deafweekly

 

February 24, 2016
Vol. 12, No. 18

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 2016 and any unauthorized use is prohibited.

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NATIONAL
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Colorado Springs, CO
WITH 'DEAF ETHICS,' FORMER GALLAUDET PROFESSOR PULLS BACK CURTAIN
Dr. Jeff Gauer is no longer content to watch the powerful abuse the powerless; on February 20, he will begin a hunger strike to protest the hypocritical and discriminatory practices of Gallaudet University. The motivation behind this protest is fully described in the e-book "Deaf Ethics," which will be available on the same day. In short, Dr. Gauer was let go from his position while on approved medical leave, based largely on what he calls "falsehoods about his performance and scholarship." / PRNewswire

Raleigh, NC
MOM OF DEAF TEEN SAYS POLICE OFFICER SAVED HER SUICIDAL DAUGHTER
The mother of a deaf teen says a North Carolina police officer saved her daughter’s life after he used sign language to help talk her off a bridge. Maria Daley says she was “terrified and didn’t know what to do” as her daughter was standing on a bridge over Interstate 40 Tuesday afternoon. She says she’s grateful for the officer who used sign language to communicate with her 16-year-old daughter until she came down off the bridge. “If the officer had not been there, she probably would have jumped,” said Daley. / WNCN

Georgetown, DE
DEAF INMATE WON'T GET COMPENSATION FOR ALLEGED LACK OF SERVICES AT DOC
A deaf former inmate is not due compensation for alleged lack of services provided by the Department of Correction during three prison stays beginning in 2010, a Superior Court Judge ruled on Monday. Earlier, the Delaware State Human Relations Commission awarded Robert Ovens undisclosed damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs regarding a complaint that the Delaware Equal Accommodations Act was violated during his incarceration at Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown, court papers said. / Delaware State News

Windsor Locks, CT
CREDIT UNION TO PAY HEARING-IMPAIRED CUSTOMER
The 360 Federal Credit Union has agreed to pay $1,500 to a customer who had complained that it would not accept his video-relay calls, which prevented him from conducting business using sign language. The settlement was reached with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The customer was not identified. / Journal Inquirer

Phoenix, AZ
LAWSUIT SEEKS IMPROVED 911 FOR THE DEAF
A federal lawsuit filed last week aims to improve access to 911 service for the estimated 82,000 Arizonans who are deaf or hard of hearing, and although the only defendants named are State of Arizona and Maricopa County officials, the plaintiffs’ legal counsel says other counties and cities are expected to be added as defendants. Currently, residents with hearing or speech problems can only seek help from a 911 call center by using special equipment or a relay service. / Sierra Vista Herald

Dallas, TX
DEAF COMMUNITY CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE SERVICE CHANGES
A decision by the state legislature last year has many in the North Texas deaf and hard of hearing community concerned about the future of state services they receive. House Bill 2463 required the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services to outsource the Independent Living Services program into private, nonprofit Centers for Independent Living. Senate Bill 200 effectively closed DARS and rolled it into the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. / NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

New Berlin, WI
BLIND, DEAF RESCUE DOG NOTICES GAS LEAK
A local dog is being hailed a hero after finding a hidden danger in a New Berlin neighborhood. The deaf and blind Lhasa Apso mix named Job sniffed out a natural gas leak while on a walk. On Brookside Parkway, he began barking and spinning in circles. Despite his lack of sight and hearing, he’d noticed something with his keen sense of smell. “He walks in a straight line. In a lot of ways, you wouldn't think he is. He's fascinated by the smell,” said James Densmore, Job’s owner. / WISN

Mansfield, CT
STUDY OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN DEAF CHILDREN REVISITS LONGSTANDING DEBATE
A team of researchers at the University of Connecticut is reexamining a decades-long debate as to whether deaf children should learn sign language to maximize their potential for optimal development. Research has shown that children born deaf frequently exhibit learning deficits and as a result, often underperform in school. Yet research on deaf children has also found children from signing families develop language, cognition, and literacy on normal timetables. / UConn Today


