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Last issue's most-read story: HOUSTON'S SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER STEALS THE SHOW / Houston Chronicle
Deafweekly subscribers as of today: 5,555
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NATIONAL
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Los Angeles, CA
LAPD SEEK ADDITIONAL VICTIMS INVOLVED IN FINANCIAL SCHEME AIMED AT DEAF COMMUNITY
Authorities are searching for additional victims who may have fallen prey to a financial scheme aimed at the deaf community. Hussein Ibrahaim Dheini, 37, is suspected of using ASL to gain the trust of at least three people to steal nearly $500,000 from them. The first victim, who suffered the largest financial loss, contacted police 10 days ago and said Dheini extorted money on the pretense of business loans. / abc7.com
Southaven, MS
DEAF 10-YEAR-OLD SAVES MOTHER'S LIFE
A single mother of five is counting her blessings for her quick thinking 10-year-old daughter, whom she credits with saving her life. “She was my voice,” LaChar Williams said. Her daughter, Madison, is nearly deaf and learned how to hear and speak at the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf in Germantown. When Madison was younger, doctors told her mother she would never speak. Williams said she took a nap one afternoon and asked her daughter to check on her in an hour. When Williams didn’t wake up, Madison went into action. / WMC
Myrtle Beach, SC
DEAF MAN REPORTS THREE MEN BEAT HIM WHILE WALKING HOME IN MYRTLE BEACH
The Myrtle Beach Police Department is investigating an assault after police say a three men beat a deaf man walking home Saturday morning. According to the police report, the assault happened around 1:30 a.m. Saturday on Greens Boulevard in Myrtle Beach. The man used a translator to tell police he was walking home from SeaMist hotel when three men approached him and starting hitting him. In the report, the victim said he fought back his unknown attackers. / WBTW
New York, NY
DEAF LATINOS STRUGGLE TO CONNECT WITH THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR HISPANIC HERITAGE
Bregitt Jimenez is deaf and grew up in the United States. At school, she communicated using American Sign Language, which is based on English. When she was young, her mother only spoke Spanish, so Jimenez and her family had to invent gestures to communicate with each other. Today, Jimenez, 27, is president of the Latino Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association of the Metropolitan D.C. Area – which is part-advocacy group, part-social network. She feels connected to her Latino roots but getting to that point wasn’t easy. / Fox News Latino
San Jose, CA
INSTRUCTORS DON'T GIVE STUDENTS ACCOMMODATIONS
It’s the start of the new semester, and students are already eager to sign up, and engage in their classes, but students who need assistance are the victims of poor department communication throughout San Jose City College. Student with special needs are provided support at the Disability Support Program & Services. DSPC only has one full-time counselor. Making up the majority are experienced part-time advisers. However not everything goes to plan all the time, and some times students fall through the cracks. / City College Times
Prescott, AZ
SERVICE FOR DEAF, HARD OF HEARING HELPS WITH CONFERENCING
Deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Arizona can now actively participate in meetings (in-person or remote), phone calls, videoconferencing and multi-party teleconference calls with Relay Conference Captioning. The free service offered by Arizona Relay Service (ARS) provides quick captioning of everything that is being said during any type of group meeting. / The Daily Courier
Riverside, CA
EVENT SHOWS OFF STEM CAREERS FOR DEAF STUDENTS
More than 300 deaf students from across Southern California attended the California School for the Deaf, Riverside’s Science Technology Engineering and Math Career Day on Tuesday. The goal of the career day was to show students job fields that are available in the science and technology field, according to Dr. Natasha Kordus, the event’s coordinator. / Press-Enterprise
Valdosta, CA
HEARING POPULATION EXPERIENCES DEAF WORLD
More than 200 people participated in the annual Deaf, Deaf World program Monday at Valdosta State University. The event allows people the opportunity to experience life with a limited means of communications. “It gives the hearing population a chance to come into the deaf world,” said Ashley Davis, president of the ASL club at VSU. “It opens people’s eyes to see how a deaf person interacts.” / Valdosta Daily Times
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INTERNATIONAL
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Leveque, Haiti
SLAYING OF 3 DEAF WOMEN IN HAITI HIGHLIGHTS VULNERABILITY
The three friends had spent the day stocking up on food in the Haitian capital when they left for their village, setting off on the 20-mile trip home by foot because the minibuses weren't running after a bridge collapse. Their bodies were found the next morning in a ditch along the way. They had been beaten, stabbed and burned, and relatives who identified them in a morgue said their tongues were cut out in an apparent act of ritualistic savagery. The women's family and friends suspect they were targeted because they were deaf. / The Associated Press
Uppsala, Sweden
