Deafweekly February 22, 2006

deafweekly

February 22, 2006
Vol. 2 No. 18

Editor: Tom Willard

Deafweekly is an independent news report for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. It is mailed to subscribers every Wednesday morning and available to read at www.deafweekly.com. For information, contact mail@deafweekly.com.

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NATIONAL
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GEORGIA SCHOOL APPOINTMENT RAISES CONCERNS

Lee Shiver’s appointment as director of the Georgia School for the Deaf has raised concerns in the deaf community, reported the Rome News-Tribune. Several alumni wonder why the state Board of Education chose a man without experience working with the deaf or the ability to communicate with them. “First and foremost, there’s no knowledge of deaf education,” said GSD alumna Shirley Crook. “How do you better a school when you know nothing about it? You can’t.” She showed a reporter a stack of emails from alumni, former employees, advocates and members of the deaf community, all concerned about the appointment. Crook’s mother, former GSD teacher Louise Osborne, took issue with those who say Shiver has experience with special-needs children because his daughter has Down syndrome “The deaf are not Down syndrome,” she said, “and Down syndrome is not deaf.”

POLICE CONTINUE MURDER INVESTIGATION IN SIOUX FALLS

More details have emerged in the death of Darlene VanderGiesen, 42, a deaf Sioux Falls, S.D. woman who was allegedly murdered and dismembered by a deaf acquaintance. Daphne Wright, 42, pleaded not guilty last week to first-degree murder and remains in jail without bond. According to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, police have been interviewing workers at hardware stores near Wright’s home, asking about “cutting instruments” and whether Wright had recently been a customer. Investigators also found saws and chain saw oil in the house where Wright was living. Officers noticed a bloody shoe print in the basement, along with small pieces of matter on the walls that were determined to be human fat, bone and muscle tissue. In addition, “random areas” of the basement had been painted blue, and Wright’s roommate told police she saw Wright removing carpet and a large black trash bag the night VanderGiesen was last seen.

SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT

Roger Alan Wilkins, a deaf sign language teacher in Utah, has been sentenced to one year in jail for sexually assaulting a deaf former student. According to KUTV in Salt Lake City, prosecutors asked for only 60 days but Judge Lynn Davis said she adopted a one-year sentence “because the victim was very vulnerable and somewhat naive and he was a registered sex offender.” Wilkins, 38, was convicted on two counts of lewdness with a child in 1993. According to police, Wilkins invited the then-18-year-old victim to live in his home with his wife and children. The woman said she was assaulted January 5 and January 9, 2004 after repeatedly saying no to Wilkins' advances. Davis allowed Wilkins to have work release from jail so he can operate a business selling products on eBay from his home. She also barred him from accessing pornographic media and ordered him to pay restitution to the victim.

MAN FACES LIFE IN PRISON AFTER SECOND RAPE CONVICTION

Henry Ivan Cogswell, 31, is facing life in prison after a Vista (Calif.) Superior Court jury found him guilty last week of raping a deaf woman several times just months after getting out of prison for a similar assault. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the victim refused to testify at the trial but prosecutors read her testimony from a preliminary hearing in late 2004, in which she described being assaulted several times in her car near Cogswell’s San Marcos apartment on June 9, 2004. In the earlier case, Cogswell was imprisoned in 1997 for six years for raping his girlfriend, who is also deaf. The ex-girlfriend testified at the recent trial, saying she was the one who suggested to the victim that Cogswell might have raped her, too.

SORENSON RELAY FILES SUIT AGAINST CYBER ATTACKERS

Sorenson Communications Inc. has filed a lawsuit against unknown cyber attackers who allegedly launched a malicious campaign this month to disrupt services at Sorenson Relay. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, the company filed its legal action last Wednesday in U.S. District Court, asking for an order barring the defendants from interfering with its computers and network infrastructure. The alleged attacks began around February 7 and involve a “robot” script that sends fake requests to Sorenson’s communications assistants. The first day, 129 requests for service came within 34 minutes, and later another 100 requests occurred within eight minutes. The attacks increased the average time to answer a call to 10 minutes. A relay company that fails to answer a certain percentage of calls within 10 seconds can lose its federal reimbursement for that day, an amount Sorenson estimates at more than $20,000.

