Deafweekly August 5, 2009

deafweekly

August 5, 2009
Vol. 5, No. 9

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 2009 and any unauthorized use, including reprinting of news, is prohibited. Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive Deafweekly.

Note: Deafweekly no longer offers original summaries of news articles; instead, these are the actual headlines and portions of selected articles, with links to access the full story. Minor editing is done when necessary.

Last week's most-read story: DEAFNATION WORLD EXPO -- July 18-23, 2010 / DeafNation
Last week's website page views: 4,029
Deafweekly subscribers as of today: 3,025

ADVERTISE IN DEAFWEEKLY FOR AS LITTLE AS $18.46 PER WEEK.

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

Buffalo, NY
CITY DEAF COMMUNITY DEBATES APPOINTMENT
About 100 members of the local deaf community Monday debated the merits of Buffalo Deaf Adult Services having recently hired an executive director who is neither deaf nor fluent in American Sign Language. The community forum held at the Buffalo Club of the Deaf, 2275 Clinton St., attracted a passionate crowd, some of whom were bitterly disappointed in the decision by the board of Deaf Adult Services to hire Tom Burns, a former Medaille College official who also worked for a local investment group, and others among the crowd who beseeched those in opposition to give Burns a chance. / The Buffalo News

Rockville, MD
MARYLAND COMPANY LINKED TO ALLEGED FRAUD
Viable, a Rockville company that provides services to deaf people and is the subject of a federal investigation, partnered this year with a Florida company whose owners were recently arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud the federal government. In addition, an affidavit by an FBI agent filed in a federal court in Florida refers to a Rockville company with a background strikingly similar to that of Viable. The agent said a former employee of the Rockville business told investigators that the company regularly billed for calls that were not properly interpreted. / The Gazette

Waterloo, IA
IOWA 9-1-1 CALL CENTER FIRST IN NATION TO GO LIVE WITH TEXT TO 9-1-1
The Black Hawk County Iowa 9-1-1 Service Board today announced that the Black Hawk Consolidated Public Safety Communications Center can receive text messages from select wireless subscribers in the county. The call center successfully completed the text trial this past June and is now the first 9-1-1 Call Center in the country able to receive text messages directly into 9-1-1. This groundbreaking effort allows those individuals with speech and hearing impairments, or callers otherwise unable to place a voice call, to use text messaging to communicate directly with a 9-1-1 telecommunicator in an emergency. / Business Wire

Topeka, KS
KSD SUPPORTERS SPEAK IN TOPEKA
Gay Jones watched her daughter Danielle become unhappy and reclusive while attending public school in Blue Springs. Jones sold her home and moved to Olathe so Danielle could attend the Kansas School for the Deaf. “My daughter made a complete turnaround overnight,” Jones said. Jones was one of several people who testified Monday before the Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission in Topeka. The committee, established by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, is examining the possible closure or merger of several facilities around the state, including the Kansas School for the Deaf. / The Kansas City Star

Kenmore, WA
HEAT MAY HAVE CAUSED KENMORE WOMAN'S DEATH
According to police reports, emergency medical personnel at the scene blamed the recent extreme heat for the death of a Kenmore woman, 64, on July 29. The woman's name had not been released as of July 31 because officials had been unable to contact family members. Reports said police and EMS responded about 9:10 p.m. to a residence in the Lakewood Villa mobile home park on Northeast 175th Street. Again, according to police, the woman shared the home with two other elderly roommates. All were hard of hearing and used sign language or other means to communicate. / Kenmore Reporter

West Hartford, CT
MASS. WOMAN DUE IN CONN. COURT ON EXTORTION CHARGE
A Massachusetts woman accused of extorting nearly $10,000 from her disabled co-worker is due in Hartford Superior Court tomorrow. West Hartford police say Kathryn Arcana of Bellingham was charged by warrant with larceny on July 24 for using threatening e-mails to scare 29-year-old Paul Brockman of Cromwell into giving her money. Brockman, whom police said has hearing and learning disabilities, worked with the 40-year-old Arcana at the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford. / AP

Asheville, NC
PAIR CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLING FROM DEAF ORGANIZATION
Authorities last Thursday arrested two people for embezzling cash from an organization for the deaf. Randall Scott Stultz, 47, of Westwood Drive, and Shirlee Warren Stultz, 46, of Bailey Road, are each charged with embezzling a total of about $9,000 from the N.C. Baptist Conference for the Deaf, according to arrest warrants. / Citizen-Times

Middleburg, FL
SEARCH DOG HELPS POLICE FIND DEAF HIKERS
Clay County deputies said last Thursday if it weren't for their search dog's nose, they might not have found three missing hikers when they did. Two women and one man disappeared hiking on trails at the Black Creek Swamp on Wednesday. Two of them are deaf, and another is hearing impaired. Deputies said their search dog helped track them down in just a matter of hours./ WJXT News 4

St. Augustine, FL
DEAF STUDENT FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST SONNY'S
Sadie Sterry went to a St. Augustine restaurant for dinner but left hungry. The young woman, who was born deaf, wanted to bring her service dog into Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q on U.S. 1 and was turned away, according to her mother, Holly Sterry. Sterry, a 17-year-old senior at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, said she talked to her counselor about what happened. "I'm embarrassed," she said, signing through her mother. / The St. Augustine Record

Salt Lake City, UT
FINALISTS PICKED FOR UTAH SCHOOLS FOR DEAF AND BLIND
A two-year search for someone to lead the embattled Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind (USDB) hit a snag this month when one of the finalists landed a job elsewhere. State education officials have released a new short list, whittled from 12 candidates. They planned to interview four finalists last Thursday; the Utah State Board of Education will likely name a winner at its August meeting. A decision can't come soon enough for parents who say USDB is in desperate need of reform. / The Salt Lake Tribune

Madison County, TN
FEW OPTIONS FOR DEAF STUDENTS
Football and girls. A short but typical list of reasons for a teenage boy to be excited about starting a new school this fall. But what isn't typical is that 13-year-old Tristen Webster used his hands instead of his mouth to communicate his list. And he will not go to a new school somewhere in Madison County. Instead, he will be 300 miles away in Knoxville at the Tennessee School for the Deaf, the only high school in Tennessee for deaf children. Tristen signed he is excited about starting school the second week in August. His parents, Tracy and Leslie Webster, admit that this new stage in Tristen's life is much less exciting for them. / Jackson Sun

Washington, DC
CHAMPIONS FOR DEAF, HARD OF HEARING HONORED AT TDI CONFERENCE
Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDI) and its Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) Project presented five Special Recognition Awards at the 18th Biennial TDI Conference’s Presidential Awards Dinner last Thursday. These awards are given to publicly acknowledge the inroads that people have made within the deaf and hard of hearing communities. The awardees have worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. The award recipients are .... / DHHSC

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

Sorenson Video Relay Service® (SVRS®) is an industry leading communication tool for the deaf community provided by Sorenson Communications. Created with high-quality video technology, SVRS brings life into the conversations of our customers as they call family, friends, and business associates at no cost through a professional SVRS sign language interpreter and a cutting-edge videophone. SVRS is provided 24-hours a day, and 365 days a year, connecting the deaf and hard-of-hearing to anyone at their convenience. For more information, visit the SVRS Web site at www.sorensonvrs.com.

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

Sonic Boom Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker On Sale!

Don’t be late for the first day of school. WCI is here to help with this “timely” August special. Purchase either the Sonic Boom Alarm Clock or the Sonic Boom Alarm Clock with the vibrator at 10% off! It has many great features including a built-in receiver to pick up transmissions from other signalers. Call 1-800-233-9130 (V/TTY) or visit us at http://www.weitbrecht.com for more details. (Use code WCID808 to order) For a copy of our NEW catalog, email your request to: sales@weitbrecht.com.

WCI. Your Single Source for Assistive Technology

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

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

Taipei, Taiwan
TAIPEI BUS DRIVERS LEARNING SIGN LANGUAGE FOR DEAFLYMPICS
More than 800 bus drivers employed by the Capital Bus Company are learning sign language for the deaf in order to offer better services to athletes competing in the upcoming 21st Summer Deaflympics to be held Sept. 5-15 in Taipei City, a spokesman for the private company said Monday. General Manager Lee Chien-wen said the company broadcasts a lecture film at every bus marshaling center on the hour every day to give drivers the chance to learn the language on their own. / Taiwan News

London, England
RNID AWARDED GIFT FROM LEGENDARY ACTOR'S FOUNDATION
The RNID has received a major gift to a UK charity from the late Hollywood actor Paul Newman' s Foundation, which will be used to support the charity's pioneering Hear to Help project in North Wales. The $10,000 (£6,204) plus donation will help RNID's Hear to Help service train volunteers to provide support and friendship to new hearing aid users in their local community, including, if requested, visits to the user's home. / The Deaf Blog

Glasgow, Scotland
SIGNED UP FOR A STAGE DEBUT
Scotland's only dedicated deaf youth theatre group is due to make its first public performance at Glasgow University. The production - Gone - is written, produced and acted by children who all have impaired hearing. As BBC Scotland's Hayley Jarvis has been finding out, the play was inspired by William Golding's Lord of the Flies, but has been set within the context of a reality TV series. / BBC News

Glasgow, Scotland
'SWINE LANGUAGE' BOOK FOR BABIES
A book to help parents teach babies and young children sign language for swine flu symptoms has been launched by a Scottish childcare expert. It includes the baby sign language for "hot", "cold", "pain" and "more water". Author Yvonne K Lavelle said she hoped it would help babies and toddlers better communicate that they were feeling unwell. / BBC News

Wellington, New Zealand
IN PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
Fulltime artist Tania Sunde didn’t let a hearing disability get in the way of her dream. The former office worker exhibited at the New Zealand Affordable Art Show in Wellington last weekend. "Nineteen years ago I dreamed of being an artist. I used to go to a coffee shop at Whitecliffe College of Arts and Design and I wanted to be there instead of typing." Her goal was realised when she graduated in 2006 with a fine arts degree. / Western Leader

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

Summer Savings Event at Harris Communications

Harris Communications has storewide 15% savings during our Hot Summer Savings Event going on now.* Sale includes hundreds of products including equipment, books, DVDs and novelty items.

Save on entertaining books to read at the pool or beach. “Unspeakable” (B1063) is a suspense-filled book about Holly Summers, a deaf woman who uses her unique gift to aid criminal investigations.

We have many more books and DVDs to keep you entertained during the summer months, many of them by Deaf authors. Order now and save!

*Certain product restrictions may apply. Sale ends August 15, 2009

Visit our website or contact us at: mailto:info@harriscomm.com.

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

The World Recreation Association of the Deaf (WRAD, Inc) is happy to host the 25th Anniversary Masquerade Ball at Treasure Island In Las Vegas on Wednesday July 21, 2010 from 5pm to 9pm with a buffet dinner and dancing. This is during the DeafNation World Expo from July 18-23, 2010. Cash prizes for the best costumes/masks or both. Early bird tickets including buffet is $58 per person before 9/1/09. Online orders accepted at www.wrad.org or mail checks to WRAD, PO Box 3211, Quartz Hill, CA 93586.

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
COCHLEAR IMPLANTS OPEN DEAF KIDS' EARS TO THE WORLD
Tyler de Lara, 2, was diagnosed as deaf six months earlier. Now, on an autumn morning at UCLA's outpatient surgery center -- after several misdiagnoses, battles with insurance companies and much worry and waiting -- he is drifting from a cloud of anesthesia with two cochlear implants nestled in his skull. His parents, Michael and Marieta, hope he can finally enter the world of those who speak and hear. / Los Angeles Times

Seattle, WA
CAN A TINY FISH SAVE YOUR EARS?
The zebrafish, like many aquatic creatures, has clusters of hair cells running along the outside of its body that help sense vibrations in the water, working in a similar way to hair cells in the human inner ear. But unlike humans, zebrafish are able to regenerate their damaged hair cells. Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle hope their work can unlock secrets to protect human hair cells from becoming damaged and to stimulate the cells to regenerate. / The Wall Street Journal

Fort Wayne, IN
FORT WAYNE PROMOTING SMOKE ALARMS FOR THE DEAF
The Fort Wayne Fire Department is promoting specially designed smoke alarms that can alert the deaf and hearing impaired to trouble. Fire Department Capt. David Meadows says the Sidekick II alarms from Silent Call Communications use strobe lighting and vibrations to alert deaf and hearing-impaired occupants of smoke. So far, 16 alarms have been purchased to benefit 19 people. / AP

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

Join The Zevolution! The Z™ offers you the best in videophone technology with 24/7 access to topnotch, nationally certified interpreters and features you just can’t get anywhere else! The choice is yours, and we can help find the videophone solution that’s right for you. Are you always on the go? The Z-340’s WiFi capabilities and lightweight, compact size make it perfect for travel. Do you want an easy-to-use, all-in-one videophone that is simple to install? Check out Z-Ojo! Tired of missing calls when you are in the next room? Our Z Alert feature will send a message to your PDA or pager to let you know someone is calling. And there’s so much more! Go to www.zvrs.com for more information on all of our videophone solutions and features. Don’t have a Z phone? You can still get The Z™ experience by calling 888-888-1116 to connect to ZVRS from any videophone!

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

Sign Language Inc presents CruisEUs 2009

Just south of the U.S. border lies a vibrant culture, world-class beaches, lush green rain forests, a a vividly painted architecture that will dazzle your eyes. Whether your idea of adventure is exploring a colonial city or discovering the joys of a siesta on a white-sand beach, a Mexican cruise vacation is "almost" perfect for you...making it PERFECT would be while at all these great locations, also attending workshops presented by Peter Cook, Byron Bridges, Mark Morales, Lynne Weisman, Emilia Lorenti-Wann and Keith Wann!

Costs for CruisEUs 2009 Workshops
$150 plus your cabin costs.

August 16, 2009 to August 23, 2009
Los Angeles, California / Cruising / Cabo San Lucas, Mexico / Mazatlan, Mexico / Puerto Vallarta, Mexico / Cruising / Cruising / Los Angeles, California

IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL EMILIA LORENTI-WANN cruiseus@cruiseus.net or call (916) 412-6241

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

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

Seattle, WA
SUMMER PROGRAM OPENS HIGH-TECH WORLD TO DEAF STUDENTS
In a University of Washington animation classroom, with colorful, cut-out Pixar heroes flexing their muscles on the walls, a group of students with their own animated expressions compete to offer ideas. Most use American Sign Language (ASL) and jump to their feet to sign so their hands can be seen above the computer monitors around the room. This summer academy — the only one of its kind in the country — introduces deaf and hard-of-hearing students to careers in computer sciences. / The Seattle Times

Rochester, NY
HENRIETTA-BASED AGENCY HELPS FILL NEED FOR SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS
Here is an interview with Michael Rizzolo, president and CEO of Interpretek: Tell me about the company's history. In '93, I was a private independent interpreter, and I felt that there could be services offered in a better way, so I decided to start my own agency. We're a referral agency, which means we match requests for interpreters with those interpreters. We primarily use independent folks in the community and take a fee in the middle for doing so. We're very proud of the fact that, 15 years later, we're the biggest and best and we now have multiple locations around the country. / Democrat and Chronicle

Austin, TX
NEW iPHONE APP DISPLAYS HAND GESTURES
Pangea Software has announced the release of The Finger, a new 3D animation app for the iPhone and iPod touch. It costs $1. The Finger displays an animated 3D hand that can form and display hand signs. The software can also translate text into Signed Exact English. Users enter text using an on-screen keyboard and the 3D hand then finger-spells the word, phrase or sentence using characters from the signed alphabet. / Macworld

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

Use Hamilton Web Relay® to make and receive calls over the Internet in a private environment, separate from buddy lists and potential disruptions. There’s nothing to download -- it’s all web-based making the service available wherever you can connect to the Internet!

Now you can receive calls with a locally-based, 10-digit Hamilton HomeTown Number™.

Don't have a HomeTown Number? Register today and share your number with friends and colleagues! Visit http://www.hamiltonrelay.com and click on the "Make & Receive Calls Now" icon to check it out.

Hamilton Relay. That’s what I’m talking about.

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

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED AT BUYASL.COM!

Keep busy this summer with games, DVDs and more from BuyASL.com!

ASLingo is one of the most popular ASL games around! $25.99
NEW! Keep track of the summer with the 2009 Sign Language Calendar! $12.99 SALE
Stay cool in a SuperASL t-shirt! Children and adult sizes available. $12.99 SALE

Check out our best sellers:
* Interpreter Discourse: English to ASL Expansion / ASL to English Compression
* Fingerspell 'Em! (Game)
* Baby See 'n' Sign - Volume 1 (DVD)
* And much more!

Get 15% off by entering code: ASLSALE
Visit BuyASL.com TODAY!

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

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

Hollywood, CA
INTERVIEW: DEANNE BRAY (HEROES: EMMA)
On the 31st of July 2009 LotsofInterviews.com conducted an interview with Deanne Bray about her role in the new season of Heroes as Emma. We talk about how she became an actress, how she got her role on Heroes, if she had seen the show before she was cast, her character's relationship with Peter and her character's ability. / LotsofInterviews.com

Washington, DC
PAPER MILL PLAYHOUSE RECEIVES EXCELLENCE AWARD
Paper Mill Playhouse is the 2009 Excellence in Accessibility Leadership Award Winner. The award will be presented in Washington, D.C. at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during the Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) conference, on August 15. The Excellence in Accessibility Leadership Award is in recognition of Paper Mill Playhouse's long-standing commitment to accessibility in the cultural arts for people with disabilities and older adults. / Broadway World

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

Keith Wann's ASL Comedy Tour 2009-2010

Keith Wann, renowned for his hilarious, sidesplitting comedy performances, is now producing and hosting the ASL Comedy Tour 2009, which will travel the U.S. this year. With American Sign Language (ASL) artists presenting solo performances incorporating comedy, skits, songs, improvisation, and stories, each show lasts two hours. Sponsored by www.CallVRS.org, the multi-city tour is designed to be affordable for each location - making it ideal as a fundraiser for participating organizations.

“We really want to reach out to all communities, so we are sharing in the costs and profits at each location. We will work closely with booking parties to maximize profits for their organization and to bring in as many people as possible for a night of laughter, socialization and fun,” Wann said. “We also offer workshops by some of our performers, which can be held the day of the performance. People can come to our workshops, and then unwind by attending the comedy show that evening.”

www.aslcomedytour.com
Contact KemiProductionsInc@gmail.com.

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

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SPORTS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Carson, CA
FIOLEK MAKES FINAL-LAP MOVE FOR WIN
In her much-anticipated X Games debut, motocross teen sensation Ashley Fiolek didn't disappoint. Fiolek, who has been deaf since birth, took first place in Women's Moto X Super X on Saturday night. "X Games are a big deal for women and anyone in action sports," said Fiolek through her translator and father Jim. "So to come here and do this well, I'm very excited." / ESPN

Tucson, AZ
UA SWIMMER USES IMPAIRMENT TO HIS ADVANTAGE
Marcus Titus' second place finish in the 100 meter breast stroke made quite a noise during the Wildcats' run to the National Championship two years ago. Being deaf, though, Titus can't hear a noise without the assistance of hearing aid. "I don't know how to explain," head UofA Swimming Coach Frank Busch said. "He just loves to compete." Titus says not beaing able to hear is not actually an advantage when it comes to racing. "You can concentrate more and just zero the crowd out and focus," Titus said. / KOLD

Rochester, NY
A BASEBALL FAN WHO KNOWS HIS SIGNS
Robert Panara has been "deaf as a post," he says, since he contracted spinal meningitis when he was 10. Back in 1931, his father thought he might have a solution to his son's deafness. It involved Babe Ruth. "He wrote to the Yankees, and he asked if I could possibly meet the Bambino," Panara, now 89, tells his friend Greg Livadas. The Pinstripes came through. On game day, Panara says, "My father gives the letter from the Yankees to the usher, usher goes down to the dugout, comes back with the Babe. He says, 'Hi kid! How you doing?' " Later on, he says, he realized his father thought the shock of meeting the baseball giant would bring his hearing back. / NPR

Manitowoc, WI
DEAF PILOTS GATHER IN WISCONSIN
Most of us are familiar with the sound of a prop plane, but can't fly. Others have never heard it, yet are soaring to new heights. "It feels really free. You can just see anywhere and go anywhere," New York resident Tibor Farkas told FOX 11. Farkas is one of the handful of deaf pilots who came to Manitowoc for the annual fly-in of the Deaf Pilots Association. / Fox 11 WLUK-TV

Riverside, CA
RIVERSIDE WATER POLO STAR TO COMPETE IN DEAFLYMPICS IN TAIWAN
Stetson McBirnie has been deaf since birth and has dyslexia, a learning disorder that can cause difficulty with language skills. Neither has stopped him from excelling in aquatics at Riverside King High School. Last season, he both swam and played water polo for the Wolves. Stetson, 17, recently added another accomplishment -- qualifying as one of eight members of the Southern California-based U.S. National Deaf Water Polo team. Stetson, a junior, is practicing with the team at a variety of Southern California locations and will leave for the Deaflympics in Taiwan late this month. / The Press-Enterprise

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

The long awaited coda Cruise...!!!

This is a chance for us to gather and share our stories not only with ourselves but with our loved ones... Codas of all ages and their Deaf parents are welcome! "Odas (...of deaf adults), including dodas, godas, sodas, wodas ... are welcomed here to share their stories and expereinces and relate to others who have had the same.

We will have many activities that help us to learn and share in a fun family-oriented atmosphere. Workshops, panel discussions, and performances that include you. The Workshops will be led by Arlene Malinowski, "Storytelling", and Alan Marcus, "Codas and their spouses". We will have workshops for both children and adults. The performance will be emceed by Keith Wann and have an open stage for you to come and share your hilarious stories. A children's show will also be led by Keith and Arlene. The panel discussion will be a great time for Deaf parents with young codas to ask questions...

It's now time to sign up at www.ASLcruise.com
Any questions email Jen@ASLcruise.com

Your Coda - Keith Wann

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

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
EVENTS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Washington, DC
DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION HIRING FAIR FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The U.S. Department of Transportation will hold a Hiring Fair for People with Disabilities next Monday, August 10, at the Holiday Inn Capitol, Washington, DC. DOT offers deaf employees: great employment opportunities at all levels; central funded and managed interpreting services for any deaf employee across the U.S.; active deaf DOT employee group at headquarters; beautiful new HQ office building. All participants should pre-register at: www.cessi.net/faacareerfair09 and request interpreters and other reasonable accommodations if needed. Once the registration is submitted, the confirmation page provides the link for emailing the resume and current Schedule A letter.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MILESTONES
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Oakland, CA
DR. JAMES C. MARSTERS, DEAF PIONEER, DENTIST AND INVENTOR, DIES
Dr. James Carlyle Marsters, a California orthodontist who was instrumental in the development of text telephones (TTYs), died comfortably in his sleep at his home in Oakland on July 28, 2009. He was 85. His most outstanding contribution to the Deaf community started in 1964, when he worked with two other deaf men, Robert Weitbrecht and Andrew Saks, to advocate for changes that would allow deaf persons to communicate with TTYs from home and work. Before that, deaf persons were limited to communication in person, by letters or by phone with the help of hearing friends or family members. / NTID News

Wayne, PA
JOSEPH TOUCHSTONE, 87, SCIENTIST
Prominent research scientist Joseph Cary Touchstone had to ask other people to make his phone calls and had an alarm clock that lit up rather than rang. They were the only accommodations he made to being deaf. Dr. Touchstone, 87, of Rosemont, a professor emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, died of pneumonia July 26 at the Wayne Center. He never learned to sign, but he became an expert lip reader, his son Andrew said. / Philadelphia Inquirer

Olathe, KS
PIONEER IN DEAF EDUCATION, MARY LOU GARTON, DIES AT 77
Having a deaf daughter shaped Mary Lou Garton’s life, along with the lives of many others helped by the Olathe woman who was a pioneer in deaf education. Among other things, she taught hundreds of Kansans to sign and helped found the Deaf Cultural Center in Olathe before she died of cancer July 26 at age 77. Her husband of 59 years, Bill Garton, said of her: “Olathe is probably one of the most friendly places for deaf people in the United States and it came from her.” / The Kansas City Star

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

You can advertise your job openings here for just $20 a week (up to 100 words, 10 cents each add'l word). Start spreading the news! To place your ad, send the announcement to mail@deafweekly.com.

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

Customer Care Technician

Reports to: Call Center Director
Department: Cust Care
FLSA Status:
Location: Rocklin

About Purple Communications:

Purple Communications is one of the nation's largest providers of communication services for the deaf, hard of hearing, and speech-disabled communities. As a leading provider of onsite interpreting services, video relay and text relay services, and video remote interpreting, the Company delivers a wide array of options designed to meet the varied communication needs of its customers.

Purple Communications’ vision is to improve the quality of life of its customers by being their premier provider of high quality, innovative communication services that break down communications barriers.

We are experiencing tremendous growth and are looking to add strong expertise to our world-class teams!

Brief summary of duties:
Assist in troubleshooting complex home router issues, working with ISP on some barriers occurring in their network for the home users to use Video Relay Services. Supporting sales engineer with some projects. Do extensive testing with home based routers to duplicate problems in the field to find the best solution
Areas of Responsibility:
· Uses knowledge of H.323, SIP to support home based users and small businesses environment
· Test and evaluates network configurations to eliminate problems and make improvements.
· Assist customers with connectivity issues
· Advise customers on how best to use the products or services provided.
· Use technical skills to demonstrate to potential customers how and why product/services suit the end user’s needs better than competitor’s products
· Using “consultative” style to focus on customer’s/client’s particular environment and show how it best be configured for the products and services
· Help customer solve any problems that arises when the product is installed
· Proficient with all videophone on the market for the deaf
· Support sales engineer with testing and documentations
· Research into patterns of common issues that is being seen out in the field
· Support our outreach representative out in the field
· Installing as needed where an outreach installer may not be available
· Provide top level technical support for all inbound callers
· Resolve complex network, router and firewall support
· Keep abreast of current video and technology trends

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
· Knowledge and ability to use American Sign Language (ASL) and Knowledge of Internet Video technology is a must
· Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or equivalent experience
· Ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot majority of home based routers.
· Working knowledge of appropriate network technology and network applications such as TCP/IP
· At least 1 year related experience with customer care
· Customer facing communication skills
· Must be willing to work at nights and weekends.
· Knowledge of PC and MAC platforms
· Industry knowledge of firewalls, routers, switches
· 1 year of technical troubleshooting experience with emphasis on customer satisfaction
· Video conferencing technical knowledge ( h.323, SIP, h.264 )
· A+ Certification a plus
· Excellent presentation skills
· Excellent writing and grammar skills

Physical Requirements:
Employees may experience the following physical demands for extended periods of time:
· Sitting, standing and walking (95-100%)
· Keyboarding (60-80%)
· Viewing computer monitor, videophone, and pager requiring close vision (60-80%)

Work Environment:
Work is performed in a customer care environment. Some travel to company, customer and vendor sites, including some that are out of state may be required.

To Apply: submit resume to www.purple.us or email to terri.coppel@purple.us in the Recruiting Dept

Disclaimer:
The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job. Employees are expected to follow their supervisor’s instructions and to perform the tasks requested by their supervisors.

Purple Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Principals only please.

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

Click here to subscribe or here to advertise.