Deafweekly March 3, 2010

deafweekly

March 3, 2010
Vol. 6, 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 2010 and any unauthorized use is prohibited. Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive Deafweekly.

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Last issue's most-read story: TWO FORMER EXECUTIVES OF VRS COMPANY PLEAD GUILTY TO DEFRAUDING FCC PROGRAM / PR Newswire
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NATIONAL
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Akron, OH
DEAF JUROR SHOULD HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED IN DROWNING TRIAL, OHIO SUPREME COURT RULES
The Ohio Supreme Court ruled today that a judge should have excused a deaf juror in a murder case involving a Fairlawn man. The court's decision means a new trial will be held for Scott Speer, who was accused of murdering his friend, James Barnett of Barberton. Barnett, 39, drowned in Lake Erie after falling off -- or, as prosecutors alleged, being pushed from -- a boat into choppy nighttime waters near Port Clinton. The 6th District Court of Appeals concluded he didn't receive a fair trial because a hearing-impaired woman was on the jury and she couldn't fully comprehend the vocal nuances in Speer's 911 call, a key piece of evidence in the case. / Akron Beacon Journal

Washington, D.C.
FCC REAFFIRMS RULES AND POLICIES OF VIDEO RELAY SERVICE
Last Thursday, as a step toward comprehensive reform of Video Relay Service (VRS), the Commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau issued a Declaratory Ruling to reaffirm the FCC’s rules and policies concerning VRS reimbursement and calling practices, and maximize efficiency and effectiveness of this program to ensure that the communications needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers are met. Bureau Chief Joel Gurin said: “Today’s action is a first step in fixing a system that is broken. It is essential to keep VRS on a sound footing." / FCC News

Rocklin, CA
PURPLE FILES EMERGENCY STAY REQUEST AND EVALUATES OPTIONS BASED ON RISK OF INSOLVENCY
Purple Communications, Inc. has filed an Emergency Stay Request and Application for Review with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in order to grant the company due process regarding the FCC's withholding of funds owed to Purple. Absent an immediate release of funds, Purple will soon be insolvent, forcing either a bankruptcy proceeding or liquidation of Purple. A liquidation of Purple would result in a loss of more than 1,000 jobs, a significant percentage of which are held by deaf or hard of hearing employees and the termination of all relay- and on-site interpreting services provided to the deaf community. / Purple

Detroit, MI
DETROIT BUS HITS, KILLS WOMAN DURING SAFETY TEST-DRIVE
A Detroit city worker test-driving a bus for safety hit and killed a woman today on the city's west side, according to police. Killed was Ethel Davis, 49, a woman known as Miss Jazz to those who lived in her neighborhood a couple of blocks from where she died at Livernois and Courtland. "All of this is a shock," said her niece Shonda Jones, 31, of Detroit. Born deaf, Davis didn't work but was very involved with her family, who are devastated about the accident, Jones said. / Detroit Free Press

New York, NY
COPS NAB AIDE IN ALLEGED SEX ATTACK ON MAN AT HOSPITAL
Cops have arrested an employee at Kings County Hospital's new psychiatric unit on charges of raping a disabled male patient in the shower, the Daily News has learned. Sources said the victim is developmentally disabled, deaf and mute. He reported the sexual attack two weeks ago to relatives, who notified hospital staff. Larry Taylor, 30, was charged last Wednesday with a forcible sex act and sex abuse. / NY Daily News

Pocatello, ID
MAN PLACED ON PROBATION FOR LEWD CONDUCT WITH 6-YEAR-OLD
A local man convicted of felony lewd conduct was placed on probation Monday after successfully completing a six-month prison diversionary program. Daniel Lloyd, 34, was sentenced to a five-year fixed, five-year indeterminate sentence by now-retired Sixth District Judge Peter D. McDermott in August. McDermott placed Lloyd in the retained jurisdiction program -- also known as a rider -- for six months so the underlying criminal behavior could be addressed in a boot camp-like setting. Lloyd’s counsel at his sentencing had expressed concern that his client, who is deaf, would do poorly in the rider and in prison due to his hearing impairment. / Idaho State Journal

