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Last issue's most-read story: DOMINION HOSPITAL TO PAY $55,000 FOR ALLEGEDLY FAILING TO ACCOMMODATE DEAF FAMILY MEMBERS / The Washington Post
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NATIONAL
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Gresham, OR
DEAF GRESHAM MAN SAYS HE WAS WRONGLY JAILED, NOT GIVEN INTERPRETER TO EXPLAIN
A deaf man accuses Gresham and Multnomah County of negligence and violating the ADA for failing to provide him with an interpreter when its officers arrested, jailed and arraigned him last winter. Police entered David Updike's garage on Jan. 14, grabbed him, and placed him under arrest after a domestic disturbance at his home, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court. "The police officers refused to communicate with (Updike) and roughly pushed him into the police car," the lawsuit alleges. "Plaintiff saw the officers laughing at him." / The Oregonian
Salem, OR
OREGON SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF SUED OVER ALLEGED SEX ABUSE
The mother of a former student at Oregon School for the Deaf has filed a lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Education, the school, five employees and Mid-Columbia Bus Co. for $4 million accusing them of negligence in their alleged failure to prevent the sexual abuse of her 14-year-old daughter. According to a complaint originally filed in Washington County on Jan. 31, the girl suffered repeated sexual harassment by an older male student while in the care of Oregon School for the Deaf and Mid-Columbia Bus Co. / Statesman Journal
Hartford, CT
PARENTS OF ASD STUDENT SUING THE SCHOOL AND TOWN OF WEST HARTFORD
The parents of a 12-year-old American School for the Deaf student are suing the school and the town of West Hartford, saying the boy was choked by a teacher and shot by the police with a stun gun, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 11. Audley and Judith Muschette of the Bronx, N.Y. are demanding a jury trial and seeking damages for assault, battery, violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, negligence and other allegations described in the suit. / The Hartford Courant
Stroudsburg, PA
STROUDSBURG SCHOOL MOM SAYS WALK TO BUS JEOPARDIZES DEAF SON'S LIFE
A mother says Stroudsburg Area School District is forcing her to choose between her children's safety and their education. The walk to the school bus stop from the home where she and her children are staying with a friend is treacherous, Stroud Township mother Crystal Alvarado said. But Superintendent John Toleno said the distance is within legal requirements and in line with other paths children take to stops in the district. Alvarado's 14-year-old son is deaf, and she said asking him to walk with his 13-year-old brother to the stop is too much. / Pocono Record
Memphis, TN
POLICE: 101-YEAR-OLD BLIND ALZHEIMER'S PATIENT RAPED INSIDE NURSING HOME
A 64-year-old man is accused of sexually assaulting a 101-year-old blind and nearly deaf Alzheimer’s patient inside a nursing home Monday. Albert Thompson was also a resident at Poplar Point Health and Rehabilitation in Midtown. A certified nursing assistant told police she saw Thompson assaulting the woman, who is bed-ridden. Thompson lived across the hall from the victim. / WREG
Portland, OR
DEAF MAN TO RECEIVE NEW IPAD AFTER FUNDRAISER
A deaf man who had his iPad stolen on a MAX train will receive a new one, thanks to two crowdfunding campaigns. Gary Meierotto, 62, was on the way to work on Friday when two men stole his iPad, according to police. Meierotto spoke with KGW with the help of an interpreter Saturday. He said he uses the iPad as his main form of communication. / KGW.com
Staunton, VA
AUDIT FINDS SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH VSDB
An annual audit at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind found significant problems with school operations and money management. This is the second year the school has struggled with its identity as a state agency and a boarding school for 116 students with disabilities, and subsequently receiving harsh audits, as they struggle to meet state agency standards. However, the audit of fiscal year 2012, released this month, brought to light issues of internal control and management tone by the state Auditor of Public Accounts. / The News Leader
Rochester, MN
MAYO CLINIC CELEBRATES 1,000TH COCHLEAR IMPLANT
The Mayo Clinic celebrated the placement of its 1,000th cochlear implant over a 30 year span on Monday. Ritchie Hanson, 44, is the Minnesota man who received that landmark implant. He has neurofibromatosis type 2, a genetic disease that causes growth of noncancerous tumors in the nervous system. In his case, the tumors developed on the brain and nerves, which affected his hearing and balance. Eventually he lost total hearing when brain tumors had to be surgically removed from his auditory nerves. / kare11.com
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www.HealthBridges.info has a new look!!