IDAHO GRANDMOTHER FIGHTS TO KEEP SCHOOL OPEN

Several Idaho lawmakers want to close the 100-year-old Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind due to declining enrollment, but the grandmother of one student has a different idea. KTVB reported that Thelma Franek has collected 1,100 signatures of support and delivered them to lawmakers at the State House in Boise last week. “Somebody’s gotta listen to us,” she said. “We need that school.” She wants to see her 7-year-old grandson Kyle graduate from ISDB, saying, “They have done so much for him and they do so much for the other kids.” Rep. Margaret Henbest, D-Boise, advocates the school’s closing and believes several day schools throughout the state could replace the live-in facility. Nothing has been decided yet, but Henbest is already talking about putting a drug treatment facility on the land that ISDB sits on.

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LAURENT TOWN PLANNERS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES

“Things have been busy at The Laurent Company recently,” said Marvin Miller and M.E. Barwacz, leaders of the effort to establish a town for sign-language users in South Dakota. Writing in the January issue of the Laurent Town Crier, they said they hope to add more people to the staff soon in order to stay in better touch with the community. They’ve also agreed to work with Sioux Falls photographer Cedric Chatterley to document the building of the new town, and have signed a contract with IWC Media, an award-winning documentary group. In addition, a “local man who supports us strongly” has set up a website - www.mccook4laurent.com - which is unaffiliated with The Laurent Company but contains a wealth of helpful information. A second site, www.onemccook.com, features information that will be helpful to anyone planning to move to the area, said Barwacz.

OFFICIALS SEEK CUSTOMERS OF CLOSED HEARING-AID SHOP

New York State officials are seeking customers of a closed Oneonta hearing-aid business, reported The Daily Star. Assistant Attorney General Michael Danaher said he is following up on a November 2 court order that forced Expert Ear Inc. to shut down after operating without registering with the Department of State. Expert Ear Inc. and an affiliate company, Hearing Aids Wholesale, were permanently banned from the sale and service of hearing aids. Kathleen Marcie, who owned both companies, was ordered to provide a full accounting of all hearing aids and warranties sold since August 2003. Danaher said customers may be eligible for full restitution and should call 800-771-7755 for more information.

‘HISTORY THROUGH DEAF EYES’ TO MAKE FINAL STOP

The national traveling exhibition, “History Through Deaf Eyes,” will make its final stop at the Nashville Public Library from March 3 to April 17. An opening reception next Friday will feature Jack Gannon, who was instrumental in organizing the exhibit, and I. King Jordan, president of Gallaudet University. Renowned deaf artists Patricia “Trix” Bruce, Magic Morgan and Peter Cook will present evening performances during the duration of the show. The exhibit, developed by Gallaudet and featured at the Smithsonian, is a traveling social history exhibition that covers 200 years of U.S. history with the experiences of deaf people. More information may be obtained by writing to library.hearingimpaired@nashville.gov.

MICHIGAN DEAF-BLIND PROGRAM WINS FEDERAL GRANT

The Department of Education in Washington, D.C. recently awarded a $256,289 grant to Deaf-Blind Central, a program of Central Michigan University’s psychology department. According to Central Michigan Life, DB Central provides education, consultation, family support and training to deaf-blind children and their families. “There is a lack of awareness of what DB is,” said Tim Hartshorne, DB Central grant manager and psychology professor. “Most have some hearing and some sight, and I think our program fills in the gaps.” DB Central also offers retreats and activities for the children and their families, giving them a chance to relax and network with one another.

ADVOCACY GROUP TO GIVE HEARING AIDS TO LAWMAKERS

Florida Citizens for Term Limits has ordered more than 160 new hearing aids and plans to deliver the devices to state legislators “to help lawmakers get the voters’ message,” said a news release. “They’re just not hearing the voters who cast their ballots by a solid 77 percent margin in favor of eight-year term limits,” said the group’s president, Max Linn, “so we decided to help their hearing.” Hearing amplifiers will be delivered to the Tallahassee office of each lawmaker at the opening of the session early next month. “We are buying them hearing devices that have powerful amplifiers so they truly can hear the voice of the voters,” said Linn.

GIANT EAR MISSING FROM HEARING AID DEALER’S SIGN

A hearing aid dealer in Crystal River, Fla. has reported the theft of a giant ear from a sign in front of its building. “We have two huge ears, and one of them’s gone,” said Amy Wylde of Advanced Family Hearing. When she called the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office on Monday morning to report the crime, investigators couldn’t believe what they heard. “We said, ‘We’re missing an ear,’ ” said Wylde. “They said, ‘What?’ ” The store is offering a modest reward for the four-foot-tall fiberglass ear, which is valued at $950 on a sheriff’s report. Employees are trying to get the word out, said the St. Petersburg Times, “but so far no one’s heard a peep.”