Buffalo, NY
MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ALTERING LOTTERY TICKET
A Buffalo, New York, man has admitted he altered a Mega Millions lottery ticket to make it look he'd won a $252 million jackpot. The New York Lottery last Thursday announced that 26-year-old Yann Spindler of Buffalo, entered a plea of guilty to charges of attempted Grand Larceny in the fourth degree, in connection with an altered Mega Millions ticket Spindler presented at the Lottery's Buffalo Customer Service Center on August 26, 2009. Upon his arrest, Spindler, a 2002 graduate of the New York State School for the Deaf, told police he altered the ticket because he wanted money to open a school for the deaf. / Lottery Post

Dayton, OH
FAMILY SERVICES ASSOCIATION SETTLES DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT
Family Services Association, Inc., a Dayton-based community service provider, has agreed to settle a disability discrimination filed on behalf of a former employee who is hearing impaired, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Monday. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in September 2008, charged that FSA refused to promote Deron Emmons because of his disability. The FSA made Emmons “an inferior and disingenuous offer” to be director of Community Services for the Deaf “under terms he could not accept,” according to a statement released by the EEOC. / Dayton Daily News

Sioux Falls, SD
CSD RAISES OVER $10K FOR HAITI DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS
CSD, the nation’s largest deaf and hard of hearing service organization, announced today it will be sending over $10,000 to two separate Haiti entities to assist them in serving their deaf, hard of hearing and other disabled population in the wake of Haiti’s recent national disaster. Employees from around the nation participated in this fundraiser in various capacities, either by simply donating cash or buying “Jeans for Haiti” coupons, which allowed staff to wear jeans for one day; purchasing Candygrams with flowers for their fellow coworkers; buying custom-made Valentines for office friends and colleagues; and several other means. / CSD

Warwick, RI
R.I. SCHOOL FOR DEAF FACULTY LACKING QUALIFICATIONS
The entire faculty of the Rhode Island School for the Deaf -- about 35 teachers -- has been put on notice that they will be laid off at the end of the school year if they do not meet the professional qualifications required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act. For many years, the state has required a certification for teachers of deaf and hard-of-hearing students that emphasizes special skills in communication but does not address particular areas of academic study. But the No Child Left Behind Act, enacted in 2002, requires certified teachers to have expertise in the content areas in which they teach, whether it be English, math, history or the sciences. / The Providence Journal

Council Bluffs, IA
MOTHER BATTLING FOR DEAF DAUGHTER'S SAFETY
When Maggie Wittland and her husband found out that their little girl Hannah was partially deaf and suffering from significant hearing loss, Maggie says it came as a shock. "I have to admit that when we found out, it was probably our darkest day," she says. But since the realization, the couple says they've grown even closer to their youngest daughter. It's one reason Maggie wants to see a Deaf Child sign placed on her Council Bluffs street. "All I'm asking for is a sign to have drivers be aware that there is a child with limited hearing," she says. / KPTYM FOX 42

See also: CITY REVERSES STANCE ON 'DEAF CHILD' SIGNAGE / Daily Nonpareil

Pompano Beach, FL
PARENTS: POMPANO PRESCHOOL LEAVES DEAF KIDS IN THE DARK
When Latrice Safford first brought her son to Baby Boomers International Preschool in Pompano Beach last August, she noticed some strange things about the classroom. There was no chalkboard, no desks, no alphabet poster on the wall. But the worst part, she says, was that the teacher didn't speak sign language. Safford's 4-year-old son, Jermeko Harris, is deaf. He can put on his shoes, use the potty, and warm up Hot Pockets in the microwave. But he can't hear what his teacher is saying, and it leaves him endlessly frustrated. / New Times

Orlando, FL
ASL MINOR AND CERTIFICATE SUSPENDED
With too many students flooding too few classes, the University of Central Florida's Department of Communicative Disorders has suspended the American Sign Language certificate and minor for the first time since its commencement in 2004. The suspension was a departmental decision based on insufficiency of resources, according to Jane Lieberman, chair of the department. / Central Florida Future

Des Moines, IA
DEAF SERVICES COMMISSION OF IOWA CELEBRATES 35 YEARS
Deaf Services Commission of Iowa (DSCI) of the Iowa Department of Human Rights is proud to announce an enhanced, newly designed Web site featuring information in American Sign Language (ASL) and access to Commission services through new videophone technology. Access to language is a basic human right, and providing critical information to deaf persons in their native language greatly enhances understanding. DSCI is committed to providing information in ASL, allowing Deaf citizens to access news that most people learn about incidentally. / Business Wire

