Deafweekly August 24, 2005

deafweekly

August 24, 2005
Vol. 1 No. 45

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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CALIFORNIA MAN SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE

A San Diego man who was shot and killed by Moreno Valley, Calif. police Friday afternoon was hearing impaired, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reported Monday. Lance Michael Solomon, 23, a wanted burglary suspect, was killed after he was found hiding in a garbage can after leading police on a foot chase. When officers found him, police say he reached for his waistband, and a gun was later found at the bottom of the garbage can. Riverside County Sheriff's Department spokesman Dennis Gutierrez, asked whether Solomon's hearing loss contributed to his not obeying officers' commands, said, "We don't know as of yet because we're still looking into the level of what that impairment was." Harold Kund, superintendent of the California School for the Deaf-Riverside, where Solomon was a former student, said Solomon was "profoundly deaf" and could not hear shouted directions. "He was a young man who had some bad breaks in his life," said Kund.

MICHIGAN THERAPIST MAY FACE ADDITIONAL CHARGES

Robert Eardley of Ada, Mich., a therapist who is accused of having sex with a patient, is facing additional charges, reported WOOD-TV News in Grand Rapids. Authorities plan to use a little-known law passed in 1931 to bring more charges against Eardley, 53. He has already been charged with four counts of fourth degree sexual assault. Each count is a misdemeanor and carries a two-year sentence. The new charges have to do with unethical treatment by a medical provider, a ten-year felony. Police also believe there may be a second victim. "At the time I talked to the first victim, she said Eardley had told her about a second victim," said Detective Les Smith.

HOMELESS MAN ACCUSED OF INDECENT ASSAULT IN PARK

Joseph P. Byrnes was ordered held without bail last Wednesday in Framingham, Mass. after being charged with indecent assault and battery and open and gross lewdness. According to MetroWest Daily News, Byrnes is deaf, homeless and a Level 3 sex offender, considered to be the most dangerous and most likely to reoffend. He is accused of fondling himself in a Framingham park and groping a woman walking past him. The woman fought off Byrnes with a bag and then went to police to report the incident. After identifying Byrnes from a photo array of nine men, "She looked visibly upset and emotional," said Bercovitch. A hearing will be held this week to determine if Byrnes is a danger to the public.

CALIFORNIA WOMAN REPORTED MISSING SINCE SUNDAY

The Los Angeles Daily Bulletin reported Monday on a deaf woman who has been missing since Sunday. Heather Estrella Lopez, 19, of Fontana, was last seen getting into a truck with a man she may have met on the Internet, police said. Lopez, said to have the mental capacity of a 12- or 13-year-old, took personal belongings with her and didn't respond to a family member who used sign language to ask where she was going. She was wearing a red shirt, jeans and white sneakers. The man, 35 to 40 years old, was driving a blue 1980s model two-door pickup truck.

'DEAF JAILHOUSE SNITCH' TESTIFIES IN MURDER TRIAL

The fate of an Illinois man charged with murder may hang on whether jurors believe a "nearly deaf jailhouse snitch," the Herald & Review of Decatur, Ill. reported last week. Michael Guise is accused of smothering 15-month-old Korey Bass Jr. on Feb. 3, 2004. Last Thursday, jurors heard from Charles Lucas, 42, a convicted thief who said he was able to lipread Guise in jail as he discussed the crime with other inmates. Lucas, deaf in one ear and hard of hearing in the other, told the court he reads lips "excellent." He said he observed Guise as he explained that the boy jumped out of his arm and hit the concrete floor head first. Guise then put a pillow and blanket over the boy, "and before I knew it, the baby was smothered," Lucas related. He acknowledged his hearing aid was broken at the time, but "I didn't talk to him, I saw him talk."

VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION VISITS STAUNTON SCHOOL

Members of the Virginia Board of Education visited the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind in Staunton last Thursday, where they heard a simple message from teachers, alumni and government officials: don't close our school. Lawmakers are considering a proposal to consolidate the state's two deaf schools at either Staunton or Hampton, or build a new campus at a location to be determined. Members of Staunton's deaf community made their pleas loud and clear through sign language interpreters, reported the News Leader. "This is the cradle of deaf education ... the cradle of deaf culture," said Donna Wait, a retired teacher and assistant principal. For many board members, it was their first visit to the 167-year-old school. "I think the people here demonstrated that they care very much about this school," said board member Tommy Johnson.

