Community Advocate - Ventura, Los Angeles (2) and Riverside, CA
-- Community Interpreter - Bakersfield, CA
-- Community Interpreter - Los Angeles, CA
-- Placement Coordinator - Riverside and Anaheim, CA
-- Job Developer/Interpreter - Norwalk, Anaheim and Riverside, CA

If interested in any of these positions then please submit resume and application to:

Jeff Fetterman
Human Resources Specialist
Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.
2222 Laverna Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90041
V/TDD: (323) 550-4207
Fax #: (323)550-4204
E-mail: jfetterman@gladinc.org

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CEO of Nonprofit Agency

CEO position available in a respected Nashville nonprofit organization with an annual operating budget of approximately 1M. Organization has12 employees and 25 contract staff.

Basic requirements for the position are:
Minimum of six years experience in executive management.
BA or BS required; Masters degree preferred.
Sound knowledge of nonprofit business practices required.

Salary commensurate with experience and education. Position open as of 4-1-08. Interested applicants should send cover letter and resume' to:
Search Committee, League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 415 Fourth Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201

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Mental Health Specialist - St. Cloud, MN
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Division
Minnesota Department of Human Services

$39,087 to $57,336 annually.

Contact: Dr. John Gournaris,
e-mail: john.gournaris@state.mn.us

Main Responsibilities: Provide direct mental health counseling services to deaf and hard-of-hearing adults coping with mental health issues. The candidate will be housed in St. Cloud, Minnesota and will travel to Duluth at a minimum once a week.

Responsibilities include: intake evaluation, treatment planning, inter-agency coordination, psychoeducational education, individual, family, and group counseling. Some consultation duties are also involved (in-services and workshops on Deaf culture, deafness and mental health). Maintain close contact with local acute psychiatric units ensuring that their services are accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing clients.

Key Qualifications Sought:
M.A. or Ph.D. in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or related behavioral health field
Licensed or license eligible in Minnesota
Fluent in ASL
Willingness to perform some duties at remote work sites, involving some statewide travel

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