Deafweekly August 14, 2013

deafweekly

August 14, 2013
Vol. 9, No. 42

Editor: Tom Willard

Deafweekly is an independent news report for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community that is mailed to subscribers on Wednesdays and available to read at www.deafweekly.com. These are the actual headlines and portions of recent deaf-related news articles, with links to the full story. Minor editing is done when necessary. Deafweekly is copyrighted 2013 and any unauthorized use is prohibited.

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Last issue's most-read story: DOCTORS TO GIVE DEAF BOY EARS GROWN FROM HIS OWN RIBS / London Evening Standard
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NATIONAL
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Washington, DC
COVINGTON SECURES APPROVAL OF CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT FOR 6,000 DEAF AND HEARING-IMPAIRED POSTAL WORKERS
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved a precedent setting settlement earlier this week that will establish state-of-the-art reforms in the procedures and technology for delivering interpreter services to a nationwide class of 6,000 current and former deaf and hearing-impaired employees of the U.S. Postal Service. In addition, the settlement provides for approximately $3 million in compensatory damages. The lawsuit, Hubbard, et al. v. Donohue, sought redress under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. / PRNewswire

Shohola, PA
FRAUDSTER GETS 4 YEARS
Shohola resident Nelson Ruiz was sentenced to 57 months in prison last week after he was convicted of defrauding the New York City school system of $2.7 million, according to an announcement. From 2008 through June 2012, Ruiz used six companies that he controlled to bill the education department approximately $2.7 million for sign language interpretation services. None of the sign language interpretation services were ever provided, and none of the students actually needed the services. / The Pike County Courier

Omaha, NE
JURY WILL DECIDE IF CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST FORMER STUDENT
A judge has limited the arguments Creighton University can make later this month in defending itself from a lawsuit by a man who says its medical school discriminated against him because he is deaf. The jury trial, set to start Aug. 20 in Omaha’s federal court, comes after a U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in March that said a jury should be allowed to decide whether Creighton discriminated against medical school student Michael Argenyi. The ruling reversed a lower court’s dismissal of Argenyi’s lawsuit. / The Associated Press

San Francisco, CA
2 HEARING-IMPAIRED STUDENTS' LAWSUITS CAN PROCEED
Two hearing-impaired teenagers received another chance to pursue lawsuits against their Southern California school districts Tuesday for transcription services for classes. A three-judge panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decided unanimously that lower courts had misapplied the law in ruling for the school districts and returned the cases to district judges for reconsideration. The students sued after they said they were denied a trained stenographer to provide real-time captioning of conversations on computer monitors. / Los Angeles Times

Dallas, TX
DEAF IRAQI REFUGEE GETS SPECIAL HELP AS RAMADAN ENDS
Today [Aug. 8] is Eid ul-Fitr, the end of the Ramadan holy period for Muslims around the world. For some here in North Texas, this month of reflection meant helping Ahmed Al Ghazawi, a 40-year-old Muslim from Iraq who landed in Texas about 16 years ago as a refugee. That’s when he met a Dallas refugee resettlement volunteer named Anne Marie Weiss. Al Ghazawi is deaf and so vision-impaired he uses the white cane of the blind to guide him. Through the years, Al Ghazawi’s problems multiplied. / The Dallas Morning News

Sanford, FL
COPS: 911 PRANK CALLER VICTIMIZING HEARING-IMPAIRED BOY'S FAMILY
Seminole County emergency crews have been called to the same home several times this week after someone called 911, but officials learned the prank caller is using information from a hearing impaired device to make the calls. The family that lives at the house authorities are responding to are the victims of a cruel prank, authorities said. "It's obvious that this person knows who they're targeting, probably what type of condition this person has, and they don't care," said Ronny Neal of the Sanford Police Department. / WFTV

New York, NY
DEAF PATRONS' SUIT ACCUSES STARBUCKS OF DISCRIMINATION
The Starbucks coffee shop on Astor Place is an airy, communal retreat where the regulars huddle with their laptops, reconnect with friends and exchange water-cooler gossip over foam lattes. But Miu Ng, who is deaf, found the coffeehouse decidedly unwelcoming when she wrote down her order for an iced coffee on a slip of paper and tried to hand it to a man behind the counter. He put his hand in her face and waved her away, she said. / The New York Times

