Deafweekly January 27, 2010

deafweekly

January 27, 2010
Vol. 6, No. 13

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: TWO PLEAD GUILTY TO FRAUD IN DEAF SERVICES CASE / The Gazette
Last week's website page views: 4,088
Deafweekly subscribers as of today: 3,539

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

TOM'S DEAF ADVOCACY: WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO ALAN HURWITZ?

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

Wellington, FL
DESPONDENT MAN KILLS WIFE, 2 KIDS IN EXCLUSIVE GATED COMMUNITY
As Neal Jacobson sank deeper and deeper into depression, something terrible was building inside him, according to authorities, friends and family members. Last week, Jacobson took up a gun and shot and killed his wife, Franki, 53, and 7-year-old boys, Eric and Joshua, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff's investigators. Their bodies were found in the Jacobsons' home Saturday, the day 12 families were supposed to celebrate Eric and Joshua's seventh birthday. Franki Jacobson, a writer and illustrator, published her first children's book, Green Bean's Birthday Party, in December. The book, which she co-wrote with sister Sherri Kazanchian, encourages children to learn sign language. / Palm Beach Post

See also: I JUST PUBLISHED "GREEN BEANS BIRTHDAY PARTY" / About.com Children's Books
A note by Frankaleana Bean -- Franki Jacobson's pen name -- posted a week before her death

See also: GREEN BEAN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY (PAPERBACK) / Amazon.com
Jacobson's book for sale on Amazon.com

Annapolis, MD
BILL WOULD REQUIRE CLOSED CAPTIONING IN BARS, RESTAURANTS
All bars and restaurants with TVs would be required to show closed captioning under legislation quickly working its way through a Senate committee. But the measure hit a snag last Thursday on its way out of the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. Though committee members all said they liked the bill in principle, some thought it might be overkill to subject every patron to the text running across the bottom of each screen. "There will be mayhem in sports bars," said Sen. Brian Simonaire, R-Anne Arundel. "People will go ballistic." / Maryland Reporter

Fort Lauderdale, FL
FORT LAUDERDALE TO PAY EX-FIREFIGHTER $50,000
A recently retired firefighter says his hearing was damaged by 27 years of exposure to loud sirens. City commissioners voted last Wednesday night to pay $50,000 to Bruce Wade, to settle his workers' compensation claim for the hearing damage and another, undisclosed, condition related to his work. Wade brought up the hearing damage claim last spring, just before he retired. He wanted $136,500 from the city for both claims, according to a city memo. / Orlando Sentinel

Bakersfield, CA
DEAF, MUTE, AT-RISK MISSING WOMAN FOUND IN LAKE HAVASU
Deputies of the Mohave County Sheriff's Office said they have located the at-risk missing Bakersfield woman at a truck stop in Lake Havasu, Arizona. Last Wednesday around 1:20 p.m., deputies responded to the 200 block of Ethrum Avenue for a missing persons report. Deputies were told that Mary Villa, 50, was last seen at 8 a.m., at the home on Ethrum Avenue. Villa was located Thursday at Luvs’ Truck stop in Lake Havasu, Arizona. / KERO

Washington, DC
FLORIDA COMMITS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION FOR DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING PERSONS
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) will provide qualified sign language interpreters as required by federal law to deaf and hard-of-hearing persons using its programs and services across the state under a Settlement Agreement reached with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). An HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigation found that the State violated Federal discrimination laws when it failed to provide interpreters to deaf persons in critical situations, such as during child protective services investigations, and during treatment in State mental health facilities. / HHS.gov

Big Spring, TX
BUILDINGS NAMED AFTER HUSBAND, WIFE
The Howard College board of trustees gave special recognition to Dr. Douglas and Beatrice Burke by naming buildings on the SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf campus in their honor during their regularly scheduled meeting Monday. The administration building, now called the Douglas Burke Education and Administration Building, was chosen to honor Dr. Burke for his pioneering role in the life of SWCID. As the first deaf individual to lead an institution of higher education in the nation, Burke paved the road for all deaf leaders and students. Said Dr. Cheryl T. Sparks, Howard College president: "When Dr. Burke passed away in 1988, we lost a giant in the field of deaf education." / Big Spring Herald