SENIOR LIVING FACILITY SET TO OPEN IN WISCONSIN

Wisconsin's first living center for deaf, hard-of-hearing and deaf-blind seniors is scheduled to open on Thursday, Sept. 22 during Deaf Awareness Week. Water Tower View, one of 14 such facilities nationwide, was designed by AG Architects of Wauwatosa, Wisc. and John Dickinson, a deaf architect from Winter & Company of Boulder, Colo. Construction on the 43-unit facility began in January, and residents are expected to move in during the next two months. The new facility, located at 3983 S. Prairie Hill Lane in Greenfield, employs workers who are familiar with sign language and deaf culture, and features state-of-the-art design and communications systems.

GEORGIA SCHOOLS FACED WITH TRANSITION

Deaf education in Georgia is at a crossroad, reported the Rome News-Tribune last week, with both deaf schools in the midst of administrative transition. Lillian Blakesly retired this year as director of the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, while Georgia School for the Deaf director Winfield McChord and six other educators were forced out by state officials who requested their resignations as part of a plan to revamp the school. Enrollment at GSD has decreased from as many as 700 students in the early 1970s to only 93 in 2005 due largely to mainstreaming. McChord said he is skeptical about the school's future. "It's pretty radical for a school to open without a principal or director," he said. "They're going to be getting behind."

PRIVATE SCHOOLS FOR DISABLED WANT TO RAISE TUITION

Private schools for disabled students in Massachusetts have launched a campaign to increase tuition so they can raise teachers' salaries and improve student services. Starting salaries for teachers are far below the public schools, reported The Republican last week, and staff turnover is a big problem. At the Willie Ross School for the Deaf in Longmeadow, for example, turnover is so high that about half the licensed staff was hired in the past three years. Private school administrators want the state to boost tuition, but it could be a hard sell. Public schools already pay the first $30,000 in tuition when a disabled student is sent to a private school while the state covers 75 percent of the amount over $30,000. "We already are paying so much for tuitions," said Russell Johnston, a school administrator in West Springfield. "It can be a big burden on the town."

CITY PLANNERS INVITE INPUT FROM DEAF COMMUNITY

City officials in Bristol, Conn. want to include all residents in planning a downtown revitalization project, and last Tuesday night a forum and discussion meeting was held specifically for the city's deaf community. About 15 people attended the special session at City Hall, reported the Bristol Press. Audience members suggested areas be developed that the deaf community could share with others. A proposed theater was of special interest because it would allow theater for the deaf, which could draw people from other towns. Mayor Gerard Couture was on hand for the meeting. "We'll add to the plan as we hear from you," he said, "so that we can build what is needed for all the citizens of Bristol."

FAMILY OF ARMED SERVICE MEMBERS ELIGIBLE FOR HEARING AIDS

I-Newswire reported last week that hearing aids and services are available to family members of active-duty persons in the armed services. Previously, such services were available only to beneficiaries who were in the Program for Persons with Disabilities. The change is a result of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2002, which allows for coverage of a hearing aid to family members diagnosed with a profound hearing loss. Service physicians and audiologists from the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs have helped Tricare officials to establish separate hearing-level thresholds for adults and children. More information may be obtained from the Tricare website: www.tricare.osd.mil.

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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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SCHOOL FOR DISABLED IN TIBET FILLS SPECIAL NEED

Five years ago, Dainzin Tanam stayed in bed until noon and spent the rest of the day looking out the window, waiting for his parents to return. His mother told China View she had to lock him in the house every day to prevent him from roaming the streets while she and her husband worked. Today, 16-year-old Tanam is a student at the Lhasa Special Education School, where the deaf youth is known for his paintings. The school was founded in 2000 with government funding of 4.5 million yuan ($555,000 US) and now has 28 teachers and 120 students in nine classes -- eight for deaf students and one for blind pupils. It is located in Lhasa, capital of Tibet, and there are plans to open four other similar schools across the region in the next five years. "Without that school," said Tanam's mother, "I dared not imagine how my son would be now."

