Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive Deafweekly.
SPONSOR DEAFWEEKLY! Become a sponsor and you will receive banner ads on our home page and in each issue, as well as a 100-word text ad every week to promote your products and services. In addition, you will be helping thousands of readers keep up with important news in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Interested? Send us an email!
SIGN UP HERE for a free subscription. Be sure to open the confirmation email and click on the link to activate your subscription. It is required by law and prevents others from signing you up without your permission.
ADDRESS CHANGES are self serve. Simply unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of every newsletter, then sign up for a subscription with your new address.
Last issue's most-read story: DEAF MAN ARRESTED FOR FAKE STATUE OF LIBERTY BOMB THREAT / New York Post
Deafweekly subscribers as of today: 5,511
ADVERTISE IN DEAFWEEKLY FOR $20 OR LESS PER WEEK
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NATIONAL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Canyon Rim, UT
UTAH SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND TO BUILD NEW CAMPUS
Begining in August 2016, sensory impaired students in the Salt Lake area will have a new place to attend school. Earlier this week the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind announced construction of a new building located at 1655 E. 3300 South. The 48,000-square-foot building will provide more space to accommodate blind and visually impaired, deaf-blind, and deaf and hard of hearing students and their families in the surrounding area. / Deseret News
Richmond, VA
U.S. AGENCY FAULTS STAPLES MILL AMTRAK STATION
Gary W. Talley once asked Amtrak for assistance with his disability at its train station on Staples Mill Road in Henrico County, but the online registration didn’t allow him to explain his needs as someone who is deaf. After Talley arrived at the station, his name was called over a loudspeaker. Someone traveling with him heard the announcement, which led them to a platform where a golf cart awaited to assist him. “I can walk — what I can’t do is hear,” he said in an interview. “They don’t get hearing loss whatsoever.” / Richmond Times-Dispatch
Grand Forks, ND
COUPLE SUES GRAND FORKS HOSPITAL AFTER MAN LEAVES SURGERY DEAF, BLIND
A Thief River Falls couple is suing Altru Health System after complications from a vascular surgery left a man blind and deaf. Robert and Annette Klade filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the medical provider in U.S. District Court in July in Grand Forks. The pair argues a surgeon and an anesthesiologist employed by Altru were negligent in their treatment of Robert Klade and are demanding more than $75,000 in damages. / INFORUM
Los Angeles, CA
ARROWHEAD REGIONAL, U.S. JUSTICE DEPT. REACH AGREEMENT ON DEAF SERVICES
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, operated by the county, has entered into a agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, to settle an allegation that the hospital failed to provide a qualified interpreter for patients that are deaf or hard of hearing. Under a “voluntary compliance agreement,” Arrowhead Regional will provide “equipment and services to ensure that people who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to medical services,” the U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles said Wednesday. / The Sun
New Orleans, LA
LAWSUIT OVER HOSPITAL'S ACCOMMODATION OF DEAF PARENTS REVIVED
A U.S. appeals court revived a lawsuit filed against a Texas hospital by the hearing-impaired parents of a young cancer patient who claim that the hospital repeatedly failed to provide them with an interpreter. Circuit Judges with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said in a unanimous, unsigned opinion Friday that the couple, Rolando and Miriam Perez, may seek an injunction against Doctors Hospital at Renaissance in Edinburg, Texas, under the Americans with Disabilities Act. / Reuters
Mission Hill, CA
SUCCESS! LAUSD REINSTATES ASL CLASSES AFTER CARE2 PETITION
The North Valley Occupational Center in Mission Hill, Calif., has consistently offered classes taught in ASL for both Deaf students and those who do not communicate verbally. Those classes were targeted for removal by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), despite the popularity with the adult students who take the classes. Over 56,000 Care2 members spoke out by signing Noelle Gabay’s petition to have the classes reinstated. Care2 can confirm that your efforts resulted in success for the students. / Care2 Causes
Worcester, MA
DEAF SURVIVOR'S PROGRAM OFFERED BY WORCESTER RAPE CRISIS CENTER
Nationally, said Stephanie Reynolds-King, the Deaf Survivor’s Program Coordinator at Pathways for Change, of the 3,000 centers devoted to sexual violence and domestic violence, only 15 serve the deaf individuals in their communities. Pathways for Change is about to turn that harsh reality into history. Pathways for Change has brought on Ms. Reynolds-King as a full-time staff member dedicated to advocating for the deaf victims in Worcester and its surrounding towns and updating their technology. / Telegram
Wentzville, MO
TORNADO SIRENS FOR THE DEAF APPEAR IN WENTZVILLE
It’s been a quiet week of weather across the bi-state region, but that’s not stopping one city in St. Charles County from preparing for the next big storm. The new siren with LED lighting was installed Wednesday at the intersection of Wagner Street and S. Linn in Wentzville. City officials said this siren is only the beginning in a series of replacements in the city. / KPLR
Morganton, NC
DEAF AND BLIND SENIORS GATHER AT MORGANTON RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Deaf and blind seniors from across the country converged on Morganton Wednesday to check out what the Alder Springs Deaf and Blind Community will offer. The tour of the apartments, still under construction, came as part of the Deaf Seniors of America Conference, going on in Asheville from Sunday through Thursday. Ninety-five visitors made their way through town on the new trolley recently purchased by the Burke County Tourism Development Authority. / The News Herald
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
READ WHAT THEY SAY
Unlock the phone with CapTel® Captioned Telephone! CapTel shows word-for-word captions of everything a caller says over the phone, letting you read everything that they say. Like captions on TV – for the phone! Captions are provided by a free service, no monthly fees or contracts required. For more information or to order call 1-800-233-9130 V/TTY or visit http://www.weitbrecht.com/captel.html . For more info about CapTel or any of the many assistive listening devices we offer, email: sales@weitbrecht.com.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
CapTel® Captioned Telephone – See What Everyone is Talking About!