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Trip to Israel

When: August 13-25, 2006

Who: Jewish Deaf and Hard of Hearing People (single, married, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, etc. ).
What: 12-day trip includes most meals, hotel, ASL interpreters, direct El Al flight, air-conditioned bus guided tour to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Masada, Golan Heights, etc. Meet with other Israeli Jewish Deaf people.

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INTERNATIONAL
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AUSTRALIAN TEEN WINS LANDMARK CASE

A deaf Australian teenager who was denied a classroom interpreter has won a landmark anti-discrimination case, reported the Cranbourne News. Pearcedale Primary School student Dylan Beasley’s case against the Department of Education and Training ended in victory last week when the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found in his favor. Dylan had claimed he was left out of classroom activities because none of his eight teachers and sign language interpreters were fluent in Auslan, the only recognized sign language in Australia. The discrimination claim was filed in 2003 by his mother, Robyn, who is also deaf. “This case is not only for us but for other deaf children in similar situations,” she said. The education department spent $500,000 ($369,210 US) fighting the case, she added, and “should have spent it on interpreters and note takers for deaf children.”

BEIJING TO OFFER FREE TRAINING IN SIGN LANGUAGE

The China Daily reported last week that 250,000 deaf people living in Beijing aren’t getting much assistance due to a shortage of sign-language interpreters. “It is a shame to let deaf-mutes live in isolation,” said Han Runfeng of the Beijing Disabled Persons Federation. The future looks bleaker, with 900 interpreters needed to assist visitors to the August 2008 Olympics but only a few dozen people in Beijing who can handle that job. In response, the federation has announced that it will offer free training classes for 1,000 sign language volunteers this year. Details are still being worked out, but already hundreds of people have called the Beijing Deaf-Mutes Association to ask about the program.

COMPUTER STOLEN WHILE COUNSELOR ATTENDS CONFERENCE

Jeff Willmott had just started a job with the Thunder Bay office of the Canadian Hearing Society when his new computer was stolen while he attended a conference in Toronto. Willmott, a counselor with CHS’s mental health and wellness program, told the Thunder Bay’s Source that losing the $4,000 ($3,485 US) computer was like losing a limb. “Without it, I feel very limited,” he said. He used the computer for special programs and research to do his job, and to communicate with friends, family and CHS colleagues. He reported the theft to police but doesn’t expect to see the computer again. If the thief finds it in his heart to give it back, though, Willmott said he won’t press charges - and it could even be dropped off anonymously at his office. Although he is angry, he said he tries to be positive about all situations. “The sun also rises, and so can I,” he said.

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‘DEAF AND DUMB VICTIMS’ PLEDGE LOYALTY TO PARTY

“Scores of deaf and dumb victims” crammed the office of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party last Monday, pledging their unflinching support and loyalty to the party. According to Awareness Times Newspapers, several top party leaders were on hand to receive the visitors. Madam Ramatu Sesay, president of the Sierra Leone National Association of the Deaf, acknowledged the warm reception and said it’s a clear indication that the party takes them seriously. In the past, she said, little or no attention has been given to the deaf population. In response, party chairman Alhaji UNS Jah “expressed happiness that people of their kind could be sensible enough to remain hooked to the party, which he said is the only way forward.”

NEW PROGRAM AIDS DOCTOR-PATIENT COMMUNICATION

The Yorkshire Post Today reported last week on a new computer program designed to improve communication between healthcare workers and patients who are either deaf or have limited English. The program, called SignHealth, was developed by the national charity Sign and is the first program of its kind available to doctors in the U.K. It allows a worker to select from a list of questions on a computer screen; the computer then shows a video clip of someone signing the question and the patient can respond by selecting from a list of on-screen answers. More than 300 primary care trusts in England will offer the program, which is being provided on a limited trial basis and paid for by the Department of Health.

U.K. CHARITY SEEKING SEXIEST PAIR OF EARS

The U.K.’s Royal National Institute for the Deaf is on the lookout for the sexiest pair of ears in East Anglia, reported the Cambridge Evening News. The charity launched the contest on Valentine’s Day after announcing that singer Charlotte Church and Dr Who actor David Tennant have the sexiest celebrity ears. “The search for the sexiest pair of ears in the U.K. is a fun way to encourage people to think about how precious their ears are and how important their hearing really is,” said RNID’s Susan Osborne. The regional winner will be crowned Ear of the Year, East Anglia 2006 on March 15 and will go on to a national competition.

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ATTENTION TEACHERS OF THE DEAF

If you are interested in becoming an expert in the education of children with cochlear implants, we invite you to apply for the next 6 week Educational Consultant Training Program (ECTP) which will begin in mid-June. This will be the 8th time that the ECTP program has been offered. Over 60 teachers from 38 states have completed the ECTP program.

This intensive and field -tested 6-week training program will be held at three sites: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Phila, PA), the California Ear Institute (Palo Alto, CA) and the Atlanta Speech School (Atlanta, GA). Each class will be limited to 8 experienced teachers of the deaf. Each graduate of this full-time program will receives a certificate and 9 graduate credits.

Students also receive FREE tuition, books and materials and a stipend to cover living expenses while they are in Philadelphia, Palo Alto or Atlanta.

Please go to www.chop.edu/ectp to learn more about the program and complete the online application. Deadline for the summer class is March 15th. If you want to assist your educational program with the increasing number of children with cochlear implants, this is a great training program for you. You are immersed in the medical, audiological, speech-language, social-emotional and educational aspects of this specialized field for six weeks. Our graduates have made an impact in the quality of education for children with cochlear implants in mainstream program, deaf class, residential programs, etc.

Richard W. Fee, PhD, CED, Director

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LIFE & LEISURE
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WEBSITE OFFERS DATING SERVICE FOR DISABLED

Looking for a date? You may want to check out Dating4Disabled.com, a free website developed by volunteers to provide more social, intellectual and romantic outlets for disabled individuals. The site has members from over 15 countries and features an easy, two-minute sign-up process. Members can come together through forums, a dating service, private chats and blogs. The result, said a news release, is “an embarrassment-free opportunity for disabled individuals to express themselves, make friends and hopefully find a partner for life, without the pressure of uncertain face-to-face meetings.” Check it out at www.dating4disabled.com.

CHILDREN’S BOOK AUTHOR DONATES $1,000 TO SCHOOL

Retired music teacher Anne Hemenway visited Frankford (Del.) Elementary School two weeks ago to present a $1,000 donation to the Indian River School Distict’s Hard of Hearing Partially Deaf program. The donation, said the Bethany Beach Wave, came from the proceeds of Hemenway’s book, “Jan Baer and the Mystery of the Silent Circus.” The author, who taught music to the hearing impaired for nearly 30 years, said she wrote the book to help deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Each of the five students in the program received a signed copy of the book, which features a young deaf girl named Jan Baer, and the author also donated a few copies to the school library.

SIGNING BRINGS PEACE AND QUIET TO CHILDCARE CENTER

Mealtime has been a lot quieter in the infant room at the YMCA Childcare Center in Willmar, Minn. since staff began teaching the children simple sign language, reported the West Central Tribune. Center director Donna Brau remembers when all the infants would loudly verbalize their wants at the same time. Now, she said, the children can use sign language to ask for milk or a cracker and to communicate when they are finished eating. “Instead of throwing their empty plate at me, they tell us they want more,” said Cindy Wentzel, infant room coordinator. The sign language lessons began around four years ago, inspired by an infant with deaf grandparents who had been taught sign language at home. “That’s when we started to see it could be done,” said Brau. “It’s a neat component that’s not hard to add to child care.”

DOG RETRIEVES FIRST-GRADER’S MISSING HEARING AID

A dog named Penalty Kick was credited with finding a first-grader’s $2,000 hearing aid after it fell out on a school playground. According to the Lynchburg (Va.) News & Advance, 7-year-old Stephanie Bryant was playing at Paul Munro Elementary School when the pricey device went missing. Classmates and teachers searched through the gravel for the tiny aid but couldn’t locate it before the school day ended. Lynn Betts, Lynchburg City School’s teacher of the hearing impaired, stayed behind to keep looking. Along came Sally and Davis von Oesen out for a walk with their three dogs. Betts told them what happened, and Davis got the idea to have the dog search for the aid. The curly-haired retriever sniffed Betts’ hand (she had put the hearing aid in the girl’s ear earlier in the day) and quickly found the device. Last Friday, Stephanie said thank you to PK and von Oesen when they stopped by the school for a visit.

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Sorenson IP Relay™ expands communication possibilities for deaf and hard-of hearing individuals by enabling free text-to-speech relay calls with any standard telephone user in the U.S. Sorenson IP Relay calls can be initiated by visiting the Web site at www.siprelay.com from a personal computer, or can be made with a Sidekick, Blackberry, Trço or other mobile device. A trusted Sorenson Communications Assistant (CA) instantaneously facilitates the conversation between the Sorenson IP Relay user and a friend, doctor or business associate. Sorenson IP Relay calls are free for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

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WORKING WORLD
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JAMES L. SORENSON HONORED IN SALT LAKE CITY

Utah billionaire James LeVoy Sorenson was named “A Giant in Our City” by the Salt Lake Chamber at an award dinner last Wednesday, reported the Deseret Morning News. Sorenson, 85, grew up dyslexic in a tarpaper shack in Yuba City, Calif. and was thought by teachers to be mentally retarded. He began his business endeavors in 1957 and went on to receive more than 40 patents for his inventions. He is now the chairman of Sorenson Development Inc., which consists of 12 enterprises that include medical devices, large-scale real estate development and Sorenson Video Relay Service. With an estimated net worth of $3.9 billion, Sorenson placed 56th in Forbes magazine’s 2005 list of the 400 richest Americans.

NEW RELAY SERVICE TO OPEN IN CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA

WHO-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa reported last week on a new Internet-based relay service that is getting ready to open its doors in April. URrelay is expected to offer 110 immediate jobs and perhaps 70 more in the future. Company co-founders Ben Dudley and Bill McClelland plan to locate the business in a vacant downtown building and have asked the city for financial incentives to help pay the $650,000 cost of renovating the building.

VICAR OF NEW YORK CHURCH MARKS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

The Rev. Christine Selfe marked her first anniversary last month as vicar for St. Ann’s Church for the Deaf in New York City, telling the Episcopal News Service, “It’s been a wonderful year.” Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Selfe lost her hearing as a child. She became involved with the Episcopal Church while attending Gallaudet University and went on to study at the General Theological Seminary in New York, graduating in 2004. Although she’s been vicar only one year, Selfe has been a part of St. Ann’s since 1982 when she served as a student assistant. St. Ann’s, founded in 1852, is the world’s oldest religious congregation for the deaf, and Selfe said it feels “awesome” to be the vicar of one of over 40 congragations where deaf people worship regularly. But she doesn’t want to limit her ministry just to deaf people, she said. “I’m ordained to the world, not just to the deaf.”

PROFESSOR RECOGNIZED FOR NOISE EXPOSURE RESEARCH

A professor at the University of Buffalo (N.Y.) has been recognized for his research on noise exposure and hearing loss. Donald Henderson, a professor and leading scientist in UB’s Center for Hearing and Deafness, received the 2006 Outstanding Hearing Conservation Award from the National Hearing Conservation Association at its annual conference in Tampa, Fla. According to a UB news release, Henderson has been at the forefront of research to determine how toxins and noise exposure kill hair cells, the inner-ear organs that transmit sound to the brain. The work of his research group has led to two patents for new drugs to prevent or reverse the damage. He also helped develop a drug the lessens hearing loss from battle noise in tests conducted by the U.S. military.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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‘UNIVERSAL SIGNS’ MAKES HEADLINES IN HOLLYWOOD

The Hollywood Reporter did a story last week on “Universal Signs,” an independent movie now being filmed in Philadelphia. The story will be told in American Sign Language, with captions for those who don’t know ASL. “All of the shots are framed so the deaf can watch it in their native language, which has never been done before,” said producer Catherine Miller. She said the project would not be possible without DTS’ Cinema Subtitling System technology, which avoids the expense of captioning directly onto a print and allows theaters that have the DTS system to project subtitles by putting a disc in the player. “Universal Signs” tells the story of a deaf man (played by Anthony Natale) whose life is nearly destroyed by guilt after he failed to hear the screams of a drowning child. It co-stars Lupe Ontiveros, Sabrina Lloyd and Margot Kidder.

MICHIGAN DOCUMENTARY WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD

The Ann Arbor (Mich.) News reported Sunday on a documentary about deaf and hard-of-hearing students at the University of Michigan that has won a prestigious award. “Breaking Through the Silence,” a 20-minute film created and produced by Mark Eadie, Chase Pearsall and Peter Schriemer, recently won a CINE Golden Eagle Award. CINE Awards, which were first given in 1957, are recognized internationally as a symbol of the highest production standards in filmmaking and videography. PBS plans to show the documentary later this year.

