deafweekly

 

June 8, 2005
Vol. 1 No. 34

Editor: Tom Willard

Deafweekly is an independent news report for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. It is mailed to subscribers every Wednesday morning and available to read at www.deafweekly.com. For information, contact mail@deafweekly.com.

To subscribe, please visit www.deafweekly.com. After you sign up, you will receive a confirmation email. Be sure to click on the link in this email to activate your subscription. If you've signed up but haven't received anything, please send a note to mail@deafweekly.com so the problem can be resolved.

The contents of Deafweekly are Copyright 2005. Any unauthorized use, including reprinting of news, is prohibited. Readership: approximately 4,500 including subscribers and website readers.

Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive this newsletter at no charge. For advertising information, see www.deafweekly.com/advertise.htm.



+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NATIONAL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

USA TODAY REPORTS ON ALLEGED CON MAN JOHN BERRY

USA Today published a story Monday on John Berry, the alleged con man likened by one victim to "a deaf John Dillinger." Berry, 52, is in jail in California on $500,000 bond and is scheduled to go on trial in two weeks on 15 felony counts of illegally obtaining prescription drugs. He is also wanted in New York, for allegedly forging checks and fraudulent use of credit cards, and in Massachusetts, where he has been charged with sexually assaulting a 5-year-old child. The FBI has joined California investigators to determine whether Berry has abused other children and how many other adults he may have defrauded. The investigation has been made more challenging by the victims' disabilities. "The deaf community is kind of a culture onto themselves," said Leonard Jackson, a detective with the Tioga County (N.Y.) Sheriff's department. "They don't really trust the police."

WASHINGTON WOMAN DIES OF INJURIES AFTER BEING HIT BY TRAIN

Sheila Bennett, 58, of Yakima, Wash., died Saturday after being hit by a train. Bennett, described by relatives as deaf, fell while pulling a shopping cart across railroad tracks in downtown Yakima Friday afternoon. Engineers spotted the woman and slammed on the brakes of the slow-moving train, but were unable to stop in time. Bennett was initially expected to survive, the Yakima Herald-Republic reported, but she died Saturday morning at a hospital from broken bones and other injuries.

WISCONSIN STATE SENATOR MOVES TO SAVE DEAF OFFICE

The Wausau branch of the Wisconsin Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing has been without a regional coordinator since an October hiring freeze, and the office is expected to close at the end of August when its lease runs out. But Sen. Russ Decker (D-Weston), a member of the Joint Finance Committee, was successful in adding money to a budget plan last week that will provide $50,900 annually to pay for a coordinator for the next two years. The measure still needs legislative approval and the governor's signature. According to the Wausau Daily Herald, the office covers 17 counties in northern Wisconsin and serves about 300 deaf and hard-of-hearing residents.

MINNESOTA EDUCATION BILL PROVIDES FREE TUITION FOR HEARING IMPAIRED

A $2.8 billion higher-education budget bill signed in Minnesota May 26 includes a provision that deaf and hard-of-hearing state residents who receive state or federal Pell Grants can attend state colleges and universites without paying tuition or fees. Rep. Jim Abeler wrote the bill, reported the Minnesota Daily, but Sen. Sandy Pappas deserves most of the credit for the provision. Bobbi Cordano, director of disability services at the University of Minnesota, said the school has 64 students who identified themselves as hard of hearing, deaf or deaf-blind last year. "It is quite possible that there are several thousand hard-of-hearing students who have not identified themselves to Disability Services," she said, "even though they may qualify for them." Blind students in Minnesota have been eligible for tuition waivers since the 1930s.

CALIFORNIA'S OLDEST PERSON, DEAF AND BLIND, DIES AT 112

California's oldest living person has died. Margaret "Madge" Russell, who was deaf and blind, died at a nursing home in Eagle Rock at the age of 112. Russell lived in the Los Angeles area since 1927, after driving cross-country from Missouri with her first husband and two children. She operated boarding homes in Eagle Rock and Glendale for a number of years and taught at private Christian schools. Russell lived at the Solheim Lutheran Home since 1988 and shunned medicine and medical care, said nurse Elisa Rivera. According to the Associated Press, Russell was the seventh-oldest living American and the 14th-oldest in the world.