Washington, DC
PETITION: REQUIRE SUBTITLES ON ALL AIRLINE CARRIERS!
The Association for Airline Passenger Rights (AAPR) on February 18 called on the U.S. Department of Transportation to require commercial air carriers to provide closed-caption or subtitles on all in-flight entertainment for the deaf and hard-of-hearing passengers. While DOT requires that captioning be available on all safety and information related videos, it does not enforce the same accessibility standard for in-flight entertainment, such as movies and television shows. Said Brandon M. Macsata, AAPR Executive Director: “This requirement would not only uphold the spirit of the law, it would also demonstrate a commitment by the airlines to improve customer service for all passengers.” / Petition Spot

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INTERNATIONAL
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Christchurch, New Zealand
FRAUDSTER NETS $130,000 FROM DEAF COMMUNITY
A deaf Christchurch fraudster who sent text messages pretending she was mortgage magnate Mike Pero defrauded more than $130,000 ($90,230 US) from Christchurch's deaf community. Christine Doreen Ticehurst, 40, stole $84,000 ($58,300 US) from deaf couple Debra Jamieson and Michael King by pretending to assist them build a house. Ticehurst has pleaded guilty to two charges of obtaining by deception and is due to be sentenced in the Christchurch District Court on March 8. Ticehurst is thought to have at least 12 victims in the deaf community. / The Press

London, England
A DEAF TEENAGE MUSICIAN PERFORMS FOR PRINCE EDWARD
A student from Bridgend will be performing in front of royalty on Tuesday evening. Lloyd Coleman, 17, is part of the orchestra at the prestigious Chetham's School of Music in Manchester. Playing at London's Royal Festival Hall in the presence of Prince Edward might seem intimidating but Lloyd is used to big challenges, having been born deaf and visually impaired. Lloyd says he finds it easier to hear music than speech. / BBC News (non-captioned video)

Sunderland, England
SICK BOMB PRANK DEAFENS TODDLER
A toddler has been left deaf in one ear after a joke toy pushed through a letterbox exploded in her face. Police were forced to seal off a street after the Bomb Bag, posted by pranksters, went off in the family's home. Two-year-old Keira Tasker has been left traumatized by the incident, while mum Louise Fleetham is now calling for the bags to be banned. / Sunderland Echo

London, England
CLINICALLY DEAF COHEN SIGNS UP TO HELP HARD OF HEARING
Ben Cohen, the Sale and England wing who is clinically deaf, is helping to publicise a series of video clips of signing for rugby players. The signs for such words and phrases as tackle, pass, attack, scrummage and first aid are designed for coaches to communicate better with deaf and hard-of-hearing players and can be seen at www.ndcs.org.uk/rfu. Cohen spoke about his deafness for the first time in a national newspaper in The Independent on Sunday last month. / The Independent

Manchester, England
DEAF CHILDREN 'BEING FAILED BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES'
Almost two-thirds of local authorities in England are failing deaf children and their families, research suggests. The University of Manchester study of 57 authorities found 60% did not view deaf children as "children in need", despite being defined as such in law. The report, for the National Deaf Children's Society, said deaf children were 3.4 times more likely to be abused and 40% had mental health problems. / BBC News

Hereford, England
DEAF WOMAN MISSING
Police are extremely concerned for the welfare of a "very vulnerable" Hereford woman who went missing while night. Suzanne Andrews, who is deaf and has diabetes, was last seen leaving the St Owen's Centre about 6 pm last Friday. It is understood that the 42-year-old would have started walking home -- a journey of about 30 minutes -- but the alarm was raised when she failed to return home. A full missing persons investigation has now been launched. / Hereford Times

Burwood, Australia
WHEN BLUFFING FALLS ON DEAF EARS
The felt table will be an even playing field for the NSW Deaf Championship where your best asset is a mean poker face. Sokong Kim, founding member of Deaf Poker Australia, organised the first Australian Deaf Poker Championship in August, 2009, and he said the response was overwhelming. “We attracted 88 players from across Australia in the first ever championship,” Mr Kim said. “The atmosphere was excellent and the Australian Poker League was impressed.” Mr Kim hopes for a similar response at the state championship. Players must have some form of hearing loss and understand Australian Sign Language (Auslan) to compete. / Inner West Courier