HealthBridges provides reliable behavioral health, wellness, advocacy and resource information to Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing people in ASL and English too.
In a format that is fully accessible, HealthBridges’ website posts educational videos, articles and source links.
HealthBridges supports effective communication between healthcare providers and patients by educating about cultural diversity and disability rights.
www.healthbridges.info. Launched September 3, 2013 there are major enhancement in website design:
-- A new landmark logo for Healthbridges
-- Better navigation, stability, usability and findability
-- Improved internal search engine
-- Joined social networking: Facebook and YouTube
-- 25% larger web content and 77% large video screen
Check us out at www.healthbridges.info or find us on Facebook
Share us with your family and friends!
The HealthBridges Team
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INTERNATIONAL
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London, England
'SEE HEAR' RECOMMISSIONED UNTIL 2015
Following our news story about the future of See Hear last Tuesday, we can report some good news today – the series has now been recommissioned until 2015. The news had been expected following unofficial reports from visitors to the programme’s offices in Bristol last week. Now there is official confirmation. A BBC spokesperson said: “See Hear returns to BBC Two on Wednesday 18th September and it is currently confirmed to air until March 2015.” / The Limping Chicken
London, England
HEALTH OF DEAF PEOPLE SET TO IMPROVE AFTER CHARITY RECEIVES GRANT
The health of deaf people in Redbridge is set to be improved thanks to an almost £10,000 grant, which hopes to provide the important information that those with sufficient hearing may take for granted. The Empowering Deaf Society, Cranbrook Road, Gants Hill, will offer health and wellbeing workshops delivered in British sign language after the Big Lottery Fund released £9,840 ($15,770 US) for the scheme. Project manager Mangai Sutharsan said: “I am so relieved we have received funding for this project as it is helping to ease the gap in services as regards the health of deaf people. / Ilford Recorder
Oxfordshire, England
DEAF TEENAGER CHOOSES SURGERY TO END ISOLATION
Libby Welsh appears to be like any other teenager. She goes to school and she loves music, film and drama and using social networking websites. But what sets the 14-year-old apart from other people of her age is that she is almost totally deaf. She can’t follow a film at the cinema or talk to her pals on the phone and finds it difficult to make friends anyway. That’s why Libby chose to have an operation last month to have an electronic hearing device implanted in her head. / Henley Standard
Oxford, England
DEAF MUSICIANS TO FEEL THE MUSIC INSTEAD OF HEARING IT
Playing an instrument takes a certain amount of skill, but performing music when you are deaf or hard of hearing is another level of achievement. More than 140 musicians will take to the stage at Oxford’s Town Hall on Friday, September 27 and some will be performing through feeling rather than hearing. The concert is in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Music and the Deaf, a charity that helps people in the UK with hearing loss to enjoy music. / Oxford Mail
Fife, Scotland
DEAF MAN 'HUMILIATED' BY TREATMENT IN FIFE RESTAURANT
A deaf man says he was left feeling “humiliated” after a member of staff told him he could not have a meal with his assistance dog in the lounge of a Fife restaurant. Kenneth Scott and his partner Sandra Donaldson had decided to go out for an evening meal at the Lomond Tavern in Falkland. However, after settling down in the restaurant, Mr Scott was told that he would have to move to the public bar with his hearing dog Spike for environmental health reasons. This was despite them mentioning the dog when they booked the table and taking the dog there on previous occasions. / The Courier
Broken Hill, NSW, Australia
DEAF MAN'S BASHING SENTENCE REDUCED
A deaf man from Wilcannia has had his sentence for two assaults reduced on appeal in the District Court in Broken Hill. Cyril James Whyman, 45, was sentenced in April for using a chair to bash the manager of the Wilcannia Golf Club and a man who came to help him back in January. Solicitor William Buxton told the court that Whyman would suffer isolation and hardship in custody. / ABC News
Belleville, ON, Canada
FROM PUPIL TO PRINCIPAL
Vibrations thundering up from Sir James Whitney School's old wooden floors rumbled applause for Janice Drake as students pounded them hard to welcome their new principal. Drake is the first graduate from Belleville's Ontario school for the deaf to return as its principal. When she held her first assembly last week, it had been been 30 years since her graduation in 1983. / The Belleville Intelligencer
Montevideo, Uruguay
GLOVE HELPS THE DEAF COMMUNICATE
A glove created by Uruguayan students is helping the deaf and hearing-impaired break down social barriers. The invention, called GloveTech, has sensors that translate sign language into audio to help those with hearing disabilities communicate. The glove was the final computer studies project of three Uruguayan students. / Infosurhoy
Singapore
DEAF, LOUD AND PROUD
"I'm losing my hearing more and more." That took us by surprise. The first time we had a chat with social entrepreneur Lily Goh, we found out she had a profound-to-severe degree of deafness. She's been deaf since she was 2, and she's "getting worse," the 33-year-old told us through a mixture of notepad scribbling, sign language and speaking. What surprised us more than the idea that deaf people could get deafer was that Lily has no self-pity, no bitterness. Instead, we saw a determination to help others who are deaf. / The Huffington Post
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
FEW DEAF STUDENTS ATTENDING MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITIES
There are 55,000 hearing-impaired individuals registered with social welfare, but less than 20 are currently pursuing their education at a local university. “The primary obstacle is a lack of acceptable grades in languages, mostly English” says Mohamad Sazali Shaari, President of the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf, who is deaf himself. Yet, there is government-sponsored affirmative action in place that gives the deaf preferential university entrances. On top of that, some private institutions are offering fee reductions ranging from 50-70% to deaf students. / The Star
Bhopal, India
DEAF, DUMB, BLIND ALLEGEDLY RAPED
A 30-year-old deaf, dumb and visually challenged woman was allegedly raped in Dindori district a couple of days back. As per a report, the crime took place on Saturday evening at village Sadgaon when the victim's father had gone out of his house for daily work. Police said a manhunt had been launched to arrest the accused Phool Chang, 25. / Hindustan Times
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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.
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ADARA conference
ADARA is pleased to announce that the 2014 Breakout Conference- "Bridging Gaps in Behavioral Health Service Delivery for People who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, or Hard of Hearing" will be held March 13-15, 2014 at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh. The Breakout Conference has a mental health services focus.
The conference will begin on Thursday morning, March 13 and end with lunch on Saturday March 15, 2014. The Call for Proposals, Exhibit, Sponsor, and Registration forms are now available on the ADARA website www.adara.org. Workshop proposals are due by October 1, 2013. The Behavioral health Task Force for Persons who are Deaf, Deaf-Blind, or Hard of Hearing of Allegheny County is co-hosting the 2014 Conference.
If you are interested in presenting at this conference, please submit a proposal.