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INTERNATIONAL
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Montreal, QC, Canada
DEAF STUDENTS ABUSED BY PRIESTS WIN RECORD $30-MILLION SETTLEMENT
For the 150 victims, deaf and mute and severely traumatized, it took decades to come forward with their accounts of sexual abuse at the hands of the Clercs de Saint-Viateur. But they finally named the 33 priests and religious staff and five lay people who they say abused them at the Montreal Institute for the Deaf, a boarding-school for young boys run by the Clercs, and on Wednesday they were awarded $30 million – by far the largest settlement for sexual assault in Quebec history. / Montreal Gazette

Winnipeg, MB, Canada
DEAF TEAM COMPETES IN FIRST-EVER SWIMMING CANADA EVENT
Winnipeg is hosting some of the best swimmers this country has to offer, and for the first time ever the swim event will include the Canadian Deaf National Swimming Team. "I really want to do some damage on my best times," said Thomas Osborn, a member of the 4-person relay team to compete at the 2016 Speedo Western Canadian Open in Winnipeg, Feb 18-21. "I want to get in and swim fast, be with my teammates and cheer my friends on." / CBC News

Vancouver, BC, Canada
HEARING-IMPAIRED YOUTH 'MOCKED' AT SKYTRAIN
Transit Police have arrested and charged a 46-year-old woman in relation with a pair of alleged violent assaults on SkyTrain. Police said that on Feb. 17 a woman and a senior man were assaulted after intervening in the apparent “mocking” abuse of a group of hearing-impaired youth. A group of young students who were deaf and hard-of-hearing boarded the train and began communicating to one another in sign language. The woman moved very close to the group and began to mock the young people who appeared nervous and frightened. It was then that the two people intervened and were allegedly assaulted. / Vancouver 24 hrs

Belfast, Ireland
DEAF WOMAN ALLEGEDLY RAPED IN BELFAST CARAVAN
Police claimed one of the pair had manipulated and coerced her into getting a taxi to the traveller site in west Belfast. The woman has also alleged her drink may have been spiked during the incident on the Glen Road early last Friday. David Spence, 18, and Francis Gavin, 23, appeared before magistrates in the city on Monday, accused of carrying out the sex attack. Both men deny charges of rape, insisting all contact with the woman in her thirties was consensual. / UTV

Belfast, Ireland
DEAF UNIT AT SCHOOL IS RANSACKED AND ROBBED BY BURGLAR
A heartless thief trashed a specialist unit for hearing-impaired children during a break-in at an east Belfast primary school. Staff at Cregagh Primary School were described as "downhearted and upset" after the break-in was discovered yesterday morning. Computer equipment and iPads were stolen, desks were overturned and children's artwork was ripped from the walls. The thief also stole money pupils had saved to go on an educational visit to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. / Belfast Telegraph

London, England
DEAF MAN CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL COCHLEAR IMPLANT DAY
A deaf former-electrical engineer from Hampton who was fitted with life-changing cochlear implants 18 months ago will be celebrating International Cochlear Implant day on February 25. Peter Rogers, 68, had to continually ask the registrar to repeat the marriage vows during his wedding to wife Sandra, due to his otosclerosis, diagnosed in 1974. But Mr Rogers had an implant fitted at London’s UCLH in 2012 and said the surgery has been a greater success than he ever imagined. / This is Local London

Australia
DISNEY ON ICE SLAMMED BY DEAF FAMILIES AFTER BACKTRACK ON AUSLAN INTERPRETERS
It's hard not to feel sad hearing Mai Kelly talk about raising her eight-year-old daughter Zara, who is deaf. "We have to fight for everything. We have to fight for equal access and equal opportunities for our children, from education to after-school care." Everything is a test - from everyday communication to the big things such as equal education. So it's unsurprising the revelation that Disney Australia will not provide Auslan interpreters for popular school-aged production Disney On Ice has left the deaf community reeling. / The Sydney Morning Herald

Kingston, Jamaica
DEAF JAMAICAN-BORN LAWYER HAILS PASSAGE OF DISABILITIES ACT
Deaf Jamaican-born lawyer Claudia Gordon has hailed the passage of the Disabilities Act and called on Jamaicans to ensure that the legislation achieves its objectives of ensuring full inclusion and participation of disabled people in the society. “The passing of the Disabilities Act is a proud moment in our history. For the first time in Jamaica, a law was passed to say that the time has come for persons with disabilities to be fully included in society,” she said. / Jamaica Observer