Palestine, TX
WEBSITE OFFERS EMERGENCY INFORMATION FOR DEAF, BLIND
In an effort to better inform the public during disasters the Northeast Texas Public Health District has created a Web site for emergency preparedness. The Web site, known as Accessible Emergency Information, covers 18 emergency preparedness topics and puts the material in a friendly format for deaf, blind and limited sight people. A main feature of the site is videos that contain American Sign Language translators, an audio voice and the written material of the emergency topic. “None of this information has been put in a format for the deaf and blind,” said Stephanie Walker, public health preparedness coordinator. / The Palestine Herald

Dallas, TX
DEAF INFANTS GETTING COCHLEAR IMPLANTS YOUNGER THAN EVER
Surgically implanted electronic devices called cochlear implants help some 200,000 people hear every year. The Food and Drug Administration has approved the implants for children as young as 12 months old. However, some doctors are now going outside FDA recommendations, saying earlier can be even better. Doctors are also implanting cochlear implants in both ears at the same instead of doing them one at a time. / WFAA

Des Moines, IA
BENEFIT TO HELP DEAF GIRL HEAR AGAIN
A Des Moines woman is raising money for a deaf girl in hopes that she will one day hear music again. Katanya Yingyoth had a cochlear implant to help her hear sounds. In August, she lost the small device that must be attached to the implant in order for it to work and now must use an older, barely functional one. "She wants back the new one, the good one. She wants a new one," said Paeng Yingyoth. "But I don't have the money to buy it for her." / KCCI

Camas, WA
STUDENTS USE SIGN LANGUAGE TO BENEFIT DEAF AFRICAN CHILDREN
For one night, Camas High School juniors Makayla Plock, Alysha Mueller and Caitlin Moore transformed themselves into The Supremes. The trio were among a couple of dozen students from Camas High School’s Aspired Signing Leaders who took the stage for a benefit show Monday night. They used their hands to interpret the stories of 22 different songs by a range of artists. And when the night ended, the students handed over all of the proceeds to help deaf African children who know fewer signs than the club’s first-year students. / The Columbian

++++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++++

HEALTH AND ADVOCACY INFORMATION FOR PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, DEAF-BLIND, AND HARD OF HEARING

Persons who are Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing are grossly underserved by both the physical health and the behavioral health care system. In many cases, the patient as well as the health care provider who may provide service to them, is unaware of laws that mandate the provision of accommodations in the health care setting so that all persons have equal access to health related information. A new web site called http://www.healthbridges.info was created by people who are Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing.

The site features:
* A Communication Preference Card/Accommodation Card that can be individualized for you
* Information about your rights in the hospital
* A collection of valuable links
* Behavioral health and supportive social services information

http://www.healthbridges.info

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

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

Port-au-Prince, Haiti
PROGRAM FOR THE DISABLED LOST IN HAITI'S RUBBLE
Marika MacRae is waiting with her two young children at Jacmel's airport, now under Canadian military control, for seats on any flight returning to Canada. Her papers are in order, but not much is available. Maybe she'll get out today; maybe tomorrow. The head of Pazapa (Haitian Creole for Step-by-Step), a program for disabled children in this earthquake-ravaged town 80 kilometres from Port-au-Prince, insists she will soon return. “This is home,” Ms. MacRae said earlier outside her damaged and unstable house. “This is me.” / The Globe and Mail

HAITI: DEAF & BLIND CHILDREN NEED YOUR HELP
Thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers on behalf of the people of Haiti. We are the Friends of Montfort, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization. We are a support group for the school, Institut Montfort in Haiti, which is run by the Daughters of Wisdom. Institut Montfort has over six hundred deaf and deaf/blind children in three locations in Haiti, the majority are in Port Au Prince. We have begun our work to provide relief for the deaf and deaf/blind children of Institut Montfort who are in need because of the earthquake. / CODIE

HAITIAN RELIEF EFFORTS / Gallaudet University
News, announcements, events and list of Haitian organizations serving the deaf.

