Deafweekly May 17, 2006

deafweekly

May 17, 2006
Vol. 2 No. 30

Editor: Tom Willard

Deafweekly is an independent news report for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community that is mailed to subscribers every Wednesday and available to read at www.deafweekly.com. Please visit our website to read current and back issues, sign up for a subscription and advertise.

Deafweekly is copyrighted 2006 and any unauthorized use, including reprinting of news, is prohibited.

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GALLAUDET
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CAMPERS PULL UP STAKES AFTER 12 DAYS OF PROTEST

Gallaudet University’s Tent City protesters pulled up stakes after a memorable graduation day Friday that included a campus bomb threat, a statement by two former Board of Trustees chairs and a board announcement that Jane Fernandes would step down as provost. By Saturday morning, reported the Washington Post, patches of yellow, flattened grass appeared where tents had already been pulled up. There is talk of having a National Tent City Day in August, but senior Aaron Brock said he's not sure it will make a difference. “I don’t think they’ll ever change the decision about the president,” he said. “But I do believe Jane will do a better job than she would have if we hadn’t done this.”

BOARD SAYS FERNANDES TO ‘FOCUS ON TRANSITION’

A statement last Friday from Gallaudet’s Board of Trustees said Jane Fernandes would step down immediately as provost “to allow for the transition to her presidency.” Fernandes will “carefully review all of the issues brought up during the last few weeks and work with the campus community to address them,” said the statement. The board spent hours last week listening to the community and reading hundreds of messages, it was reported. In a closed session, the board asked I. King Jordan to help find an interim provost -- preferably someone who doesn’t want the job on a permanent basis. Fernandes will lead a national search for a new provost. “We must move ahead and bring all sides together,” said Brenda Brueggemann, acting board chair.

FORMER PRESIDENTS CALL FOR ‘GIVE AND TAKE’

Two former presidents of the Gallaudet Board of Trustees issued an open letter to the board last week titled, “Re: The Current Situation.” Philip Bravin (1988-94 chair) and Glenn Anderson (1994-2005 chair) said they recognized the board’s need to show its resolve while also acting in the university’s best interests. They said they were “leaning towards the position” that the current situation was not a deafness or cultural issue, but a leadership one. Gallaudet’s bridges to its constituencies have been weakened, they said, and will be weakened further if things don’t change. The current situation “can be resolved,” they said, "but it will require intense dialogue and ‘good-faith give and take’ among all parties.”

BOMB THREAT MARS GRADUATION DAY

Someone phoned in a bomb threat to Gallaudet University last Friday, hours before hundreds of people were to gather for commencement ceremonies. It wasn’t clear if the call came via voice or TTY, but spokeswoman Mercy Coogan told The Examiner that the message was clear: “There’s a bomb on your campus.” D.C. police brought in bomb-sniffing dogs to sniff out the university’s field house and administration building, where board members were meeting. Graduation went off without further difficulty, said Coogan, but the threat did nothing to calm nerves. “It’s just crazy,” she said. “This doesn’t help either side.”

GALLY FSSA: PEOPLE ARE GONE BUT PROTEST GOES ON

Gallaudet FSSA, the impromptu group of faculty, staff, students and alumni organized in the early days of the protest, said on its website recently that “the school year has ended and most students have gone home, but the protest continues!” The campus may be quieter now, “but do not mistake this for lack of action or progress.” FSSA members are still talking with Board of Trustee members and will continue to do so “until our demands are met - and this process could take months.” The website (www.gallyfssa.org) contains numerous links for more information and asks for donations to support the cause.

JORDAN SAYS FERNANDES SUFFERS FOR HIS OLD MISTAKE

Gallaudet University President I. King Jordan said in a speech last Tuesday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. that his embattled successor is paying the price for a mistake he made years ago. According to The Examiner, Jordan said his “terrible mistake” was naming Fernandes provost in 2000 without going through Gallaudet’s faculty. “I’ve apologized a million times for it,” he said, “but I’ll never apologize enough.” Fernandes was on hand for Jordan’s speech and portrayed herself as the victim of a culture war, vowing not to step down. Amid concerns that the controversy could endanger Gallaudet’s federal funding, a handful of protesters picketed outside the Press Club. “This is not going to stop,” said Gallaudet student Andres Piedrahita.

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PROTEST ECHOES IN CALIFORNIA SCHOOL

The California School for the Deaf in Fremont dispatched two staff members to participate in the Gallaudet protests in Washington, reported Inside Bay Area last Friday. The protests have reverberated through the halls of the school, where six of 36 graduating seniors plan to attend Gallaudet. “I’m a little bit less excited about going there after all of this,” said senior Mallory Malzkuhn. Joey Baer, a teacher and curriculum specialist, said Jane Fernandes isn’t right for president. “We’ve been watching her, and we don’t think she has the capacity to be a leader for deaf people,” he said. CSDF administrator Diana Herron said Fernandes practices “management by intimidation," while student Blair Rasmus said, “I heard Jane just looks down at the ground and ignores everybody.”

NEWSPAPER LETTER WRITER SAYS ISSUE IS RESPECT

Bruce White, a 28-year veteran of Gallaudet’s faculty, had a letter printed in the Washington Post last Tuesday accusing Jane Fernandes of trying to divert people from issues concerning her selection as president. Fernandes “has endlessly spouted the official line that the protest is about identity politics, signing fluency and her being the wrong ‘kind’ of deaf person,” wrote White. “Nonsense.” The real issue, he said, is Fernandes’ failure to earn the trust and respect of students. Without “competence, a respectful rapport and the ability to listen and respond sympathetically to their concerns,” no teacher or administrator can ever earn such respect, he concluded.

JORDAN BACKS OUT OF RIVERSIDE AWARD BANQUET

I. King Jordan was set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at a $50 per person banquet Monday night at the CEASD conference in Riverside, Calif., but he cancelled at the last minute. Jordan was to be special guest at “Academy Awards Night” at the Riverside Convention Center, featuring “Hollywood celebs” and live and silent auctions, but he decided to stay in Washington to “begin the healing.” At least one observer suggested Jordan stayed home to avoid a possible confrontation with deaf activists in the West. “They would protest Dr. Jordan for such a callous move that divided many groups at Gallaudet,” wrote blogger Ricky Taylor.

NAD SIGNS JORDAN FOR CONFERENCE KEYNOTE ADDRESS

The National Association of the Deaf said today that I. King Jordan will give the keynote address at its upcoming conference, in an announcement that made no mention of the Gallaudet protests. “We are pleased that Dr. Jordan will be our featured keynote speaker at the 2006 conference,” said NAD President Andrew Lange. “He has been an inspiration for deaf and hard-of-hearing people and will leave a legacy to emulate.” Said Jordan: “I am honored that the NAD invited me to be the keynote speaker at the NAD Conference.” The 48th Biennial NAD Conference will take place June 29-July 3 in Palm Desert, Calif.

TRIO CREATES HISTORIC WEBSITE OF TENT CITY

Ever wonder about the people who put their lives on hold to camp out at Gallaudet University for more than a week to protest Jane Fernandes as president? “Self-appointed historian” Julie Guberman has joined forces with photographer Jennifer Buck and artist Cecily Whitworth on a new website called Tent City, Gallaudet University. Click on Inhabitants and it will take you to a page with pictures of tents superimposed over an aerial photo of the campus. Click on one of the tents, and you’ll get a page with names and photographs of several residents. Click on a picture and you will learn more about each occupant. The creators’ goal was “to compile the stories of people who have set much in this fight.” Visit Tent City at http://web.mac.com/julieguberman/iWeb/Tent%20City/Introduction.html.

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NATIONAL
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‘SHAMAN’ PLEADS NO CONTEST TO SEXUAL ASSAULT

A Wisconsin man pleaded no contest last Tuesday to sexually assaulting and impregnating a deaf and blind woman in 2004. Neng Moua, 43, of Sheboygan, was convicted of felony second-degree assault for impregnating the woman around January 1, 2004, reported The Sheboygan Press. The woman gave birth in October 2004, and a nurse who was with her testified at Moua’s preliminary hearing last June. Moua claims to be a shaman, a spiritual healer similar to a psychotherapist, said the report. Moua told police he could not remember having sex with the victim but admitted to using alcohol during shaman rituals. “He said he could not recall when or how, but if it would be him, he was drunk,” said Yeng Yang, a Sheboygan police officer.

SEARCH IS ON FOR TWO MORE INTERPRETERS FOR TRIAL

The Luzerne County, Pa. trial of a deaf man accused of shaking his 2-month-old son was delayed last week after the defendant and his lawyer said three interpreters are not enough. Jason Richard Mitchell, 32, and lawyer Bruce Manchester want two more interpreters, one for their own confidential discussions and another to fill in during breaks of other interpreters. Judge Chester Muroski said he had to grant the request in order to protect Mitchell’s right to a fair trial, reported The Citizens Voice in Wilkes-Barre. Mitchell is accused of violently shaking his son on September 27 at the family’s home in Bear Creek Township. Doctors at a local hospital reported the alleged abuse to authorities.

TOWN OFFICIAL ‘JETTISONED’ OVER HEARING PROBLEM

The selectmen in Acushnet, Mass. declined to reappoint Lawrence Marshall, 73, as chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals last week, reportedly because of his hearing impairment. According to the South Coast Today, Selectman Robert Brown said he had complaints that appeals board meetings were slow, halting and frustrating to sit through. For example, said Brown, one person spoke for 20 minutes and “Mr. Marshall asked what was said because he couldn’t hear it.” Marshall, a 20-year member of the appeals board, said he is “absolutely” considering legal action under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Selectman David Wojnar, whose motion to reappoint Marshall was not seconded, said the town had an obligation to accommodate people with disabilities “and not just jettison them off; I do not support that line of thinking one bit.”

LEXINGTON TEACHERS PROTEST 4 YEARS WITHOUT A RAISE

Teachers and assistants at the Lexington School for the Deaf in Jackson Heights, N.Y. have not had a raise in four years, reported the Queens Tribune last week. Lexington superintendent Regina Carroll has offered a 1 percent raise to current salaries, but teachers - aware of a 4.9 percent increase to faculty salaries from the state - want to know “where the funds are being allocated if they aren’t seeing a portion of it in their paychecks.". When the school’s financial committee met May 4, teachers and assistants wore black T-shirts and picketed in front of the school to express their frustrations. Lexington Teachers Association President Marsha Wagner, leader of the school’s union, said Lexington teachers are paid 25 percent less than New York City teachers. Veteran teachers, she added, get $18,058 less at Lexington.

UTAH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GO ‘DEAF FOR A DAY’

Students from two Utah high schools participated last week in “Deaf for a Day,” a project spearheaded by American Sign Language teacher Andrew Groft. Groft, a college and high school teacher since 1996, told the Cedar City Review that the project had three objectives: provide deaf awareness, offer a language immersion experience and raise the idea of becoming a sign-language interpreter. “Maybe they’ll love it or feel a sense of personal mission in it and help fill the growing need for interpreters here in Utah,” he said. Utah has about 200 certified interpreters, said a recent Associated Press article, and could use another 400. In fact, “Utah has a critical shortage of qualified sign language interpreters,” said the State Department of Education.

MAN GETS REFUND AFTER TV NEWS SHOW STEPS IN

A Raleigh, N.C. man got his money back for hearing aids never received after a TV news show got involved on his behalf. When Wilton Fleming saw ads for Crystal Ear hearing devices at $379 each plus shipping, he sent $777 in February, assured by the company’s “full refund” policy. Several weeks went by and the hearing aids never arrived. After a follow up call and a demand for a refund failed to produce results, Fleming asked WRAL-5 News for help. The show’s Five On Your Side reporter then contacted Crystal Ear for an answer. An employee “just did not take care of it,” said Crystal Ear’s Judy Fauts, and Fleming soon received a full refund. He was wise to pay with a credit card, said the report, as he could have disputed the charge with the card company and gotten a refund that way.

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CANADIAN BOY SINGS FOR POPE AT THE VATICAN

A 9-year-old Canadian boy’s dream came true when he sang for Pope Benedict XVI last Thursday during an audience with Canadian bishops. Jeremy Gabriel, who has hearing problems associated with Treacher Collins syndrome, was nervous at first because his family arrived late at the Vatican after being stuck in traffic. “My heart was beating very fast,” Jeremy told the Associated Press. “But once I started singing, I was fine.” Afterwards, said Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. “It is very moving and symbolic to see a boy with his handicap sing out his life,” he said. Jeremy’s mother said her son is guided by his strong faith. “And when your faith is that strong you can reach any height,” she said, “even the pope.”

CHINESE AUTHOR, 15, PUBLISHES FOURTH BOOK

Zhang Xini has published four works of fiction, created three websites and made two inventions, reported China Daily, and she’s only 15. The deaf teen is the youngest member of the Shenzhen Writer’s Association and has attracted attention with her latest fiction, “If I am Helen.” Many in China compare her to Helen Keller (1880-1968), the American deaf-blind writer, lecturer and role model for millions. Zhang lost her ability to hear at age 3 when doctors gave her antibiotics for measles and high fever. She uses body language, a hearing aid and writing to express herself. By the age of 12, she had already published numerous essays in magazines and newspapers - and read more than 100 literary masterpieces. “She is very enthusiastic in writing, thinking and inventing something,” said her father, Zhang Shiping. “We never intended to train her in these areas.”

FORMER STUDENTS SUE OVER ABUSE AT U.K. SCHOOL

Former students of a now-defunct boarding school for the deaf in Southern England are suing the Department for Education and Skills after winning a landmark appeal, reported the Observer. They say they are deeply traumatized from being abused by the head teacher’s husband throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The man pleaded guilty to sexual abuse in 1964 but was allowed to stay on as the school’s “handyman” until the 1980s after paying a fine of only £50 ($94 U.S.). The perpetrator, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is now in his 80s and lives with his wife in Wales, having never been placed on a sexual offenders’ register. A March 2004 attempt to prosecute the man was thrown out of court by a judge who said the events happened too long ago. But lawyers for the victims won an appeal recently that grants public funding for two former pupils to sue the department.

NO MORE LONG WAIT FOR EAR MOLDS TO BE MADE

Patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Lynn, U.K. no longer have to wait weeks for an ear mold to be made, thanks to clever thinking between the audiology and dental departments. According to the Lynn News, hearing aid molds can now be made on site using dental acrylic molding equipment in just over an hour while the patient continues to be assessed. Service managers Mark Brindle (audiology) and Keith Powell (dental lab) recently won a major regional award for their intelligent use of resources. “We’re absolutely delighted,” said Powell after the team picked up a trophy and £3,500 pound ($6,590 U.S.) at an awards dinner. Brindle said about 70 percent of his patients now walk away with their hearing aid on the very same day.

U.K. WOMAN, 93, GOES MISSING ON DRIVE HOME

A 93-year-old deaf woman went missing last week after leaving a relative’s home in Newport, South Wales, U.K. to drive home to Powys, reported the BBC News. Phyllis James left on Friday and has not been seen since. She is 5-foot-4 tall with a slim build, grey hair, glasses and two hearing aids. She was driving a green Ford Fiesta three-door car with a Y244 PFO plate. Gwent Police should be contacted if anyone knows of her whereabouts.

RED CROSS OFFERS SPACE TO HOMELESS DEAF CLUB

It isn’t just disaster victims who get help from the Red Cross - a homeless club for the deaf in Worcester, U.K. can thank the agency for providing the group with a new meeting space. The Worcester Deaf Club has been around for 50 years, but it was told in March 2004 it could no longer use Unity House for their monthly meetings. Armed with a list of social service agencies, they found that all were either full or unable to accommodate them. The Red Cross then stepped in, allowing the deaf group to use their offices on Green Hill, London Road and also making room for the group at their new office to be built in Blackpole. “The Red Cross have been absolutely fantastic and we would like to thank them because they have secured the future of Worcester Deaf Club,” said member Anthony Day.

AUSTRALIAN GROUP CELEBRATES NEW NAME

It was out with the old and in with the new on Monday when an Australian organization changed its name from the Queensland Deaf Society to Deaf Services Queensland. Gov. Quentin Bryce joined 450 schoolchildren, their families and deaf community members at a celebration at the Toowong State School in Brisbane, reported The Courier Mail. A new logo was also unveiled. CEO Damian Lacey said the old name made people think of a membership organization, whereas the new name more accurately reflects the mission to serve anyone in Queensland with a hearing impairment.

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INDIANA MAN EARNS DOCTORATE, MAKES HISTORY

David Geeslin became the first deaf student to earn a doctoral degree from Indiana University, reported the Indiana Daily Student. Geeslin, who received his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership on May 6, said his “historical research friends” have told him he is also the first deaf person to earn a doctorate from any Indiana college. His success was due to great determination and diligence, said Robert Toutkoushian, director of Geeslin’s dissertation. “If he doesn’t understand something, he is not afraid to come back and ask.” According to the report, Geeslin is now awaiting approval from the governor to be named superintendent of the Indiana School for the Deaf.

DEAF VETERINARIAN GIVES PAWS FOR THOUGHT

A deaf doctor in Chicago is said to play with his patients and rub their bellies when he greets them. Perhaps it should be explained that Dr. Thomas McDavitt is a veterinarian. Though he’s been practicing for 13 years, reported ABC-7, he still recalls the difficulty of veterinary school - and the doubts of those around him. “It just made me stronger in my faith I could be one,” he said. After sending out 400 applications and receiving only one job offer, McDavitt went on to buy out his former boss in 1999. He now has almost 5,000 clients at his practice for dogs and cats in south suburban Hickory Hills, including about 25 deaf clients. Aside from needing help with the stethoscope, McDavitt’s deafness isn’t always noticeable. Nancy Schleifer, in fact, didn’t even know the doctor of her two Chihuahuas was deaf. Her verdict: “It was fine.”

STUDENT-ATHLETE EYES HORTICULTURE CAREER

Buffy Henderson, a senior at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, has been chosen to represent the school in the City/County Student-Athlete of the Year Award. A feature on Henderson appeared recently in the Staunton News Leader, which sponsors the award with a local Chevrolet dealership. Henderson is an honor-roll student who played the only two sports VSDB offers to girls, volleyball and basketball, in which she earned MVP honors for two years in a row. She also takes horticulture classes at the Valley Vocational Technical Center, and on weekends can often be found in the garden at her home in Saltville. “I grow really big watermelons,” she said.

RESEARCHERS SEEK SOLUTION TO SLIDE DILEMMA

A pair of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. have sent two daughters apiece on numerous trips down local playground slides, wearing different kinds of clothing, all in the name of science. Robert Morley and Ed Richter hope to solve the problem of static electricity, which can “zap” a cochlear implant processor and require a trip to an audiologist for reprogramming. With a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Government Access Board, they’ve been conducting tests in humid St. Louis and in dry Tucson, Ariz. Their tests have caught the eye of a local company that makes anti-static coating for fighter jets, which thinks it may be able to solve the problem by applying the same coating to playground slides.

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ROCHESTER FILM FESTIVAL ISSUES CALL FOR ENTRIES

A call for entries has been issued by organizers of the second Deaf Rochester Film Festival (DRFF). The festival is set for March 23-25, 2007 in Rochester, N.Y., and the submission deadline is October 15. The first festival, in March 2005, was sold out in advance for every show. The festival seeks “culturally authentic films by Deaf filmmakers,” including animation, documentaries, films for children and experimental work. Submitted films will not be returned; they’ll remain in the DRFF archives at the Wallace Memorial Library at the Rochester Institute of Technology. For more information, go to www.ntid.rit.edu/drff/Finalflyer2.pdf.

TRIX BRUCE IN HOLLYWOOD: TWO DAYS, SIX SHOWS

Trix Bruce is going Hollywood. The deaf storyteller, poet and actress (www.trixbruce.com) is set to appear at the National Comedy Theatre on August 20-21. Bruce is planning a whirlwind schedule that willl have her performing six shows over a two-day period - two performances each of three different shows: A Story Worth a Thousand Signs (a children’s show), The Trix Bruce Improv Comedy Spotlight, and The Hearing World Around Me. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door, except for Hearing World, which is $15 advance, $20 door. For ticket information and reservations, send an email to mediarelations@trixbruce.com.

FLORIDA WOMAN STARTS GROUP FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Julie Ann Lanz, a deaf photographer in Florida, has started a new organization called Deaf Professional Photographers of America. DeafPPA, as it’s called, is on the lookout for deaf photographers across America who wish to be listed on the website (www.deafppa.com). “This is born out of a dream to teach and help deaf photographers become successful,” said Lanz, who maintains her own photo website at www.pbase.com/julieannlanz. Inquiries about the new organization may be directed to cuemommy@gmail.com.

BERNARD BRAGG ESTABLISHES ENDOWMENT AT NTID

Bernard Bragg has committed $100,000 to establish an endowment fund at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, N.Y. The Bernard Bragg Deaf Theatre, Signed Arts and Deaf Cinema Endowment Fund will support scholarships, training, workshops and lectures related to deaf theater and cinema for deaf and hard-of-hearing students interested in the performing arts. Bragg, 77, an internationally acclaimed deaf actor, playwright and director, will visit NTID this fall, when students will perform his play, “Tales from the Clubroom,” in his honor. “I wish to see deaf people in theater and film, around the world, continue to explore and enhance the quality of their creative works,” he said.

CHUCK BAIRD SHARES TALENTS WITH BATTLE CREEK, MICH.

Chuck Baird was in Battle Creek, Mich. to share his artistic talents with students at the Community Inclusive Recreation’s Et Cetera Art Studio. Baird, a deaf artist who has traveled the world to teach and create art with deaf and hearing people, worked with CIR staff and students to create an art exhibit that opened at the studio last week. The show runs through June, and proceeds from artwork sales will be split between CIR and the artists. Baird also unveiled an exhibit of his own work last Friday at the Art Center of Battle Creek (it ends May 27). In addition, last Saturday Baird spoke about his artwork at a lecture at Miller-Stone Auditorium. “Working with Chuck is an honor because he is so well known in the deaf community,” said Grace Hetrick of DEAFLink in the Battle Creek Enquirer.

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ASL FESTIVAL SET FOR JUNE 17 IN DENVER

The Denver Performing Arts Complex will host the American Sign Language Festival on Saturday, June 17. The festival, now in its second year, is dubbed “a celebration of language and culture.” Exhibitors are invited to share information and resources about ASL, and more information may be obtained from Miro Kielbus, contact@aslfestival.com, videophone: aslfestival.no-ip.info. The festival’s website is www.aslfestival.com.

PRESTO! MAGICIANS TO APPEAR IN RUSSIA

St. Petersburg, Russia will be the site of the 11th World Deaf Magicians Festival, which is expected to draw about 50 deaf magician-participants from 16 countries. It begins Sunday, May 18 and runs through the following Sunday, June 4. Young and adult participants will compete in four categories of magic: close-up, stage, illusion and comedy. The festival has been held every two years since the first meeting in 1986 in Leipzig, East Germany. It is organized by the Society of World Deaf Magicians (www.vog.su/magicians/eng/). The 12th festival will take place in Spring 2008 in Riverside, Calif. under the direction of Sammy Ruiz.

SOBERCAMP 2006 ANNOUNCED FOR AUGUST

Deaf and hard-of-hearing people who have been sober or clean for at least 30 days are invited to attend SoberCamp 2006, August 20-26 at Camp Mark Seven in Old Forge, N.Y. The camp is a joint venture between Signs of Sobriety, Inc. of Ewing, N.J. and SAISD (Substance and Alcohol Intervention Services for the Deaf) in Rochester, N.Y. Activities will include outdoor recreation, team building games, family/relationship bonding, 12-Step meetings and more. Hearing family members and spouses may attend as guests. The registration fee is $250 for adults and $60 for children, which includes six nights at the lodge and all meals. More information may be found at www.signsofsobriety.org.

DEAFNATION POKER TOUR EXPECTS TO SELL OUT

More than 200 players have signed up for the DeafNation Poker Tour on Thursday, June 8 at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. The result, said DeafNation’s John Critser, is “a sweet pot climbing upwards to $80,000.” That jackpot is based on 400 players with a $250 buy-in/entry fee per player, but Critser expects to surpass that figure and in fact advises people to send in their entry forms as soon as possible before space is sold out. A web page with information is here: http://deafnation.com/t/dnsports.aspx?articleid=64&zoneid=24.

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MILESTONES
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RACHEL MANLEY, 87, RETIRED HOUSTON TEACHER

Rachel M. Manley, 87, a long-time teacher of the deaf in Houston, Texas, died April 30 at a local hospital, reported the Houston Chronicle. Mrs. Manley was inspired to go into deaf education when two of her four children were born with hearing difficulties. For 27 years she taught deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the Houston Independent School District before retiring in 1983. Among her other activities were sponsoring a Cub Scout den for hard-of-hearing boys and teaching a Sunday school class for the deaf at Park Place United Methodist Church, where she was a 37-year member. “She was a strong and independent person who loved the children,” said Mrs. Manley’s daughter, Sarah Elolf.

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READER RESPONSE
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'SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN TO ME'

Editor’s Note: This is in response to “Mixed Messages in Texas on Program’s Future” (May 3 Deafweekly), about the uncertain status of the deaf education program in Kerrville, Texas. It comes from the woman mentioned in the article, whose deaf daughter is in the program.

Just wanted to follow up on the deaf education situation here in Kerrville, TX. The superintendent ( Dr. Troxell) did say that the program will continue, but continues to dodge the bare facts. I was told by Ronald Chew that the plan was to bus the three deaf children to San Antonio every day. That means the kids would spend about three hours a day on a bus... every day. THIS is what I have a problem with. He is calling bussing the children to the city "a program."

We moved to Kerrville in order to offer our children a small town community setting to be educated in and to grow up in. I was told there would be no interpreter for Amber in the fall because the money is not available. Kerrville is losing two of the three deaf kids mentioned in the story because of the lack of commitment to keeping deaf Kerrville kids in Kerrville.

There is no confusion about the program, just a superintendent that should have been in politics. He knows how to avoid the meaty questions in the media, and how to cast doubt on those who disagree with him.

It is for this reason we are relocating to the Austin area for our child to attend the Texas School for the Deaf this fall. A program that has been around for 150 years sounds like a plan to me!

Blessings,
CHERYL BLEVINS

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EMPLOYMENT
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POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: DIRECTOR, OUTREACH CENTER

DATE POSITION TO BE FILLED: As soon as possible.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

In addition to the supervision of day-to-day activities, the priorities for this position are to: 1) quickly raise awareness of and create demand for the Outreach Center services among the targeted constituencies; 2) assume an active role in the implementation of Future Directions for RSD (White Paper); and 3) form innovative partnerships among physicians, health insurers, schools, and others involved in the education of deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

RSD is seeking a seasoned, energetic professional who is a proven achiever with an entrepreneurial edge. This person understands the business world, is an accomplished motivator and team builder, and has progressed in his/her career to the highest levels of achievement. A highly effective communicator with outstanding interpersonal and leadership skills, this person has the ability to quickly navigate any new "community" or network.

FILE APPLICATION WITH:

Harold Mowl, Jr., Ph.D.
Superintendent/CEO
Rochester School for the Deaf
1545 St. Paul Street
Rochester, NY 14621

Application for employment is available for download at www.rsdeaf.org.

CLOSING DATE : June 2, 2006

Applications received will be screened and the most highly qualified will be asked to interview.

RSD is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of non-qualifying disability, race, religion, color, sex, marital status, age, national origin, and veteran status.

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CEO Position Announcement
Deaf Counseling, Advocacy and Referral Agency (DCARA)

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

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AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE - INTERPRETERS & INSTRUCTOR FOR DISABLED

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

Staff Sign Language Interpreters

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

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

INSTRUCTOR/SPECIALIST - F/T

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

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

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

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CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

Society’s Assets, Inc is seeking a qualified individual to work as a Customer Service Representative at the Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay System in Madison, Wisconsin.

General Information
The Customer Service Representative performs a variety of job functions in order to provide an optimum level of relay customer service. The primary job responsibilities of the Customer Service Representative are to serve as the principal point of contact for WTRS consumers and give educational presentations about the relay system. This position requires travel and schedule flexibility.

Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Three or more years of exposure to Deaf Culture and the diverse communication needs of people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and/or Speech Disabled.
- Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL)
- Ability to communicate effectively on the phone and in person
- Experience in public speaking
- Excellent presentation skills
- Excellent customer service skills

Additional Skills Preferred
- Preference for studies in Communications or Social Services
- Basic data entry skills and knowledge of a variety of computer programs (Microsoft Office Suite preferred)
- Knowledge of telecommunications equipment
- Experience teaching ASL classes

Salary
Salary is commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package!

Submit cover letter and resume to:
Wisconsin Telecommunications Relay System
Attn: Human Resources Manager
8383 Greenway Blvd, Suite 90
Middleton, WI 53562
Phone (Voice/TTY): (800) 600-7826
Fax: (608) 827-0402
Email: kathy.ottelien@hamiltonrelay.com

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

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KANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
POSITION VACANCIES

The Kansas School for the Deaf, 450 East Park St., Olathe, KS 66061, is currently seeking qualified individuals for the following positions for the 2006- 2007 school year:

Secondary Principal **Immediate Opening**
Elementary Teacher
Secondary Mathematics Teacher
Secondary English Teacher
Anticipating Full Time Dormitory Teachers
Substitute Teacher, Para and Dormitory

Placement made within agency guidelines on salary schedule depending upon professional background and experience. KSD offers excellent benefits. Applicants will be screened and the most highly qualified applicants will be invited for an interview session. Positions are open until filled. KSD is located in the Heartland of the USA, part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. For area info on excellent schools and affordable housing check out: www.kcmo.org/ and www.olatheks.org/.

For an application and a job announcement on each of these positions, please refer to our website at www.ksdeaf.org or contact Teresa Chandler, Human Resources Office, at (913) 791-0501 (V/TTY) for further details on the positions. E-mail: tchandler@ksd.state.ks.us. Fax #: 913/780-6563

An Equal Employment/Educational Opportunities Agency
Tobacco Free Campus

“KSD Embraces Diversity”

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT GLAD

GLAD is an Affirmative Action Employer with equal opportunity for men, women and people with disabilities. For more information on the following positions, please go to: www.gladinc.org. The status of all positions is: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt, Full Fringe Benefits unless otherwise noted. All positions are open until filled.

Community Advocate - Los Angeles
Job Developer/Interpreter - Norwalk
LIFESIGNS Director - Los Angeles
LIFESIGNS Clerk - Los Angeles
Network I.T. Administrator - Los Angeles

If interested for any of these positions then please submit resume and application to:

Jeff Fetterman
Human Resources Specialist
Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.
2222 Laverna Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90041
V/TDD: (323) 550-4207
Fax #: (323)550-4204
E-mail: jfetterman@gladinc.org

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PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE MANAGER-C
(Telecommunications Assistance Program Manager)
$3,287 - $4,840 monthly

AS THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MANAGER for the Oregon Public Utility Commission, you will supervise the subordinate staff and provide direction to and monitoring of the three Residential Service Protection Fund programs that deliver telecommunications services to disabled and low income Oregonians, and represent the agency as a liaison between constituent groups, legislature and the programs

If hired, the state will pay your medical/dental premiums, and you will receive nine paid holidays per year, generous sick and vacation leave benefits and 24 hours personal business leave. You will also receive significant technical training opportunities at no cost to you. All this plus living in Salem in close proximity to Portland, Eugene, the Oregon Coast and the Cascade Mountains! To learn more about Oregon, check out the following web pages: http://bluebook.state.or.us and http://www.salemchamber.org/community/about.html.

For more information about this recruitment, visit the State website at www.oregonjobs.org and look for Announcement Number LE060150. This website also has the necessary application forms. Or you can call (503) 373-1368 (voice), or (800) 648-3458 (TDD/TTY) and ask for a copy of the announcement. Completed applications must be received by 5:00 PM on May 23, 2006. An EEO/AA employer.

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