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INTERNATIONAL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Rustenburg, South Africa
PROBE LAUNCHED INTO DEATHS OF THREE DEAF CHILDREN
The South African Human Rights Commission has launched an investigation into the living conditions of pupils at the Northwest School for the Deaf following the tragic death of three pupils. The commission said it had learned with shock of the deaths of the three girls in a fire in their hostel at the school in Leeudoringstad near the Vaal River in the early hours of last Monday. “It is the Commission’s suspicion that the fire warning systems at the school may have been dysfunctional‚” the commission said in a statement on Monday. / Sowetan LIVE
See Also 'MOTHER, I'M ALREADY DEAD' -- DEAF TEEN'S SMS / News24
Melbourne, Australia
DISABILITY WORKER ADMITS ABUSING DEAF, BLIND PATIENTS
A former Department of Human Services disability support worker whose lawyer said he was deeply religious and in denial about his sexuality has admitted abusing a series of male patients over 13 years across Melbourne's east. Craig Handasyde, 47, of Croydon, pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to 11 charges of committing an indecent act with a cognitively impaired person by a worker. The abuse occurred across residential facilities in a number of suburbs, and in some cases involved long-term clients between 1998 and 2011. / ABC News
Queensland, Australia
DEAF CAMPAIGNER GAYE LYONS LOSES BID TO SERVE ON QUEENSLAND JURY
A woman hoping to be Australia's first deaf juror has lost a legal bid in Queensland's highest court. Gaye Prudence Lyons, who can lip read but requires an Auslan interpreter to communicate, claimed she was discriminated against after being excluded from an Ipswich District Court jury in 2012. It sparked a three-year legal battle that has been through numerous Queensland courts and tribunals, with Ms Lyons suing the state government in the Supreme Court of Appeal. / Brisbane Times
London, England
AMATEUR SAILORS DEFY THE ODDS TO RACE ROUND THE WORLD
Sailing 40,000 miles around the world in the face of gale force winds, mountainous oceans and 90ft waves has to be one of the toughest of challenges at the best of times. Imagine then if you are deaf and cannot hear your skipper and crew-mates’ instructions over the roar of the sea crashing against your yacht and in the dark of the ocean night. That is what will face Gavin Reid, when he sets sail on Sunday from London’s St Katharine Docks at the start of the Clipper Round the World race. / Telegraph
Internet
THE ISLAMIC STATE IS RECRUITING THE DEAF. NOW ONE ORGANIZATION IS TRYING TO SAVE THEM.
When the president of the Deaf Bible Society learned that the Islamic State was attempting to recruit Muslim members of the deaf community, he decided to take action. J.R. Bucklew was alerted back in March to the promotion of a video from the Islamic terror group that attempted to recruit deaf individuals in the Middle East — something that led him and his organization to launch a Christian resource aimed at reaching the deaf in the religion. / The Blaze
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
The Z™ offers the best in videophone technology, providing equipment options to meet customers' individual needs and offering features not available through other VRS providers. Professional, nationally certified interpreters follow standards of service excellence above and beyond FCC requirements. Dedicated to a spirit of innovation and commitment to excellence, The Z™ continues to set the industry standard as the nation's premier VRS provider. Go to www.zvrs.com for more information on all of our products, services and features. Don't have a Z phone? You can still join The Z™ Life by calling 888.888.1116 to connect to ZVRS from any videophone!