Kingston, Jamaica
DEAF BRITISH MAN SENTENCED FOR GANJA
A British national who pleaded guilty to drug charges in court on Wednesday credited his hearing disability and unemployment as the reasons he committed the crimes. Robert Giscombe pleaded guilty to possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, and taking steps preparatory to export ganja. According to the police, in January, the British man's suitcase was searched when he was at the Norman Manley International Airport about to board a flight to London, England, and 16 parcels of what appeared to be ganja were found. / Jamaica Star

Bangkok, Thailand
BOOK OF SIGNS TO HELP DEAF TECH STUDENTS
The Office of Vocational Education Commission is to release a sign language dictionary for hard-of-hearing students studying technical courses. The office has commissioned Ratchasuda College at Mahidol University to translate industrial and technical words and phrases into sign language and then compile a dictionary to be distributed to hard-of-hearing vocational students. Ratchasuda College provides educational opportunities and training programs for people with disabilities. / Bangkok Post

Chennai, India
HEARING-IMPAIRED DIES DURING STIR
E Kuppuswami, 67, would have been like many others who glance through news reports on the ongoing protests by persons with disabilities (PwD). What brought him to Chennai on Wednesday to participate in the protest was a road accident 10 years ago that ruined his hearing. He travelled to take part in one of the strongest protests by the PwD community demanding their rights. On Wednesday night, where police shifted the protesting PwDs, it was there that he suffered severe chest pain. He died early Thursday in the hospital. / The New Indian Express


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LIFE & LEISURE
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Minneapolis, MN
COUPLE LEARN TO COMMUNICATE IN NEW WAYS AS HUSBAND'S HEARING FADES
We had just finished watching a mystery thriller on TV. It was somewhat disturbing, but not memorable. What was memorable was my husband’s reaction. Bob was crying, his shoulders shaking. “What, what?” I asked, surprised and alarmed. The movie wasn’t that moving. He said, “It hurts. My hearing, my not hearing. The way you treat me.” This movie had no subtitles, and Bob frequently interrupted our viewing with “What?” when he missed some dialogue. I had reacted with angry impatience because answering him meant missing more dialogue. As if it mattered so much. / Star Tribune

Olean, NY
PROFESSOR SHARES LOVE FOR FURRY ASSISTANT
David McCormick just woke up one day and couldn’t hear a thing. While he was born deaf in his left ear, for most of his adult life he was still able to appreciate conversation and music with a fully functioning right ear. “Being deaf in one ear had its own problems, but at least I was engaged with my environment,” said McCormick, who admittedly once felt isolated — even suicidal — but has since become fulfilled as an adjunct ASL professor at Jamestown Community College’s Olean campus with help from his beloved service dog, Cheyenne. / Olean Times Herald

Eureka, OR
A FAITHFUL COMPANION
A small dog named Wes is making a big difference in the life of a local woman who is hard of hearing. “People who are losing their hearing … start to depend a lot on other people. I’d rather not do that until I have to,” said Michele Olsen, who lives in Arcata with her husband, Rollie Lamberson. Olsen first learned about “hearing dogs” — assistance animals for people who have hearing loss or deafness — from a woman she met who had a service canine from Dogs for the Deaf. / Times-Standard

Peoria, IL
FIFTH GRADERS USE RECESS TO LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE FOR DEAF CLASSMATE
Rhemy Elsey was born deaf, and though he has hearing aids, the fifth grader primarily uses ASL and an interpreter to communicate with others. Rhemy’s classmates at Mark Bills Middle School in Peoria, Illinois, wanted to figure out a way to include him in more of their conversations, so they came up with a plan: Learn ASL during recess. The whole class recites the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in ASL, but about a dozen students took things a step further to form the school’s ASL club, which meets every Wednesday during recess. / The Mighty