ADARA conference planning committee
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LIFE & LEISURE
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Norwich, CT
WORKSHOP TO CONSIDER NEEDS OF DEAF, DISABLED IN EMERGENCIES
When a hurricane, blizzard or other emergency is imminent, sirens blare warnings, municipal messenger systems call residents to warn of road closures or shelters opening. And when the power goes out, many turn on battery-powered radios to keep informed. For the region's deaf and hard of hearing residents, none of those options are of help. And if the power is out for an extended period of time, cellphones and pagers also die. / The Day
Jefferson City, MO
HANDS OF WORSHIP: A CONVERSATION WITH A PASTOR FOR THE DEAF
Worshippers rhythmically sign songs to each other. A flurry of hand motions spells out which Bible verses are to be read. The pastor moves his hands dramatically, with impassioned facial expressions to accompany the movements. The only sounds you hear are the occasional cough, maybe knuckle cracking, or the sound of one hand hitting the other in the sign for “Amen.” This is a typical Sunday at Bible Baptist Church in Jefferson City, where services are for the deaf. I sat down with Pastor Randy Dignan to find out more. / KBIA
Internet
DEAF AWARENESS WEEK -- HOW TO RECOGNIZE A DEAF CUSTOMER
Organizations whose customers are the general public often fall short when it comes to communicating with those customers who are deaf. Frustrations and misunderstandings can arise at various points and the whole customer experience can be pretty awful for both sides. Customer service can be improved greatly with a basic understanding about deafness and the barriers that may be preventing you from offering your customers a great experience. / SunZu
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WORKING WORLD
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Hammond, LA
DEAF SHERIFF'S DEPUTY INSPIRES THROUGH DETERMINATION, CHARACTER
Susie Cambre had a lot of people tell her she could not work in law enforcement. But fortunately for her, and southeast Louisiana, she could not hear them. Cambre, more commonly known as Deputy Susie, is an investigator and director of elderly services for the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office. She began her career more than 30 years ago with the New Orleans Police Department. Cambre, who was born deaf, has won dozens of awards, both national and international. / WGMB Fox44
Seattle, WA
LOCAL SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN PREPARES STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS
Not many schools can tout numbers like these about their students: 100 percent high school graduation rate, more than 66 percent alumni college graduation rate, and 85 percent employment and independent living rate. Northwest School for Hearing-Impaired Children (NWSFHIC), located in Shoreline, is proud of those statistics, which are well ahead of national averages, considering a 2001 study which found only 30 percent of all young adults who were deaf or hard of hearing received college degrees, 63 percent were employed, and 42 percent lived on their own. / The Woodinville Weekly
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Use our new and improved Sprint IP Relay on your wireless device, computer and even your tablet! Registration is required before placing your first call.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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New York, NY
THEATER OWNERS BRACE FOR NEW RULES ON ACCOMMODATING BLIND, DEAF
Movie-house owners -- as well as disability advocates -- are anxiously awaiting the release of an Obama administration proposal that would require theaters to install expensive technology so deaf and blind patrons can enjoy their films. The proposal appears to be getting a White House review, with the final proposal expected to be made public in the coming weeks. The new policy would call for closed-captioning and audio narration technology to be installed. / Fox News
Grand Rapids, MI
MUSKEGON NATIVE HELPS CREATE ARTPRIZE'S FIRST BLIND- AND DEAF-FRIENDLY EXHIBIT
Spoken-word storytellers and poets have come together to form what they are calling the first blind and deaf friendly exhibit at Grand Rapids' ArtPrize. The group refers to itself as The Diatribe. Gregory Foster II, originally from Muskegon, is one of the creators of this unique exhibit, “Word.” Foster was inspired to create the blind/deaf friendly exhibit by his cousin, who is a sign language interpreter in the Metro Detroit area. / MLive.com
West Windsor, NJ
'BIG RIVER' IN NEW JERSEY
Join Huck Finn and escaping slave Jim as they travel down the Mississippi River propelled by an award-winning score from country music king Roger Miller. The Pennington Players’ presentation of this funny, touching and inspirational story of race, friendship and freedom, based on the classic by Mark Twain will blend American Sign Language (ASL) with traditional choreography and staging, providing accessibility to a wide range of audiences. / Kelsey Theatre at MCCC
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Identity theft affects millions of Americans each year.