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LIFE & LEISURE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Boston, MA
DEAF MICE CURED WITH GENE THERAPY
In a laboratory at Boston Children's Hospital a cure for genetic deafness is taking shape. Lead researcher Jeff Holt says that if all goes as planned, children of the future who lose their ability to hear due to genetic mutation will never go deaf. Holt and his fellow researchers are using engineered viruses to repair damaged genes that make up parts of the inner ear. "Our strategy was to take a viral vector, remove the viral genes so that it doesn't make anyone sick and to replace those with the correct DNA sequence for TMC1," said Holt. / Reuters
Kutztown, PA
KUTZTOWN GIRL SCOUT EARNS GOLD
Samantha Tanner, 16, from Troop 1359 completed her Gold Award project in July. Her project consisted of organizing and scrapbooking newspaper articles and archiving Senator’s letters addressing the advocacy of the deaf and hard of hearing in Berks County dating back to 1967. Twenty-one people contributed in helping her achieve this prestigious award. / Berks-Mont News
Richmond, KY
FASHION ON A MISSION
When Hannah Etisomba saw an online request for models to donate their time and skills to the Kentucky Crusade for Deaf Children fashion show, she wanted to help any way she could. The cause was “close to her heart” because her 1-year-old son, Aiden, was born without a fully developed ear canal. Etisomba contacted Madison Greene, the fundraiser’s founder who suffered from undetected hearing loss as a child, and told her she would be of any assistance. Under Greene’s suggestion, Etisomba agreed to let Aiden be a model in the show. / The Richmond Register
Georgetown, KY
DEAF DOG WHO WENT MISSING FOUND SAFE
An eight-year-old, deaf schnauzer who went missing Saturday night has been found safe. Mr. Snow spent the first eight years of his life living in a cage in a puppy mill. Only hours after finding a new forever home in Georgetown he went missing. According to adoption coordinators with the Woodstock Animal Foundation in Lexington, Mr. Snow had just arrived at his newly adopted home when he slipped through a hole in a backyard fence. / WKYT
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
Do you love to go on a cruise vacation . . . or ever want to go on one?
You can join deaf group cruise or create your own for you and family and/or friends and even groups. This Full Time Cruise Travel Agent is Deaf. You can call 801-331-5235 VP. It is a free service. You can see at www.MyDeafCruise.com to see available deaf group cruises. They are going to Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean, South America, Etc.
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WORKING WORLD
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tulsa, OK
HEARING-IMPAIRED FIREFIGHTERS
If you ask any firefighter what one of the biggest obstacles in the fire service is, the most common answer would be communication. Picture yourself at a fire call: sirens blaring, lights flashing, loud sounds of engines running, communicators blaring out instructions, and people yelling over the numerous sounds. Most people of normal hearing are able to block out some of these sounds. Now imagine you are unable to block out any of the sounds and the roar of everything comes pouring into your brain. That is what it is like for firefighters who are hearing impaired and are unable to tune anything out. / Firefighter Nation
Springfield, MO
FORMER OTC STUDENT HEADED TO UNIVERSITY FOR THE DEAF
Doug Williams came to Ozarks Technical Community College in search of a language class and left with a new career. Williams, who has an undergraduate degree in English, is now working on his master’s degree in deaf education at Gallaudet University, the world’s only university for the deaf, located in Washington, D.C. While Williams is not deaf, the classes he attends will not have a speaking instructor. “I’ve never been in that environment. All of the classes are signed,” he said. / Springfield News-Leader
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
Wonderful hand made gifts and vintage items by Deaf Artist Nancy Louise.
Come see what there is at 4DollsAndABelle.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/4DollsAndABelle?ele=shop_open
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
New York, NY
'SPRING AWAKENING' PLANS AMERICA'S FIRST ASL TICKET LOTTERY
Spring Awakening is taking its lottery in an interesting new direction. Beginning two hours before every performance, a limited number of $35 tickets, some in the front row of the orchestra, will be sold via Broadway’s first-ever American Sign Language (ASL) lottery at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, 256 West 47th St., New York. / Playbill
Fort Lauderdale,FL
BRINGING THE HEARING IMPAIRED BACK TO THE THEATER
If you've been to a Broadway show in South Florida in the past five years, it's probably been right there in front of you, and you might not have noticed. Open theater captioning for hearing-impaired and deaf audiences is a feature at Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach and Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. "People need to know these services exist," says Lew Balaban, a founder of the Florida Access Coalition for the Arts (FLACA). / Sun-Sentinel
Internet:
ASKING RUSH LIMBAUGH: HOW DID IT REALLY FEEL TO GO DEAF?