IMPLANTS CAN HELP DEAF PEOPLE HEAR AGAIN
Cochlear implants should be an alternative for patients with long-term deafness as well. This was found in a new study at Uppsala University. Previously, patients with an extended deafness duration were thought to derive limited benefit from cochlear implants. 'We have looked at people who were deaf for at least 20 years before having cochlear implants [and] these patients can have good results from the implant as well,' says Karin Lundin, auditory engineer at the Department of Surgical Sciences at Uppsala University. / Medicalxpress.com
Illawarra, Australia
MACY BAEZ, A DEAF TEEN FROM NEW SOUTH WALES, IS TAKING ON THE HIP HOP WORLD
From the outset, Macy Baez is just like any other fashion-forward teen: ocean blue Rihanna-esque nails, a bandana and immaculate makeup. But the 15-year-old from Illawarra entered the world a little differently to some, she was born profoundly deaf. It makes sense then, that for her, dancing is like another language. And it’s through “feeling the beat” she’s able to express herself. “I’m telling a story when I dance," she said. / The Huffington Post
London, England
DEAF PEOPLE OPPOSE COUNCIL CUTS TO SUPPORT SERVICES
People left “lost and panicked” by Enfield Council’s decision to cut support for deaf services have launched an opposing petition. The council has cut £43,000 ($62,500 US) in Supporting People funding to Enfield Disability Action’s Deaf Project Service, half of their budget, leaving it with a very uncertain future. The council needs to make cuts of £56 million ($81.5 million US) by 2020 due to pressures from central government. Users are upset over the lack of sympathy. / Guardian
South Wales, UK
SCHOOLBOY DREAMS OF BECOMING THE FIRST DEAF FORMULA ONE DRIVER
After a series of ear infections as a toddler, Caleb McDuff, now aged 8, was left profoundly deaf. But this hasn't stopped his dream to become the first deaf Formula One driver. Four years ago Caleb had major surgery to fit cochlear implants. He wears sound processors day to day, but when he races he is unable to wear these. That means that he can’t hear the sound of his own engine or the other karts, and has to rely on all of his other senses to help him compete. / Wales Online
Geneva, Switzerland
AUSTRALIA VIOLATED RIGHTS OF DEAF PEOPLE OVER JURY SERVICE
The rights of two deaf people in Australia were violated when they were called up for jury service but then told they could not have the support they needed, in the form of sign language interpretation and real-time captioning, to participate in the proceedings, UN experts have found. / ohchr
Singapore
LISTEN UP AND HEED THAT DEAF KNELL
Getting diagnosed with hearing loss when he was 22 was the last thing he expected. Leon, now 25, thought it was something which happened to the elderly. He was wrong. He had been experiencing a ringing in his ears (tinnitus) on and off since his late teens. But after playing the bass guitar at a concert in Toronto, Canada, in 2012, the ringing did not stop. At first, he thought it was just like his previous bouts of temporary tinnitus and would go away after about an hour. It did not. / The Straits Times
Kingston, Jamaica
EDUCATION, JOB CHALLENGES FACE DEAF STUDENTS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
While young university graduates often encounter challenges trying to secure jobs, the problem is even greater among some students with a disability who sometimes do not even get the chance to enter university at all. In the case of deaf students, such as the 105 who now attend Lister Mair Gilby High School, secondary-level education is often the end of the line, according to Carol Williams, the school’s social studies teacher. / Jamaica Observer
Muscat, Oman
CALL FOR GREATER ACCEPTANCE OF PEOPLE WITH HEARING DISABILITY IN OMAN
People with hearing disabilities in Oman should be accepted more in society and they themselves should also be aware of the ways in which they can improve their lives. This message was disseminated by the organizers of an exhibition dedicated to the deaf or people with hearing disabilities in Oman, which took place at the Muscat Grand Mall from April 21 to 23. At the exhibition, several services offered for the deaf in Oman are being showcased. / Times Of Oman
Kenya
VIDEO: DEAF, MUTE AND A RAPPER BECAUSE MUSIC KNOWS NO LIMITS
Lal Daggy, a Kenyan rapper, can't speak and hear, but that doesn't stop him from letting his voice be heard. If he can't do it himself, he finds someone to do it for him. / MSN
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LIFE & LEISURE
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Miami, FL
VIDEO: BLIND AND DEAF TODDLER SEES AND HEARS HER MOM FOR THE FIRST TIME
Her whole life, 2-year-old Nicolly Pereira couldn’t see or hear her mother. The deaf and blind toddler from rural Brazil knew her mother’s love mostly through touch, when her mãe hugged Nicolly or stroked her light brown hair. But last month, Nicolly gazed into her mother’s teary eyes for the first time. A wide smile filled her face and she instantly pressed her forehead against mama’s, her tiny hands on her mother’s shoulders. “The only word that can be used to describe the feeling is ‘God,’ ” Nicolly’s mother, Daiana Pereira, 26, said. / Miami Herald
Concord, NH
WARNER CHURCH DELIVERS SERMONS TO GROWING NUMBER OF DEAF PARISHIONERS