Kanchanaburi, Thailand
FORMER CHAIRMAN OF DEAF ASSOCIATION ALLEGEDLY KILLS WIFE, COMMITS SUICIDE
A former chairman of the National Association of the Deaf in Thailand allegedly slashed the throat of his estranged wife and killed himself after he found that she chatted with foreigners on ThaiLoveLink.com. The bodies of Surachet Lertsatjayan, 45, and Sujiphan Kumutsutthikul, 29, were found behind a shopping mall in Muang district at 7:30 am. Police said Surachet apparently slashed the throat of Sujiphan and stabbed himself in the neck but he did not die so he walked to a nearby pile of concrete bars and raised one of the bar and let it fall on his neck. / The Nation

New Delhi, India
GOVERNMENT CONSIDERING ISSUING DRIVING LICENSES TO DEAF
Around 50 million people in India with impaired hearing may soon be permitted to drive. The central government is considering issuing driving licences to the hearing impaired and is consulting health specialists on the issue. The government's move was informed by counsel Jyoti Singh earlier this week to the Delhi High Court. Informing about the move to a division bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, Singh said: "We are consulting health specialists and a study is being carried out as to howhearing impaired disorder can affect driving. Earlier studies show that impaired hearing lessens the sense of judgement while driving." / Little About

Beijing, China
DISABLED COURT REEKS OF UNETHICAL LAZINESS
I went to a court hearing last week in Beijing to hear the case of a person with disabilities. The 32-year-old man with speaking and hearing impairments was from a village in Hebei province. He was accused of stealing two pairs of trousers and some cash from a mall. However, I realized that this case was unbalanced. First was the unprofessional interpreter. A sign language teacher from a local school was invited to be the interpreter in the hearing. The suspect expressed a lot of sign language, but it was only interpreted as "yes, I stole two pairs of trousers and some cash from the shopping mall." / China Daily

Sydney, Australia
GRANDMA JAILED FOR $200,000 FRAUD
At 81, a partially blind and deaf grandmother will go to jail for at least six months for defrauding Centrelink of almost $200,000 ($179,700 US) over 19 years. Monica Patricia Moss appeared astonished yesterday as she became the latest example of the courts' hard-line stance on welfare cheats. Moss pleaded guilty last year to claiming two old-age pensions, one in her married name and one in her maiden name, from September 1988, totalling $196,233 ($176,315 US) in over-payments. She said she used the money for living expenses because she was caring for her husband who had chronic emphysema and could not survive on their pensions alone. / The Daily Telegraph

Devon, England
VILLAGE FOOTBALL CLUB TO BE A FRIEND TO THE DEAF
Deaf children will be able to access football more easily thanks to an East Devon club's new partnership. Tedburn St Mary has become one of Devon's first deaf- friendly football clubs after joining the National Deaf Children's Society Deaf Friendly FC project. The project, which was set up in 2007, has so far attracted 60 clubs in England, including Premier League teams Manchester United and Arsenal. Geoff Harbor, first team manager at Tedburn, said: "We are looking forward to developing our playing and coaching opportunities for deaf people and ensuring we help them reach their full potential in the sport. / This is Exeter

London, England
MINISTER ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR DEAF AWARENESS TRAINING
Education Minister Leighton Andrews has committed £17,591 ($28,500 US) to the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) Cymru to fund three regional events aimed at delivering deaf awareness training to education professionals across Wales. The events to be held in Cardiff, Carmarthenshire and Wrexham will help raise awareness of the specific needs of deaf children and young people amongst teaching staff and others in the education profession. They will give professionals a basic understanding of the causes and effects of childhood deafness. / Welsh IconNews

Auckland, New Zealand
BLIND AND DEAF -- AND A GARDENER
We're all probably a bit guilty of making rash judgements when we meet people and if you meet Merv Cox chances are you'll quickly form an opinion or two about him. Merv is a deaf blind landscape gardener. And while hearing aids help with the deafness, Merv's blindness means some people write him off without giving him a chance. In Merv's opinion, that's not just uncalled for, it's wrong. / TVNZ (non-captioned video)

