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Last issue's most-read story: POLICE: DEAF OKLAHOMA CITY TEEN BEATEN BY DAD / KOCO
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Salt Lake City, UT
SORENSON COMMUNICATIONS FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY
Sorenson Communications Inc filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late on Sunday, a court filing showed, as declining revenue and mounting debt forced the company to consider restructuring. Sorenson, which provides video relay services (VRS) for people with hearing loss, said in less than a year it would be obligated to pay about $1.28 billion. Due to regulatory changes, the debtors cannot pay or refinance the obligations based on its projected revenue and cash flow, the court filing showed. / Reuters
Oklahoma City, OK
TROOPERS ACCUSED OF BEATING DEAF MAN; WATCH EXCLUSIVE VIDEO THAT REVEALS THE TRUTH
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater has cleared three Highway Patrol Troopers accused of brutality and charged the deaf suspect at the center of that controversial arrest. Pearl Pearson, 64, was arrested by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol on January 3, 2014. OHP investigators interviewed five troopers, a civilian ride-along, and the three people in the car Pearson backed into. Each eyewitness says the same thing: Pearson fought the troopers when they tried to take him into custody. / KFOR
Columbus, OH
COMMENTARY: FIRST RESPONDERS NEED HELP TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
When the Hawthorne, Calif., police were dispatched to a residence where a neighbor reported seeing what looked like a burglary going on, four officers swarmed to the scene. They shouted at the “suspect” to stop, but he just kept carrying boxes from the back porch of the home. Then they swarmed in a more physical way, allegedly putting him in a chokehold, shocking him with a taser, punching him repeatedly, and ultimately, “escorting” the unconscious man to the hospital. The problem was, initially, that Jonathan Meister, who is deaf, did not hear the order to stop. / The Columbus Dispatch
Baltimore, MD
MOM OF DEAF SCHOOL MOLESTATION VICTIM SUES STATE
The mother of a student at the state-run Maryland School for the Deaf who was molested when she was 13 is suing the state because she felt the state should pay for her daughter's counseling, but officials said her claim was made too late. The mother spoke with 11 News I-Team reporter Barry Simms but asked to not be identified. The victim's mom said she has cried out of concern for her now 16-year-old daughter, and out of anger toward Clarence Taylor III, the man convicted of molesting the teen when she was 13 years old. / WBAL
Beaumont, TX
DEAF WOMEN CLAIM THEY WERE DENIED SIGN INTERPRETER AT HOSPITAL
Two deaf woman are suing a hospital alleging they were refused the aid of a sign language interpreter. Penny Trahan and Rhonda Morgan filed a lawsuit in Feb. 20 in the Jefferson County District Court against Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, citing violations of chapter 121, violation of the American Disabilities Act and violations of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. / Southeast Texas Record
Washington, DC
AIPAC: WHERE ARE THE SIGN LANGUAGE AND CAPTIONS?
When Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a vital speech in front of 14,000 people at AIPAC, there was no sign language interpreter or live captioning offered. There were more than 40 massive screens around the room showing the speech – yet not one of them enabled someone with a hearing impairment to follow the program. AIPAC is not a tiny organization with a limited budget or small staff. It is a powerful and well-respected organization. / The Jewish Week
Tampa Bay, FL
PASCO DEPUTIES SEARCHING FOR MISSING DEAF MAN
Pasco sheriff's deputies are looking for a missing deaf man who disappeared from his home Friday and has not been seen by family since. Olaniran Jegede, 32, left his home in a black Lincoln MKZ. Earlier that day, he'd been at the hospital and was treated for chest pains. He returned home and then vanished with the car, deputies said. UPDATE: Pasco sheriff's officials said the man was located Saturday evening and was safe, but had no other details. / Tampa Bay Times
Phoenix, AZ
SENATE VOTE SET ON GIVING ASDB LEEWAY IN HIRING SUPERINTENDENTS
The state Senate is scheduled to vote Monday on a bill giving the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind more flexibility in hiring superintendents. The bill, which was given preliminary approval on a voice vote earlier this week, would then go to the House of Representatives. The bill, SB 1393?, would allow the agency to hire two superintendents — one each for the deaf and the blind schools, if it chooses to. / Arizona Daily Star
Charles City, IA
CHARLES CITY TO LEAD BLIND, DEAF STUDENT EFFORT
The state of Iowa has chosen the Charles City School District as its first regional site for providing services to blind and deaf students in grades K-12. Plans are to start services this fall and have a fully operational program in Charles City by fall 2015, according to Charles City School Superintendent Dan Cox. The leadership team for the program has identified about 15 children so far who could benefit from services in Charles City. / Globe Gazette
Washington, DC
NATIONAL DEAF BLIND EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM EXTENDED TO JUNE 2015
On February 7, 2014, the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (DRO) released an Order announcing the extension of the pilot program for the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) for an additional year, until June 30, 2015. / COAT
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Ukraine
DEAFLYMPICS STAR KILLED IN UKRAINE