VIETNAMESE STUDENTS SHOW ARTWORK IN SAN FRANCISCO

An exhibition of artwork by deaf high school students from Vietnam will open next Wednesday at the Deaf Services Center of the San Francisco Public Library. Scott Benson, a deaf teacher at Leigh High School in San Jose, Calif., worked with Madame Ngoi, headmistress and founder of the Hy Vong 1 School in Ho Chi Minh to organize the exhibit. According to an announcement, “The vibrant colors and techniques lend an appealing presence to the eye.” The exhibit runs through April 1 at the library, located at 100 Larkin St. in San Francisco.

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR 24TH MEDIA ACCESS AWARDS

Nominations are now being accepted for the 24th Annual Media Access Awards, which honor the entertainment and media industry for hiring and accurately portraying people with disabilities. The awards are presented by the California Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and the California Employment Development Department. The Academy Awards-style event is scheduled for October 15 at Universal Studios Globe Theatre. Media productions, performances and printed materials that best capture the spirit of the MAAs may be nominated through a form available from the Media Access Office by emailing to GCastane@edd.ca.gov.

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Talk to your heart’s content with the Compact/C!

Let your valentine know how much you care using your new Compact/C! This portable TTY easily fits into your purse or briefcase and can be used with any standard telephone, public payphone or even a cell phone. It’s specially priced this month for just $279.00. Don’t miss your chance to not only connect with your sweetheart but with your family and friends too! Call us now at 1-800-233-9130 (V/TTY) or visit us online at http://www.weitbrecht.com (use code WCI206D when ordering). To get a copy of our NEW catalog email your request to: sales@weitbrecht.com.

WCI. Your Single Source for Assistive Technology.

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The Northeast Technical Assistance Center (NETAC) at NTID/RIT is proud of the Web site and videos produced by the project that feature individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing in various career fields. The Web site includes a list of different job categories that you can click on and learn more about many individuals who work in a particular career. You can read about their stories and how they reached their goals. The Web site includes individual photos, names, position descriptions, and much more. The videos feature individuals of diverse cultures, educational backgrounds and professions. Visit the Web site: www.netac.rit.edu/goals

Also, we want to feature you Deafweekly readers! We would like to include your career story on the Web site. If interested, check out the Web site: www.netac.rit.edu/goals

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SPORTS
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BROTHERS EXCEL ON HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING TEAM

Ashten and Demetrius Johnson walk the halls at Brighton High School in Memphis, Tenn. wearing a rival school’s colors, reported the Commercial Appeal, but it should not be seen as a provocative gesture. The brothers travel to Munford High every day after school to participate on the wrestling team, since Brighton High does not offer a varsity wrestling program. Demetrius is determined to justify his No. 1 ranking in the state at 112 pounds, while Ashten, a deaf 140-pound senior, has a different incentive. “I want to show everybody that deaf people can be good wrestlers,” he said. Unlike most wrestlers, Ashten can’t hear instructions from his coaches during a match, which makes his success more remarkable. “It’s all him out there,” said Demetrius. “But he likes to do stuff himself. He’s very independent.”

NEBRASKA STUDENT ‘HOLDS HIS OWN’ IN POLE VAULTING

The Lincoln (Neb.) Star Journal reported last week on pole vaulter Patrick Southern, a gold medalist in last year’s Deaflympics and “a country dancer, a serious wakeboarder, a laugh riot and an excellent chef.” Southern, 23, is a senior at Nebraska University, where he “holds his own in Division I pole vaulting,” said the report. “Sometimes, he’ll walk away and I’ll want to tell him something else and I can’t yell at him,” said NU pole vaulting coach Kris Grimes. “I’ve told him I might have to start throwing things at him to get his attention.” Southern, who has a personal best vault of 16 feet, 1/4-inch, was on the Academic All-Big 12 first team last year. When he graduates, he’d like to become a math teacher and coach track and pole vaulting. “Hopefully, I can encourage more deaf people to pole vault,” he said.