ARIZONA COLLEGE STUDENT SIGNS TO DEAF PARENTS FROM WHITE HOUSE

Moments after meeting President Bush in the Oval Office, Ramon Moran was interviewed by reporters outside the White House and sent a greeting to his deaf parents in sign language. "My mom and my dad ... I love my whole family," he signed to the TV cameras. "I enjoyed meeting the president." Back home in Tucson, Ariz., with KMSB-TV on the scene, mom Leticia Moran signed to Ramon's sister Lety, "I'm so nervous. It's my first time seeing him on TV like that." Moran, 19, was chosen to meet with the President after earning the regional title "Youth of the Year" from the Boys & Girls Club. He started going to the Holmes Tuttle Boys & Girls Club when he was 10, said club director John McDowell, when he was "a very shy, introverted young man." Today, Moran is a Pima Community College student, and "when he walks in the room, he just takes over," McDowell said.

THERAPIST TO GET REPLACEMENT FOR MISSING COCHLEAR IMPLANT DEVICE

Jolene Arnold, the recreational therapist for the city of Dallas who lost the speech processor for her cochlear implant while skating on an ice rink with an autistic client [Deafweekly, May 25], is getting a replacement of the $6,500 device from the Cochlear Corporation. Arnold, 26, said the company agreed to provide a one-time-only replacement for the device since it was lost or stolen. "I have received so many concerns and support from various people and groups in the Dallas area," she said. "It is very heartwarming to know that there are people out there willing to help." She expects to receive the replacement device sometime this week.

PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSES PROPOSED SIGNING TOWN

Members of the McCook County (S.D.) Planning Commission met yesterday to discuss the proposed signing town of Laurent, but could not agree to recommend to county commissioners a zoning ordinance that would allow construction of the town. They will meet again in two weeks to revisit the issue, reported the Argus Leader. Commission members also heard a report from Joe Bartmann, Greater McCook Development Alliance director, who discussed the potential economic effect on the area, including possible effects on education, local government, taxes and agriculture. Town planners hope to break ground in the fall, with the first phase completed by 2008.

INTERPRETER SHORTAGE PROMPTS LETTER TO INDIANA NEWSPAPER

The city of Fort Wayne, Ind. is doing little to resolve a shortage of interpreters, Kim Drake charged in a letter published June 1 in the Journal Gazette. She was responding to an article 10 days earlier that "barely scratched the needs of the deaf community." Drake noted that Allen County has 26,000 hearing-impaired citizens, while local agency DeafLink has only one available interpreter. "I've lived in this city for over 20 years and I've dealt with DeafLink for approximately 15 years, yet very little has changed," she said. Drake often has her husband interpret for her, but "what about others who don't have that luxury?" She asked that businesses follow the ADA law when it comes to providing interpreters, and concluded, "How long are we going to have to fight to get what is rightly ours?"

MONTANA TEEN ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTED BY TRANSIENT OVER $5 HANDOUT

A deaf 13-year-old boy in Missoula, Mont. was allegedly punched and robbed of $5 by a transient Saturday. The Missoulian reported that John Locke, 34, was charged with robbery and jailed on $5,000 bail. According to an affidavit filed by prosecutors, the deaf teen saw Locke and a companion panhandling for money near an Interstate 90 off-ramp and decided to do the same thing. "He had been there only a brief time when a driver stopped and gave him $5," the affidavit said. "Immediately after that, defendant came up to him, punched him in the stomach with his left fist, and then punched him in the lower back with his right fist. Defendant then reached into his pocket and took the $5 he had just been given." Locke was arrested, and he and the teen were both warned by police that soliciting from a public right of way is illegal in Montana.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Fantastic Shipping Offer at Harris Communications

Free shipping for orders of $50 or more is now available at Harris Communications. This offer applies to most products available in our store. (Free ground shipping to addresses within the continental U.S. only. Some product restrictions apply.) Hurry to take advantage of this offer--- offer expires June 12, 2005. Find out more at http://www.harriscomm.com/link/?www.harriscomm.com?sr=deafweeklynews or contact us at mailto:info@harriscomm.com

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

New Products from Compu-TTY, Inc.

