Deafweekly July 20, 2005

deafweekly

July 20, 2005
Vol. 1 No. 40

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.

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NATIONAL
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MOTHER OF FIVE KILLED IN CAMPGROUND ACCIDENT

A deaf Arkansas mother of five was killed last Monday, July 11, in a Hot Springs campground when she was run over by a boat being towed by her husband. Debra Kay McDade, 40, an Arkansas School for the Deaf alumna who lived in Traskwood, was riding in the back of a pickup truck with her 9-year-old daughter. As husband Ricky McDade slowly approached their campsite, Debra got out before the vehicle had fully stopped and fell under the wheels of the trailer. She died several hours later at a hospital. The victim's death -- and concerns about 911's response time -- went largely unnoticed by local media. "Mrs. McDade was a housewife and a member of Antioch Baptist Church," said the Benton Courier in a death announcement that contained no mention of how she died. The tragedy went unreported, said editor Whit Jones, because "a lot of people die without us knowing the causes."

FLORIDA MAN ACCEPTS LAST-MINUTE PLEA, LIFE IN PRISON

A deaf Florida man pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison Friday, three days before his capital murder trial was scheduled to begin. Joshua Wolfe, 25, of Jacksonville Beach, had been charged in the October 2002 slaying of Carmen Maria Reyes, whose beaten and stabbed body was found in her home by relatives four days after the crime. Wolfe's attorney, Gregg Steinberg, told the St. Augustine Record that he was surprised by his client's last-minute decision to accept a plea agreement. "But we saved his life, and that's what we always wanted to do," he said.

SEARCH IS SUCCESSFUL FOR MISSING TEEN CAMPERS

Two teenagers who went missing last Thursday from the Aspen Camp School for the Deaf were found unharmed several hours later, the Aspen (Colo.) Times reported. The two 13-year-old boys, on an overnight trip in the Capitol Creek wilderness, were discovered missing by counselors when the group packed up to leave at 10 a.m. Counselors searched for more than an hour, then sent two group members to notify authorities. Emergency personnel from Mountain Rescue Aspen began a search, with one volunteer flying over the area. At about 3:30 p.m., searchers learned that the boys had been found with another group of campers in the area. The following day, one of the two hikers sent to notify authorities, became ill while hiking back. For the second time in two days, rescuers mounted a search/rescue for parties from the school. The woman was brought out on a stretcher, suffering from fatigue and dehydration.

KENTUCKY SCHOOL RETIREE AND WIFE WIN $4 MILLION IN LOTTERY

Paul Daniels, 62, a retired dorm supervisor at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, threw away a $4 million winning lottery ticket after comparing the numbers to the wrong day's winners. After his wife, Carol, 60, saw a TV news report about a winner from the store where they shop, Paul was able to fish out the ticket from the trash before it wound up in the landfill. The couple, who live in Danville, locked up the ticket and went ahead with a family reunion and a long-planned trip to Las Vegas before arranging with the Kentucky Lottery Corp. to take a lump-sum, after-tax payment of $1.46 million. State law requires lottery winners to be identified, said the Advocate-Messenger, but the Daniels would have preferred to remain anonymous. "We're not people who like the limelight," said Carol, who plans to keep her job as an elementary school principal.

ADVOCATES PROTEST ELIMINATION OF DEAF SERVICES POSITION

A protest last Wednesday outside the Lake County (Ill.) Center for Independent Living ended abruptly when a policeman arrived and informed the group that they needed a permit. Undaunted, organizers have rescheduled the protest for next Friday, July 29. According to advocate Delynn Saunders, protesters are upset because the center has eliminated its Deaf Services Coordinator position and acting executive director Anita Gorski refuses to meet with them to discuss the matter. Saunders, an LCCIL employee from 1995 to 2000, says the center claims not to have the necessary funding and believes the position is not necessary. Citing an estimated 60,000 deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the area, Saunders believes otherwise and is asking the community to send letters of support to Ann Ford, executive director of Illinois Network Centers for Independent Living (AnnFord@incil.org), with copies sent to Saunders at deafasltty@aol.com.