SCHEDULE SET FOR WORLD DEAF CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Organizers of the 2006 World Deaf Cycling Championships have released a schedule of events for the June 18-24 event in San Francisco. It’s the first time the U.S. has hosted the international event, and competitors from 10 countries are expected. Featured venues include the Hellyer Velodrome and the Santa Teresa Park, both in San Jose. To learn more, visit www.usdeafsports.org/2006cycling.

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COMING EVENTS
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NATIONAL DEAF POKER TOUR KICKS OFF NEXT MONTH

The Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. will be the site for the first of three National Deaf Poker Tour tournaments this year. It is set for March 25 with registration at 10:30 a.m. Tournaments will also take place in the summer and fall, with details to be announced. Each tournament will offer $20,000 in prizes, based on 250 entries. There is a $100 entry fee, with $80 going to the prize fund and $20 to the casino. Players must be 21 or older. To register, fill out the form found at www.nationaldeafpokertour.com.

GROUP TOUR WILL EXPLORE RUSSIAN DEAF COMMUNITY

Arkady Belozovsky, president/owner of DEAF WOW, Inc., is planning a group tour to Russia. The trip is designed for ASL teachers, interpreters, signers, ASL students, friends and deaf community members. Moscow, St. Petersburg and surrounding towns will be the destination of the May 22-June 5 tour, which will focus on Russia’s deaf community. Participants will receive a Russian Sign Language dictionary with English translation and can take part in a one-day “culture crash” class conducted via videophone. The trip costs $2,499, with a $850 deposit due by next Tuesday. The tour is limited to 20 travelers. For more information, write to deafwowinc@aol.com.

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READER RESPONSE
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WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW

Hi. I was deaf dog handler, too, to show my Lhasa Apso dog at Westminster Kennel Club in February 1976!!! My dog became a champion few months later. You might see the Lhasa book that the article was about me and my dog Willie. I retired from dog shows, returned back to college, got married and started family. So I was thrilled to hear another deaf dog handler again. My hat to you and your Deafweekly.

SHERRY BAXLEY-GREEN
Westminster, MD

SEEKING INFO ON DEAF INMATES IN CALIFORNIA

Hi, I am searching for list name of deaf inmates in California. I had once Deaf Life Magazine that have list name of deaf inmate group, that inmate desperate for wanting write letter to them but I lost them. I did surfed website but in California they only use phone call give name a person. Deaf Life Magazine closed down. Any idea suggestion your help would be appreciate, Thank you.

UNSIGNED
sweetwolf59@yahoo.com

BEN SOUKUP'S SALARY

Ben Soukup is just like Donald Trump, but he does not own a darn thing. He has been instrumental for many years in the development of CSD. He is worth every penny! We ought to be happy to have him among us as one of lucky ones! We are grateful for his dedication to improve the welfare of Deaf.

PAUL J. KIEL
Deaf Images Company
St. Louis, Missouri

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EMPLOYMENT
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School Psychologist - NY School for the Deaf

Immediate opening for School Psychologist 1 (10 month position). Candidate must possess NYS Certification as a School Psychologist. Successful candidate should have, or is expected to obtain, expressive & receptive ASL skills. Must be available for additional days of work beyond the normal school year. Hours are Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Some hours may flex due to programming needs. Expectation for one day to include evening hours to accommodate residential program support. Send cover letter and resume to: Superintendent, New York State School for the Deaf, 401 Turin Street, Rome, New York 13440.

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AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE - INTERPRETERS & INSTRUCTOR FOR DISABLED

F·E·G·S is one of the largest health and human services organizations in the country with a budget in excess of $230 million and 3,500+ employees in more than 300 locations throughout the New York metropolitan area. We seek experienced professionals, fluent in ASL, to work with staff and adult disabled, deaf population at our Manhattan facility on Hudson Street.

Staff Sign Language Interpreters

FT: Reports to AVP for Deaf Services, provides sign language interpreting services in a wide variety of situations and settings throughout the organization. Occasional staff training on use of sign language interpreters.

PT: Provides interpreting services for individual and group counseling sessions, meetings, and other program activities for Continuing Day Treatment Program serving deaf, chronically mentally ill clients. Must have flexibility in working with client’s personal signing styles.

INSTRUCTOR/SPECIALIST - F/T

Day Habilitation Instructor/Specialist to supervise and support deaf adults with developmental disabilities in a classroom setting. Provide group and individual instruction. Tri-state driver’s license required.

Positions require BA (or equivalent combination of education and experience) and full fluency in ASL. Prior experience working with disabled population and RID/NAD certification strongly preferred.