DEAF IN NEPAL WISH TO OBTAIN DRIVERS LICENSES

Upendra Khanal wants a drivers license. The 24-year-old from Kathmandu, Nepal is physically fit, has perfect eyesight and does not have any disease that could disqualify him from driving. But he has trouble hearing, and government rules prevent the hearing impaired from obtaining a license. "I could have easily bribed officials at the transport management office or used influence, like my friends did," Khanal told the Kathmandu Post. "But I want it done through proper channels." The director of the Department of Transport Management said there are no plans to change the law. "Traffic management system in Nepal is not as developed as in the U.S. and Europe," said Sharad Adhikari. "Traffic policemen use whistles to control the traffic. This means a person who cannot hear won't understand traffic signals and may cause accidents."

PARTNERSHIP BRINGS VIDEO RELAY SERVICE TO U.K.

The British Deaf Association (BDA) has formed a partnership with Sioux Falls, S.D.-based CSD, Inc. to open the first video relay service center in the United Kingdom. The news was revealed at the recent BDA Conference in Brighton, Sussex, England. The BDA-CSD Video Relay Service will allow deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the U.K. to conduct phone calls in an efficient and professional manner, said a CSD press announcement. The new service will be operational Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will serve an estimated 250,000 deaf people in the U.K. whose first or preferred language is British Sign Language. "Today, we begin a new era in communicating," said BDA Chair Doug Alker. "We predict a positive resonse to this new service."

MOTORHEAD GUITARIST RAISES FUNDS FOR ACCIDENT VICTIM

A charity concert was held Monday night in South Wales for a former hotel worker left blind and deaf after a car accident. Nick Butcher, 21, needed major surgery to put 20 metal plates in his face after the head-on collision, reported the South Wales Echo. He was in a coma for a month following the crash 10 weeks ago, and when he awoke he found his senses gone. "He is now blind and deaf and has no feeling in his face or head," said Nick's dad, Tim. "He has got brain damage and can speak but is a lot slower." Tim Butcher has been a technician since 1979 with the rock group Motorhead, and his son's accident occurred just as Tim had left for Motorhead's 30th anniversary concert. Tim arranged for band member Phil Campbell, one of the country's most famous guitarists, to join four other bands for the fundraising concert.

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Relay for Your Busy Lifestyle.

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

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IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE VIDEOPHONE
VIDEO: More Than One Videophone- www.csdvrs.com/2vpscan.html

Video Relay Service (VRS) is a new concept. The purpose of VRS is equal access like TTY relay (TRS). Some people prefer VRS because communication is faster.

CSDVRS distributes free videophone equipment. Videophone equipment CSDVRS currently distributes is called ‘D-Link.’

With D-Link you can hook up more than one videophone to one Internet connection in the same location.

For questions about having more than one videophone, contact CSDVRS Customer Support:
LIVE ‘Signed’ Video:
Web: www.csdvrs.com or D-Link: help.csdvrs.tv

E-Mail: vrshelp@c-s-d.org

VIDEO: More Than One Videophone- www.csdvrs.com/2vpscan.html

CSDVRS Rocks!

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LIFE & LEISURE
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LIONS CLUB IN FLORIDA SEEKS USED HEARING AIDS

Richard Herring, director of the 35-R Lions Hearing and Speech Foundation, is seeking used hearing aids for recycling purposes. District 35-R is one of seven districts in Florida, and Herring is co-chairman of the 35-R Hearing and Speech District, as well as the Hearing and Speech chairperson for the South Hillsborough Lions Club in Ruskin, Fla. Used hearing aids will be sent to a facility for cleaning and refurbishing, and then donated to those who qualify for assistance from the Lions Foundation. More than 400 people have been helped in the past few years. Hearing aid donations may be mailed to Richard Herring, P.O. Box 5162, Sun City Center, FL 33573.

OHIO AUTHOR PUBLISHES MEMOIR OF HER DEAF PARENTS

A reading and book signing took place Monday in Akron, Ohio for "Out of Their Silence: A Memoir of Philip and Julia," the story of a deaf couple who raised a family in Akron after settling there in 1920. The book is self-published and "will be of greater interest to the relatives of the writers than to anyone else," said the Akron Beacon Journal, "but it is important." The memoir was written over a 15-year period by Luella Cordier, daughter of Philip and Julia Heupel, who met and fell in love at Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C. Cordier was assisted by her daughter, Kristine Cordier Karnezis, after she moved to a retirement community three years ago and realized, "I'm getting older; I might die before I get this finished." Karnezis, an attorney and legal writer in Portland, Ore., helped organize the material her mother had gathered. "I really think it's a way of getting to know the people in your family as more than just relatives," said Karnezis.

WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN JEWISH DEAF YOUTH ESSAY CONTEST

The winners have been announced in the Jewish Deaf Youth Essay Contest, sponsored by Our Way, a division of the Orthodox Union's National Jewish Council for Disabilities. The theme of the contest was "A Mentor or Teacher Who Changed My Life." The winners are Shaindy Jacobowitz, 15, of Brooklyn, a student at B'nos Yisroel Viznits, in the senior division, and Yoni Miller, 11, also from Brooklyn, a student at the Jewish Foundation School in Staten Island, in the junior division. The first-place prize was a $200 savings bond, and the second-place prize was $50 worth of Artscroll books. The contest was sponsored by Dr. Eitan and Deborah Fiorino in memory of Adele Markwitz, a speech pathologist and audiologist who taught the Fiorino's hearing-impaired daughter.

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NEW RELAY OPTION >>>

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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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CAMP LAKODIA WORKER RESIGNS TO ATTEND GALLAUDET

The Madison (S.D.) Daily Leader reported last week on Janet Eisfeld, who resigned as community relations manager for CSD's Camp Lakodia to attend graduate school at Gallaudet University. "It's definitely going to be a big change," said Eisfeld, who became interested in the deaf community after taking a sign language class in high school. "There will probably be weeks at a time when I don't use my voice, which is kind of a shocking thing to think about." Eisfeld began working for CSD as an intern during her college years at Augustana College, which led to her job at Camp Lakodia. "When I first came here, we stayed in buildings that were close to being condemned," she said, "so it's amazing that I got to see it from that time up to now." As a hearing student at Gallaudet she will be in the minority, but she thinks it's worth the risks. "I know that doing this is going to open up some opportunities," she said.

ALABAMA WOMAN'S HABIT IS 'WORKING ALL THE TIME'

When Teresa "Terry" Boger of Danville, Ala. was 18 months old, she was diagnosed as profoundly deaf. Her mother recalls doctors telling her, "She will never talk, go to regular school, play games or ride a bike. She will have to be institutionalized when she is older." But Virginia Ball and her husband didn't realize their youngest daughter's inner strength, reported the Decatur Daily last week. Boger's father was in the Air Force and the family often relocated to new surroundings. Eventually she wound up at the Alabama School for the Deaf in Talladega, where she studied two years before being mainstreamed at Hartselle High School. Today, Boger is 44 and works full-time at Redstone Arsenal, where for 15 years she has been a contractor for Morgan Research. In addition, she delivers the Decatur Daily to 270 customers in Hartselle, picking up the papers at 2 a.m. and delivering them all in two hours. She likes to stay busy, she says. "Working all the time has always been a habit."

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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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TEAM EFFORT BRINGS CAPTIONING TO 'MANNA FROM HEAVEN'

Two production companies have teamed up to add captioning to the DVD release of "Manna From Heaven." The film is described as a comedic fable about what happens when a "gift from God" -- a financial windfall -- turns out to be a loan that is due immediately. The PG-rated film features a star-studded cast that includes Academy Award-winning actresses Shirley Jones, Cloris Leachman and Louse Fletcher. When the film was picked up by MGM Productions, the studio had no funds to add closed-captions, so Five Sisters Productions, which produced Manna, decided to cover the costs themselves. They were assisted by Davideo Productions, whose owner, David Pierce, went to high school with Five Sisters producer Ursula Burton. To purchase the DVD, visit www.davideo.tv and click on "products."