LegalShield offers two high quality identity theft plans. Best of all, both services provide Comprehensive Identity Restoration from Kroll Advisory Solutions. So in the unfortunate event something does happen to your identity, you’ll have professional help in getting your identity restored to what it was before the fraud occurred.
To ensure you have the best coverage possible, the LegalShield plans includes you and your spouse and for only an additional $1 per month you can add Safeguard for Minors to cover up to 8 dependent children under the age of 18.
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SPORTS
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Seattle, WA
GET TO KNOW THE DEAF NFL PLAYER YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW EXISTS
One position that never seems to lead the league in jersey sales or media coverage is the fullback. It takes a certain type of man to cherish that role, and in Seattle that man is Derrick Coleman. However, Coleman is different than the typical NFL fullback — not because he hits like a Mack truck or possesses uncommon speed for his size — but because he’s deaf. The former UCLA tailback has been legally deaf since the age of 3 and can only hear sounds and tones without the hearing aids, but that has never slowed him down on the football field, where he relies primarily on lip reading and hand signals. / BuzzFeed
Little Rock, AR
DEAF LEOPARDS FEEL THEY HAVE ADVANTAGE ON FOOTBALL FIELD
Like all sports, football requires intense concentration and reliance on a combination of sensory cues, but try playing football without being able to hear anything. This football season, the Leopards at the Arkansas School for the Deaf will feel the crunch of the contact and see the excitement of the crowd, but the one thing the team won't be able to do, unlike most high school football teams, is hear the crowd's roar. / thv11.com
Jackson, MS
LOCAL STUDENT WINS SILVER AT DEAFLYMPICS GAMES
Shanieka Coleman is like most 16-year-old girls. She goes to school, hangs out at the mall with friends and loves jewelry, especially the Olympic silver medal that hangs from the mantle in her living room. Coleman, a student at the Mississippi School for the Deaf in Jackson, represented Team USA at the 2013 Deaflympic Games in Sofia, Bulgaria, last month, running the anchor leg in the 4x100-meter relay. / The Clarion-Ledger
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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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Vocational Program Director
Enjoy a rewarding career working with the Deaf, Deaf/Blind, and Hard of Hearing population in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our Vocational Director will supervise and independently evaluate employees, maintain contractual relationships with funding sources, maintain unit records of consumer contacts to include unit counts, attendance sheets, SOAP notes and daily checklists while ensuring that all contractual documentation in client files is complete. This individual coordinates with employers, Vocational Rehabilitation, Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and training delivery systems.
We require a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Rehabilitation, Counseling or a related field, 5 years of experience serving as a Vocational Counselor, 2 years of experience working directly with Deaf individuals, 1 year supervisory experience, and proficiency in American Sign Language.
Salary is $17.35 - $21.69 depending on experience and educational background. You will enjoy up to 27 days of time away from work your first year! We pay 100% of your health insurance, life, and LTD, 403 (b) discretionary contribution plan and offer dental, vision. A challenging role in a supportive work environment!
Apply: Please see our detailed job posting, requirements, and qualifications on our website: www.ccs-soaz.org
Resume to: Community Outreach Program for the Deaf, Attn: Human Resources Department, 140 W. Speedway Blvd., #230, Tucson, AZ 85705.
Email humanresources@ccs-soaz.org or fax to 520-770-8505. No agencies please. EOE
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PAHrtners Deaf Services is Expanding to Pittsburgh
www.pahrtners.com/careers
www.facebook.com/deafjobs
NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN PITTSBURGH AND GLENSIDE
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 and in Pittsburgh, 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:
-- ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – Full Time; Glenside location
-- STAFF INTERPRETER – Full Time; Glenside location
-- RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR – Full Time; Glenside location
-- RESIDENTIAL CASE MANAGER – Full Time; Glenside and Pittsburgh locations
-- RESIDENTIAL COUNSELORS – Full Time, Part Time, On Call; Glenside and Pittsburgh locations
-- OFFICE MANAGER/INTERPRETER – Full Time; Pittsburgh location
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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