Los Angeles, CA
STOLEN BULLDOG PUPPIES WERE MEANT FOR HEARING IMPAIRED, SAYS OWNER
Three of six stolen bulldog puppies were returned to their rightful owner Saturday after the police released footage of the theft, but the whereabouts of the other missing dogs is still unknown. "I'm just so happy to have them back," said owner Ryan Fingerle. "I just want to thank everyone for your help." Fingerle, who is hearing impaired, was raising the puppies to be aides to other hearing impaired people. / The Huffington Post

Fort Worth, TX
FT. WORTH POLICE LOOKING FOR TWO MEN WHO ROBBED HEARING-IMPAIRED MAN
Fort Worth police are looking for two men who robbed a hearing impaired man. The incident happened last Thursday at a 7-Eleven. The victim decided to help the two suspects by giving them a ride to the convenience store from a Shell station. The two then pulled a gun on the man, robbed him and stole his red 2002 Ford Taurus after they got a ride to the 7-Eleven. / myFOXdfw.com

Washington, DC
FCC ALLOCATES TEN MILLION DOLLARS FOR INTERNET AND COMMUNICATIONS ACCESS FOR DEAF-BLIND PEOPLE
The Federal Communications Commission has announced the 2013-2014 funding allocations for entities who are eligible to receive support and reimbursements under the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP). The NDBEDP is a program mandated by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) that enables low-income individuals who are deaf-blind to have access to the Internet and advanced communications. / COAT

Corpus Christi, TX
NEW HURRICANE ALERT SYSTEM
Our very own Meteorologist Dale Nelson spent some time today talking about hurricane season. "It was a huge storm that scared everyone half to death," said Nelson to the group. He met with folks Saturday at the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center to answer questions and make sure everyone is up to speed on hurricane preparedness. "Deaf individuals require special communication. In the past 4 years we've worked on making people more aware about spreading information to deaf community," said Nelson. / KZTV10.com

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ALOHA FROM HAWAII!

On July 5, 2014 our “Diamond Head School Alumni” are planning to visit the four major islands by taking a cruise on “The Pride of America”. We thought it would be great to include others who wanted to join our cruise as we celebrate our school’s 100 year Anniversary and meet our classmates on the different islands. If you would like to take this Hawaiian Cruise with us, please email me at ltomiyasu@yahoo.com or contact Paul Tomiyasu @ VP (808) 692-0560 for information.

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INTERNATIONAL
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Nottinghamshire, England
DEAF COMEDIAN STANDS UP FOR DEAF COMMUNITY WITH PROPOSED BILL
A Mansfield deaf comedian has started a campaign to make sign language a recognised language throughout the UK. John Smith lost his hearing when he was three and a half after contracting Meningitus. Although he cannot remember being able to hear he has never let his disability hold him back. Through his celebrity status as a comedian Mr Smith started campaign group Spit the Dummy and Campaign for BSL Act earlier this year to help the deaf community have more legal rights. / Mansfield Chad

Norwich, England
'DEAF' MAN JAILED FOR RAPING WOMAN IN NORWICH
Andrew Oruovo, 21, was convicted by a jury at Norwich Crown Court following a five-day trial of raping his 24-year-old victim during the early hours of April 21 last year. Oruovo, who lived in Kent, was yesterday sentenced to five years in prison. Judge Alasdair Darroch said Oruovo, who required an interpreter to relay the hearing in British Sign Language (BSL), would have been sentenced to another 12 months had it not been for his “handicap” and the problems it posed. / Eastern Daily Press

Leicestershire, England
BURBAGE DEAF COUPLE SURVIVE BUNGALOW BLAST
A Leicestershire couple have survived a gas explosion and fire which badly damaged their bungalow. Parts of their home in Aldridge Road, Burbage, collapsed after the incident at about 03:00 BST. The couple, who have not been named, are profoundly deaf and escaped unharmed after being alerted by a recently fitted vibrating alarm system. Police said investigations were continuing but the cause was believed to be accidental. / BBC News