Barrie, ON, Canada
DEAF COMMUNITY REACHES OUT TO POLICE
What starts as a routine traffic stop, can quickly go awry if a police officer asks a question and the driver turns away to reach for something unseen, says Louise Gagne, executive director of Deaf Access Simcoe Muskoka (DASM). “Misunderstandings can occur if the officer isn’t anticipating a Deaf person,” said Gagne, whose team had the opportunity recently to provide awareness training to Barrie Police officers. / Barrie Advance

Corner Brook, NL Canada
WOMAN FINDS INSPIRATION IN HER SON, RETURNS TO SCHOOL
Trina Meade decided it was time for a change. Not content with her job, the Corner Brook resident says she was inspired by her 11-year-old son to go back to school. She recently enrolled in the hairstyling course at College of the North Atlantic's Stephenville Crossing campus. "Every time his hair grows long, I cut his hair and that's what got me interested in it," she says, "and I really enjoy it." Ms. Meade is deaf and uses sign language to communicate. / The Georgian

++++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++++

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY FOR ASL AND INTERPRETER TRAINING PROGRAMS!

Whether your focus is on basic day-to-day communication skills in American Sign Language or advanced proficiency for career-path interpreter training, the Sony Virtuoso™ and Soloist® ASL software suite can give your students the competitive edge. Features of our digital language lab technology include: Video and Audio Communication between the Instructor and Students; Real-time High Quality Video and Audio Capture; Simulation of Real-Life Interpreting Situations and Ethical Scenarios for Practicum Skill Development; Creation of Digital Student Portfolios, and much more. Contact SANS at sales@sansinc.com to arrange a demo or visit at www.sansinc.com.

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

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

Quincy, MA
RIT/NTID GRAD CREATES SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE FOR THE DEAF
Just in time for Valentine's Day, an RIT/NTID graduate has created a new social networking site to help other deaf and hard-of-hearing people find friends on the Internet. Patrick Petronelli, 28, of Quincy, Mass., created DeafPals.com
after becoming frustrated trying to find other deaf people on Facebook and Myspace. Already, more than 700 people from more than three dozen countries have joined his free networking site since it opened in December. / NTID News

Sebring, FL
DEAFNESS DOESN'T STOP PILOTS FROM FLYING
A Sarasota man attended the Sebring U.S. Sport Aviation Expo at the Sebring Regional Airport last Thursday looking for a sponsor for his project plan to become a flight instructor to the deaf. On Dec. 31, Gregory H. Lawrence, 61, who has been deaf since he was a baby, scored a 90 on the FAA Certified Flight Instructor Knowledge test. "All that's left is the flying," he said. "That's the easy part." Lawrence said he has been flying as a licensed pilot since 1966. / Highlands Today

St. Petersburg, FL
THE PIER AQUARIUM'S NEW VIRTUAL TOUR GUIDE FOR THE DEAF RECEIVES $1,500 GRANT
The Pier Aquarium’s new Virtual Tour Guide for the Deaf has received a $1,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Greater St. Petersburg to further enhance the visitor experience. The program was developed by staff, students and teachers from Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf and technical partners at SRI St. Petersburg earlier this year. It is a state-of the art multimedia guide available on handheld, portable media devices (PlayStations, media tablets, ITouch) that combine high-resolution digital images with information about the critters in that reside in the Touch Tank. / Zoo and Aquarium Visitor

New York, NY
A CONCEPT PHONE FOR THE DEAF WITH TRANSPARENT TOUCHSCREEN
We have enough trouble hearing what people say to us on the phone with poor reception, so we can’t imagine how frustrating it must be to struggle through a phone call with a real disability. A hearing disability shouldn’t disable your enjoyment of technology though, and that’s why student Suhyun Kim has come up with the Visual Sound - a concept mobile phone for the deaf. / Tathya.net