FAMILY GETS SMOKE DETECTORS AFTER A THREE-YEAR WAIT

A deaf couple in South Brunswick, N.J. finally had smoke detectors installed in their federally subsidized apartment last week, three years after moving in. Veronica and Richard Sonnenberg, parents of 2-year-old twins and a 3-year-old daughter, said they requested the alarms at least half a dozen times since moving into Deans Apartments in August 2002. Finally they went to a South Brunswick Township Council meeting last Tuesday night with a neighbor who spoke on their behalf. As a result, reported the Home News Tribune, the South Brunswick Fire Marshal's office ordered the apartment complex to install the devices. Apartment manager Sue Linke denied that the Sonnenbergs had ever asked for smoke detectors. "If they did, I would have gotten it to them a lot sooner," she said.

9-YEAR-OLD BOY TURNS UP AFTER MISSING FOR 15 HOURS

Tears, hugs and scoldings greeted 9-year-old Dallas Labno when he returned home on his bike about noon last Wednesday, reported the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Dallas, whose parents, Elisa and Kenneth Burch, are both deaf, had been missing for 15 hours. A missing child alert had been issued and 40 police officers were scouring the neighborhood for him. It turns out that Dallas had missed his 9 p.m. curfew and, fearful of the consequences, decided to stay overnight at a friend's house. Responding to criticism that police had trouble communicating with the deaf parents, police spokesman Ron Reier told WCCO-TV News, "Unfortunately, we don't have all the necessary components to satisfy the public 100 percent of the time."

NEW YORK MAN'S HOME DAMAGED IN FIRE

Jonathan Delaney of Utica, N.Y. returned home last Wednesday after visiting a relative and found firefighters at his house, the Observer-Dispatch reported. A fire had started from an overloaded extension cord used for an electric clothes dryer. Patricia Carey, 51, who shares the home with Delaney, was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. A neighbor called 911 at 10:30 a.m. and firefighters had the fire under control before 11 a.m. Fire and smoke damage was limited to the second floor of the two-story house, but water damage was spread throughout the building. Delaney, 50, who has lived in the house for nearly 40 years, said his mother left it to him when she died.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ARSON IN FLORIDA HOUSE FIRE

Police have arrested a man they believe is responsible for starting a fire at a Daytona Beach, Fla. home last week. Frederick Moses, 26, was charged with arson, WESH-TV News reported. According to investigators, there was a domestic dispute between Moses and a family member who had a restraining order against him. Mary Trapp discovered the fire in the early morning hours and got her daughter, Kathy Robbins, and grandson, Erick, both deaf, out of the house. The fire did more than $70,000 in damage.

GIRL REUNITED WITH SAMARITAN WHO HELPED IN FIRE

A deaf girl in New Jersey who was helped by a stranger when lightning hit her house was reunited with her Good Samaritan after a news story appeared on NBC 10 News. Kerry Lewis was staying at her grandparents' house in Washington Township Saturday when a lightning bolt struck the house and started a fire. Kerry didn't hear the lightning strike but saw the fire and ran outside, leaving her cats behind. Dennis Reardigan, who later said he was lost and just happened to drive by, stopped and called 911. He doused the flames with a garden house, limiting damage to the outside of the house, and left before Kerry could say thank you. A reunion took place the next day, prompted by news coverage, and Kerry's cats were reported unharmed.

PILOT IN AIRPLANE CRASH CONTINUES ON ROAD TO RECOVERY

The deaf pilot injured in a plane crash on Martha's Vineyard earlier this month remains in the Intensive Care Unit of a Boston hospital. Alec Naiman and two passengers were hurt during the Deaf Pilots Association Fly-In when his plane fell up to 100 feet when it lost power during a landing. Naiman teaches American Sign Language at Nassau Community College and his students are especially concerned about his recovery. "He means much more to most of us than just a college professor," said Sara Mentzer. "The moment we entered his classroom he inspired us to become involved and educated about the deaf community. That is why this accident has made such an impact on us." She encouraged cards to be sent to Alec Naiman, Clinical Center/Room 684, Beth Israel Deaconess, 1 Deaconess Road, Boston, MA 02215.