Jerusalem, Israel
DEAF-BLIND CELEBRANTS FEEL PURIM SPIRIT AT UNIQUE PARTY
They couldn’t see or hear, but that didn’t stop some 30 deaf and blind celebrants from enjoying a unique Purim party in the capital last Monday night. The Beth David Deaf-Blind Center, located at the Helen Keller House in Tel Aviv’s Yad Eliahu neighborhood, held its annual Purim fest in conjunction with Jerusalem’s Association of the Deaf in Israel. In addition to the 30 deaf-blind individuals, 40 deaf people attended the party, which included a professional dance performance, a pantomime show and a costume competition. / Jerusalem Post

Worcester, South Africa
COPS TRAP PEDOPHILE SUSPECT
A suspected pedophile was set to appear in court on Monday after cops busted him in an undercover operation involving the chat site MXit. The man faces several charges including indecent exposure and sexual harassment after he allegedly sent nude pictures of himself to a deaf Southern Cape child. Detectives swooped on the 41-year-old suspect last Thursday when he went to meet his 12-year-old victim at a mall. The hard-of-hearing man made quite a racket in the Parow Police Station, denying that he sent the pictures. "I didn't do it! I didn't do it! I will kill myself!" he screamed while clutching his tiny black dog close to his chest. / Independent Online

Nigeria
HELP I AM DEAF AND DUMB
He sits at the end of a bridge that I cross daily on my way to work. A board hangs on his neck with the legend, ‘Help I am deaf and dump.’ But shamelessly, I am more vexed by his malapropism than by his malady. Yet now that I write this, I wonder if in some odd, wondrous way, he has not stumbled upon a perfect label for his condition: a deaf mute in the dump, abandoned by family and society. I have never given him a dime and it is not because I don’t give a damn. He greets me, I greet him and part of my morning ritual is done. / NEXT

Dubai, UAE
EVERY COIN COUNTS IN BID TO HELP DEAF AND MUTE TODDLER
"A can of hope... a Dirham for Enzo" campaign was launched on last Friday at McDonald’s Al Bustan Centre to help a deaf and mute two-year-old boy Enzo Puras get a hearing aid implant in his brain, which will enable him to hear normally. While treatment is possible in the form of cochlear implant surgery and rehabilitation, the biggest obstacle Enzo’s parents Wayne and Rowena Puras are facing is a financial one. The treatment, offered by American Hospital in Dubai, costs Dh216,000 ($58,800 US). The Filipino family has raised Dh70,000 ($19,000 US) for it, but faces the Herculean task of collecting the rest of the amount. / Khaleej Times

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Keith Wann's ASL Comedy Tour 2010

Keith Wann, renowned for his hilarious, sidesplitting comedy performances, is now producing and hosting the ASL Comedy Tour 2010, 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.

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LIFE & LEISURE
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Munich, Germany
DEAFINITE STYLE: NOT YOUR FATHER'S HEARING AID
Tired of the same old, boring hearing aid? Over-ear pieces getting in the way of your glasses or sense of style? Design Affairs has come up with a hearing aid molded to look like the ear tunnels that are growing in popularity again. The microphone, usually placed in an in-ear mold or looped around the back of the ear, is instead placed inside a piece of body jewelry. A small, clear receiver is placed inside the ear, similar to the one found in a standard hearing aid. / Walyou

San Diego, CA
SPEAKING OR SIGNING, IT'S THE SAME TO YOUR BRAIN
Language is created in the same areas of the brain, regardless of whether a person speaks English or uses American Sign Language to communicate, new research found. The discovery suggests that something about language is universal and doesn't depend on whether people use their voices or their hands to talk. Two centers in the brain have long been associated with verbal communication. But now scientists have found the brain areas might be tied to language, no matter whether it's spoken or signed. / MSNBC

Cambridge, MA
PAINKILLERS 'RAISE DEAFNESS RISK'
Popping painkillers such as paracetamol on a regular basis can increase the danger of going deaf, new research has revealed. Taking paracetamol at least twice a week doubles the risk of mild to severe deafness before the age of 50. Other painkillers, including aspirin and ibuprofen, are also linked to hearing loss, the American researchers found. Led by scientists at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the US, the study, over a period of 24 years, involved a total of 26,000 men, reports The Daily Express. / OneIndia

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callVRS is exercising the freedom of choice! How about you?