Washington, DC
IRS VIDEOS IN ASL AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE
With tax season in full swing, did you know that deaf and hard of hearing consumers can find answers to their tax questions directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in American Sign Language (ASL)? The IRS has built a YouTube channel complete with a series of ASL videos -- that are also voiced and captioned -- on a myriad of tax topics. ASL videos on many more important subjects for taxpayers will be added as they become available. / CSD

++++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++++

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++++

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

New York, NY
DRF NAMES CLIFFORD P. TALLMAN, JR. AS ITS NEW CHAIRMAN
Deafness Research Foundation (DRF), the leading national source of private funding for research in hearing and balance science, announces that Clifford P. Tallman, Jr. has been unanimously elected as Chairman of the Board, effective January 1, 2010. Mr. Tallman brings to DRF a vast array of professional experiences in magazine and custom publishing, cable television, and internet advertising sales, as well as a strong dedication to healthy hearing. He is currently co-founder and owner of Soskin Tallman Inc., a print and internet marketing firm, located in Norwalk, Connecticut. / DRF Newsroom

Novato, CA
PURPLE UNVEILS NEW VERSION OF P3 COMMUNICATIONS APPLICATION
Purple Communications, Inc., a provider of text and video relay and on-site interpreting services, has reportedly revealed a new version of P3, the company’s software communication suite specifically tailored to meet the needs of people who are deaf or who have hearing loss. The company also clarified that with this announcement, users can download the latest version of P3 software for free by visiting the company’s Web site. “Today Purple Communications is focused on designing products that fully meet the needs of our customers,” said Ronald E. Obray, vice chairman. / TMCnet

West Hartford,CT
AMERICAN SAVINGS FOUNDATION AWARDS $15,000 GRANT TO AMERICAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
The American School for the Deaf (ASD) has received a $15,000 grant from the American Savings Foundation for the Early Childhood Intervention Program. The American School for the Deaf's Early Childhood Intervention Program provides the foundation for young deaf and hard of hearing children, from birth to 3, throughout Connecticut to acquire language, develop cognition, and prepare for successful formal schooling. The program also assists parents in fulfilling their role as primary caregivers of a child with special needs. / Hartford Courant

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

Save on Vibrating Watches and Shipping at Harris Communications

Stay on time for all your appointments with a new vibrating watch from Harris Communications. Whether you want something simple or sophisticated, there are many models available.

Save when you purchase now. Prices are $49.95 - $169.95 with savings from $7.49 - $25.49.
Plus, you will receive FREE ground shipping on all orders of $50 or more (Available in the contiguous US only.)
Sale ends February 4, 2010.

To see our complete selection, visit our website or contact us at: mailto:info@harriscomm.com.

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

Morris Township, NJ
DEAF, LEGALLY BLIND OWNER OF FUZZY WUZZY DESIGN THRIVES ON SPIRIT
Christian Markovic lost his hearing at age 2 and began losing his eyesight when he was 13. By the time he was 20, he was legally blind and a mysterious neurological disorder began stealing his ability to walk. By age 23, he could no longer run. Today, at 38, he has cochlear implants but remains profoundly hearing impaired. He can barely see and can only walk with crutches. His physical limitations haven’t limited his spirit or his ability to succeed in the marketplace. Markovic is an award-winning artist who runs his own successful business, Fuzzy Wuzzy Design, which features his own artistic creations on greeting cards and clothing. / The Star-Ledger

Philadelphia, PA
DEAF DOGS PHOTO BOOK BY MELISSA MCDANIEL
When I first got my dog Sadie, I didn’t know anything about deaf dogs. Sadie was relinquished to a local shelter after the owners found out she and all of her littermates were born deaf. It wasn’t long before I learned two things about deaf dogs. One, although they require some different training techniques, for the most part, deaf dogs are just like any other dogs - just as smart, trainable, fun-loving, loving. Two, many deaf dogs have a very rough start in life. For these reasons, I started photographing for the photo book projects. / Dog Art Today