OREGON HOUSE VOTES TO CREATE DEAF SERVICES PROGRAM

The Oregon House of Representatives voted last week to establish the Oregon Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services program within the Department of Human Services. As reported by the Medford News, House Bill 3230-C also preserves the Oregon Disabilities Commission by approving the transfer of the commission into the Department of Human Services. The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Steve March, who was assisted by a deaf intern in 2003, and two legislators with assisted living facilities for the deaf in their districts: Rep. John Lim and Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson. House Bill 3230-C passed unanimously in the House (55-0) and Senate (29-0), and now goes to the governor for his signature.

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DVD Titles at Harris Communications

Many of our popular videos are now on DVD. Keep checking the Harris Communications site regularly for new DVDs of your favorite videos. As they become available, they will be added to our site. New DVD titles include "A Basic Course in American Sign Language" and "Learning American Sign Language". Also, the complete videocourse of the "Bravo ASL! Complete Curriculum Package" is now available on 15 DVDs! For more information, go to http://www.harriscomm.com/link/?www.harriscomm.com?sr=dw071705 or contact us at mailto:info@harriscomm.com.

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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.

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INTERNATIONAL
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U.K. MAN FREED AFTER ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE DROPPED

An attempted murder charge against a deaf man in Coventry, U.K. was dropped last week. Paul Stevens, 35, had been in jail since February 22, charged with trying to murder his wife, Lorraine Stevens, by damaging a gas pipe at the couple's home. That charge was dropped, said prosecutor Matthew Barnes, "principally because of the change in attitude of his wife, who has indicated a marked support for her husband." According to the Evening Telegraph, Stevens was released on bail last Tuesday after pleading guilty to criminal damage and assault, and Judge Richard Cole told him that he would not be going back to prison. Sentencing will take place at a later date.

WORKER HEARS SMOKE ALARM, SAVES FAMILY FROM BLAZE

Linda Shepherd, 57, and her daughter, Dawn, 30, both deaf and visually impaired, were upstairs at their U.K. home Sunday when a fire broke out in the kitchen. Mrs. Shepherd's young grandchildren, also hearing impaired, were with them and also unaware the smoke alarm had gone off. Peter Carter, 51, who runs a business called Your Man Friday, was working nearby and heard the alarm. Seeing flames in the kitchen and hearing voices from upstairs, Carter smashed down the front door and found the residents were unaware of the fire, reported the Shropshire Star. The family later reunited with Carter and thanked him for saving their lives.

TIRELESS ADVOCATE WINS MALAYSIAN HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Mohamad Sazali Shaari has received the NSTP-PwC Malaysian Humanitarian Award, reported New Straits Times on Saturday. Sazali was 7 when a high fever left him deaf. In the 1970s, he wanted to continue his education after completing his Malaysian Certificate Program, but no school had the support services. In 1987, he and nine friends formed the first self-help organization by and for the deaf, where he worked full time as executive secretary. In 1996 he helped set up the Malaysian Sports Federation of the Deaf. The following year, Sazali founded the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf and became its executive director. In 2000, the federation received funds for a pilot information technology (IT) project called e-pek@k, a web-based project to help deaf people become literate in IT. Through the MFD, he published the Malaysian Sign Language collection, and last year he was successful in setting up an interpreters training program.

NEW ZEALAND SIGN LANGUAGE BILL CALLED 'MISUSE OF POWER'

New Zealand's proposed Sign Language Bill is a "misuse of Parliament's lawmaking power," said ACT New Zealand spokesman Stephen Franks in a press release issued Monday in Wellington. "Most people will think it's a good idea because it purports to be about helping deaf people," said Franks, but he claimed a number of problems: it's poorly defined and ambiguous; it undermines equality under the law; it's likely to lead to tensions among deaf leaders; it declares a new official language; and it devalues the Maori Language Act of 1987, declaring Maori to be the official language of New Zealand. No one knows how much the bill will cost, he added, and the money would be better used for captioning, voice recognition technology and remedial surgery.

THREE OUT OF FOUR TRAFFIC COPS IN INDIAN CITY HAVE HEARING LOSS

Three out of four traffic cops in Hyderabad, India suffer noise-related hearing loss, a study of 1,500 traffic policeman has shown. Police officials are worried and trying to limit the damage, reported New Delhi Television. An ear protection device is on the drawing board and new recruits will be limited to two years on traffic duty to avoid long-term exposure to noise. It comes too late for Venkat Reddy, who directs traffic a stone's throw from the Chief Minister's residence. "I have been in traffic for five years and now with increasing traffic I don't hear properly," he said. A Supreme Court ruling last Tuesday may help: it bans honking in residential areas at night.

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Relay with Wireless IP-RELAY.com on Sidekick

Wireless IP-RELAY.com brings the world to you via wireless device! When traveling for work or vacation, you can now keep in touch with family, friends, or co-workers. Gone are the days of having to find a TTY in an airport or shopping mall! Simply click on Wireless IP-RELAY.com, and directly connect to relay in real time. Reschedule your plans in an instant and communicate with all the convenience at your fingertips. For more information on how to download and for a comprehensive listing of wireless devices that provide you with relay choices, visit www.ip-relay.com. MCI’s Wireless IP-RELAY.com - your wireless relay tool!

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WELCOME TO CSDVRS
VIDEO: Welcome CSDVRS- www.csdvrs.com/abstract.html

There were telephone lines
To the homes of deaf and hearing.
Deaf who make phone calls,
Asking for help.

Then the world of teletype machines,
Those were loud houses.

And years later,
Telecommunications relay service agents facilitating calls.

Then things changed.

NOW we have small gadgets connecting users to video interpreters:
“You have reached CSDVRS...”

Have you tried CSDVRS?

Call a hearing person using sign language through this video relay service!
Find out how you may qualify for free videophone equipment!
Visit the CSDVRS website: www.CSDVRS.COM

VIDEO: Welcome CSDVRS- www.csdvrs.com/abstract.html

CSDVRS Rocks !

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LIFE & LEISURE
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HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT RAISES MONEY FOR TEACHER'S COCHLEAR IMPLANT

CBS News reported last week on a student at Lone Peak High School in Highland, Utah who successfully raised money for her teacher to have a cochlear implant. Shellee Carrick, who teaches ASL, wanted an implant for five years but couldn't afford it. Student Kristina Coleman said, "I was, like, that would be a cool project." The implants alone cost $75,000; surgery adds even more to the expense. Coleman searched on the Internet for assistance programs "and just e-mailed everyone I could." She got the whole school involved, offering a pizza party to the class that raised the most money. Through Coleman's fundraising and a grant for a free device, Carrick was able to have the surgery. Coleman, who was on the scene when the device was turned on, said "It just shows when you put your mind to something, you can do it, if you really want to."

FAMILY'S NEW NEIGHBORS MOBILIZE TO FIND MISSING DOG

Kevin and Kaci Cronin and their children had lived in their new home in Emsworth, Pa. only one week when Chocolate, their Australian shepherd, escaped from a fenced yard Sunday, July 10. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Chocolate is not just any dog -- he was trained by Texas-based Hearing Dog Companions to assist Kevin, who was born deaf. The family had just moved from Fort Worth, Texas, and feared Chocolate would not find his way back to their new home. But Emsworth residents came to the rescue, with dozens of searchers, TV stations, animal shelters and police officers all helping to search for the dog. Last Monday, less than 24 hours after his escape, Chocolate was brought home by a dog walker who had found him. The family appreciated their new neighbors' help, said Kaci Cronin. "Even before Chocolate was lost, people were friendly," she said.

STUDY HIGHLIGHTS FINANCIAL IMPACT OF HEARING LOSS

A new report from the Better Hearing Institute highlights the financial impact of hearing loss. The survey shows that 1 out of 6 baby boomers and 1 out of 14 "Generation Xers" have hearing problems, but only about 25% use hearing aids. "People are still embarrassed to admit they have a hearing loss and get hearing aids," said Sergei Kochkin, BHI's executive director. "But the price of their vanity is lost earnings for the rest of their lives." In fact, the study said an estimated 24 million Americans with untreated hearing problems lead to at least $100 billion in lost income.