UK
END OF THE LINE ... FOR DEAF CHARITIES?
Over the last few months much criticism has been leveled at UK charities, the criticisms highlighted excessive wages paid to CEO's, refusals to employ deaf or HI workers, pushing political agendas to get funds, and using an old boys network to shoe-in professional hearing staff to fill vacancies. Much of this is accompanied by more refusals to offer training schemes to deaf and HI, or to offer internships so that those with qualifications can break through the glass ceiling of corporate employment. / At The Rim

Vancouver, BC, Canada
GAY, DEAF RUSSIAN 'ECSTATIC' TO BE CO-GRAND MARSHAL OF NEW WEST PRIDE MARCH
Andrey Samstov could hardly believe his eyes on Aug. 4 when he saw hundreds of thousands of people openly and joyously celebrating the diversity of the LGBTQ community in Vancouver’s West End. Less than two weeks earlier, the 28-year-old, who is gay and deaf, had stepped off a plane at the Vancouver airport from Russia, where in 2011 he was arrested after unfurling a rainbow flag at a Pride parade in Moscow that turned into a riot. / MetroNews Canada

Kenora, ON, Canada
KIDS MADE DEAF FROM EXPERIMENTS IN CANADIAN SCHOOL
Some kids were made deaf by ear experiments done at a school in Kenora in the 1950s, according to a set of reports from 1954 that was just made public. The report, written by Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Reservation School nurse Kathleen Stewart, explores experiments done on children with 14 different drugs to treat “ear troubles.” In a followup report, it was revealed that three of the children were almost deaf with no ear drums, while six lost hearing in one ear, according to CBC, which obtained the reports. / Epoch Times

Windsor, ON, Canada
DEAF BRAWLER VASSALLO BORN TO ROLL
From the moment she saw her first roller derby game, Diane Vassallo was entranced. “As I grew up, I watched roller derby on TV and I just remember always being so into it, being fascinated by it,” Vassallo explained. Perhaps you haven’t heard that Windsor has its own female flat-track roller derby team, the Border City Brawlers? Even though she’s been a member of the team for nearly three years, Vassallo still hasn’t heard about it. That’s because she was born deaf. / Windsor Star

New South Wales, Australia
POSITIVE SIGN FOR DEAF SOCIETY AND ANTHONY
Anthony Gorringe has spent the majority of his life deaf after a serious bout of meningitis caused him to lose his hearing at just two years old. But instead of seeing it as a handicap, Mr Gorringe has thoroughly enjoyed his life and says he wouldn’t change it for anything. “It doesn’t feel like I’ve missed out on anything and it’s actually a privilege to be a part of the deaf community,” Mr Gorringe said, with the help of his interpreter wife Kay. / Central Western Daily

Manila, Philippines
DEAF-MUTE'S TESTIMONY CREDIBLE
Thanks to the testimony of a 14-year-old deaf-mute boy, the Supreme Court has upheld the 40-year prison term meted out on a man who robbed and stabbed dead a real estate broker six years ago. The high court’s First Division, in a decision dated July 24, affirmed the conviction of Edwin Aleman based on the testimony of the lone witness, Mark Almodovar, who can neither hear nor speak. “The mere fact that Mark is a deaf-mute does not render him unqualified to be a witness," the court said. / The Inquirer

Singapore
DEAF PIANIST TAKES THE STAGE
When sceptics told him to “get off stage”, adamant that “a deaf person cannot play music, let alone pull off a concert”, passionate pianist Ron Tan proved them wrong by playing four different sets that night at the arts concert. It was a humbling experience to be bombarded with “a lot of negative feedback”, admitted Mr Tan, who lives with 80 per cent hearing loss. He struggled to “pick himself up”, but was determined to “win the hearts” of these cynics. / TODAY

Cape Town, South Africa
DEAF, BLIND PRIEST GROUNDED BY AIRLINE
A deaf and blind priest says he feels “humiliated” following an incident at the Cape International Airport on Saturday when Briti Airways staff refused to let him board a plane to Joburg on his own. On Sunday, Father Cyril Axelrod, 71, said he spent his time between South Africa and England, where he was based, and had had no trouble flying on his own before. But on Saturday afternoon as he was trying to check in, a BA ground crew member said she was not sure if he would be allowed to fly alone and proceeded to call a supervisor. / IOL.co.za

Nigeria
GOV'T TO SPONSOR DEAF, DUMB TO INDIA FOR TREATMENT
Akwa Ibom State government has restated its readiness to sponsor five dumb and deaf children from the state to India for treatment. Governor Godswill Akpabio directed “The state Commissioner of Health to select five children born deaf and dumb and send to Primus Super Speciality Hospital, India for treatment where a mechanism would be planted on them to enable them to speak and hear, just as the state government would be ready to sponsor them on the trip." / Nigerian Tribune

Odisha, India
DEAF AND SPEECH-IMPAIRED GIRL RAPED BY INSTRUCTOR
A deaf and speech-impaired girl was allegedly raped by her instructor at a vocational centre in the state capital, police said on Sunday. The 20-year-old girl is a student of radio repair work at central government-run Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for the Handicapped. On August 6, an instructor at the centre allegedly took the girl, who was down with fever, to his residence promising her better healthcare and raped her several times. / The Times of India

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OCT 2013 DISNEY ULTIMATE HALLOWEEN CRUISE
FEB 2014 SUPERBOWL CRUISE ON FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
JUL 2014 DISNEY SUMMER AT SEA CRUISE
DEC 2014 DISNEY NEW YEAR’S EVE CRUISE
SPRING 2015 GREAT DEAF VACATION’S 5TH ANNIVERSARY CRUISE
SUMMER 2015 ALASKA CRUISE
OCT 2015 2ND DISNEY ULTIMATE HALLOWEEN CRUISE
2016 HAWAII CRUISE
2016 ALL-INCLUSIVE CARIBBEAN BEACH RESORT

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LIFE & LEISURE
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Washington, DC
UNDERSTANDING DEAFNESS: NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO BE 'FIXED'
When the police showed up, there were maybe 50 protesters, most of them Deaf, outside the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Officers stepped out of their squad cars — four in total — and spoke to the protesters through an American Sign Language interpreter. They soon left amicably, though, apparently having not found much that needed policing. The protesters were rallying against the Listening and Spoken Language Symposium, an annual event put on by the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AGB). / The Atlantic

Montgomery, AL
HEARING-IMPAIRED WOMAN HAS VISION TO HELP OTHERS
Traci Smith’s introduction to the wonderful world of sound is a great way to illustrate the fact that most of us take things for granted. It happened a few years ago just after she left a building at Auburn Montgomery and began to hear strange noises. One was the chirping of birds. The other was the rustling of leaves on campus trees. “It was a windy day and the leaves became music to my ears,” she said Friday. “I just stood there listening. I have to admit that I became emotional.” / The Montgomery Advertiser

Houston, TX
SPECIAL NEEDS KIDS SPONSOR DEAF HPD HORSE
Some local young people with autism and Down Syndrome are showing just how special a bond with an animal can be. They have a special connection with a member of the Houston Police Department's Mounted Patrol Division. His name is Smash and as these girls are happy to tell you, just because he's different doesn't mean he's not like everybody else. Katherine Richards and Christi Roberts spend a lot of time at HPD's stables, washing and caring for the horses. But, there's one horse in particular that gets the most love, Smash. / KPRC Houston

Alexandria, VA
BABY SIGN LANGUAGE MORE POPULAR AS PARENTS AIM TO COMMUNICATE
The Alexandria living room reverberated with the babbling sounds of babies. “Babababababa,” 9-month-old Reese said to her mother, who offered an equally sincere “babababababa” in response. Avah sang out a happy “dadadadada” in between gumming a tropical-fish-shaped toy, and Liam cut through the din with a guttural “AAaaaaaaeeooooooohhhghhh!!!” Many babies don’t graduate from jabbering to meaningful extended dialogue until they are closer to 2 years old. A growing number of parents, eager to communicate with their babies sooner, are starting conversations with their hands. / Washington Post

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WORKING WORLD
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Baton Rouge, LA
INCARCERATED OFFENDERS COMPLETE SIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAM
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections held a graduation ceremony July 25 for 10 male and female offenders who have recently completed a three-year sign language interpretation program. There are more than 2,000 hearing-impaired offenders in DOC custody, with approximately three dozen who are profoundly deaf. These offenders require interpretation services not only for daily living but also to participate in educational and reentry programming. / Post South

Randolph Township, NJ
FAR HILLS WOMAN HONORED FOR HER WORK FOR THE DEAF
Dr. Laura McKirdy, co-founder of The Lake Drive Programs for Children Who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Mountain Lakes and trustee of The Lake Drive Foundation, has been recognized for her impact on the lives of infants and toddlers with hearing loss from throughout northern New Jersey in the Lake Drive Sound Start Program. On April 18, the Far Hills resident was honored with the 2013 Morris County Non-Profit Excellence Award for Volunteerism. / The Bernardsville News

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Seattle, WA
WILLARD'S 'REBIRTH' REPORT: THE NAKED TRUTH ABOUT NTD'S DECLINE
"Break a leg" is the long-uttered catchphrase of thespians and stage buffs. But it's going to take much more than a cliché to revive the National Theatre of the Deaf (NTD), says Deafweekly editor Tom Willard. Willard is a man on a mission to save NTD. His 27-page PDF report, titled "Rebirth: Thoughts on Reinvigorating the National Theatre of the Deaf," began making its rounds on the Web several months ago. It's hardly light reading, but resounds with urgency. / DeafReview

New York, NY
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER KEEPS UP WITH PHISH, WU-TANG CLAN AND SPRINGSTEEN
For Holly Maniatty of Portland, Maine, actions certainly do speak louder than words, as thousands of concert-goers use her skill as a certified American sign language interpreter to follow along to the lyrics of headlining artists such as Phish, Wu-Tang Clan and Bruce Springsteen. “I’ve always been a little bit faster of a signer,” Maniatty, 32, told GoodMorningAmerica.com, of her ability to keep up with fast-paced freestyle rap artists or jam bands like Phish, which tend to digress from their usual lyrics. / ABC News

Chicago, IL
SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER OUTPERFORMS KENDRICK LAMAR AT LOLLAPALOOZA
Should sign language interpreters be required to perform at every hip hop set from now on? Answer: a resounding yes. We’ve seen their incredible performances before, like at the Wu-Tang Clan concert at Bonnaroo. The latest comes from Kendrick Lamar at Lollapalooza, where this ASL interpreter danced and signed her way through one of the songs, even the dirty bits. / Hypervocal

Aurora, CO
ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEAF THEATRE TO WELCOME PATRICK FISCHER, 8/9-11
Patrick Fischer, also known as MrShineyhead, is fast becoming a sought-after performer all around the country. His engaging storytelling abilities delight audiences of all ages and diverse backgrounds. Rocky Mountain Deaf Theatre will present Patrick Fischer as MrShineyhead August 9- 11 at the Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St., Aurora, Colo. / Broadway World

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SPORTS
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New London, CT
FOR STERGIO, 'GOLD' IS ULTIMATE PRIZE
Her basketball career, post Montville High School, wasn't quite working out until Lindsay Stergio found her way to Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., last season. Gallaudet specializes in programs for the hearing impaired, allowing Stergio, who is deaf, a comfort zone she had yet to find while first attending Southern Connecticut State University, then Eastern Connecticut. On Aug. 3, Stergio reached what she calls the pinnacle of her basketball career. / The Day

Fort Collins, CO
ROCKY MOUNTAIN WRESTLER ALEX JENNINGS NOT SLOWED BY HEARING LOSS
Rocky Mountain High School wrestler Alex Jennings might need hearing aids, but being nearly deaf is better than death. Alex and his twin brother Zac were born at 28 weeks. Zac and Alex had health issues, but Alex’s were the more severe. “He got sick at two weeks,” their mother Andrea said. “(Doctors) said he wouldn’t live through the night.” An infection led doctors to put Alex on an antibiotic. That antibiotic essentially stunted the growth of Alex’s inner ear, causing significant hearing loss, Andrea said. / The Coloradoan

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MILESTONES
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Buffalo, NY
THELMA J. GRUNTHANER, RETIRED TEACHER OF THE DEAF
Thelma Jane Grunthaner, a retired teacher at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf, died Wednesday in Buffalo General Medical Center after a short illness. She was 74. Born in St. Mary’s, Pa., Miss Grunthaner earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in special education from Buffalo State Teachers College. She taught at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf for 35 years, retiring in 1994. She served as head of the Home Economics Department and was recognized as Teacher of the Year. / The Buffalo News

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

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Opening Date: Sunday, July 28, 2013
Closing Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2013

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing is seeking an Executive Director (ED). The ED will be responsible for managing department directors and other agency staff; plan and direct new and current programs or services; oversight of the development of the Agency’s program budget projection; develop program goals and objectives; develop Request for Proposals; management and oversight of various Agency contracts; work and interact with the other State Government agencies; review proposed regulations; respond to multiple inquiries from legislators, other agencies and many interested parties; represent the Agency at meetings and public functions; participate in legislative activities that include presenting program and policy analysis; represent the Agency during legislative sessions.

Qualifications for the position: A Master’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, Social Services or a related field is required for this position. Eight (8) years managing programs or projects that include strategic planning, and/or developing and implementing programs or services that require interaction with other agencies and/or with multiple parties to include five (5) years experience in direct staff management. Substantial experience with managing complex programs and budgets, significant experience in the administration of programs and services for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind communities required.

Ability to communicate fluently in American Sign Language required.
Individuals with disabilities encouraged to apply.

To apply, please submit your resume to Chairman Apodaca via email at Mark.Apodaca@state.nm.us. Phone calls will not be accepted.

The State of New Mexico Commission for Deaf & Hard of Hearing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information on the Commission for Deaf & Hard of Hearing, please visit www.cdhh.state.nm.us.

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PAHrtners Deaf Services

www.pahrtners.com/careers
www.facebook.com/deafjobs

NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
PAHrtners Deaf Services is a dynamic team of behavioral health professionals serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and adults. Located outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PAHrtners provides residential and out-patient services to Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) children, adolescents and adults. Over 85% of our staff members are Deaf or Hard of Hearing!

As a result of our commitment to the Deaf/HoH community PAHrtners is rapidly growing and expanding. Whether you are a high school graduate, recent college graduate or professional with many years of experience in the field of human services, we have a career-building position waiting for you! E.O.E.

PAHrtners is looking for dedicated, motivated, energetic individuals who are fluent in American Sign Language and knowledgeable in Deaf culture to fill the following positions:

-- CASE MANAGER (full time position)
-- STAFF INTERPRETER (full time position)
-- RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR (full time position)
-- RESIDENTIAL COUNSELORS (full-time, part-time and on-call positions available)

Go to our Website at: www.PAHrtners.com to learn more about each position.
Like us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/deafjobs

Send your letter of intent and resume to:

Linda Claypool, Office Manager/HR
PAHrtners Deaf Services
614 N. Easton Road
Glenside, PA 19038

Email: lclaypool@pahrtners.com
Fax: 215-884-6301; 215-884-9770 TTY/V

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MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN (MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST)
Duluth, Minnesota
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Division
Minnesota Department of Human Services

$22.62 - $33.34 hourly ($47,231 - $ 69,614 annually)

Contact: john.gournaris@state.mn.us

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

This position provides culturally affirmative mental health services to deaf and hard of hearing adults coping with mental health issues in Duluth, MN and Northeast Minnesota. The main responsibility of the Mental Health Specialist is to provide psychotherapy/ counseling services and the remaining of time will include clinical case management/coordination, consultation, training, aftercare planning, and community placement assistance for deaf and hard of hearing adults. The candidate will be housed in Duluth and will travel in Northeast Minnesota on a regular basis.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide direct mental health services (independently or with supervision) to deaf and hard-of-hearing adults and their families. Responsibilities include: individual/couples/family/group psychotherapy, intake evaluation, treatment planning, some clinical case management, inter-agency coordination, and psycho-education. Complete intake evaluations, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries, and other reports as required. Some consultation duties are also involved (in-services and workshops on Deaf culture and mental health). Maintain close contact with local acute psychiatric units and group homes ensuring that their services are accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing clients. Assist in client capacity building in the regions covered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL)
Master’s Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or behavioral-health related field
At least 2 years advanced profession experience, OR 1 year advanced professional experience plus 2 years professional experience providing direct mental health services to deaf and hard of hearing individuals
Licensed or license-eligible for LPC, LPCC, LP, LICSW or LMFT in the state of Minnesota
Knowledge of clinical/crisis interventions and psychiatric medications
Ability to provide consultation services to mental health care organizations
Ability to complete required reports, case files, and other paperwork duties accurately and in a timely manner
Ability to multi-task and cope under stressful circumstances
Excellent client advocacy and interpersonal skills
Thorough knowledge of relevant professional codes of ethics and DSM diagnoses
Fully competent in Deaf and hearing cross-cultures
Willingness to perform some duties at remote work sites, involving some statewide travel
Experienced or familiar with a statewide system of mental health services
Knowledge of the video technology used by deaf and hard-of-hearing people

WHAT’S GOOD ABOUT THIS JOB?

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others using your expertise in mental health, ASL, and Deaf Culture? We seek an enthusiastic and innovative mental health clinician to provide services to deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing adults coping with mental health issues in Northeast Minnesota. These services will enable deaf clients to freely access culturally affirmative mental health services in their home communities. In addition to counseling individual deaf and hard-of-hearing clients, the Mental Health Specialist may also work with couples, families, and groups when available. This position will work with a team of professional colleagues based at the DHHSD Northeast Regional Office in Duluth, MN and will travel across 7 area counties.

Duluth, Minnesota:

Duluth is located on the north shore of beautiful Lake Superior. Duluth is also accessible to ocean-going vessels from the Atlantic Ocean 2,300 miles away via the Great Lakes and the Saint Lawrence Seaway. As one of the major tourist destinations for the Midwest, Duluth features America's only all-freshwater aquarium, the Great Lakes Aquarium; the Aerial Lift Bridge, which spans the Duluth Ship Canal into the Duluth–Superior Harbor, and Minnesota Point (known as Park Point locally). Minnesota is considered one of the top 10 healthiest and active places in the country. It has the most golf courses per capita in the country and is truly an outdoor paradise with over 12,000 lakes and beautiful forests.

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POSITION NOTICE
SWCID CAMPUS

POSITION: MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH / PHYSICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR
#13-102

NOTE: OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AS WELL AS ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS DISCLOSING CREDENTIALS PERTAINING TO THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED. WILL BE SUBJECT TO A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK.

EXPERIENCE AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Familiarity and experience in coaching basketball teams. Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years related experience required. Master’s degree preferred. Skills and other qualifications desired in physical education and recruiting. Teaching PE classes as needed. Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and be capable of driving a college van.

DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES: Promote physical fitness through instruction and team activities. Scout and recruit quality student athletes and ensure that all recruiting activities are within regulations. Monitor scholarship and travel budget. Schedule competitions and conduct regular practice sessions in and out of season. For a complete list of job duties please inquire.

SALARY RANGE: Per Faculty Schedule

POSITION AVAILABLE: Immediately

TO APPLY: Send completed application and other materials to:

HOWARD COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT
HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE
1001 BIRDWELL LANE
BIG SPRING, TX 79720
(432) 264-5100 phone
www.howardcollege.edu

POSTED: July 25, 2013

It is the intent of the Howard County Junior College District to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion or veteran’s status or any other protected class. Contact the Personnel Office if assistance is needed during the application process.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires all employees hired after November 6, 1986 to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

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POSITION NOTICE
SWCID CAMPUS

POSITION: WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH / PHYSICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR
#13-101

NOTE: OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AS WELL AS ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS DISCLOSING CREDENTIALS PERTAINING TO THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED. WILL BE SUBJECT TO A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK.

EXPERIENCE AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Familiarity and experience in coaching basketball teams. Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years related experience required. Master’s degree preferred. Skills and other qualifications desired in physical education and recruiting. Teaching PE classes as needed. Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and be capable of driving a college van.

DESCRIPTION OF JOB DUTIES: Promote physical fitness through instruction and team activities. Scout and recruit quality student athletes and ensure that all recruiting activities are within regulations. Monitor scholarship and travel budget. Schedule competitions and conduct regular practice sessions in and out of season. For a complete list of job duties please inquire.

SALARY RANGE: Per Faculty Schedule

POSITION AVAILABLE: Immediately

TO APPLY: Send completed application and other materials to:

HOWARD COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICT
HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICE
1001 BIRDWELL LANE
BIG SPRING, TX 79720
(432) 264-5100 phone
www.howardcollege.edu

POSTED: July 17, 2013

It is the intent of the Howard County Junior College District to provide equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion or veteran’s status or any other protected class. Contact the Personnel Office if assistance is needed during the application process.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires all employees hired after November 6, 1986 to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States.

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