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WORKING WORLD
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Mount Dora, FL
LAKE COUNTY NAMES TEACHER OF THE YEAR
A thunder of applause was clearly heard Saturday night for an instructor for the deaf after she was announced as Lake County Teacher of the Year. Lori Westphal teaches the deaf and hard of hearing at Rimes Early Learning and Literacy Center in Leesburg. She seemed just as happy and stunned about the honor she received Saturday at Lake Receptions in Mount Dora as she did in January when Superintendent Susan Moxley strolled into her class and announced her as one of the three finalists. / Daily Commercial

Salt Lake City, UT
THE VRS INTERPRETING INSTITUTE WELCOMES EDUCATOR DANIEL GILE
Dr. Daniel Gile, internationally renowned educator in spoken language interpreting and interpreting research and education, will visit the VRS Interpreting Institute (VRSII) March 2-4, 2010. The VRSII is housed at Sorenson Communications' headquarters in Salt Lake City. The VRSII and Salt Lake Community College are working together to facilitate Gile’s trip to Utah, which will include a visit to the VRSII to teach interpreter educators about models and methods of interpreter education. / Business Wire

Romney, WV
140 YEARS: LANDMARK ANNIVERSARY FOR DEAF, BLIND SCHOOL
With the 140th anniversary of the creation of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and Blind just a week away, one instructor says it's mind-boggling to think about the changes she's seen on campus just in her lifetime. Mary Ennis Kesler, 30, said she sometimes tries to explain to her students just how much cell phone text-messaging, the Internet and other technology have changed life for people with hearing impairments. "We have access to the whole world now," said Kesler. / 59 WVNS

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Do you have a defective cochlear implant?

Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. is a leading plaintiffs’ litigation law firm. We are expanding our litigation against Advanced Bionics related to defective cochlear implants implanted in children and adults. Some clients have suffered multiple surgeries due to a defective implant being surgically removed and replaced with a second defective implant that later failed. If you or your child has been implanted with a defective cochlear implant, we encourage you to contact us. We have a Deaf attorney and VP available. To find out more, please click here and follow instructions on the screen or go to www.weitzlux.com/failed-cochlear-implants_1937570.html.

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QuestFest Returns March 1-14

QuestFest 2010, the premier international visual theatre festival produced by Quest in partnership with Gallaudet University in Washington, will return to the Baltimore/Washington area March 1-14, 2010, with a two-week long festival of performances and workshops in venues and schools throughout the area.

The festival will feature an array of family-friendly, cutting-edge work that welcomes all people to the fascinating world of visual theatre. Audiences can expect cutting edge performances that have been described as ‘breathtaking,’ ‘inspiring,’ and ‘profound.’

For further information about the performances and tickets for the shows, visit www.questfest.org.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Washington, DC
FCC ANNOUNCES NEW CLOSED CAPTIONED COMPLAINT RULES
Consumers can now file complaints directly with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), thanks to new closed captioning complaint rules by the FCC effective February 19, 2010. These new closed captioning rules, requested by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and consumer groups in 2004, make it easier for consumers to report closed caption problems. When you see a television program that has no captions, missing captions, delayed captions, captions that are garbled, displayed too fast, or unreadable, please file a complaint with the FCC. / NAD

New York, NY
PERFORMERS' SENSE OF PRIDE: THE DEAF SING, ACT IN BROOKLYN OPEN MIC SHOW
It's where deaf performers go to be heard. An open mic night for the hearing-impaired in Bay Ridge has been drawing standing-room-only crowds that come to see deaf comedians and poets, plus musicians who sing with sign interpreters. "It's a place for our community to come together," said event co-host Steve Martinez, 31, an amateur comic from Jackson Heights who has been deaf since birth. "It feels good to come out and see deaf entertainers." Martinez, a photographer, produces the monthly Deaf Appreciation Night at Circles Canteena on Fifth Ave., with sign language interpreter Mandie Muscato, 26. / NY Daily News

Mount Pleasant, MI
CONCERT FOR HEARING IMPAIRED BRINGS 500
Music is a universal language, and Sean Forbes has found a way to reach even the hearing impared. Forbes, 28, is a co-founder of Deaf Professional Artists Network. The Network hosted a concert last Tuesday night in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium, together with Central Michigan University’s branch of the American Sign Language. About 500 students and members of the hearing impaired community attended and watched a presentation by Forbes, several of his music videos and a live musical signing performance. / Central Michigan Life

Salt Lake City, UT
NEW VIDEO CONTEST ANNOUNCED BY SORENSON COMMUNICATIONS
Sorenson Communications yesterday announced its sponsorship of the first-ever “Express Yourself” Video Contest. “Sorenson recognizes the power of visual communication -- especially the power inherent in sign language,” notes Ron Burdett, Sorenson Communications Vice President of Community Relations. “The goal of the contest is to encourage the creation of video content that contains sign language, is deaf-related, or contains representations of deaf culture.” There are three categories for entrants: under 18 years of age; 18 years of age or older; and Sorenson employee. / Business Wire

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INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY FOR ASL AND INTERPRETER TRAINING PROGRAMS!