Generous benefits. Send resume to our HR Consultants: HR Dynamics, Inc. (DEPT. JG/ASL), 345 Hudson Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10014. E-mail: jgardner@hr-dynamics.com. Visit our website: www.fegs.org.

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Executive Director New England Homes for the Deaf

New England Homes for the Deaf seeks strong resident centered executive leader to manage its skilled nursing, assisted and independent living units in Danvers, MA. The qualified applicant should have 5 years executive experience, excellent interpersonal skills, knowledge of Federal & State regulations as well as strong financial management skills. Knowledge of American Sign Language or Deaf Culture necessary. Current NHA license or ability to become licensed required. NEHD will support the right candidate through the licensure process. Send resume to: New England Homes for the Deaf Search Committee, 154 Water Street, Danvers, MA. 01923 or info@nehomesdeaf.org.

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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.

JOB DEVELOPER/INTERPRETER - Anaheim, Norwalk
HARD OF HEARING SPECIALIST - Riverside
HIV HEALTH EDUCATOR (MSM) - Los Angeles
LIFESIGNS DIRECTOR - Los Angeles

If interested for 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 Position Announcement

Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA)

DCARA is seeking a Chief Executive Officer to build on over 40 years of continuous growth and evolution of the non-profit, community-based social service agency. DCARA serves the Deaf Community in the San Francisco Bay Area and 14 counties in Northern California. The CEO will be responsible for all aspects of the agency’s operations, programs, finances, and personnel. To see the full job announcement including information about DCARA, minimum qualifications and application process, visit http://www.dcara.org. CLOSING DATE: March 31, 2006

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PLEASE CIRCULATE AND POST
California Department of Education
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: Supervising Teacher III (FYE)
Director of Instruction
TIME BASE: Full time
LOCATION: CA School for the Deaf in Fremont
SALARY: $6,921 - $8,830 (plus $700 for R & R and $100 for sign language) monthly

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

DUTIES: Provide visionary shared leadership training, support, guidance, supervision, and direction to the Division of Instruction; provide leadership and direction to ensure school-wide consistency in management practices and adherence to school and state policies, education code and federal legislation; provide guidance in achievement testing; guide the WASC/CEASD accreditation process; work collaboratively with other school staff to facilitate coordination of services that support the instructional program; serve as a member of the school’s administrative leadership team; monitor division budget; coordinate the instructional division’s emergency response training procedures and school wide drill.

QUALIFICATIONS: Five years of experience as a classroom teacher in a program for the Deaf; three years of experience as a supervisor of teachers; fluency in ASL; fluency in standard written English and experience writing reports; Master’s degree and possession or eligibility for California credentials authorizing teaching and administrative services; knowledge of state and federal education laws; and ability to use technology effectively.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: Knowledge of professional standards for the teaching profession; skill in establishing consistent accountability practices among educational staff; ability to provide comprehensive mentoring for program supervisors; knowledge of all aspects of standard-based education and effective instructional strategies; knowledge of accreditation process; ability to model effective leadership techniques; ability to work collaboratively with staff, students, parents and the community; ability to facilitate change; knowledge of the dual language philosophy; knowledge of Deaf culture and ability to engage the Deaf community in fulfilling the mission of the school; knowledge of effective recruitment and hiring practices; skill in managing multiple tasks; ability to make effective presentations; skill in facilitating groups; ability to make decisions based on potential long-range impacts and school-wide needs.

WHO MAY APPLY: Candidates must submit a completed Faculty Application, Form SSS 100 to the Superintendent no later than April 1, 2006 or until position is filled. Applications will be screened and the most highly qualified applicants will be asked to interview. It is anticipated that interviews will be held in April, 2006.

LOCATION: California School for the Deaf
39350 Gallaudet Drive
Fremont, CA 94538
Contact: Henry Klopping, Superintendent
Telephone: (510) 794-3685 (V/TTY)
E-mail: HKlopping@csdf-cde.ca.gov

Employment provisions as outlined by the Department of Personnel Administrations State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) policy will prevail. In addition, current or future executive orders relative to filling vacant positions may also affect this process.
California Relay (Telephone) Service for the Deaf or Hearing Impaired: TDD Phones 1-800-735-2929 Voice Phones 1-800-735-2922

CALIFORNIA STATE GOVERNMENT AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ALL REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, SEX, MARTIAL STATUS, DISABILITY, RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION, AGE OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

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