ALCOHOL TESTING METHODS FOUND LACKING FOR DEAF

Traditional methods for screening people for alcohol problems pose difficulty for deaf people, a recent Texas study has shown. According to CESAR Fax, a weekly overview of substance abuse issues, deaf residents of San Antonio and Austin were asked to read the CAGE and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Participants had trouble understanding words, phrases and entire questions, including the first CAGE question: "Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?" The study concluded that "a new alcohol and other drug screening tool should be created for Deaf populations, taking into account linguistic and cultural considerations."

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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
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Deaf Awareness Vacation

Excitement cruise vacations for all hard of hearing and deaf people. My name is Terzino Bomprezzi, deaf owned and licensed travel agent of The Sunset Cruise Agency. Have done many trips with all groups since 1996. All trips come with professional and licensed ASL interpreters. Please visit this exciting website at www.deafcruises.com. You will find many interesting information and plenty of photos to see. Your trip will guarantee be the wonderful and best time of your life. Contact me fax at 870-339-4117 or email me at BomprezziTravel1@aol.com. Will look forward to hear from you all.

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WORKING WORLD
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NEW FCC RULES AIM TO IMPROVE VIDEO RELAY SERVICE

New rules to improve Video Relay Service (VRS) were announced last week by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). According to EE Times Online, the new rules establish mandatory speed-of-answer requirements, referring to the time between receipt of dialing information and the dialing of the number. By Jan. 1, 2006, VRS providers must answer 80 percent of calls within three minutes, and by the following year, 80 percent of calls must be answered within two minutes. Under the new rules, VRS providers must offer around-the-clock service in order to be compensated from the Interstate TRS Fund. The new rules also permit compensation when VRS providers leave a voice message for a hearing person who is not available to answer a call.

TEXAS GRAD BRINGS CROWD OF 1,200 TO ITS FEET

Brooke Gatlin received a standing ovation last Tuesday from 1,200 members of the Texas Council of Administrators for Special Education at a ceremony to kick off the group's annual convention. Gatlin, who uses a cochlear implant, gave "a wonderful speech," said Ruth Gatlin, her grandmother, told the News Journal. She discussed growing up with a hearing loss and spoke of the obstacles she has overcome. Gatlin graduated this spring from Harleton High School as a Texas Globe Scholar and member of the National Honor Society, receiving 15 awards at a senior recognition event. She earned nine hours of college credit, served on the student council, cheered for four years, won the Miss Harleton High School title, was named Homecoming Queen and became a finalist in America's Homecoming Queen Pageant. Gatlin will attend Panola College this fall and hopes to become a veterinarian technician.

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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.

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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.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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NEW POSTER FEATURES HUNDREDS OF FEMALE FACES

A poster featuring the faces of hundreds of deaf women from around the world has become available. Deaf actress and comedienne Vikee Waltrip conceived of the project during the Deaf Way II in 2002, when she realized how deaf women "were not always recognized for their many achievements." In addition to the pictures, the 11x17 poster contains one-word insights on "what a womyn is to them," said Waltrip. "It's truly a moving experience to look at each picture and realize that each face holds a story, both of being a womyn and being of Deaf. It literally gives you goosebumps!" To see a preview, visit www.geocities.com/vikeewaltrip/DWOrder.html or write to womyndeaf@v-dreamer.com.

CJ JONES PLANS 'GRAND PERFORMANCE' IN LOS ANGELES

Deaf entertainer CJ Jones will perform at the outdoor Grand Performances in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, August 7. It's the latest stop for Jones, who has delighted audiences young and old with visual imagery and storytelling for 25 years. Jones is a producer, director, writer, actor, comedian, teacher and motivational speaker who is available to perform for schools and organizations. Contact Laura Hill with DEAFinit Management (deafinit@gmail.com) and check out Jones' website -- www.CJJonesLIVE.com -- for his tour schedule, pictures from recent shows and a clip from his latest production, "What Are You ... Deaf?"