The KA300 Alarm system is the newest and most affordable multi-room system. It monitors all types of audible alarms, such as smoke detectors, fire security and pool alarm, etc. in your home or office. The KA300 system has powerful bed shaker and strobe light with indicators for all alarms. Optional weather radio also works with the KA300 system for all types of emergencies, such as hurricanes, tornados, severe storms, etc. in your area. For more information, check out www.computty.com.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INTERNATIONAL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

AUSTALIAN TEEN CLAIMS DISCRIMINATION, SEEKS $50,000 COMPENSATION

A mother in Australia has filed a discrimination complaint against the government on behalf of her deaf son, who claims he suffered humiliation, anxiety and stress while attending Pearcedale Primary School between 1999 and 2003. Dylan Beasley, 13, has been deaf since birth and communicates using Australian Sign Language. Dylan's mother, Robyn Beasley, is also deaf and told the Herald Sun that her son just wants the same standard of education as his classmates. Dylan was taught by eight teachers and sign language interpreters in his three years at Pearcedale, but claims none could communicate adequately with him. Lawyer James Gray said the family would seek more than $50,000 (AUS) compensation and seek remedial academic and linguistic education.

TOUR GUIDES IN SWITZERLAND TRAINED IN COMMUNICATION

Thirty tour guides from Zurich Tourism in Switzerland were trained in April to communicate with hard-of-hearing tourists. According to Swiss Info, the training course was provided by Pro Audito, a Zurich association for people with hearing difficulties. The course, designed for tour guides and counter staff, did not involve sign language but instead focused on practical advice such as speaking clearly and facing the person you're talking to. Peter Ern, a tour guide for 24 years, likes the idea of bringing hearing and hearing-impaired people together. "I have a clear voice and I use my hands a lot when I speak anyway," he said. Zurich Tourism and Pro Audito are now working with tourism offices in other Swiss cities and hope to launch more tours this summer.

ONSTAR CANADA INTRODUCES TTY HELP LINE

GM Canada's OnStar service, available on more than 50 General Motors models, now offers a toll-free TTY help line for subscribers who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired. The TTY phone number is 1-877-248-2080. English and French operators are available to help OnStar subscribers use a TTY device for stolen vehicle location assistance, remote door unlocks, remote lights and horn (to locate a vehicle in a crowded parking lot or garage) and customer care issues. "OnStar has been improving lives and saving lives since 1996, and we're very proud to enhance our ability to serve deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired drivers," said Dave Mitchell, marketing manager of OnStar Canada.

INDIA PROHIBITS HEARING IMPAIRED FROM OBTAINING DRIVERS LICENSES

The government of India does not allow hearing-impaired citizens to obtain drivers licenses, the Deccan Herald reported Monday, and efforts to change the law have fallen on deaf ears. A government notification dated February 10, 2004 states, "Dumb persons without deafness may be granted a valid driving licence for non-transport vehicle." But C. N. Vijayraj, who runs an organization for the deaf and hard of hearing, argues that it is rare for a non-speaking person to have hearing and thus the rule amendment does not serve a purpose. Recently, he took 62 hearing-impaired people to a government office to enable them to get a drivers license. Everyone in the group already rides or drives vehicles without a license. Still, they were turned away because they cannot hear. This issue has been ongoing for some time, the newspaper noted, and some say it is a violation of human rights to prevent hearing-impaired people from holding a drivers license.

ARTWORK BY DEAF MUSLIM STUDENTS GOES ON DISPLAY IN LEBANON

More than 100 paintings by deaf students in Lebanon went on display Thursday at the Lebanese Artists Association headquarters in Beirut. The exhibition features artwork by deaf Muslim students from the Hizbullah-funded Al-Hadi Institute for the Deaf and Blind. According to the Daily Star, the youngsters were influenced by such artists as Van Gogh, Picasso and Paul Gauguin, and many used a special plastering technique rather than painting with straight oil colors. "For deaf students, art is a special visual language," said Adel Qodeih, president of the Lebanese Plastic Arts Association, " allowing them a more imaginary, creative, honest, vital, active and joyful expression."

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Deafpager.com now has a prize drawing each month! Just sign up for our e-Newsletter!

NEW!! FOUR 4 FREE!! We now give you FREE Bumpers when you purchase a Sidekick II ($99 after rebates!) plus a FREE Auto Charger from us and a FREE Kcco pouch -- and we even throw in FREE UPS shipping. That's FOUR things 4 FREE!

Treo 600 now only $209.00! Great accessories for good prices!

Visit our web site for more information:
http://www.deafpager.com OR email us at: info@deafpager.com


++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Relay for Your Busy Lifestyle.

Life moves fast so don't let relay calls slow you down. Talk with your family and friends from wherever you are. My IP Relaysm on AIM® lets you use Instant Messenger to make your calls and connects you to an operator quickly. Simply add “My IP Relay” to your AIM Buddy List®. With MCI’s My IP Relay, you can connect with family, friends and businesses on any AIM-enabled PC or wireless devices (Sidekick, Ogo, or AIM-enabled Blackberry). It’s easy! For more information, visit www.IP-RELAY.com.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LIFE & LEISURE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

NEW COCHLEAR IMPLANT SYSTEM APPROVED FOR USE IN CANADA

MED-EL Corporation announced last week in Research Triangle Park, N.C. that it has received approval to distribute its new PULSARCI100 cochlear implant system into the Canadian market. Last month, Dr. Lorne Parnes of the London (Ont.) Health Sciences Center became the first to implant a Pulsar device in Canada. The implant's "thinner and longer electrode design allows for a less traumatic and deeper insertion," Dr. Parnes told the Charlotte Observer, "which translates into more potential for some natural hearing preservation and more precise stimulation of lower, important speech frequencies." The Pulsar implant is also safe and compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the Observer noted, whereas other cochlear implant devices require a minor surgical procedure to remove some parts of the device before an MRI can be done.

LIBRARY FINGERPRINTING CLAIM UNTRUE, FOLDA FOUNDER SAYS

DeafDigest claims in this week's edition that deaf patrons of the Naperville, Ill. Public Library who wish to use the library's computers may soon need to be fingerprinted first. "Big Brother [is] watching over us," writes editor Barry Strassler. But it's not true, said Alice Hagemeyer, founder of Friends of Libraries for Deaf Action (FOLDA). In an open letter to DeafDigest, Hagemeyer writes, "Since it is your policy that sources to all your news are never revealed to the deaf community, I made a connection with the Naperville Public Library to confirm this 'rumor.' I found it was not true in accordance to their library policy for Public Access Computers." She went on to urge "more positive news regarding library issues" in the weekly ezine.

SUSPECTED PREGNANCY RISK DISCOUNTED BY OHIO PHYSICIAN

For many years, it was believed that getting pregnant causes deafness in women with a hearing defect called otosclerosis. An Ohio physician, however, has turned this belief on its ear. Dr. William H. Lippy reported his findings two weeks ago at a meeting in Florida of the Triological Society, an organization of ear, nose and throat doctors. According to the Los Angeles Times, Lippy conducted a study of devout Jewish women in Israel and found that "the hearing in those with multiple children was no worse than in those with none." He traced the original belief to a Nazi Germany eugenics program to remove people with genetic defects from the population. Dr. Brad Welling of Ohio State University said the report will not make much difference, since treatment of otosclerosis is now so successful that most women with the disorder can feel free to have children. Dr. Rick Friedman of the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles was skeptical of Lippy's findings. "I still think there is some association," he said.

ILLINOIS WOMAN, 70, GRADUATES FROM COLLEGE

Marian Briggs, 70, of Washington, Ill., graduated from Illinois Central College May 15 with an associate's degree in general education. "I enjoy learning," she told the Pekin Daily Times. "I consider it my hobby." Briggs was born deaf on a farm and had no real language exposure until her family enrolled her in the Illinois School for the Deaf when she was 4 and a half years old. She graduated from ISD in 1955 and went on to work a series of data processing jobs. When she was 50, she decided to take an English class at ICC. "I wasn't sure if I wanted to get a degree or if I could get a degree," said Briggs. "But the more classes I took the more confidence I got, and the more I got to thinking 'Maybe I can do this.'" She and her husband, Carl Briggs, were married a month after she graduated from ISD and will celebrate their 50th anniversary on June 25.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

NEW RELAY OPTION >>>

Introducing i711.com, the newest Internet relay service. i711.com delivers the best relay call experience, but is much MORE than relay. i711.com also has an online community, with exclusive articles on deaf culture, employment and technology, community news headlines, open captioned movie information and more. Visit i711.com to have a great experience when you make your Internet relay calls. But you'll also love i711.com's community connections, news, and content you can't find anywhere else.

i711.com: Better call experience. Better call tools. Community and
customized for you. Try www.i711.com today. It's Relay and Beyond.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WORKING WORLD
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MOTOROLA INTRODUCES VIDEOPHONE CALLED OJO

Motorola began selling a $798 videophone last month called Ojo (pronounced "oh, joe"). "It's the first videophone to meet expectations," said Mark Sasicki, manager of Abt Electronics in Glenview, Ill. "Ojo is the first innovation in phones in a long, long time. Videophones are finally here." According to the Chicago Sun-Times, AT&T introduced the first videophone 40 years ago at the New York World's Fair. The recent spread of broadband service and improved video displays have made the new videophones possible. Ojo provides TV-quality images on a 7-inch, tiltable color LCD screen when connected to another Ojo user. Motorola charges $14.95 per month for unlimited Ojo calls. Sasicki predicted that the price of the Ojo device will fall, and videophones will hit the mass market within four years.

SUPERMARKET IN CALIFORNIA RECOGNIZED FOR HIRING DEAF WORKERS

The California Department of Rehabilitation has recognized Major Market in Escondido for hiring workers with hearing loss. The store currently employs two deaf workers, including Jaime Mendez, 18, who was born in Escondido but moved to Mexico as an infant. He attended school briefly at age 5, but "had a really bad teacher" and quit to work as a goat herder until he was 16. He moved back to Escondido two years ago but found his job opportunities limited -- until Major Market hired him to bag groceries and collect carts from the parking lot. He has become fluent in ASL and will graduate from Escondido High School next year, and is saving money to attend Palomar College. The award was accepted by store manager Toby Truitt, who told the San Diego Union-Tribune, "All of these young men and women have stories of reasons they have been denied employment at different places. In the end, we couldn't think of a good reason not to."

NTID SCIENCE PROFESSOR HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

Todd Pagano has received the Richard and Virginia Eisenhart Provost's Award for Excellence in Teaching from Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology. Pagano is an assistant professor in the Laboratory Science Technology (LST) program at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. He joined NTID three years ago and has been instrumental in developing the LST program, which promotes careers in the environment, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food analysis and forensics. "I met Professor Pagano during summer orientation, and he asked me if I liked science," said student Anita Kurian. "He guaranteed I would if I came to his class. We did different activities and sure enough, I fell in love with the program."

JUNE IS 'MAC MONTH,' SAYS VIDEO RELAY SERVICE COMPANY

June has been declared "Mac Month" by Rocklin, Calif.-based Hands On Video Relay Service, Inc., and the company will celebrate with Town Hall events at locations throughout the country. Hands On is currently the only VRS provider that offers a Macintosh VRS solution, a news release reported, and the service was launched a year ago at the National Association of the Deaf conference in Kansas City. "Deaf and hard-of-hearing Macintosh OS X users can now easily connect to the hearing world," said Ronald Obray, founder and president of Hands On. "We're very proud to provide VRS to this community, which has been largely neglected by other VRS providers.

ADARA ANNOUNCES ON-LINE FORUM ON DEAF PROFESSIONALS

ADARA has announced an on-line forum, "Professionals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Meeting the Challenges," to take place Monday, June 20 in the ADARA Chat Room. It will be facilitated by Annette Reichman, Chief of the Deafness and Communicative Disorders Branch of the Federal Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. The forum, one of a continuing series of educational opportunities offered by ADARA, will begin at 8 p.m. To get involved, go to www.adara.org.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

CSDVRS IS GROWING!

VIDEO: ‘Father’s Day Is Coming Up!!'’www.csdvrs.com/father.html

Since its March 31st launch, demand for CSDVRS has been steadily growing. To keep up with demand, CSDVRS now has 13 Video Relay Centers, with an additional 11 centers coming online soon!

CSDVRS Live Signed Customer Video Support hours have also been increased. You can communicate with Customer Support representatives in sign language!

Website users: www.csdvrs.com, click “Customer Support”
D-Link users: help.csdvrs.tv

You may be eligible for free videophone equipment. Apply on the CSDVRS website.

Have you made your Father’s Day plans yet? Let CSDVRS help make this a great Father’s Day for you and your Dad.

VIDEO: ‘Father’s Day Is Coming Up!!'’www.csdvrs.com/father.html

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Want quicker access to Video Relay Service?
Hamilton VRS encourages all D-Link consumers to add call.hipvrs.com to their videophone speed dial list. This will also enable consumers to connect with their choice of VRS provider.

To add the IP address for Hamilton VRS to your list:
1. Go to "Dial" button and click on the button to enter another prompt.
2. Go to "Add" to add the video relay service address in the Speed Dial list. You will see a prompt immediately after hitting the "Add" button that will contain information such as name, telephone number field, and address field.
3. Go to the address field and enter "call.hipvrs.com" and click on the "OK" button upon completion to save the address.

Contact Customer Support
Via Phone: 1-877-283-7687 V/TTY
Via Instant Messaging (AOL, Yahoo or MSN) at HamiltonVRSHelp
(from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (EST), Monday - Friday
Via E-mail: hipvrs@hamiltonrelay.com
Hamilton VRS hours are from 7:30 AM to Midnight EST daily.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

SHOOTING SET FOR JULY IN HARLEM FOR 'THE DEAF SHALL SING'

Germaine Moody, who goes by the name "Kingdomchild," has signed to co-star in "The Deaf Shall Sing," a dramatic short film by New York writer/producer Javan L. Jackson. Moody will play "Darius," the brother of a deaf African-American songwriter born into a family of singers who desires to join in the family's musical heritage. Negi Brown plays the songwriter. "I hope Negi inspires the viewers to make the most of every moment of their lives and be motivated to live it as their last," said Jackson, CEO of Nuexperience Productions. To prepare for the role, Moody will need to learn some sign language, and he also plans to serve as assistant director. Shooting is set for late July in Harlem, N.Y., and a DVD is expected to be released in the fall. Information: www.thedeafshallsingmovie.com.

INTERPRETERS GATHER IN NEW YORK TO STUDY THEATER INTERPRETING

Twenty sign-language interpreters from across the country are gathered in New York this week for "Interpreting for the Theatre," a weeklong institute presented by the Theatre Development Fund's Theatre Access Project (TAP) and the Julliard School. According to Broadway World, the annual program started in 1998 and features classes taught by some of the city's top theater interpreters. Participants, from 11 different states, were accepted into the program after submitting a videotaped audition. Deaf evaluators will be brought in to provide critiques in translation and performance. The seminar concludes Saturday, with selected participants making their Broadway sign language interpreting debut at a matinee performance of "La Cage aux Folles." For information, go to www.tdf.org/TAP/.

ADVOCATE SEEKS 100,000 SIGNATURES ON CAPTIONING PETITION

Joseph Brzezowski is tired of renting DVDs and finding that they are not closed-captioned. "It is time to fight back and demand for our rights," he said in the introduction to a petition he posted recently on the website Petition Spot. His goal is to collect 100,000 signatures to share with the entertainment industry, and as of Monday morning he was closing in on the first 1,000. "Movie producers are making millions of dollars and do not care about providing closed captions," he said. "It is our turn now, we need the help." To sign the petition, go to www.petitionspot.com/petitions/ClosedCaptioned.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

Sprint Relay Wireless, powered by GoAmerica®,
is available on the Sidekick/HipTop wireless devices. Sprint Relay Wireless is also accessible through the RIM 850, 857 and 950 devices running WyndTell® service.
Sidekick and HipTop wireless device users access Sprint Relay by clicking on the bright TTY icon directly from the chooser screen. To download and install Sprint Relay Wireless, access the device’s Catalog download feature. In the catalog, simply select Sprint Relay Wireless from the Applications list, and select Purchase to download and install the service for free. For more information on Sprint Relay Wireless, visit http://www.sprintrelay.com/ or email srw@goamerica.com.

++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
COMING EVENTS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

COCHLEAR IMPLANT CONVENTION SET FOR JULY IN MASSACHUSETTS

The 5th Biennial Northeast Cochlear Implant Convention is set for July 15-17 at the Sturbridge (Mass.) Hotel & Convention Center. Organizers recently announced that the banquet speaker will be Graeme M. Clark, director of the Bionic Ear Institute in Melbourne, Australia. Clark will speak from home via videoteleconference, which will allow for visual and spoken interaction between the speaker and convention attendees. Captioning and interpreting will be provided. The previous convention attracted nearly 300 children and 500 parents and professionals. More information may be found at www.cisupport.org.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
EMPLOYMENT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Position Announcement: CEO

DCARA is seeking a strong and dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead the agency and to build on over 40 years of continuous growth and evolution of the agency. The CEO will report directly to the Board of Directors and will be responsible for all aspects of the agency's operations, programs, finances, and personnel. DCARA is a non-profit, community-based social service agency serving the Deaf community in the San Francisco Bay Area.

SALARY: Starting at $75,000; with excellent benefits

For more information, visit www.dcara.org or email searchchair@dcara.org. Deadline for application: Wednesday, June 15, 2005.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

JOB OPPORTUNITIES @ GLAD

GLAD is an Affirmative Action Employer with equal opportunity for men, women and people with disabilities. For more information on the following positions, go to: www.gladinc.org
Status of all positions is: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt, Full Fringe Benefits unless otherwise noted. All positions are open until filled. Revised 6/03/05

JOB DEVELOPER/INTERPRETER in West Covina, Crenshaw, Norwalk, Anaheim
Brief Summary: Under the direction of the Coordinator, the Job Developer/Interpreter will provide assistance with Job Development/Placement efforts, work in conjunction with traditional employment resources, develop employment opportunities, identify openings and opportunities for clients in need of employment assistance, other duties include job interviews, job counseling to clients and employers…

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE in Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Ventura
Brief Summary: Under the direction of the Human Services Director, the Community Advocate will assist deaf and hard of hearing consumers in the area of communication access via TTY relay, document translation, and other duties, provide advocacy in the areas of social security, education, employment, consumer affairs, and others, record statistics on a daily basis related to provision of services, counsel deaf and hard of hearing consumers with problems related to personal and family adjustments, finances, employment, food, clothing and housing….

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE CEO in Los Angeles
Brief Summary: Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Assistant will perform high-level secretarial and administrative duties for the Chief Executive Officer. The Executive Assistant will compose and type routine correspondence, memoranda, announcements, etc.; organize and maintain office files; answer and screen CEO's telephone messages, schedule and make appointments; arrange and coordinate CEO's travel schedules and reservations . . .

HIV PROGRAM INTERPRETER in Los Angeles
Brief Summary: Under the supervision of the Director of Health/Education Services, the HIV Program Interpreter will perform all duties and tasks as outlined in the AESD program scope of work, interpret initial HIV antibody test and results, update and maintain a pool of qualified HIV-trained interpreters to assist with interpreting assignments, interpret and coordinate interpreter services to deaf and hard of hearing consumers with HIV/AIDS ….

NETWORK I.T. ADMINISTRATOR in Los Angeles
Brief Summary: Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues involving network hardware and software. Perform daily maintenance of network hardware and software systems. Work with organizational staff to create and implement computer networking policies. Ensure backups and recovery of severs and workstations data and have ready a disaster recovery plan. Assist computer users with technical hardware and software issues both on site and remotely . . .

HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST in Los Angeles
Brief Summary: Under the supervision of the CEO, the Human Resources Specialist will be responsible for administration of employee benefits including health, dental, vision, and pension plan; Recruit, interview and hire all GLAD personnel; Conduct new employee orientation; Prepare job announcements, duty statements, and all employment related correspondence; Assist in the maintenance, administration, and development of personnel policies and the Employee Handbook; Provide training and workshops in areas related to Human Resources matters to managers; Act as custodian of records and maintain records of employment related materials and personnel files…

COMMUNITY INTERPRETER in Los Angeles, Riverside
Brief Summary: Under the supervision of the Los Angeles Regional Director, the Community Interpreter will interpret assignments as delegated by the Interpreter Referral Specialists and/or Regional Director for assignments that can range from routine medical appointments, staff meetings at large companies, formal speeches (platform interpreting), press conferences or any other situation that requires communication access . . .

DIRECTOR OF LIFESIGNS in Los Angeles
Brief Summary: Under the direction of the CEO, the Director of LIFESIGNS will be responsible for planning and supervising the day-to-day activities of the office, including the provision of training, mentorship and supervision to staff. The Director will attends and participate in a wide range of activities promoting and marketing LIFESIGNS to the local community; participate in board meetings; handle all incoming and outgoing correspondence, interpreting contracts and bids with the CEO; prepare reports for funding sources; and attend public workshops, which benefit the agency….

PROGRAM ASSISTANT/INTERPRETER in Los Angeles
Brief Summary: Under supervision of the Director of Health Education/Services, using the guidelines of the assigned scope of work provided by the California Department of Health Services' Community Challenge Grant, the Program Assistant/Interpreter will work closely with the Community Health Educators on activities for GLAD's program including plan and participate in community events and educational workshops as stated in the project scope of work; provide interpreting services for teleconferencing meetings, collaborative meetings, OFP regional meetings, FamilyPACT clinic meetings, and appointments or any other situations which may arise to facilitate communication for project staff . . .

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Click here to subscribe or here to advertise.

Home | Subscribe | Current Issue | Back Issues | Advertise | Submit News
Links | About | Contact