It has been reported that a Deaflympics Judo star has been killed in the recent fighting in the Ukraine. Sourds.net has posted a news story which says Dmitry Maximov, who won silver and bronze at the games in Sofia last summer, was killed after being hit by a grenade in fighting on 18th February. / The Limping Chicken
Reading, England
JAIL FOR CONMAN WHO PROMISED DEAF COUPLE SURROGATE BABIES
A deaf couple desperate to have a baby were scammed out of £12,000 ($19,900 US) by a friend who told them he could arrange a surrogate birth. A court heard that Gino DiCaprio, 52, who is also deaf following a hit-and-run accident, conned Neil and Sonia Musselwhite into handing over £6,000, believing that he had arranged a surrogate birth. Then he told them the child was ill after being born with Down's syndrome so the trusting couple parted with another £6,000 for another baby. / Parentdish UK
Bristol, England
MAN ARRESTED OVER 'HATE CRIME' ASSAULT ON BIG BROTHER WINNER'S BROTHER
A man has been arrested over a 'hate crime' attack on Big Brother winner Josie Gibson's deaf brother. Harry was left battered and bruised after being assaulted during a night out celebrating his sister's 29th birthday in January. He suffered a broken nose and other facial injuries after two thugs had asked him for directions and he replied using sign language. / Mirror
Edinburgh, Scotland
PROBATION FOR DEAF SCHOOL WORKER WHO GROPED BOY, 16
A support worker at Scotland’s national deaf school who was found guilty of groping a 16-year-old boy at a birthday party has been handed a two-year probation order. William Docherty – a communication support worker at Donaldson’s School in Linlithgow – was placed on the sex offenders’ register after Sheriff Derek O’Carroll reached his guilty verdict at Falkirk Sheriff Court last month. / Edinburgh Evening News
Christchurch, New Zealand
GREEN MP'S 800KM TAXPAYER-FUNDED TRIP QUESTIONED
Questions are being asked about a taxpayer-funded trip for deaf MP Mojo Mathers to be interviewed on a small provincial radio station. The Green MP says the 800km trip on the taxpayer dollar was essential, but a taxpayer group queries whether it was fiscally and environmentally responsible. On Friday, Parliament's only deaf MP flew from Christchurch to Wellington, then drove to Masterton, to participate in ArrowFM's Wheels on Fire programme for people with disabilities. / NZ Herald News
Perth, Australia
SHOULD DEAF PEOPLE BE JURORS?
For the first time in Australia’s history, a deaf woman was on a short-list to serve on a jury. In the end, Drisana Levitzke-Gray wasn’t included in the final group of jurors in the court in Perth – the jury was chosen at random from a choice of 43 names and her name was not picked. It is nonetheless a major victory for the entire deaf community in Australia and further afield. / West
Australia
PLUMBER KEEN TO GET BACK TO WORK WITH NOVA'S HELP
Jamil El-foul is a fast learner, a problem solver and a fully-qualified plumber. He also has a hearing impairment. A client with the deaf and hearing impaired team at Nova Employment, Mr El-foul, 22, of Peakhurst, has been unemployed since October, when he injured his hand. Now ready to get back to work, Mr El-foul has again joined forces with Nova to find employment. "I love my job, I want to be out there plumbing," Mr El-foul said. / Leader
Geneva, Switzerland
360 MILLION PEOPLE ARE DEAF, SAYS WHO
The World Health Organization, WHO, has released a report showing that 360 million people across the world are deaf. This figure, according to WHO, is just over five percent of the world population. The report is coming as the world marks this year’s International Ear Care Day, an enlightenment program held on 3 March, every year to draw attention to the increasing rate, causes and prevention of hearing loss. / P.M. News
Toronto, ON, Canada
PROVINCE CUTS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MOST SEVERELY DISABLED STUDENTS
Students at the province's five schools for the deaf, blind, blind-deaf, and severely-learning disabled will receive 96 fewer hours of support per school year starting in September, says the union representing staff at these schools. The Ministry of Education is reducing by three weeks the seasonal employment of 400 including support staff and residence counsellors at the schools. / Digital Journal
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
DEAF PHOTOGRAPHERS SUCCESSFULLY LOBBY FOR FUNDING
A group for Manitobans who are deaf is making a comeback. The Manitoba Cultural Society of the Deaf (MCSD) held a town hall meeting Thursday night. The society was dormant for many years, but the group is enjoying a resurgence. Recently, it successfully lobbied for deaf students to be included in a private photography class. The society wants to help deaf artists build confidence and gain recognition, said Rick Zimmer with MCSD. / CTV Winnipeg News
Hong Kong, China
ASIA'S ONLY SPOKEN AND SIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE IN KOWLOON
The only primary school in Asia that teaches in both spoken and sign language is unsure whether it can continue the programme as its funding runs out. A seven-year project at the Kowloon Bay St John The Baptist Catholic Primary School, financed by the Jockey Club, winds up at the end of the school year and the government has yet to indicate whether it will support its continuation. “We don’t have the resources to accept more deaf students,” headmistress Vu Im-fan said. / South China Morning Post
Odisha, India
PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED WOMAN ALLEGEDLY RAPED IN ODISHA
A 32-year-old deaf and dumb woman has allegedly been raped by a youth in Kendrapara, Odisha, police said. The 19-year-old accused, Pabitra Bal, was arrested and forwarded to judicial custody, they said. The victim lodged a complaint accusing him of raping her, after which the police swung into action. The victim has been taken for a medical test. / NDTV.com