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SPORTS
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GOLFER KEVIN HALL PLAYS FIRST PGA EVENT THIS WEEK

Deaf golfer Kevin Hall is teeing up for his first PGA Tour event this week at the U.S. Bank Classic in Milwaukee, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported yesterday. "Man, this is awesome," said Hall, 22, a graduate of the St. Rita School for the Deaf and Ohio State University. He'll play in the pro-am today and learn his tee times for the first two rounds tomorrow and Friday. Hall said he thought his father was joking when he first relayed the invitation from tournament directors. "Then, it hit me, and I paged him, 'Dude, are you kidding me?'" he said. You can follow his progress at www.pgatour.com; click on real-time scoring.

$75,000 GRANT TO HELP FUND TENNIS COURTS AT OKLAHOMA SCHOOL

Construction is expected to begin soon on a pair of new tennis courts on the Sulphur campus of the Oklahoma School for the Deaf. The new courts are being funded in part through a $75,000 grant from the Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation, which focuses on health and education-related causes. KTEN News reported that students currently use off-campus courts that are not well-maintained. The new courts are expected to be ready by October and will be open to the community during nights and summers. The $75,000 grant will pay about half of the construction costs, and the school is seeking donations to pay the other half.

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MILESTONES
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RICHARD SIPEK, 82, PLAYED IN MAJOR LEAGUES

Richard F. Sipek, 82, a deaf former professional baseball player, died in Quincy, Ill. on Sunday, July 17. Dick Sipek played one season (1945) with the Cincinnati Reds. An outfielder who threw righthanded and hit lefthanded, Sipek batted .244 with 38 hits in 156 at bats. Sipek was the third deaf major leaguer, reported WANE-TV News in Fort Wayne, Ind., after William "Dummy" Hoy, who played from 1888 to 1902, and Luther Taylor, who played from 1900 to 1908 and mentored Sipek at the Illinois School for the Deaf. Mr. Sipek is survived by his wife, Betty, a son, two daughters and several grandchildren. Services will be held tomorrow at Duker & Haugh Funeral Homes in Quincy, Ill. Memorials may be made to the Illinois School for the Deaf Alumni Association or the JCCD Housing Project.

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READER RESPONSE
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Hi ... I have a question about deaf pageants. I know there are Miss Deaf America and Miss Deaf USA and Miss (state), but is there such thing as Mrs. Deaf ..... ? I did alot of research and seem to come up with nothing. So naturally, my conclusion that there is no such thing, but I want to ask anyway.

Thanks!
Janine Montani

Editor's Note: If anyone has such information, please contact Deafweekly and we will forward it to Ms. Montani.

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EMPLOYMENT
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ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANT POSITION

Gallaudet University serves deaf and hard of hearing students from many different backgrounds and seeks to develop a workforce that reflects the diversity of its student body. Gallaudet is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer and actively encourages deaf, hard of hearing, members of traditionally underrepresented groups, people with disabilities, woman, and veterans to apply for open positions.

JOB #05112: ATHLETIC ASSISTANT
Athletics Department in the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
Salary range: $43,448 to $69,518.

Coordinates KDES athletics program, the weightlifting and strength and conditioning program; assists the Coordinator in the management of the athletics program at MSSD; teaches Physical Education classes; supports the national mission focus; assists the Coordinator in developing a model athletics program and develops national mission opportunities and products.

Please apply if you are interested and possess the following qualifications: Master's degree in deaf education, education or a related area. Teaching and/or coaching experience required; knowledge of integration of academic and non-academic programs and activities. Three years experience in an educational program for deaf and hard of hearing students. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends. Fluency in American Sign Language required.

CANDIDATE SELECTED WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO AND PAY FOR A SUITABILITY BACKGROUNG INVESTIGATION
STATUS OF POSITION: Accepting applications
To apply, mail a letter of interest, a resume and a Gallaudet University application form to:

Gallaudet University
Personnel Office - College Hall - Room 106
800 Florida Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002

Email address: Personnel.Office@Gallaudet.edu

Or FAX a letter of interest, a resume and a Gallaudet University application form to: 202-651-5344

Gallaudet University Application Form link: http://personnel.gallaudet.edu/Employment7f.doc

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