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SPORTS
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Clearwater, FL
PHILLIES PROSPECT GILLIES BEATING THE ODDS
Barring injury, Tyson Gillies, 21, could become one of the game's most compelling success stories of the new decade. And if you only watch from a distance, you won't know one of the biggest reasons why. Gillies was born with significant hearing impairment in both ears, the result of dead nerves in his cochlea. He must wear Bluetooth-sized hearing aids. He is legally deaf. / FoxSports

Carrollton, TX
DEAF CARROLLTON SCHOOL'S DIVING COACH TEACHES SUCCESS
The water in the makeshift hot tub burns. Genette Bergman sees the steam rise as if it's a boiling pot and refuses to hop in and loosen up for her first dive at morning practice. Her coach, Eric Ognibene, finds this hilarious. "I try to teach them mental relaxation," he says. "Best way to do it? Laugh." Laugh. Have fun. Perhaps it seems too good to be true, especially when Ognibene says this attitude, plus the pool, helped him accept his deafness. / Dallas Morning News

New Orleans, LA
TULANE SWIMMER KRISTIN ATES HASN'T LET BEING DEAF KEEP HER FROM WINNING
The sun was not yet up Tuesday in New Orleans, and Kristin Ates, a slim 18-year-old with long, shiny brown hair, was decked out in Tulane swimming gear, sitting on the deck of the Reily Center natatorium waiting to begin her final practice before heading to Houston this week for the Conference USA Swimming and Diving Championships. Nerves clearly were setting in for the freshman, a walk-on who was just 24 hours from getting her first taste of college championship swimming. A few times during idle pre-practice chatter, she was startled by a few loud noises. You'd never know she was deaf. / The Times-Picayune

Washington, DC
DEAF RUBIK GROUP FROM GALLAUDET COMPETES AT DREXEL AND MIT RUBIK COMPETITIONS
A group of Gallaudet Deaf students are competing in the Drexel and MIT Rubik competetions in 2010. One of the competitors is Kristoffer Lauderbaugh, a leading deaf swimmer who competed in the World Deaf Swimming Championships in Taipei, Taiwan in 2007. Kristoffer is new to Rubik competetions. Another of the competitors is Shane Rowland.... a 2009 summer deaflympics long distance runner. He has a Utube video out that has caused quite a stir due to his speed at completing the cube. You can see the video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0vp88V4dEQ.

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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

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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

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MILESTONES
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Friendswood, TX
AVRIL THOMPSON, CHAMPION FOR THE DEAF, DIES
Allen Schneider remembers going with his mother as a 3-year-old to Tony Vallone's original restaurant on Sage, where she was a singer in the 1960s. But he does not remember the music. He has been deaf since birth. Schneider's mother, Avril D. Thompson, who left her singing career to become a passionate advocate for the hearing-impaired, died Feb. 10 at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital after suffering a fall at her Houston home. She was 79. Schneider, of Friendswood, said his mother's efforts on his behalf helped him learn to communicate with American Sign Language and speech. “My mom sought what was best for me,” he said. “If not for that, she would have been famous in the entertainment business.” / Houston Chronicle

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COMING EVENTS
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Washington, DC
THE 2010 MISS DEAF USA PAGEANT IS BECOMING A REALITY AGAIN!
At long last the beauty and the grandeur of the Miss Deaf USA Pageant will become a reality in our nation's capital city this spring! The pageantry will take place April 15-18 on the Gallaudet University campus. They will be judged for leadership qualities and interviewed for personality, goals in life, and how they would represent Miss Deaf USA. There will be a first round elimination and on the final night there will be a spectacular swimsuit competition followed by the crowning of Miss Deaf USA! / Miss Deaf USA

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

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EXCITING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AT GLAD, INC.

* Job Developer / Interpreter - Crenshaw, CA
* Community Interpreter - Los Angeles, CA
* HIV Educator (WSR) - Los Angeles, CA

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

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New Deaf Services Manager at BJC Behavioral Health St. Louis, MO.