Kenya
DEAF PEOPLE CAN ALSO LEAD FULL SATISFYING LIVES; THE STORY OF FRANSIS KALELI'S FAMILY
Once the doctor pronounces their children are deaf, parents often imagine that these children will never be able to lead full, satisfying lives. Francis kaleli’s parents tried to shield him from the rest of the world in the belief that his deafness would hold him back but kaleli had a desire to chart his own path. And this is how it came to be that today kaleli works at a hospital together with his wife who is also deaf. / The Standard
South Africa
SA UNIVERSITY PIONEERS NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAF PEOPLE
While the race is on around the world to develop innovative technology applications to enable Deaf and hearing-impaired people to communicate more effectively with hearing people, researchers at UWC are leading the pack – and are also pioneering technology that is tailored especially for users in the developing world. Researchers are working on several projects focusing on cellphone or mobile applications with the ability to translate spoken language into sign language and vice versa. / The Good News
Nigeria
RAPISTS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF DEAF GIRLS -- RESEARCHER
Oyeduni Arulogun, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Health Promotion and Education, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, on Monday said rapists were taking undue advantage of deaf girls. Mr. Arulogun said that indication to this development was revealed by her latest research work entitled: "Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Deaf girls: A Case Study of Ibadan." She said: "Many of the rapists of these deaf girls are their stepfathers and other people well known to them." / allAfrica.com
Kingston, Jamaica
UTECH DEVELOPS SOFTWARE TO TEACH THE DEAF
U-TOUCH, a software which uses sign language to teach English Language to deaf and hearing-impaired students, was presented to the Lister Mair Gilby School for the Deaf by the University of Technology (UTech) on February 26. Minister of Education, Ronald Thwaites, who witnessed the handing over, which was held at the School for the Deaf in Papine, St Andrew, commended UTech, in particular the leadership of the College of Business and Management (COBAM), for the groundbreaking research. / Jamaica Observer
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LIFE & LEISURE
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Atlanta, GA
STUDY: INFANT SLEEP MACHINES HAVE DANGEROUS NOISE LEVELS
White noise machines designed to help infants sleep can exceed the recommended noise limit and cause damage to a baby’s hearing. A study released Monday shows that the devices — which play soothing sounds to coax a baby to sleep — are capable of damaging infant hearing as well as impaired development of the child’s language and speech. The commonly-used machines exceeded the decibel limits recommended by hospitals and hearing experts when played at maximum levels. / CBS Atlanta
Internet
CAN APPLE HELP MAKE HEARING AIDS COOL?
People wait in long lines and even camp out to get their hands on new Apple devices as soon as they're available. But they drag their feet, sometimes for years, when it comes to purchasing another piece of technology that could greatly improve their lives: hearing aids. Hearing-aid manufacturers and audiologists hope a new collaboration between them and Apple will help. / CNN
Anchorage, AK
FAMILY HELPS FIND A HOME FOR DEAF COMMUNITY
A reader named Kari Miranda wrote me an email a few weeks ago that caught my attention in the first paragraph. “Journalism, to me, (in my non-educated mind) is all about story-telling,” she wrote. “Not just factual statements covering the local buzz, but the stories and lives behind the ‘news.’ ” Her family had a story to tell, she said. “My parents are deaf,” she went on. “Yes, note the plural. Parent(s). Which means both of them. (Can you guess how many times I’ve been asked that in my life? Smiles…).” / The Associated Press
Cedar Point, NC
DOG HELPS WOMAN COPE WITH DEAFNESS
Christine Goodier, a 66-year-old travel writer who is totally deaf in one ear and nearly deaf in the other, has learned to navigate life without hearing sounds most people take for granted. She has depended mainly on others, such as her husband, to alert her to sounds associated with daily tasks such as answering the door when someone knocks. But as her deafness has worsened, it’s becoming increasingly difficult. / News-Times
Akron, Ohio
INTERPRETERS MAKE MUSIC FOR THE DEAF WITH THEIR HANDS AT GOSPEL MEETS SYMPHONY
Dorothy Jackson, 80, who has made sign language interpreting a ministry for nearly all of her adult life, was the sole ASL interpreter for the deaf at the first Gospel Meets Symphony concert, a performance of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, 20 years ago. This year, the Akron, Ohio, native rehearsed 12 other volunteer interpreters to sign alongside the 200-voice Gospel Meets Symphony Choir and the Akron Symphony Orchestra for the 21st annual concert held Saturday at E.J. Thomas Hall. / Abilene Reporter-News
Internet
TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED
Whether you are traveling for business or taking a much needed vacation, traveling with a hearing disability can present various challenges. It is important to be prepared for any challenges that you may face. Some of the common problems are not being able to hear travel announcements in the airport, difficulty making reservations, and other difficulties that go along with being in an unfamiliar environment. If you or someone in your family is hearing impaired, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when traveling. / Guelph Mercury