++++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++++

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++++

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

Anchorage, AK
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS OFFER DEAF FIGHTER A NEW LIFE
We all know someone who's had to overcome big challenges to get where they are today, but perhaps none are as large as the ones Josh Ofiu has had to face. When he's not attending school in Washington, D.C., you'll find him fighting at the Alaska Fighting Championship bouts at the Sullivan Arena. "He thinks it's almost an advantage that he's deaf that he's in the ring," said Ofiu's sister, Malaleolani Lavea. "He's not like the hearing fighters, where they get a little nervous when they hear the crowd." "They know to make as much noise as possible, because he can feel the rumble," said host Bob Lester. / KTUU

Woodbridge, VA
A WORLD OF SILENCE
A roar came from the Woodbridge crowd as it watched Evan Greenleaf take down Fairfax's Kevin Karsner during a January 13 match. Lloyd Carrera heard the applause. Carrera has watched Greenleaf compete since the beginning of the season. Carrera, however, is no coach or wrestler. He is Greenleaf's interpreter. Carrera carefully watched the match and was ready with hand signals if Vikings coach Jim Dutrow instructed Greenleaf on how to apply a move. That's because Greenleaf is deaf. / News & Messenger

See also: ARMY STRONG WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
(Evan Greenleaf won in Week 5.)

Abington, MA
ABINGTON'S DAMIEN WILSON SILENCES HIS OPPONENTS
Trash talk doesn’t both Abington High School’s Damien Wilson. The junior swingman is deaf to it. In fact, if he takes out his hearing aid, he won’t hear much at all. Wilson was born hearing impaired. “I think my mother figured it out when I was about 1,” said Wilson. “She took me to the hospital and the discovered I was completely deaf in my right ear and I had very little hearing out of the left ear.” He met Ann Stockwell, who is his audiologist. “She tells me what’s best for me,” said Wilson. / Abington Mariner

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

Rochester, NY
DEF MEETS DEAF POETRY JAM II
Def Meets Deaf Poetry Jam ll is the second performance event for this year. Last year, Def Meets Deaf Poetry Jam was a success. John Roche was the collaborator of the event last year. This year, he and I are collaborating, together, for this year. There will be deaf/hard of hearing performers and hearing performers taking turns on stage from 2-5 pm. There will be an open mic to follow for anyone who may want to jump on stage and do the skits. This event will be interpreted for the hearing and deaf audience. Saturday, February 6, 2010, 2-5 p.m. / Eddie Swayze

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
* Community Interpreter - Los Angeles, CA

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

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

TEAM LEADER
for Outpatient/Adult Treatment to work with a well established behavioral health team that serves Deaf citizens of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Where: Center for Hearing & Deaf Services, Inc. (HDS)
5th Avenue
Downtown Pittsburgh
Monday - Friday / 37.5 hours per week

Master’s Degree in Human Services AND 1 year of paid experience Working with Deaf population. American Sign Language fluency REQUIRED. Requires Act 33/34 Clearances, valid PA driver’s license and access to a vehicle. You will be responsible for Oversight of the Outpatient component at HDS including clinical supervision of all the Outpatient services. Coordination of community outreach activities (including networking and marketing of available services to the community at large), service coordination as well as support services such as vocational rehabilitation counselors, housing and peer support services will be possible.

In addition, the Team Leader/Mobile therapist will provide community-based mobile mental health individual and group psychotherapy to an adult behavioral health population that includes mental health disorders with the deaf, hard of hearing, and/or deaf/blind population.

The Team Leader/Therapist is responsible to evaluate, plan and provide clinical services across the continuum of care
within the community in a variety of settings. The Team Leader/Therapist will also provide oversight of clinical documentation and charting according to Federal, State, County and Organizational polices and procedures. The Team Leader/Mobile MH Therapist will coordinate Treatment Team meetings including collaboration with psychiatric and other organization staff.

Karen Tarasenkov
Human Resource Recruitment & Training Specialist
Mercy Behavioral Health
1200 Reedsdale Street
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15233
Phone: 412-697-6504
Fax: 412-323-6985
KTarasenkov@mercybh.org
Mercy Behavioral Health is a part of the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
www.pmhs.org. You can also apply on line

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

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.