deafweekly
May 21, 2014
Vol. 10, No. 29
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 2014 and any unauthorized use is prohibited.
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Last issue's most-read story: COUPLE ON WAY TO START NEW LIFE KILLED IN HORRIFIC CRASH / KTVU
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Costa Mesa, CA
SHOULD FEDERAL JUDGE MAKE REDBOX DVD OBEY ADA DEMANDS?
The success of Redbox Automated Retail DVD rentals is undeniable after capturing more than 33 percent of the national market, but one Orange County man believes the operation is callously discriminatory against deaf customers and he's demanding compensation. Redbox has illegally "failed to provide equal access to their DVD and Blu-ray and video streaming services by refusing to make available closed captioned text for the deaf and hard of hearing--a feature that is necessary for such individuals to understand the audio portion of the video content," according to Francis Jancik's lawsuit. / OC Weekly
Washington, DC
HUD REACHES HOUSING DISCRIMINATION AGREEMENT FOR UNLAWFUL PRACTICES AGAINST THE DEAF
The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) has announced that it has negotiated an agreement between the National Fair Housing Alliance, the Austin Tenants’ Council, the National Association of the Deaf, and Bell Partners, a Greensboro, NC-based apartment owner and operator that controls more than 64,000 homes in 15 states, settling allegations that the company’s properties in Texas and Georgia denied housing to deaf persons. / NMPM
Boston, MA
HOW TECHNOLOGY COULD THREATEN DEAF IDENTITY
Hearing aids and cochlear implants have improved the lives of the oral deaf, people with hearing loss who speak and may read lips rather than signing. But as technology advances, deaf people may soon have cochlear implants that are invisible to observers, which could challenge the community’s identity. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is developing an entirely internal cochlear implant. Users would charge the device wirelessly; the prototype charger plugs into a cell phone and charges the implant in two minutes. / The Atlantic
Elwyn, PA
MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM'S NEWEST LIFE CENTER TO SERVE DEAF SENIORS
Mercy Health System is opening a Mercy LIFE continuing-care residential center for deaf seniors on Wednesday. The center, called Valley View, was established on the campus of Elwyn in Delaware County. Elwyn is a nonprofit organization that serves children and adults with a wide range of physical, developmental, sensory and emotional disabilities. Valley View was designed to provide both housing and the Mercy LIFE (Living Independently for Elders) program for senior adults. / Philadelphia Business Journal
Oxford, MI
VILLAGE SITE EYED FOR DEAF HOUSING PROJECT
A unique residential community – something that would be the first of its kind in Michigan – could be what the future holds in store for the property at 98 S. Glaspie St. owned by Oxford Village. The Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) is exploring the feasibility of constructing apartments there for senior citizens (age 55 and older) who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. / Clarkston News
Glendale, AZ
ALL SIGNS POINT TO SUCCESS
Seven GCC students arrived early to the spring commencement exercises in May, eagerly taking their places in the front row. All had something in common, having earned higher-education credentials at GCC. But something else united this group: the shared identity of Deaf culture. / GCC News
Montclair, NJ
INAUGURAL RECEPTION LAUNCHES THE NEW JERSEY HEARING AID PROJECT
Hearing Charities of America, the New Jersey Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Montclair State University announce the launch of The New Jersey Hearing Aid Project (NJHAP) at an inaugural reception on Wednesday, May 28. Recognizing that the need for hearing assistive devices by low income individuals was too great for any one organization, the network was developed to generate the resources and outcomes necessary to improve hearing health of many New Jersey residents. / PRWeb
Atlanta, GA
MEET THE MAN WHO NAILS DRAG FOR DEAF GAYS
Maybe you recognize David Cowan, with his distinctive beard and shaved head, from his perch on stage at Atlanta Pride smiling and gyrating as he interprets drag numbers and so much more for deaf audience members. Or maybe not. Like most people in the crowd at Pride events, you're focused on the performers. But as a deaf interpreter, Cowan takes center stage for gay Atlantans who are deaf and hard of hearing by bridging both the hearing and deaf cultures as he translates drag, songs, speeches and more into ASL. / Project Q Atlanta
Martinsburg, WV
MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ROBBING A HEARING-IMPAIRED PIZZA DELIVERY MAN
A man accused of robbing a hearing-impaired pizza delivery man at knifepoint in December was found guilty Friday of first-degree robbery and assault during the commission of a felony by a jury in Berkeley County Circuit Court. Derek A. Caldwell, 29, is scheduled to be sentenced July 14, Berkeley County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Timothy D. Helman said after the verdict was returned Friday at the conclusion of a two-day trial. / Herald Mail Media
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London, England
WATCH: VIDEO OF MARK THOMAS PUTTING UP DEAF PROTEST SIGNS AT AMAZON HQ
Here’s a video of TV comedian Mark Thomas putting up ‘LOVE FILM HATE DEAF PEOPLE’ signs at Amazon’s HQ in central London on Tuesday. Mark’s stunt, in support of Stephanie McDermid’s 15,000 strong petition asking Amazon to subtitle their online content, drew a response from Amazon promising to begin subtitling content this year. / The Limping Chicken
North Korea
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DEAF SCHOOL GIRL IN NORTH KOREA
"I was one year-old when I went deaf," signed Ju Su-yang, whose carer interpreted for the North Korean translator. A routine meningitis inoculation had gone wrong, she explained, miming the shot by stabbing her hip with an index finger. Her body had reacted against the drug, which may have been contaminated, bringing on a high fever. When she regained her health, her hearing was lost. "Now I remember nothing of sound. I cannot even imagine it." / The Guardian
Gaborone, Botswana
THINGS NOT WELL AT CENTRE FOR THE DEAF
Skeletons are expected to tumble out of the closet as allegations of corruption at the troubled Botswana Society for the Deaf (BSD) emerge. Just two weeks into their strike over unpaid wages, employees at Ramotswa Centre for the Deaf are pointing accusing fingers at BSD management for what they believe is misuse of funds. “We feel pity for the kids that we’re taking care of, but there is no way we’re going back to work without our dues,” said the employees’ spokesperson Gloria Mogorosi. / The Voice
Lagos, Nigeria
DEAF AND DUMB REMANDED IN PRISON FOR ILLICIT DRUG DEAL
A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, ordered the remand, at the Ikoyi prisons, of a 32-year-old deaf and dumb, Aliu Sanni, charged with illicit drug deal. The accused had pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of dealing in about 17.8 kilogrammes of cocaine. He was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. A sign language interpreter, Mr Olajide Adeniyi, had translated the charge to the accused. / Nigerian Tribune
Manila, Philippines
THEY BROKE BARRIERS OF SILENCE TO EMPOWER THE DEAF
They include accountants, marketing executives, nurses and teachers, among others, all drawn to a common calling. And thankfully their advancing ranks haven’t produced “fakes,” like the one who showed up at the Nelson Mandela funeral and grabbed headlines last year. The Philippine Association of Interpreters for Deaf Empowerment recently recognized the country’s outstanding sign language practitioners through its Golden Hands Awards. / Inquirer
Karachi, Pakistan
DEAF SQUASH PLAYERS FEEL LEFT OUT, SAYS KOMAL RAFIQ
Pakistan’s deaf squash players will not participate in the 7th World Deaf Squash championship to be held at Ede Squash Centre, Netherlands, from October 6–12, due to financial constraints. “We don’t have any support and sponsorship from Pakistan Squash Federation or anyone else,” said Secretary Pakistan Deaf Squash Association Komal Rafiq. “Thus we have to miss this world championship." / The News International
Swaziland
NEWLY ORDAINED MINISTER ANTHONY LANGWENYA TO ESTABLISH CHURCH FOR THE DEAF
Last Sunday SCENE was invited by Anthony LaNgwenya to his ordaining ceremony held at Reformed Church in Manzini. Unfortunately we could not make it, but we were sure to follow up what happened and what his hopes for the Deaf Christian community are now that the day he has awaited since completing his studies had finally come. / The Swazi Observer
Taranaki, New Zealand
ART SPEAKS TO DEAF THROUGH SIGN LANGUAGE
Members of the deaf community enjoyed discussing local artworks yesterday thanks to a visiting sign language interpreter. The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Deaf Aotearoa teamed up to provide a day of art appreciation for deaf people in Taranaki, as part of New Zealand Sign Language Week. The small group gathered at the Wind Wand then moved to Pukekura Park to picnic under Reuben Patterson's gold-glittered tree The Golden Bearing and to learn about the artwork. / Taranaki Daily News
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5 REASONS LIFE AS A DEAF PERSON IS WEIRDER THAN YOU THOUGHT
There are over 500,000 deaf people in the United States, but the only time we hear about deaf culture is when someone is making up sign language at presidential funerals, rioting, or teaching kids on Sesame Street. As a result, the average person has no idea what being deaf involves, and therefore life can get downright weird for anyone who can't hear like the rest of you. Well, I'm a sign language interpreter and an American Sign Language (ASL) graduate, and I'll try to give you a glimpse of how strange things can get ... / Cracked
Dallas, TX
EVENT TO KICK OFF CHAPTER OF DEAF MUSLIM GROUP IN RICHARDSON
The Islamic Association of North Texas will host a kickoff event for the DFW chapter of Global Deaf Muslim from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Global Deaf Muslim is a Virginia-based nonprofit established to bring awareness to the rights and needs of the deaf Muslim community. The event will include dinner and guest speakers from the Islamic community. / Dallas Morning News
Scottsbluff, NE
SERVICE FOR THE DEAF KEEPS THEM CONNECTED
By 9 a.m., Peter Seiler has finished a two-mile bike ride in preparation for an upcoming 475-mile bike ride. When his phone rings, Seiler utilizes video relay in which a sign language interpreter on a computer screen signs to him and speaks to the person on the other end of the phone. / Star Herald
San Diego, CA
SLEEP APNEA LINKED TO HEARING LOSS IN NEW STUDY
People with sleep apnea may have a higher risk of hearing loss, according to a new study. The research found that of the 13,967 participants sampled, about 10 percent had at least moderate sleep apnea. These patients had a 31 percent increased risk of high frequency hearing impairment, a 90 percent increased risk of low frequency hearing impairment and a 38 percent increased risk in combined high and low frequency hearing impairment after controlling for other causes of hearing loss and potentially confounding factors like age and sex. / The Huffington Post
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Bridgewater, MA
HELPING HANDS: MOLINARI TEACHES ASL AND DEAF AWARENESS
Laura Gardner still remembers how amazing it felt the first time she had a real conversation with her older daughter when she was a tiny toddler just learning to speak. Gardner, of West Bridgewater, has yet to experience that milestone with her younger daughter, 4-year-old Rozlyn, but she’s determined to make it happen. And this time, their shared language won’t be English. It will be American Sign Language. / Bridgewater Independent
New York, NY
CREATING DEAF ACCESSIBILITY IN THE WORKPLACE
When interviewing for a job, you only get one chance at a good first impression. You try to wear the right clothes, mentally prepare, and hope you have all the right answers. But what if none of that mattered? What if you didn't get the job because of the color of your eyes? Or because you were too tall? In 2014, this kind of hiring discrimination might sound absurd, but for deaf job candidates it is a difficult reality. / The Huffington Post
Austin, TX
BEN SOUKUP, CSD FOUNDER, TO RETIRE
After 38 years of dedicated service, CSD founder and CEO Benjamin J. Soukup has announced his retirement from his duties as CEO effective June 30th of this year. CSD Board of Directors has named Christopher B. Soukup as Chief Executive Officer. / UAD
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