'SILENT CELEBRATION FESTIVAL' TO TAKE PLACE IN MICHIGAN

When Scott Peyton became executive director of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Connection in February, one issue that stood out was "the lack of social events and outlets for the deaf and hard of hearing." reported the Muskegon (Mich.) Chronicle. As a result, the organization has announced plans for the first Lakeshore Silent Celebration Festival. It will take place Sept. 10 and 11 at Muskegon's Heritage Landing, and organizers say it's not just for the deaf community. "I think we've done a pretty good job of reaching the disabled," said Peyton. "Now we need to reach Joe Public." Scheduled performers include Ken "Professor Glick" Glickman, Trix Bruce and standup comic Kathy Buckley. Dancer Bertram Weston is planning a performance on the fourth anniversary of 9/11 that will be dedicated to victims, survivors and rescuers of the attack. For more information, visit www.dhhc.org.

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SPORTS
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KNOXVILLE'S TOP-RANKED BOWLER IS DEAF SCHOOL GRAD

The top-ranked bowler in Knoxville, Tenn. is "a 55-year-old man who has dealt with a world of silence to enjoy life to the fullest," said the Knoxville News-Sentinel on Sunday. Bill Hayse attended the Tennessee School for the Deaf in the late 1960s, where he played football, basketball and track. He went on to compete in the Deaf Olympics, earning a bronze medal in the discus at Yugoslavia. He took up bowling 34 years ago because "I would be sore from baseball or basketball, but with bowling I can keep going until I'm 80 or 90." He has rolled 17 perfect games (300 points), with the first in 1990 and the 17th this past January. He has also had eight 299 games and six 298 games. On four occasions he amassed over 800 points in a three-game series. "My best three-game series was 859 and that was two months ago," said Hayse. "That was a huge thrill for me."

MISSISSIPPI FOOTBALL PLAYER IS STATE'S LEADING SCORER

About 22,000 kids suit up for football every Friday night in Mississippi, but none have scored more touchdowns in their high school careers than Ro'Derrick Brown. A senior at the Mississippi School for the Deaf, Brown has reached the end zone 82 times in just 26 games for a team that has won all but one game over the past four years. "I've seen the best kids all over the state," his former coach told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, "and I see Ro'Derrick having the same kind of potential." The 6-foot, 190-pound Brown, who turned 19 last Friday, has led the Bulldogs to a 25-game winning streak and four consecutive national championships for eight-man football at deaf schools. "I like the big games against public schools to show we can challenge them," he said. "We just have to play hard and play smart to compete."

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MILESTONES
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FATHER DAVID WALSH, FOUNDED CATHOLIC DEAF ORGANIZATION

Father David Walsh, a well-known priest who founded the National Catholic Office for the Deaf, died Saturday, August 13 at a hospital in St. Louis. He had been at the St. Clement Health Care Center in Liguori, Mo. for about two years. Fr. Walsh was honored at a banquet earlier this year and given NCOD's first "Person of the Year" Award for more than 50 years of service and ministry to the Catholic deaf community. Fr. Walsh was ordained a priest in January 1947 and assigned to do "deaf work." Said Rev. Len Broniak: "According to him, he had no say in the matter. That was how it was done in those days. But, in the spirit of a true missionary, Fr. Walsh got right to work." He began to visit all of the state schools for the deaf that would let him, and by 1959 he was described in The Louisville Deaf Tidings as "one of the most popular priests in deaf work in America." More information on Fr. Walsh's life and work may be found on the NCOD website: www.ncod.org -- click on "Vision."

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EMPLOYMENT
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Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services
Counselor I - Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee
Location: Lynchburg
Pay Band 3 - $25,329 - $44,213
Position #00829
Closing Date - August 31, 2005

The Field Rehabilitation Services Division has an opportunity for a motivated individual interested in a trainee position in the field of vocational rehabilitation counseling. The selected candidate will receive hands-on work experience and training in vocational rehabilitation while pursuing the educational requirements, leading to becoming a qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. This individual will provide entry-level vocational rehabilitation services under direct supervision to eligible persons who are deaf in the Lynchburg, Roanoke, and surrounding areas.

Responsibilities: Provide case management services including guidance, counseling, training and physical/mental restoration services. Assist with planning, developing, and implementing vocationally focused service plans that identify customer goals, services and costs to help them achieve an employment outcome. Coordinate job placement services, including employer contacts, job development, job seeking skills training and rehabilitation technology services. Due to regional coverage, extensive travel is required.