Leesburg, VA
DEAF MAN RECEIVES TOUCHING NOTE FROM STARBUCKS BARISTA
A Virginia man's Facebook post is creating some Internet buzz after he shared a note from a Starbucks employee who offered a kind gesture. Ibby Piracha, who is deaf, told ABC News that he was surprised Friday morning to be greeted by the familiar barista with sign language. Piracha, 23, said the female barista handed him a note that read, "I've been learning ASL just so you can have the same experience as everyone else." Piracha posted a picture of the kind words to Facebook, where it received over 2,000 “shares.” / ABC News


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WORKING WORLD
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Gooding, ID
ENROLLMENT SURGING BUT NEW TEACHERS HARD TO FIND FOR SCHOOL FOR DEAF, BLIND
A Gooding-based state agency is identifying and helping more Idaho children who have hearing or vision challenges. To keep up with an enrollment boost, Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and the Blind wants more state money to hire employees. But there’s a shortage of qualified teachers — a nationwide problem, school leaders said Thursday during an annual report to the Idaho Board of Education in Boise. / Twin Falls Times-News

Tulsa, OK
HAPPY HANDS PROVIDES EDUCATION AND LANGUAGE FOUNDATION FOR YOUNG DEAF STUDENTS
Cindy and Brad Wells thought they were prepared to care for their new daughter, Ani, when they adopted her from China in 2012. She was considered special needs because of some minor physical issues, and they were ready for the medical attention that would be required. “What rocked our world was, after we spent time with our new daughter, we noticed she was not hearing normally,” Cindy Wells said. “We had no way to formally communicate with her.” / Tulsa World

Rochester, NY
$3 MILLION GRANT TO ASSESS HEALTH INFORMATION BETWEEN DEAF AND HEARING INDIVIDUALS
Health information can be difficult to understand for anyone, but it is especially difficult for deaf individuals who may struggle with information and health care marginalization. A grant from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders is looking to change that. The five-year, $3 million grant will assess key differences in attitudes, knowledge and skills related to health information between deaf and hearing individuals by incorporating cutting edge technology to assess health information, and will interpret the patterns of those seeking access to health information in the deaf population. / News-Medical.net


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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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West Hartford, CT
KIDS AT THE AMERICAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF FEEL THE BEAT AND MOVE THEIR FEET
The students at the American School for the Deaf learned some impressive moves on Wednesday. During a dance workshop the music was turned up loud so they could find their rhythm, especially since they couldn't hear the beat. Kym Nash, the dance instructor who owns FarmingtonDANCE, also re-engineered the music to pump up the base so students could literally feel the music through the floor, or hear a frequency through their cochlear implants. / FOX 61

San Antonio, TX
THE PLAYHOUSE SAN ANTONIO REACHES OUT TO DEAF AUDIENCES
Robert Cardoza and Karen Elliot weren’t cast in The Playhouse San Antonio staging of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” but they will play an important role in the show on Saturday. Thanks to a partnership between the theater and San Antonio College, Cardoza and Elliot will be stationed in their own spotlight at stage left that evening, offering American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for hearing impaired audience members. / San Antonio Express-News


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SPORTS
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Elk Point, SD
DEAF ATHLETE MAKES NOISE ON THE COURT
Eighteen years ago, Connor Henze lost his ability to hear when he got sick as a newborn. Now, the senior on Elk Point Jefferson's basketball team says if anyone wants to tell him he can't do something, he's just not listening. At 6 foot 6 Elk Point Jefferson starting center Connor Henze is an imposing player on the basketball court. The team's leading rebounder gives husky fans reasons to cheer. But he can't hear them. Because Connor has been deaf since he was 3 months old. / KMEG

Edgewood Park, WA
SEAHAWKS STAR KEARSE VISITS WASHINGTON SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
Students at Washington School for the Deaf welcomed a very special guest last week when Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver Jermaine Kearse paid a visit. Kearse is known for his involvement with local youth, particularly 15 to 1 Foundation. 15 to 1 was founded by Kearse with the mission as stated on the organization’s website, “to support and inspire youth in military families to work hard, persevere and believe in order to overcome adversity and find success through positive choices, experiences and opportunity.” / The Columbian


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EMPLOYMENT
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You can advertise your job openings here for just $20 a week (up to 100 words, 10 cents each add'l word). To place your ad, send the announcement to mail@deafweekly.com.

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DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH PROGRAMS

The Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), located in Colorado Springs, Colorado invites you to consider our employment opportunities. Applications are being accepted for Director of Outreach Programs.

Interested persons are invited to visit CSDB's website at http://www.csdb.org/careers-2/classified-3/ where the official job announcement may be found.

Full-Time; 260 days (July through June) beginning 2016-2017.
Salary: Base salary shall be based upon appropriate qualifications

Contact information:
Chelle Lutz, Human Resources
Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
33 North Institute Street; Colorado Springs, CO 80903
clutz@csdb.org; 719-578-2114; 719-578-2239 (fax)

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Advocates in Framingham, MA is Hiring!

Advocates is seeking talented professionals to join our team, providing health services within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community.

Clinical Program Manager:  Perform functions of Direct Care Counselor, program supervision/direction.
• Qualifications: MA; or BA/BS and 3 years’ experience.

Community Crisis Stabilization Clinician:  Provide mental health and substance abuse services.
• Qualifications: BA and 2 years’ experience. 

Direct Care Counselor: Supervise daily activities, provide support/guidance/role modeling. All shifts available!
• Qualifications: BA/BS; or HS diploma/GED and 1 year experience.

Mobile Clinician: Provide clinical supervision and rehabilitative direction to individuals who carry a diagnosis of mental illness, assist in the coordination of services, provide clinical leadership.
• Qualifications: MA and 1 year experience; or BA/BS and 3 years’ experience.

Minimum Qualifications Include:
• ASL fluency.
• Valid driver's license/reliable transportation.
• Related education (as applicable).

Visit www.advocates.org/careers to apply today!
Advocates is an EOE/D/F/M/V.

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Come Work With The Best!

Northeast Arc
has full and part-time positions, working with adult individuals who are deaf, available in Lynn, Salem, Swampscott and Beverly, MA. You'll be working with deaf individuals using various communication skills including gestural, written and Signed English. Do you know ASL? If so, I'd like to speak with you about our direct care positions. We offer an excellent benefits package, paid trainings and the support you will need to become a successful part of our experienced, long-term team of professionals. For additional information or to send your resume, please email Kathy Tracy Ktracy@ne-arc.org.

Compensation: $12 for per diem shifts and $14 for PT/FT shifts.

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PAHRTNERS DEAF SERVICES
A Division of Salisbury Behavioral Health

PAHrtners Deaf Services is a dynamic team of behavioral health professionals serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and adults. Our environment is one of incredible teamwork and mutual support with a staff comprised of 85% Deaf or Hard of Hearing. As a result of our commitment to the Deaf/HoH community, PAHrtners is rapidly growing with the creation of new programs and expansion of our existing programs. Whether you are a high school graduate, recent college graduate or professional with many years of experience in the field of human services, we have a career building position waiting for you! E.O.E.

PAHrtners Deaf Services is in collaboration with Green Tree School & Services to open a school program for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students with additional needs in Philadelphia, PA

-- POSITIONS AVAILABLE AT GREEN TREE SCHOOL & SERVICES IN PHILADELPHIA, PA

Special Education Teacher Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Full-time

Para-educator Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Full-time

Staff Interpreter
Full-time, Part-time or Flex available

Behavior Manager/ Behavior Management Assistant
Full-time

-- PITTSBURGH, PA POSTIONS AVAILABLE

Residential Counselor for Deaf Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Various positions available (Full-time, Part-time, On-call)

-- GLENSIDE, PA POSTIONS AVAILABLE

Therapist/Rehabilitation Counselor
Full-time

Administrative Assistant
Full-time

Assistant Program Director for Case Management Program
Full-time

Case Managers
Full-time

Residential Counselor
Various Shifts Available

Staff Interpreter
Full-time, Part-time or Flex available

Complete job descriptions can be found on our website: http://www.pahrtners.com/careers/

To apply for any of the positions posted, please send your letter of intent and resume to:

Bernadette Class, Office Manager
PAHrtners Deaf Services
614 N. Easton Road
Glenside, PA 19038
Email: bclass@pahrtners.com
Phone: 215-884-9770 Fax: 215-392-6065

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