For almost a decade, John O’Neill joins his wife, Melissa, on Sundays at the United Church of Warner. For years, O’Neill could only make out parts of the Sunday sermon from reading the pastor’s lips. He could feel the soft vibrations of the music, quietly bouncing off the church’s walls or humming under his palm on the wooden pew in front of him. O’Neill – who runs a timber business out of Wilmot – is deaf, but he kept coming back to the church. “There was frustration,” he said. / Concord Monitor
Central Point, OR
DOGS FOR THE DEAF NOW TRAINING AUTISM SERVICE DOGS
A Central Point non-profit that specializes in training service dogs for people with hearing impairment is now taking their business a step further by training autism service dogs. Dogs for the Deaf Chief Executive Officer Blake Matray said they saw a demand and decided to act on it. “We recognize there is a tremendous need in this country right now with potentially as many as one out of every 68 children being affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” he said. / KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2
New York, NY
HAVING DIABETES CAN ALSO MAKE YOU DEAF: STUDY
Diabetes can damage the auditory system, new research has found, suggesting that clinicians should include the testing of hearing in managing Type-2 diabetes. The findings, published in the journal Current Diabetes Reports, are based on a review of studies of possible linkages between Type-2 diabetes and hearing impairment. / The Economic Times
New York, NY
HEARING AID USE IS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROVED COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN HEARING IMPAIRED
A study conducted by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center found that older adults who used a hearing aid performed significantly better on cognitive tests than those who did not use a hearing aid, despite having poorer hearing. The study was published online in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. The researchers also found that cognitive function was directly related to hearing ability in participants who did not use a hearing aid. / Science Daily
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WORKING WORLD
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Edgewood, PA
RETIRING CEO PUT WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF ON CUTTING EDGE
When Donald Rhoten was young, education for deaf children was different. They sat at the front of the classroom so they could watch the teacher, he said. That's not how things are done at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, where Rhoten has served as superintendent and CEO for two decades. Each of the school's more than 200 students ages 3 to 21 has a personalized education plan and communicates with staff members using ASL and spoken English. / Tribune-Review
Memphis, TN
WHITE STATION HS TEACHER RETIRING AFTER DECADES WORKING WITH DEAF, HARD-OF-HEARING STUDENTS
A beloved White Station High School teacher is retiring this spring, and her students want her sign-off to be special. "Signing Off" is the name of the show the White Station Deaf Drama Club is staging this week in honor of teacher Rita Grivich. Grivich teaches English and serves as the director of the club. She has helped deaf and hard of hearing students for nearly 48 years. "Ms. Grivich is wonderful. I love her," ninth-grader Qierstyn Betts-Prado said. / WREG
Houston, TX
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER HELPS LOCAL LEADERS GET INFORMATION TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY
You have probably seen Ashley Henderson many times on your TV screen. She usually stands beside Mayor Sylvester Turner during press conferences, and it's not because she's a politician or makes him look good. Henderson is Houston's American Sign Language interpreter and she's always there to lend a helping hand with getting information to the public. / CW39 NewsFix
New York, NY
UBER'S MAKING IT EASIER FOR DEAF DRIVERS TO WORK FOR THE COMPANY
Uber’s technology is becoming even more accessible for its deaf drivers. The mobile app currently has thousands of deaf drivers, and is now collaborating with Communication Service for the Deaf to make it easier for those drivers to accept fares and communicate with passengers, the company announced in a release on Tuesday. The app, for example, signals a new trip request with a flashing light, instead of an audio notification. / The Huffington Post
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Hollywood, CA
'WONDERSTRUCK' MOVIE: DEAF ACTRESS MILLICENT SIMMONDS CAST IN LEADING ROLE
After an extensive casting search, newcomer Millicent Simmonds has landed a primary role in Todd Haynes’ next film Wonderstruck. Based on the novel by Brian Selznick, the Amazon Studios pic will chart the intertwined stories of two deaf children. The 13-year-old Simmonds, a deaf actress from Utah, will play Rose, whose half of Wonderstruck will be presented as a silent film in both a nod to movie history and an aesthetic designed to capture her perspective. / Deadline
Boston, MA
DEAF, GAY CHARACTER IS FOCUS OF NEW CRAIG LUCAS DRAMA
Written and directed by Craig Lucas, I Was Most Alive with You, a new drama based on the Biblical story of the trials of Job, will have its world premiere starting May 27 at the South End/Calderwood Pavilion in Boston under the auspices of the Huntington Theatre Company. The limited run is scheduled to end Jun 26. / Playbill
Los Angeles, CA