CALLER: Rush, I've been listening to you for years. A lot of people don't know that you are deaf without that implant. You've never really expressed your deep, deep emotions. RUSH: Well, you're right. I haven't. I haven't spoken much about it, only because I consider that to be bleeding on people publicly, which I've never been a fan of. / The Rush Limbaugh Show
Old Forge, NY
UNIQUE CAMP FOR DEAF TEENAGERS
An ASL version of the song created by students who have never even heard the beat are getting tons of hits to their video, too. Stacey Lawrence is the director of the Deaf Film Camp. It's a camp specifically designed for teens who are deaf or hard of hearing. "This is a barrier free zone. So the campers can leanred how to make films without having the daily challenges that they would face at the schools maybe, or at home life," Lawrence said. / WSTM
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SPORTS
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Riverside, CA
FOOTBALL LEAGUE HIRES FIRST DEAF HEAD COACH
Marcus Chmaj is an expressive football coach. To get his point across, he gets close. He crouches. He grimaces. The boys, all 7 or 8 years old, stand attentive, watching his every move. The boys watch him closely because they can’t hear him speak. That’s because Chmaj can neither speak nor hear. “I use a lot of body language and gesturing,” Chmaj says through a sign language interpreter. “They pick it up faster that way.” Chmaj, pronounced “Sshmahj,” is the first deaf head coach in the history of Riverside’s Orangecrest Junior All-American League. / The Press-Enterprise
Normal, IL
B-N'S DEAF COMMUNITY BONDS WITH CORNBELTER'S COACH
The conversation moves quickly down the right-field line 10 minutes after the Saturday evening baseball game is completed. Yet other than the occasional sound of hearty laughter, there is silence. The center of attention is Tommy Barksdale, former CornBelters' player-turned-coach and ambassador. The group of seven has adopted No. 8 as their own. The hard-of-hearing Barksdale has embraced and become a unifying force in Bloomington-Normal's deaf community. / Bloomington Pantagraph
St. Clair, MI
DEAF ST. CLAIR TEEN IS BREAKING SWIMMING RECORDS
When 14-year-old Molly Likins swims in a meet, she can't hear the starting gun or the whistle. "Nothing, no sound in either ear," Likins said. Likins is deaf, but she doesn't let it stop her from swimming competitively. / WDIV
San Marcos, TX
FIRST-EVER DEAF SECTION HEADED TO BOBCAT STADIUM THIS FALL
The Texas State football team will have a new group of fans this fall. For the first time in university history, there will be a deaf section for fans at Bobcat Stadium. The section, which seats up to 1,000 people, will be near the 35-yard line. Ticket prices will be reduced from the usual $25 to $10. Deaf people and those fluent in American Sign Language will be eligible for the reduced ticket prices at the lower level. / The University Star
Internet
DEAF GUY HAS THE BEST REACTION AFTER SCORING AN ACE
Scoring an ace or hole-in-one may be easier to do in disc golf than it is in regular golf, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. So when this deaf player nails his shot, you can’t help but celebrate with him. / 97X
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
EMPLOYMENT
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Information Office Supervisor
Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) seeks an experienced, creative individual to fill the position of Information Office Supervisor. KCDHH, a state agency within the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, is charged to advise the Governor and General Assembly concerning policy and programs needed to enhance the quality and coordination of services for deaf and hard of hearing persons. The agency also assists local, state and federal governments and public and private agencies in the development of programs for deaf and hard of hearing persons, oversees the provision of interpreter services for state agencies and operates the telecommunications access program to ensure equal access to telecommunications services. The position is located in Frankfort, Kentucky.
Minimum Qualifications:
-Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
-Four years of experience in journalism, public relations or experience related to the duties and responsibilities in this class.
Duties include, but not limited to:
· Supervising professional and clerical employees involved in assembling, writing, editing and distribution of printed information.
· Advises the administrators on the public relations programs of the agency.
· Creates, designs, layout and writes promotional materials of various types of brochures, pamphlets, booklets, etc.
· Tracks publications through the printing process.
· Coordinates the dissemination of written releases, radio releases and television videotape.
· Coordinates and/or appears on radio and television programs concerning the department’s activities.
· Performs journalistic research, editing, and revising of materials for publications.
· Plans, develops, implements and evaluates public relations programs throughout state government.
· Provides photographic services for the department.
Please direct any questions to Rachel Morgan at 632 Versailles Road, Frankfort, KY 40601, 502-573-2604 V/T, 502-416-0607 VP, Rachel.Morgan@ky.gov.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please go to Kentucky Careers then on that page click on the “Search Openings” link which is located slightly past the middle of the page. On the resulting page, please scroll down to the “Keyword” field and enter the requisition ID “43195BR” (without the quotes) and click the “Search” button. You should then see a page with the following table: