Deafweekly July 19, 2006

deafweekly

July 19, 2006
Vol. 2 No. 37

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.

Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive Deafweekly at no charge.

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NATIONAL
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MINISTER ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN FOR MINNESOTA HOUSE

Saying “Ten years is long enough - time for a change,” a deaf minister entered the campaign for the Minnesota House last week against an incumbent first elected in 1996. According to the Associated Press, Rev. Emory Dively, a Republican, said he will challenge Rep. Michael Paymar, a Democrat, in November’s election. Dively announced his campaign last Wednesday with an interpreter on the Capitol steps, saying he opposes tax increases, supports light-rail transit in St. Paul and wants to see better services for deaf people. He added that his election would apparently make him the nation’s first deaf state lawmaker.

RHODE ISLAND WOMAN ASKS TOWN COUNCIL FOR ‘FAIRNESS’

Next Monday, the Jamestown (R.I.) Town Council will hold a public hearing on a proposal to add disability to nine other categories for property tax exemptions, said The Jamestown Press. The Council is acting on a request made last summer by Gemma Guinguing, the immediate past Miss Deaf Rhode Island. Visually-impaired people receive a tax exemption but hearing-impaired people do not, and Guinguing - who does not own property herself - said she wanted to be treated equally. The councilors want to link eligibility to Social Security status, but Guinguing pointed out that not all deaf people get Social Security. She suggested the exemption be based on medical diagnosis without regard to income, just as it is now done with the blind. “Please do not make my simple request for fairness more complicated,” she wrote.

FOOTBRIDGE COLLAPSES ON GALLAUDET CAMPUS

A raised pedestrian walkway fell Monday on the campus of Gallaudet University. A large section of the Hanson Plaza footbridge “collapsed on to the road below,” said Gallaudet’s public relations office, which was quick to blame the incident on a heat wave. “The extreme temperature caused the bridge’s concrete to expand, buckle and eventually fall,” said a statement. A blogsite called SilentWarrior68 (www.xanga.com/SilentWarrior68) contains several photos of the aftermath, along with the alternate claim that the collapse resulted from leakage from underground water pipes. Another blog, Tactile Junkie (www.xanga.com/tactilejunkie), contains author Christine Roschaert’s accounts of her efforts going back several years to convince Gallaudet’s administration to address campus infrastructure problems.

RAPIST SENTENCED TO 105 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON

Henry Ivan Cogswell was sentenced last Friday in Vista, Calif. to 105 years to life in prison, reported the San Jose Mercury News. Cogswell, 31, an ex-convict who is deaf, had been found guilty in February of five counts related to the 2004 attack against an acquaintance who is also deaf. The woman, who testified earlier at a preliminary hearing, had her testimony read to jurors at Cogswell’s trial. She said the defendant raped her several times in his car and again the next morning in a parking lot near his home. Superior Court Judge John Einhorn added a consecutive term to the sentencing because the last rape came hours after the others. “The defendant had time to reflect, to think, to realize he had choices, and again raped the victim,” said Einhorn.

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Did you know that beginning July 1st, you will have the flexibility of using most VRS providers from your VP?

It’s time to Switch to Sprint!

§ Faster connections!
§ Experienced Video Interpreters
§ Excellent Spanish and VCO options

How can you connect to SprintVRS from your VP?

1. Click on DIAL
2. Click on SPEED DIAL
3. Click on ADD
4. For NAME enter “1 SprintVRS” (for faster access the next time you place a call)
5. Select IP ADDRESS
6. Enter “SprintVRS.tv” (To enter text, bring up the keyboard on your screen by pressing ENTER on your remote)
7. Click OK

§ Other options: “Spanish.Sprintvrs.tv” and “Sprintvrsvco.tv” (follow the same steps listed above.)

The next time you need to make a SprintVRS call, click on 1 SprintVRS from your Speed Dial list. Need more options, visit www.sprintvrs.com.

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DEAF DRIVER’S NOTES LEAD TO DRUG ARREST

A deaf driver was arrested in Kalamazoo, Mich. on drug-related charges after police found the notes he allegedly wrote with a drug dealer, reported WWMT. The unidentified 57-year-old Flint man was pulled over last Thursday evening and told police a person he picked up had tried to sell him drugs but he did not buy any. Police then found a small amount of crack cocaine and marijuana in the car. The man was charged with possession of crack cocaine, possession of marijuana, driving with a suspended license and on four outstanding warrants.

MARYLAND HOSPITAL SETTLES LAWSUIT

A Maryland hospital has settled a lawsuit filed by several deaf plaintiffs who said the facility failed to comply with accessibility laws, reported The Gazette. An agreement announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice requires Laurel Regional Hospital to provide qualified interpreters or approved video interpreting services when necessary. “We were behind the times,” said hospital spokeswoman Suzanne Almalel, “and we needed to improve our communications with the hearing impaired.” The hospital uses video interpreting only when an interpreter is not available, she added, and only until an interpreter arrives. “I hope this agreement will be a model for other hospitals,” said Wan J. Kim, assistant attorney general for Civil Rights.

COLLEGE SUPPORT PROGRAM ADDS SECOND LOCATION

A program for deaf students that has been based at the Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted since 1974 is expanding 25 miles away to Capital Community College in Hartford. According to the Hartford Courant, the pilot program will offer developmental English instruction and tutoring in computer applications for deaf and hard-of-hearing students who attend mainstreamed classes at Capital. Program director Mark Myers said administrators at both colleges are working together to provide support and equal opportunities for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

OHIO WOMAN CHARGED AFTER BOY, 9, FOUND HOME ALONE

Dennison, Ohio resident Doris Walters was charged with child endangering after police on Saturday found a 9-year-old deaf boy left alone for several hours at her residence in unsanitary living conditions. A police officer found the boy after going to Walters’ home while investigating a report of juveniles throwing rocks at cars, said the New Philadelphia Times Reporter. The patrolman reported that the home was in poor condition and he could find no food. The boy was placed in the temporary custody of a neighbor while children’s services were notified of the incident.

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Sorenson IP Relay™ expands communication possibilities for deaf and hard-of hearing individuals by enabling free text-to-speech relay calls with any standard telephone user in the U.S. Sorenson IP Relay calls can be initiated by visiting the Web site at www.siprelay.com from a personal computer, or can be made with a Sidekick, Blackberry, Trço or other mobile device. A trusted Sorenson Communications Assistant (CA) instantaneously facilitates the conversation between the Sorenson IP Relay user and a friend, doctor or business associate. Sorenson IP Relay calls are free for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

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SPECIAL DEALS ON ALARM CLOCKS AT WCI!

Choose from two different alarm clocks on sale during July. The Sonic Alert Travel & Bedside Clock features a large easy to read display and powerful 12-volt shaker. Regularly $34.95, this month it’s only $27.95! The SBP-100 Sonic Shaker portable clock includes travel case, pillow clasp and one-year warranty. Retail price is $29.95 but it’s only $24.95 this month! Call 1-800-233-9130 (V/TTY) or visit us online at http://www.weitbrecht.com. To receive a copy of our catalog, email sales@weitbrecht.com.

WCI. Providing Solutions for People with Hearing Loss.

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With Hamilton Relay Wireless, there is no software to download!!

Hamilton Relay Wireless is available nationwide and does NOT require you to download any software. You could choose another Wireless Relay provider, but WHY?
No other provider makes using relay on the go so simple!
Place Hamilton relay calls with your Blackberry, Treo and Sidekick or with ANY device that runs AIM® or has a Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) browser!
How? With AIM®, send an instant message to HipRelay.
With a WAP browser, go to http://www.hamiltonrelay.com/.

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Sidekick IIs Available at Harris Communications

Hurry, and get your Sidekick II while limited supplies last!
Order the $29.99 monthly data-only plan and you will receive a $50 rebate.

Remember, the Harris Communications weekly email news lets you know about new products and specials at Harris Communications. Sign up now at www.harriscomm.com.

Also, be sure to keep these pages bookmarked and check back frequently:

New Products at Harris Communications
http://www.harriscomm.com/catalog/products_new.php

Current Sales at Harris Communications
http://www.harriscomm.com/catalog/specials.php

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INTERNATIONAL
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THE WINNER OF THE MISS DEAF WORLD 2006 TITLE IS . . .

The results are in and Ivana Novelic, a 17-year-old from Serbia and Montenegro, has been crowned Miss Deaf World 2006. The final took place Sunday in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. The Ukraine’s Maryna Chuchriy, 17, took the First Vice-Miss title and Viera Zliechovcova, 20, of Slovakia won Second Vice Miss. The title of Miss Sympathy was presented to Angeligue Verstraete, 20, of Belgium. A photo of the winning four and pictures of each contestant can be found at www.missdeafworld.com.

MOTHER OF MISSING MAN CONFRONTS MINISTER

The mother of a deaf United Arab Emirates man who failed to return home from college confronted an unnamed minister during a media event last Wednesday at a Bandra hospital, reported the Gulf News. The woman, identified only as Mukta, said her son, Amit, 20, had taken a train from school the previous day and never arrived home. “My child must be lying somewhere with no one to take care of him,” she said. The minister ordered his aides to broadcast the picture on TV and newspapers, but Mukta refused to hand over her only good picture of Amit. The impatient minister resumed his tour and Mukta returned to relatives outside the hospital gates. The teary-eye mother planned to make the mortuary their next stop. “I might find my son there,” she said.

BOOKS FOR PARENTS TO BE GIVEN OUT FREE IN VIETNAM

A U.S.-funded project will distribute 5,000 Vietnamese copies of the book “Helping Children Who Are Deaf,” reported VietNamNet. About 3,000 books will be given out free and the remainder will be sold to help raise money for expenses. The activities-packed book, designed for parents and developed by the Hesperian Foundation, has been field tested in 17 countries. In Vietnam, its distribution will be managed by the Pearl S. Buck International and the Training and Development Centre for Special Education. The US Agency for International Development has chipped in $385,000 (US) for the project.

LOWER TEXT MESSAGING COSTS SOUGHT IN TAIWAN

Deaf people in Taiwan pay three times as much for messaging fees as “normal people,” reported The China Post last week. The Consumers’ Foundation and deaf advocates say more than 110,000 deaf people in Taiwan use mobile phone services to send text messages but cannot deduct the messaging costs from their monthly bill “like ordinary people.” CF officials suggested that companies provide text messaging to deaf customers at cost. Three telecommunications companies have promised to work out a reduced rate within the next two to three months.

PHILIPPINES WOMAN TELLS POLICE SHE WAS GANG RAPED

A deaf Philippines woman told police last week she was gang-raped by four men in Silay City, reported the Visayan Daily Star. The 23-year-old victim claimed in sign language that the four suspects mauled her and took turns raping her. A medical exam, however, showed no indication that she was sexually molested aside from some abrasions on her breast. An officer from the Silay Women and Children Concerned Desk called on witnesses to come forward. The victim, who has two children ages 2 and 1 month, identified three of her four assailants as “one who drives a motorcycle, a bald person and the other with a mustache.”

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Bullying Hurts! Stop it!

See Dr. Hodgdon's website for workshop information www.stopdeafbullying.com

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AUSTRALIAN MAN JAILED FOR RAPING 2-YEAR-OLD SON

A deaf Australian man was jailed last week after pleading guilty to having sex with his 2-year-old son and assaulting his wife. The man, who was not identified for legal reasons, was sentenced to four years in jail with a non-parole period of three years, said The Mercury in Hobart, Tasmania. He dressed the infant in girl’s clothing and raped him because he was mad at his wife, the court heard. He seriously assaulted the wife, who is also deaf, a few days later. Both crimes occurred in 1999, but the wife was too scared to seek help until 2004. At last week’s sentencing, Judge Shan Tennent said the man “ruled the family in a cruel, harsh and what might be described as spiritually crazed manner.”

ALLEGED CITY STREET GROPER CAUGHT ON FILM

A drunken man who groped a deaf 17-year-old girl in Lancashire, U.K. was caught on film moments before the alleged attack, reported the Lancashire Evening Post on Friday. Footage from CCTV shows the girl walking and talking with the man on a city street before the two moved outside the shot. Police told the police she feared she would be raped after the man groped her, tried to kiss her and touched her again. Officials would now like to hear the other side of the story. “If the person recognizes themselves on the CCTV footage they can contact us,” said Det. Sgt. John Crichton. “It doesn’t necessarily mean they will be put in a cell or charged.”

CELEBRITIES SIGN ON WITH INDIA DEAF EXPO 2006

Pop singer Raageshwari has signed on to be the brand ambassador for Deaf Expo 2006, which will take place December 14-16 in Tamil Nadu, India. She and actor Shreyas Talpade, who played a deaf and mute cricketer in “Iqbal,” attended a press conference last week to promote the event, reported the Mumbai Daily News & Analysis. Raageshwari told the audience she learned sign language from a deaf girl “who wished that her neighbors and friends would do the same.” Saying she is now fluent, the singer added that she sometimes rests her voice and uses sign language instead. Talpade said that he has become involved with several causes, “all thanks to ‘Iqbal.’” More information on India’s Deaf Expo 2006 can be found at www.indiadeafexpo.org.

UTAH GROUP TO SPEND TWO WEEKS IN KENYA

A group of 24 students and nine adults from a Salt Lake City, Utah nonprofit group called YouthLINC left last Thursday for a two-week mission in Kenya. The group, ranging in age from high school to graduate students, will bring 27 solar-powered hearing aids to a school for the deaf, reported The Salt Lake Tribune. University of Utah audiology professor Lisa Hunger found the $100 aids, which are designed for hot climates, at www.godisa.com. The group will also bring $90,000 in medical supplies and plans to paint the school, serve in an orphanage and host a public health fair. Adults paid the full $3,500 for the trip, while students earned a $1,000 break by doing 100 hours of service. YouthLINK founder Judy Zone told the Tribune she was excited. “Changing people’s lives is pretty dramatic,” she said.

STUDENTS DESIGN BIRTHDAY CARD FOR NELSON MANDELA

The Nelson Mandela Foundation and SABC3's Dtv (Deaf TV) sponsored a national contest in South Africa for children at schools for the deaf to create a birthday card for Mandela’s 88th birthday this week. Students from Nuwehoop Sentrum in Worcester won the top prize of R25,000 ($535 US), reported Tonight, and will use their winnings for computers and stationery. Student Janice Joubert said her classmates were inspired by Mandela’s picture on the card and his prisoner number, 46664. “It helped us get into the spirit of designing him a special birthday card,” she said. Mandela accepted the card personally and praised the winning pupils. “It is a great honor for me,” he said, “much more than many honors that I have received.”

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SEAPORT DEAF FESTIVAL
on Sunday, August 13, 2006

10 AM - 6 PM = FREE ADMISSION
at SOUTH STREET SEAPORT

Contact ALLEPRE@aol.com and
WWW.AMERICANDEAFEXPOSITION.COM

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A SUMMER SIZZLER!
A SIMPLICITY SIGNALER SWEEPSTAKES!

Make a purchase of $50.00 or more and you’ll not only get FREE SHIPPING, your name will be entered for a chance to win a Simplicity LTW Phone and Doorbell combination signaler (retail value $109.95). Call us toll free at 1-800-433-2838 (V/TTY) or visit us online at http://www.potomactech.com for details. (use code PTEC706D for free shipping). And to request our catalog just email us at info@potomactech.com.

Potomac Technology. Everything You Need Under One Roof!

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** Smart Dialing ** A built-in phone book, one-step redialing, and speed dialing let you make most of your calls in just one click.

** Custom Calling ** Choose how your call happens. Font size, color, and more. Even pre-enter operator instructions for any call.

** Bonus Features ** Only i711.com gives you a bonus! New community articles each week by deaf authors. Exclusive call tools like the i711.com Toolbar with ClickRelay(tm). Even a customized list of open-captioned movies playing near you, updated every time you sign in.

AIM calls? Yes. Wireless options? You bet! Say goodbye to old fashioned IP relay. Try i711.com and experience better IP relay.

Visit www.i711.com and try it for yourself.

i711.com is Relay & Beyond

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CLARIFICATION
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An item in the July 5th Deafweekly stated that Brian Riley of GallyProtest.org used a free service called Press Method to issue a news release claiming Gallaudet University President-Designate Jane K. Fernandes “wants all state deaf schools closed down.” Riley would like it known that while Press Method does offer free distribution, he chose a different option that cost $210.

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WWW.DEAFPAGERS.COM <http://www.deafpagers.com/>
has a FREE Blackberry 7290 for you today! That¹s right, FREE!

No rebate, no credit check & a FREE carrying case and car charger!

The Blackberry 7290 is a great device that keeps you organized and in touch with friends, family, and co-workers, right in the palm of your hand. Featuring a wide range of coverage, e-mail and internet capabilities, text messaging, a calendar, address book, memo pad and calculator, this device is exactly what you need to keep your life organized when you¹re on the go ! Complete with a full, 1-year warranty, the Blackberry 7290 is truly a state-of-the-art device that you deserve to own. Don¹t delay, order your Blackberry 7290 right now!

www.deafpagers.com

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NEED A VACATION THIS SUMMER?

Let us take care of your words.
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- Have urgent deadlines?
- Need ASL translated into English?
- Have a proposal you want someone to review?
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Visit our website to get a free estimate or set up a videophone appointment today.

NOTE NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS: www.tswriting.com

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EMPLOYMENT
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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.

LIFESIGNS Director - Los Angeles, CA
Network I.T. Administrator - Los Angeles, CA

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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JOB OPENING

NATIONAL OUTREACH MANAGER

Hamilton Relay, Inc. currently has a full-time position opening for “National Outreach Manager”.

Position summary: Manages National and Regional Outreach Team and activities to insure that required activities are carried out according to specified objectives.

Preferred education, experience and skills:
Fluency in American Sign Language
A Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and or Public Relations, or three to five years management related work experience in relay industry or comparable work experience
Knowledge and/or experience working with individuals or organizations within the deaf, hard or hearing and/or speech impaired communities is helpful
Along with strong written, analytical and interpersonal skills.

As this position is responsible for a team dispersed across the nation, the geographic location from which this person works is relatively unimportant. All geographic locations will be considered.

Interested individuals may send all inquiries and/or resumes to hr@hamiltontel.com or to the attention of Cindy Blase in Human Resource Department by August 4, 2006.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.

Hamilton Relay, Inc. is a division of Hamilton Telecommunications based in Aurora, NE. Hamilton offers a competitive wage with an excellent company paid benefit package. Contact our HR Dept at: 800.821.1831 or email at: hr@hamiltontel.com.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Position: Director of Operations (F/T)

Location: Hackensack, NJ

The Director of Operations for GoAmerica’s wireless and relay operations includes management of third party call center partners, and internal staff who perform customer care, inventory, and project management functions.

** Manage relay call center partners to ensure high quality service and regulatory compliance.

-- Lead weekly operations meetings with 3rd party call center partners who support GoAmerica’s Internet and video relay services.
-- Serve as liaison between internal departments and call center partners related to: i) achievement of quality standards, particularly speed-of-answer; ii) FCC regulatory compliance; iii) capacity planning, including recruiting and training, in light of new feature developments or marketing initiatives; iv) system changes which may impact work flow or operational procedures; v) service reliability; and vi) monthly reporting.
-- Conduct performance analysis by keeping reports updated, while analyzing for trends.

** Manage in-house operations functions

-- Manage internal staff responsible for; i) customer and technical support functions for GoAmerica’s subscription wireless services and its Internet and video relay services; ii) order operations for wireless devices and services; and iii) inventory procurement and management associated with wireless services.
-- Create and manage process for documentation and submission of required regulatory reports associated with GoAmerica’s relay services.
-- Manage operational aspects of carrier and vendor relationships.

** Manage in-house project management function

-- Develop and implement process for; i) managing the creation of video relay call centers; ii) assisting the finance department in documentation of business processes related to compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley Rule 404; and iii) support other corporate projects as they arise.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

-- Manages call center partners as though they were an extension of internal staff.
-- Manages internal staff responsible for customer and technical support, order operations, inventory and project management.
-- Responsible for performance management of these positions including yearly evaluations

QUALIFICATIONS:

-- Strong value for, and referencable examples of, delivering premium service to customers
-- Experience establishing department culture that reflects the value of premium customer service
-- Roll-up-the-sleeves manager with strong coaching, leadership, and quantitative / statistical analysis skills; including fluency with Microsoft Excel and other software analysis tools.
-- 7-10 years management experience; with at least 3-years in an operations management capacity
-- Solid understanding of call center processes; work flow; traffic management; call analysis
-- Results minded with experience developing and managing financial plans.
-- Willing to be on-call 24x7 and part of technical and operational escalation team
-- Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Application deadline: July 24, 2006 or until filled
We Offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package.
GoAmerica is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D.
Please submit your resume or application to:
GoAmerica, Inc.
FAX: (201) 527-1099
E-mail: hr@goamerica.com

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