Requirements: Fluency in American Sign Language required. Knowledge of and understanding of the communication, cultural, and psychosocial needs of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing. Considerable knowledge of the social, economic, medical, vocational and emotional issues impacting persons with disabilities; interviewing, evaluation, and counseling techniques; methods and tools for career counseling; ADA compliance; Working knowledge of Windows based software. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with community resources and individuals from diverse environments. Ability to effectively communicate, orally and in writing; to apply policies/procedures; and organize/manage multiple duties. Bachelor's degree in a human services or related field required. College level transcripts must accompany application. An employee hired into the Counselor Trainee class will be required to sign a Conditions of Employment and must sign-up for Master's degree within six months of being hired. Proof must be submitted to hiring manager that they have enrolled in a Master's program. The employee must obtain Master's degree within 5 years of employment. Successful candidate must pass criminal background investigation.

Please visit our website at http://www.vadrs.org, or to obtain an Application for Employment form visit http://www.dhrm.state.va.us/ or call 804-726-1919. Mail applications to Department of Rehabilitative Services, Attention: Employment Section, Human Resource Services Office, 8004 Franklin Farms Drive, Richmond, VA 23229. Applications may be e-mailed to applications@drs.state.va.us or faxed to 804-662-7662 but must be followed immediately with the signed original. Postmarks are not accepted. Resumes may not be substituted for state applications. People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. EEO/AA/TTY - Reasonable Accommodations Upon Request.

Closing Date: 5:00 PM, August 31, 2005

State Form 10-012 Required

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Title: Media Production Specialist

SUMMARY:
Under Digital Production Manager’s supervision, responsibilities include organizing, videotaping, and editing video productions to achieve the desired promotional and/or educational objectives; may function as Assistant to Producer and/or Director on video projects by evaluating program objectives and target audience, operating within program format and content to attain desired goals, staying within budget, time, and facility limitations; interacting with writers, graphic designers, production crews, and other participants involved in multiple productions; working with a variety of CSD’s clients, including administrators, students, faculty and staff, various constituencies, project participants, other professional electronic media members, and the general public.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Operates videotape cameras, on location or in the studio, in the production of professional pre-recorded programming.
2. Designs, transports, sets up, and operates production equipment, including audio and lighting equipment, for field and studio productions.
3. Computer edits video tape segments on a variety of tape formats.
4. Completes trouble and preventive maintenance reports on video and audio production equipment; assists in repair and upkeep of studio and production sets and properties.
5. Maintains equipment inventory and field and studio production schedules.
6. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:
1. High school diploma or GED
2. 5 years experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Ability to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and perform repairs to audio and video equipment.
2. Ability to effectively manage time and schedules.
3. Ability to configure, operate and maintain studio and/or field audio, lighting and associated production equipment.
4. Knowledge of professional audio and/or video tape editing and post-production procedures, techniques, and standards.
5. Records maintenance skills.
6. Experience with Final Cut Pro and AVID non-linear editing systems; knowledge of basic electronic engineering principles, techniques; requirements and set-ups; and strong computer background is preferred.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Benefits: Group Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Retirement Program, Paid Time Off (PTO), Short Term Disability, Paid Holidays and Employee Assistance Program.

Application Deadline: Until filled

Send resume, cover letter and online application to:

Michelle Stubkjaer, Human Resources
Communication Service for the Deaf
102 North Krohn Place, Sioux Falls SD 57103
(800) 642-6410 or (605) 367-5760 Voice or (605) 367-5761 TTY
(605) 367-5832 FAX or mstubkjaer@c-s-d.org

An Equal Opportunity and Drug-Free Workplace Employer

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Hamilton Relay VRS
Equipment Installer for all 50 states
(We will accept resumes nationwide)

Hamilton VRS (HIPVRS) is seeking professional installers to support deaf and hard-of-hearing customers with installing the DVC-1000 videophones, routers, and webcams. These individuals will be responsible for troubleshooting network issues and training customers how to place video relay calls. This is a contract position.