NYLE DIMARCO IS A FRONTRUNNER ON DWTS, EVEN THOUGH HE CAN'T HEAR THE MUSIC
“I never danced growing up,” says Nyle DiMarco. This is ironic, given that he’s the current Dancing with the Stars frontrunner. Yet the performer says he never really thought about dancing until he was contacted by the show — probably because DiMarco also happens to be deaf. For him, competing on DWTS was an opportunity to bring deaf culture into millions of living rooms and break down stereotypes — like the one about deaf people not being able to dance because they can’t hear the music. / TIME
Butte, MT
SOUND INSPIRES DEDICATED MUSICIAN BORN WITH SEVERE HEARING IMPAIRMENT
One spring day in Rover Park, Emily Silks asked her mom to identify for her a sound Emily was hearing. "I pointed to the birds, and I said, 'That's the noise they make,'" Valerie Fassbender said. Fassbender remembers that on that day the chirping birds in Los Alamos put a little jump in her daughter's step. Silks was born 95 percent hearing impaired, and her ears didn't fully work until she was 7 years old and had gone under the knife twice, once for each ear. When the bandages came off, Silks felt as though she was awakening. / Montana Standard
New York, NY
THE DEAF ARTIST RECONSTRUCTING SOUND
At one of her many performances, Korean-American artist Christine Sun Kim had a run-in with an attendee. Kim had created an audio file for her sound art and had stated not to tell her if the sound is distorted as it plays. Accept it — she didn’t want to know. One woman couldn’t resist. She tried to tell Kim there was a problem, but Kim wasn’t having it. “It’s sound that I made. If I allow somebody to tell me that it doesn’t sound right at this part, then there’s the indication that I need to change it,” Kim said. / OZY
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SPORTS
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Eugene, OR
DEAF FIGHTER AIMS TO STAY UNBEATEN
Some athletes try to tune out the noise before a big competition. Aubree Thompson, a mixed-martial arts fighter based in Lincoln City, has never had a choice. Thompson was born with spinal meningitis and lost most of her hearing at 8 months old. That hasn’t stopped her from pursuing a career in MMA and posting a 5-0 record, which she’ll put on the line Saturday night at Midtown Throwdown 8 at the Lane Events Center. / The Register-Guard
Glyndon, MN
ATHLETIC TRAINER HAS NEVER LET BEING DEAF HOLD HIM BACK
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton athletic trainer Shane Winkenwader stared at the notebook and read the words to the question. There was a little smirk, and he shrugged his shoulders. He sat back in his chair and stared for a minute. The 28-year-old had a second of silence. Silence is what he's always been used to. He has been deaf since he was 2 years old, after a fight with meningitis, so what was there to answer. What was something he wishes he could hear? "I wish it was easier to order a pizza," Winkenwader said. / INFORUM
Bourbonnais, IL
OLIVET NAZARENE TO HOST CAMP FOR DEAF/HARD OF HEARING SWIMMERS
Olivet Nazarene University is hosting a swim camp for Deaf and hard of hearing swimmers ages 8-17 with an eagerness to learn. This is an extremely rare opportunity to experience a life-changing week in the pool. The goal of this camp is to help each swimmer gain confidence and improve his or her skills. ONU is proud to offer the same championship coaching to your swimmer that propelled the ONU teams to the 2016 NAIA National Championship, where the men were national champions and the women were runner-ups. / SwimSwam
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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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The Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) invites you to consider our employment opportunities for the 2016-2017 school year:
• School Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)
• American Sign Language (ASL) Distance Learning Instructor (Consultant)
• Teacher of the Deaf: Transition Teacher; Elementary Education; Secondary - English/Language Arts, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies
Interested persons are invited to visit the CSDB website at http://www.csdb.org/careers-2/classified-3/ where official job announcements may be found in their entirety, including major duties/responsibilities and qualification requirements. Excellent benefits.
Contact Information: Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind / Website: www.csdb.org
33 North Institute Street; Colorado Springs, CO 80903;
E-mail: HumanResources@csdb.org; (719) 578-2115 (phone); (719) 578-2239 (fax)
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JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
DEAF, Inc. - St. Louis, MO
FINANCE MANAGER
DEAF, Inc. is looking for a full-time Finance Manager effective immediately. This position is full-time and reports to the Executive Director. The Finance Manager is chiefly responsible for the financial and human resources functions of Deaf Empowerment Awareness Foundation, Inc (DEAF, Inc) including financial reporting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and employee benefits administration. Here’s a link to the job description - http://www.deafinc.org/financemanager.html.
Join the dynamic team at DEAF, Inc.!
For more information, please contact Dr. Thomas Horejes at thomas@deafinc.org.