Position includes: manage, coordinate, and supervise deaf & HoH clients with mental & emotional disorders through therapeutic and case management services. Build a strong community relationship between BJC BH & the Deaf & HoH community through networking, advocacy and outreach efforts. Program Management/Coordination (50%) & Therapy (50%)

Master or Doctorate in Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology
Job Experience: minimum 2 Years, 5-1 0 Years preferred
Supervisory Experience: Minimum 3 years, 5-7 Years preferred

Resumes: Mark Stansberry, Executive Director
BJC Behavioral Heath, 1430 Olive, Suite 400, St. Louis MO 63103

www.bjcjobs.org (1000044)

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Executive Director
The New York School for the Deaf (Fanwood)

The Board of Trustees of the New York School for the Deaf, known as Fanwood, seeks an experienced and visionary leader to assume the role of Executive Director on or about July 1, 2010. Fanwood, established in 1817, is the oldest school for the deaf in New York and the second oldest in the United States.

With support of the Board of Trustees, primary responsibilities of the Head of School include:
-- Visionary leadership for continuous improvement , enhancement, and expansion of instructional and support programs for students and families
-- With the Comptroller, preparing budgets and corresponding recommendations and submitting them to the Board for approval
-- With Board-designated attorneys, representing the school in labor negotiations.
-- Advocating the school’s interests to state legislators and maintaining a close relationship with the State Education Department to support the school's objectives
-- Representing the school through active participation in local and state activities and organizations related to the mission of NYSD
-- Collaborating with like schools for the Deaf to share best practices and ensure sustainability of schools serving Deaf students
-- Encouraging financial support through friend building and fund raising activities from individuals, foundations, businesses, professionals, and educational communities
-- Promoting the school to the Deaf community and other supporters and friends through social and educational events, gatherings and performances

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS
-- Graduate degree in Deaf Education, Educational Administration or a closely related field.
-- Minimum of five years of demonstrated successful administrative experience in an educational setting for Deaf individuals
-- Articulate in American Sign Language and English
-- Possession of or eligibility for appropriate New York State Administration Certification is preferred
-- Qualified candidates should submit resumes by April 1, 2010 to: searchcommittee@nysd.net

Names of prospective candidates can also be submitted to search committee Co-Chair Alexis Kashar at searchcommittee@nysd.net

All resumes will be treated confidentially

New York School for the Deaf is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Puget Sound Regional Services

Puget Sound Regional Services (PSRS) is a non-profit community services organization that offers a rewarding opportunity for energetic and compassionate people to provide direct residential and community support to adults with developmental disabilities. We are currently seeking P/T & F/T Community Support Specialist with shifts available in the Seattle and Renton areas. The position starts at $10.25 per hour, first raise is to 10.50 per hour after 90 days.

Requirements:
· Advanced knowledge of sign language
· Able to work weekends or every other weekend
· Ability to lift, push and pull 50lbs
· At least 18 years old
· Diploma/GED
· Pass a Criminal Background Check
· WSDL w/insurance and reliable transportation
· Able to read / write English
· Able to walk long distances

Generous Benefits that Include:
Mileage Reimbursement, Paid Time Off, Employee Assistance Program, and a 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan for P/T. F/T employees receive Medical & Dental.

If interested and meet all above requirements contact Alisha Martin at amartin@gopsrs.org

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Advocates Inc.

Advocates is looking for full-time 40 hours per week staff with benefits to work in our Deaf service programs in Framingham MA. The Direct Care Counselor is responsible for implementing the mission of the MH Division. The Direct Care Counselor is responsible for supervising the daily activities of the clients, providing ongoing support, guidance and role modeling. He/she facilitates client improvement in the areas of personal responsibility, social skills, community living skills and behavior.

Advocates' philosophy is based on common values and principles that guide the delivery of all of the services we provide. We believe that all individuals have the right to pursue their personal goals and to contribute to the community. We believe they are entitled to receive accessible services; to live in decent and affordable housing; to be treated with dignity and respect; and to live in inclusive and diverse communities. The employees of Advocates and the recipients of the services we provide work together with the community to ensure that these universal rights are promoted and protected.

Advocates offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and life insurance, tuition reimbursement, 410(k) plan and a six-week holiday/vacation package.

Advocates is an EOE committed to employing a diverse workforce.

Susan Nathan
Advocates Inc.
Framingham, Ma. 01702
HR Recruitment Manager
SNathan@advocatesinc.org

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