Qualifications:
Excellent communication skills and a good understanding of deaf culture to be able to provide strong customer service to HIPVRS’ customers
Ability to report service-related issues and communicate with the HIP VRS technical support department
Must be familiar with all technical aspects of installing DVC 1000 products including networking, router configurations, and firewall issues and webcams
Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience in a related technical or computer science background
Ability to effectively communicate in sign language (American Sign Language (ASL) preferred)
Show a willingness to work a flexible schedule to meet customers’ schedules and needs
Ability to find new customers for installations and promote to businesses, schools, and other private businesses about Hamilton Relay
Other needs as assigned

Mail, email, or fax resumes to:

Hamilton Video Relay Services (HIPVRS)
C/o Birnbaum Interpreting Services (BIS)
Attn: VRS Equipment Installer Position
8555 16th Street, Suite 300, Silver Spring, MD, 29010
(301) 565-0366 (Fax)
Email: installerposition@bisvrs.com

Please indicate the position name in the subject line of the e-mail or in a cover letter. Feel free to distribute this vacancy announcement.

Hamilton VRS (HIPVRS): call.hipvrs.com

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Employment Opportunity (Fourth/Final Posting)
TDI

Position: Member Services & Information Technology Officer, TDI

General Description: Member Services & Information Technology Officer is responsible for member services, webmaster/layout design activities, and information technology for TDI’s publications, websites, and related programs/services.

Salary: Negotiable, commensurate with experience & education
Organization: TDI

Type of Appointment: Full-time
Location: Silver Spring, MD
Posting Date: 7/29/2005
Closing Date: open until filled

Duties & Responsibilities:
Maintain membership database on a regular basis. Resolve member/subscriber service issues.
Conduct layout/graphic design services for the Blue Book, the GA-SK Newsmagazine, TDI’s website, biennial TDI Conference, and any other TDI operations including but not limited to: brochures, membership and subscription application/renewal forms, promotional cards, program books, power point presentations, and video clip productions.
Assess information technology needs of TDI’s operations, develop plans, and implement action to accomplish these needs.
Represent TDI at various events hosted by consumer, industry and/or government groups.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Required - Substantial knowledge of techniques, tools, and other resources in database management, online SQL experience preferred.
Required - Ability to create and layout written material for websites, publications, information and referral program, and outreach/training activities.
Required - Ability to produce video clips and other interactive features for TDI’s in-house and remote websites.
Required - Substantial knowledge of techniques, tools, and other resources in database management, and information technology.
Required - Excellent personal interaction skills with diverse individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, deaf-blind or hearing.
Required - Excellent writing and research skills.
Required - Excellent computer skills including familiarity with Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point, and Access. Experience with Web design and/or database management software preferred.
Required - Self-starting ability, and planning and organizing skills in nonprofit management environment.
Required - Experience with user interface web design and architecture.
Required - Knowledge and application of web accessibility features required by Section 508 and by W3C/WAI.
Required - Skills in HTML, SQL, and JavaScript development.
Required - Familiarity with SQL and other database programming languages.
Preferred - ASP.NET or PHP programming experience.
Preferred - Familiarity with the latest Internet technologies (Flash, multimedia video).
Preferred - Knowledge of accessibility regulations, policies and procedures in telecommunications, media, and information technology for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, late-deafened, or deaf-blind and their families.
Preferred - General knowledge of resources in hearing loss at local, state, and national levels in relation to telecommunications, media, and information technology

Training and Experience Requirements:
Preferably a Master's degree in communications, computer science, engineering, mathematics, information technology, or related curriculum and one year of experience; or a bachelor's degree in one of the above fields and three years of experience. Experience in database administration, technical writing, and design documentation.

How to Apply:
All applicants must submit a letter of interest and a resume to TDI. Applications must be received at the TDI office by 5:00 p.m. on or before the closing date. Email submissions are welcome. No phone calls please.

TDI selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Contact Person:
Claude L. Stout, Executive Director

Contact Agency:
TDI

Contact Address:
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 604, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3803

Contact Numbers:
TTY: (301) 589-3006; Voice: (301) 589-3786; Fax: (301) 589-3797

WWW & Email:
www.tdi-online.org tdiexdir@aol.com

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