Deafweekly September 28, 2005

deafweekly

September 28, 2005
Vol. 1 No. 50

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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RISING COSTS CAUSE DELAY IN VIRGINIA SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION

Plans to consolidate two schools for the deaf and blind in Virginia have been put on hold because of rising construction costs, reported the Newport News Daily Press. Faced with declining enrollment, the state has been exploring four options: renovate one of the schools in Hampton or Staunton, or build a new school in either Albemarle County or the Richmond area. The General Assembly approved up to $61.5 million, but construction estimates have ranged from $84.1 million to $94.9 million. Surprisingly, it would cost about the same or even more to renovate one of the schools as to build a new one. "I'm extremely disappointed and I know the board is disappointed to be in this spot," said Thomas Jackson, president of the State Board of Education. "We will need further guidance before we can proceed."

TEACHER FIRED AT ROCHESTER SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

The Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle reported last week that a physical education teacher at the Rochester School for the Deaf has been fired for having inappropriate relations with a 15-year-old girl. The article did not indicate whether the girl was a student at the School for the Deaf. Timothy Talbott, 37, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree sexual abuse. Police say Talbott kissed and touched the girl in her home. He was arrested after a suspicious neighbor saw him walking through a backyard with a duffle bag and returning to his car two hours later in different clothes. He claimed to be visiting a family nearby but police found the girl home alone and discovered a letter in Talbott's bag suggesting an inappropriate relationship. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance.

DRIVER CONVICTED IN ROAD-RAGE INCIDENT

A Nevada man has been convicted of battering a deaf man in a road-rage incident. Sentencing for Alan Elvena, 36, has been set for October 11. According to the Gardnerville Record-Courier, Elvena was involved in an incident April 15 that left Jason Smith, 27, with a fractured nose that required surgery. Elvena told police that Smith was tailgating him and making obscene gestures, and he denied punching Smith and said he acted in self-defense. But Smith said that when he pulled over because he was afraid Elvena was going to hit his car, Elvena grabbed him by the throat and punched him in the nose. Smith said he couldn't eat for three days after the incident and had back problems and bruises all over his body.

DEAF DRIVER TRIGGERS ACCIDENT WITH FIRE ENGINE

A deaf woman in Detroit, Mich. who did not hear the siren of a fire engine triggered an accident that injured four firefighters last Wednesday. The unidentified motorist did not get out of the way, causing the fire truck to swerve around her car, hit a telephone pole, roll over and land on a parked car, crushing it. According to the Detroit Free Press, all four firefighters suffered minor injuries. "Thank God everyone is alright," said Dan McNamara, president of the Detroit Fire Fighters Association. "It's miraculous that they were able to miss the woman involved."

COMPETENCY HEARING SET IN PENNSYLVANIA MURDER CASE

Thomas Simich Jr., who allegedly shot and killed his sister and brother-in-law last spring, will be the subject of a competency hearing on October 6. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, making arrangements for the hearing has been complicated because Simich and his parents are deaf. Police say Simich, 46, shot his sister, Marilyn Bergman, and brother-in-law, Steven Bergman, at his parents' home in Freedom, Pa. on May 2 during an argument about putting his parents into an assisted-living facility. Simich lived with his parents. Simich's father, Thomas Simich Sr., said his son suffered a brain injury when he was mugged 20 years ago.

KANSAS SCHOOL BUS INVOLVED IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

A school bus carrying students to the Kansas School for the Deaf was involved in an accident last Tuesday in Olathe, reported the Kansas City Star. The bus was stopped for a red light and when the light changed, the driver was hit from the left side while making a left turn. The driver of a minivan that hit the bus said the glare from the sun made it difficult to see the traffic light. Two teenage students were taken to a hospital with minor injuries related to neck pain.

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Fifth Annual JDSR Retreat-co sponsored by Wolk Hillel (NTID)

Welcome Jewish Deaf and Hard of Hearing Singles including Divorced and Widowed Worldwide, of any level of Judaism and way of communication

Where: NTID, Rochester, New York
When: December 2-4, 2005

Fun, workshops, outings, meals
No registration at the door!
Hotel room (separate charge)
Limited scholarships available.
Donations appreciated!

For retreat form/membership/information, see bottom for contact information.

First Time Trip to Israel August 2006

Welcome all Jewish deaf and hard of hearing adults (married, single, widowed, divorced) of any level of Judaism and way of communication.

12-day trip includes flight, meals, hotel, bus guided tour to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Masada, etc.
Meet Jewish deaf and hard of hearing Europeans and Israelis

Contact Email: Landau9@optonline.net
Fax: 908-352-7395
Write: JDSR PO Box 2005, NY NY 10159-2005
If VP, email first to request.

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NEVADA CITY REACHES TENTATIVE DEAL OVER ADA VIOLATIONS

A tentative agreement has been reached between the U.S. Department of Justice and the city of North Las Vegas, Nev. over violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Las Vegas Sun reported last week that the agreement will cost the city about $2 million over the next two to three years. The city came under fire after federal officials found 182 violations of the ADA in the city's parks and facilities in January 2004. The agreement calls for the city to hire an interpreter available to the police 24 hours a day. It also requires police and detention facilities to be equipped with telecommunication devices for the deaf. Marina Kolias, a Las Vegas attorney who represents two deaf clients who are suing the city because police failed to provide an interpreter during an arrest, called the agreement "too little, but ... never too late."

COLORADO SCHOOL SEARCHES FOR NEW HOME

The Rocky Mountain Deaf School, a charter school in Jefferson County, Colo. that has had four homes in 10 years, is seeking a new location when its current lease expires next year. According to the Canyon Courier (Evergreen, Colo.), the school leases a building from a church and serves about 40 students in preschool through fifth grade. "We need our own space," said Sharon Kellogg, director of the school. A new school would cost an estimated $1.2 million to $1.4 million. The school has $138,000 available plus a pledge of $250,000 from an anonymous donor. Kay Bohan, mother of a 6-year-old student, is doing everything she can to help, going so far as to contact the TV show "Extreme Makeover: House Edition" in hopes that the show will provide the school with a dream facility.

OREGON SCHOOL MARKS 135TH ANNIVERSARY

The Oregon School for the Deaf celebrated its 135th anniversary last week, reported the Salem Statesman Journal. Festivities for alumni, students and family included tours of the campus, a homecoming football game and a banquet Saturday night that featured keynote speaker Thaun Nguyen, an OSD alumna who works for Gallaudet University. The school was founded in 1870 by William S. Smith and has grown into a state-supported facility that works with eight regional programs to serve students from more than 50 schools in Oregon.

THOUSANDS TURN OUT FOR DEAFESTIVAL IN CALIFORNIA

Several thousand people turned out for DEAFestival 2005 in Van Nuys, Calif. on Saturday. They learned about sign-language classes, examined technological advances for people with hearing loss and watched a performance by the Laker Girls. The event was sponsored by Councilman Tony Cardenas with help from the deaf studies department at the California State University, Northridge. Other sponsors, including the city's disability and recreation and parks department, also helped out. "We learned a lot about the programs, like the classes they are offering to learn how to sign," Vanessa Figueroa told the L.A. Daily News.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROJECT LAUNCHES NEWSLETTER

The Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) has launched a new e-mail newsletter. Titled "Are You Ready?", the newsletter is designed for people who are interested in emergency-related information for people with hearing loss. Those who sign up for the free newsletter will also receive announcements and updates on emergency preparedness. To sign up, go to www.cepintdi.org. The CEPIN Project is funded by a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and is coordinated by TDI of Silver Spring, Md.

POLICE BREAK UP BABY SHOWER OVER LOUD MUSIC

The Boston Herald reported Monday on "a loud party with beer-guzzling patrons" that caused a neighbor to complain to police. When police arrived, they found eight people with beer cans and cake in their hands and learned that the party was a baby shower for a deaf woman. All of the guests were deaf, too, and "the music was very loud," noted a police report. Said the Herald: "The cops told everyone the party was over."

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INTERNATIONAL
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TORONTO WOMAN RECEIVES 'ORDER OF ONTARIO' AWARD

Joyce Lange, 54, was awarded the Order of Ontario, the province's highest and most prestigious honor, at a ceremony last Tuesday in Toronto. "To be inducted into the Order of Ontario was like a bolt out of the blue," Lange told the Durham Region News of Oshawa, Ontario. Lange was born in Oregon and grew up with a progressive hearing loss. She attended Gallaudet University and moved to Canada in 1984, landing a job with the Canadian Hearing Society. She continues to work for CHS as manager of employee relations. She also has served on the board of directors of the Ontario Association of the Deaf and was head cook at the Ontario Camp of the Deaf for 10 years.

FIJI GROUP BEGINS WORK ON SIGN LANGUAGE DICTIONARY

The Fiji Association of the Deaf has embarked on a two-year project to produce Fiji's first sign language dictionary. According to the Fiji Times, the project is funded by a $61,000 (AU) grant from the Australian government. The association plans to hold a series of workshops to begin the process. "We want to involve all deaf people in Fiji in compiling the dictionary so that it will be something they can be proud of and have ownership of," said Serevi Rokotuibua, president of the 3-year-old association.

PARENTS IN JAMAICA FORM LOBBY GROUP

Parents of deaf and hard-of-hearing children in Jamaica have come together to form a lobby group, reported the Jamaica Observer last week. Percival Palmer convened the group last year following the Jamaica Association for the Deaf conference, which discussed literacy in deaf children. The group, called "The National Parent Action Group," will host a series of workshops to air their concerns, which include insurance coverage for hearing aids and provision of sign language classes.

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ELDERLY WOMAN ROBBED WHILE WATCHING TELEVISION

An 88-year-old deaf U.K. woman was burglarized as she sat in the same room watching television, reported the Shropshire Star. The Shrewsbury woman had just been released from the hospital following a fall when thieves broke in her home through a kitchen window last Monday. The burglars stole 50 pounds (about $88 US) from a bureau that the woman was saving to buy presents for her grandchildren. Police believe two people were involved in what they described as a "sickening" crime.

NAMIBIAN ASSOCIATION UNVEILS HEALTH POSTER

The Namibian National Association for the Deaf has developed a health sign language poster, the first of its kind in Namibia. The NNAD collaborated on the poster with ClaSH Namibia, a welfare organization that promotes the rights of children with language, speech and hearing impairments. According to the New Era of Windhoek, Africa, the poster was presented at a recent event to the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Heide Beinhauer of ClaSH said the poster was needed because of a shortage of health information for people with hearing disabilities. The association plans to distribute about 2,000 posters to state hospitals and clinics.

BOTSWANA GROUP SAYS MEDIA SNUBS THE DEAF

The Society for the Deaf in Botswana has accused news organizations of snubbing the group by failing to cover events organized for people with hearing disabilities in Gaborone last week. Society director Neelo Smith said the group presented a number of activities on issues such as HIV/AIDS and human rights for people with hearing loss, but only the Botswana Press Agency showed any interest. "We requested all media to cover these events ... but we were disappointed when almost all of them did not come," said Smith.

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Videophone Signaler on Sale at Harris Communications

The Sonic Alert Deluxe Videophone Signaler (SA-TR75VR) is now on sale for only $49.95 at Harris Communications! Designed especially for deaf people who use videophones, this signaler has three distinct flash patterns that can be used for telephone, TTY, fax or videophone. It also works with all Sonic Alert receivers and has a five year warranty. This sale ends September 30, 2005. For more information, go to
http://www.harriscomm.com/link/?www.harriscomm.com?sr=dw or contact us at mailto:info@harriscomm.com.

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LIFE & LEISURE
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SURVEY SHOWS MOST ARE SATISFIED WITH HEARING DEVICES

The Better Hearing Institute has released the results of a survey of more than 1,500 people, showing 93 percent of consumers with hearing devices say the devices have improved their quality of life. In addition, 85 percent say they are satisfied with the benefits provided by their hearing instruments. "Too many people cling to the old, stubborn belief that wearing a hearing aid won't help fix their hearing problems," said Sergei Kochkin, BHI's executive director. "We hope this survey convinces them that once they try hearing aids, their lives could dramatically improve."

HEARING AID COMPLAINTS ARE COMMON, ADVOCATE SAYS

The Washington Post reported recently on Janet Bell, 79, a retired librarian from Wheaton, Md. who paid $3,400 for a pair of Miracle-Ear digital hearing aids at Sears two years ago and found that the aids did not help. Bell returned to the store seven or eight times for adjustments, with no improvement. Finally she asked for a refund, and was told that the 30-day money-back trial period had expired. She wrote to Miracle-Ear's corporate office in Minneapolis for a refund, and her request was denied again. Hearing aid complaints are common, said Jim Hood, founder and chief executive of ConsumerAffairs.com. "The 30-day return policy is an outrage," he said. "It takes a lot longer than a month for most consumers to determine whether a particular hearing aid is right for them."

ANNUAL RETREAT ATTRACTS OVER 60 DEAF-BLIND CAMPERS

More than 60 deaf-blind campers gathered at a retreat recently in western Washington state, where they rode Jet Skis, worked on computers and tacked a triathlon. The week-long retreat has been offered every year since 1978 by the Seattle Lighthouse, a nonprofit agency that helps blind and deaf-blind people with employment, support and training. This year's camp attracted people from the U.S., Canada, Australia and Japan, with more than 130 volunteers traveling just as far, reported the Canadian Press. Campers pay $280 to attend and can apply for scholarships to cover the cost. "It's a breath of fresh air," said retreat coordinator Tami Berk. "It's a little bit of hope and inspiration, and then they go back to their real lives."

MOTHER WRITES MEMOIR ON HER DEAF AND BLIND SON

Janie P. Bess, of Fairfield, Calif., has written a book about her son, David Bess Jr., who is deaf and blind. "Visions" is a memoir of a man who lives life to the fullest, reported the Fairfield Daily Republic. David Bess was born six weeks premature and lost all vision when he was 5 years old. He works two jobs, including doing janitorial work at the Sacramento Hostel. His supervisor is Walter Price, a deaf man who said Bess is smart and a hard worker. Bess uses power tools, snow skis and visits a local bar for a brew with some friends. He lives in Carmichael with his fiancee, Shirley Schoenwald, who is also deaf and legally blind. "David loves everybody," said his mother. "He doesn't hear the mean things people say."

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WORKING WORLD
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INTERPRETING FIRM LAUNCHES NEW SERVICE FOR HOSPITALS

Business Wire reported earlier this month on a new video interpreting service for doctors and their deaf and hard-of-hearing patients who use American Sign Language. The Language Line Video Interpreting Service, based in Monterey, Calif., provides hospitals immediate access to ASL and Spanish interpreters at any time for a per-minute fee. Language Line Services, an industry leader in over-the-phone interpreting, conducted a year-long beta test with a group of hospital workers before launching the new service. The easy-to-use system provides on-demand access to interpreters with the touch of a button and can "save hospitals thousands of dollars a year by supplementing or replacing face-to-face interpreters," said Business Wire.

GRANT AIMS TO IMPROVE POLICE COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEAF

Howard County (Md.) police officers are learning how to communicate with deaf people, thanks to a $23,600 grant from the Horizon Foundation. The 18-month grant is funding sign-language classes for police officers, seminars for the deaf community, interpreting fees and telecommunication devices for the deaf at police stations. Ron Fenicle, a former Howard Community College adjunct professor who is deaf, recently taught a three-session sign language class that was attended by 15 officers. He was assisted by his wife, Abbie Fenicle, who served as his interpreter. The officers learned such signs as "hello," "where," "robbery" and "license," in addition to learning how to fingerspell their names. They also gained a better understanding of the deaf culture, reported the Baltimore Sun.

SCHOOL VOLUNTEER LEAVES A LASTING IMPRESSION

Volunteering at the Holly Academy in Holly Township, Mich. is the highlight of the year for Ohio resident Melody Malone, who is deaf. The Flint Journal reported that Malone, 42, spends August and September of every school year teaching sign language to Holly Academy students. School director Julie Kildee says the school is not very diverse, "so it's nice to have Melody here as a facilitator and talking about diversity and disabilities." Malone's longtime friend Lisa Leimeister, a third-grade teacher at the school, says students learn not to fear people with disabilities and sometimes use their signing skills outside the classroom. "The kids will say they saw a deaf person in the store and the student said 'Hi' in sign language," she said. "That's pretty exciting."

NTID FILLS TWO KEY POSITIONS

The National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology announced recently that it has filled two key positions. Pamela Carmichael is the new Director of Marketing Communications. She will direct communications to prospective students, donors, employers and other key audiences through print and Web-based initiatives. Bryan Hensel in the new Development Officer. He will oversee NTID's scholarship program, annual fund, donor relations and alumni programming.

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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.

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

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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DEAF ACTRESS FEATURED IN SHOWTIME COMEDY 'WEEDS'

Shoshannah Stern, a deaf actress from a fourth-generation deaf California family, is a member of the cast of "Weeds," Showtime's new comedy about a soccer mom who turns to dealing marijuana when her husband dies. Stern plays Megan Beals, the deaf girlfriend of Nancy Botwin's (Mary Louise Parker) son. Stern, 25, attended Gallaudet University and, according to movie database IMDb.com, reads lips and speaks comfortably without an interpreter. "Weeds" wraps up its 10-episode inaugural season on October 10.

NATIONAL THEATRE OF THE DEAF PLANS 2005-2006 TOUR

The National Theatre of the Deaf announced this week that it is now booking for the 2005-2006 touring season. The NTD will continue its "Fingers Around the World" series with a focus this year on Mexico. Alice of "Wonderland" fame will join her old friends from the Lewis Carroll classic to provide new adventures for theatergoers. "You will experience the Day of the Dead, which is the origin of Halloween, as well as Cinco de Mayo, which commemorates Mexico's victory over the French Army in 1862," said an NTD news release. For booking information, call 860-236-4193 ext. 3025 or send email to tour@ntd.org.

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COMING EVENTS
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2006 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SET FOR ST. LOUIS

Plans have been announced for the 2006 USADB National Basketball Tournament. It will take place April 5-8 in St. Louis, Mo. Games will be played in the gym at St. Louis Community College - Forest Park (5600 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110). The Hilton Hotel (10330 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, MO 63134, 314-426-5500) will provide accommodations. Ticket prices and other details will be announced soon. Tournament director Doug Mader can be reached at usadbtourndir@aol.com.

GOLF CHARITY EVENT TO RAISE MONEY FOR DEAFHOPE

DeafNation is sponsoring a charity golf event on October 27 at the Poppyridge Golf Course in Livermore, Calif. The event is designed to raise money to support DeafHope's advocacy services to abused deaf women and children in the San Francisco Bay Area. Tournament fees are $100 per person or $400 per team. Non-golfers can pay $25 to attend a post-golf dinner with entertainment by John Maucere. To register, visit www.DeafNation.com, and to learn more about DeafHope, visit www.Deaf-Hope. org.

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MILESTONES
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GIL LENTZ, 48, LONGTIME FOOTBALL COACH AT CSD-FREMONT

A memorial service was held Thursday at the California School for the Deaf, Fremont for Gil Lentz, the longtime football coach who died in his sleep Sunday night, September 18. He was 48. The cause of his death is not yet known, reported the Contra Costa Times. Lentz graduated from CSD in 1975 when the school was in Berkeley. After graduating from Gallaudet University, he returned to CSD as a coach and counselor. He headed the football program from 1987-2000, and was 46-74-1 in his 14-year head-coaching career. Since 1990, Mr. Lentz served as president of the Far West Golf Association for the Deaf. He is survived by his wife, Alyce, and sons Ivan, Dane and Ryan.

BRIAN C. JENERSON, 41, INTERPRETER IN ROCHESTER, N.Y.

Brian C. "Bernie" Jenerson died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on September 12 at age 41, reported the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle. Jenerson was the first African-American male to graduate from the interpreter program at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, and survived by 11 brothers and sisters and lifetime friend Charlie Mudge. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice at Isaiah House, 71 Prince St., Rochester, NY 14605.

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EMPLOYMENT
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT GLAD

GLAD is an Affirmative Action Employer with equal opportunity for men, women and people with disabilities. For more information on the following positions, go to: www.gladinc.org. The status of all positions is: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt, Full Fringe Benefits unless otherwise noted. All positions are open until filled.

PROGRAM ASSISTANT/INTERPRETER in Los Angeles
Brief summary: Under supervision of the Director of Health Education/Services, using the guidelines of the assigned scope of work provided by the California Department of Health Service’s Community Challenge Grant, the Program Assistant/Interpreter will:
Work closely with the Community Health Educators on activities for GLAD’s program including plan and participate in community events and educational workshops as stated in the project scope of work; Provide interpreting services for teleconferencing meetings, collaborative meetings, OFP regional meetings, FamilyPACT clinic meetings, and appointments or any other situations which may arise to facilitate communication for project staff; Make arrangements and schedule with schools, programs and clinics for project educational/prevention activities; Responsible to coordinate Deaf Youth Advocacy Presentation and Mentoring Program; Implement media including articles, publications and GLAD’s website; Prepare Collaborative Alliance meeting minutes; Compile and distribute educational and promotional materials to project staff and community; Compile all documents for filing and prepare monthly progress reports; Clerical duties as well as such tasks and responsibilities as may be delegated

JOB DEVELOPER/INTERPRETER in West Covina, Pacoima
Brief summary: Employment services offered at GLAD assist deaf and hard of hearing individuals with job information, job training, job placement and accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Co-located at 5 Employment Development Department (EDD) Offices and at each local office. The programs under employment services are: Job Readiness Training, Workplace Accessibility, Job Development, Placement and Follow-up

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE in Riverside and Bakersfield
Brief summary: Under the supervision of the Regional Center Director, the Community Advocate will assist deaf and hard of hearing consumers in the area of communication access via TTY relay, document translation, and other duties, provide advocacy in the areas of social security, education, employment, consumer affairs, and others, record statistics on a daily basis related to provision of services, counsel deaf and hard of hearing consumers with problems related to personal and family adjustments, finances, employment, food, clothing and housing, assists deaf and hard of hearing consumers with independent living skills, educate the deaf and hard of hearing community about various laws and programs benefiting and protecting the rights of deaf persons such as Department of Rehabilitation and Social Security policies and the ADA, etc., work with the Resource Advocate regarding updates of the Directory of Resources, refers consumers to community resources and other organizations, secure information and resources beneficial to the department pertaining to social security, immigration, mediation, etc. through workshops, seminars and through networking with other agencies, some typing and other light office duties as necessary, driving is required as part of the job, perform such tasks and responsibilities as may be delegated

NETWORK I.T. Administrator in Los Angeles
Brief summary: Operate MS network through on-site and VPN; Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues involving network hardware and software; Perform daily maintenance of network hardware and software systems; work with organizational staff to create and implement computer networking policies; Ensure backups and recovery of servers and workstations data and develop a disaster recovery plan; Assist computer users with technical hardware and software issues both on-site and remote access.; Perform in a pro-active manner by developing a plan of action to improve network productivity, security and ergonomics within budget; Maintain records of hardware and software inventories; Contact person for the organization’s ISPs, Web and Email Hosting; Train and educate computer user on the organization’s software, hardware and computer policies. Required to have hands-on experience working on VPN and MS Exchange.

If interested then please submit resume and application to:

Jeff Fetterman
Human Resources Specialist
Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.
2222 Laverna Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90041

V/TDD: (323) 550-4207

Fax #: (323)550-4204

E-mail: jfetterman@gladinc.org

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POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Full-time Academic Staff Position
Advisor/ASL Interpreter

The Department of Exceptional Education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is seeking applicants for the position of Advisor /American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter.

This Advisor will provide current and prospective students with information about Department undergraduate and post-baccalaureate programs, including trouble shooting with students, updating materials and website information, coordinating recruitment and orientation sessions, and helping to manage a student database. The Advisor will also oversee the admissions process for the teacher education programs, and will act as the Department's ASL Interpreter.

Minimal qualifications for this position include: A Bachelor's Degree in education, social sciences or related field; at least one year related work experience; and completion of an Interpreter Training Program (preferred RID CI/CT); Fluency in ASL and proficient in ASL interpreting. Knowledge of Deaf Culture, disability advocacy and special education is highly desirable. He/she must have skill in the use of MS Word, MS Access, e-mail, Internet and production of user-friendly documents. He or she should have the ability to manage multiple tasks, timelines, and priorities, possess strong communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working with persons from diverse backgrounds, and competency in managing people. Preferred experience in advising, counseling, or mentoring.

SALARY RANGE: Competitive, with fringe benefits. This is a full-time, fixed term, annual (12 month) non-teaching academic staff appointment.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications begins October 15, 2005 and will continue until position is filled.

START DATE: January 1, 2006

Please send cover letter, a current vita or resume, and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references to:

Dr. Laura Owens, Search Committee Chair
Department of Exceptional Education
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201
(414) 229-5251 Fax (414) 229-5500

The names of those nominees and applicants who have not requested that their identities be withheld and the names of all finalists will be released upon request.

UWM is an AA/EO employer and educator strongly committed to maintaining a climate of supporting equality of opportunity and respect for difference based on gender, culture, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, and lawful activities. We particularly encourage applications from individuals who would enhance and diversify our workforce.
9/9/05

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Birnbaum Interpreting Services of Silver Spring, MD, seeks a
Professional Development Coordinator

Responsible for all facets of the interview process for interpreters. Administrative support as needed.
Assist with interpreter training/workshops including Deaf Culture, ADA and related.
Manage and oversee the Certification Achievement Program (CAP)
Assists in evaluation of the Entry Level Interpreting Program Participants. Provide support as needed.
Responsible for teaching ASL classes and research and develop proposal bids for ASL classes.
Assist in the Outreach program as needed.

B.A. in Communications or Deaf Education Studies or four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Bona fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) adopted for the position connected to the performance of the job and in honesty and good faith it is necessary to the fulfillment of the work-related responsibilities. Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI’s) are encouraged to apply.

Talents & Characteristics:
Superior interpersonal skills as well as excellent organizational and time management skills

Salary: $30 - $35K
Submit resume, cover letter highlighting your skills for the position to:

Larry Rocha, Director of Human Resources
Birnbaum Interpreting Services
8555 16th Street, Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-608-2382 Fax
Larry@bisworld.com
www.bisworld.com

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Care Manager Wanted

1/2 time (16 to 20 hours per week) private position managing independent living services for Deaf brain injury survivor.

The job includes:
- assisting survivor to run her own household and finances,
- supervising home health workers who provide daily personal care
- coordinating shopping, cleaning, laundry, appointments
- maintaining ramp equipped van, motorized wheelchair and household appliances.
- scheduling rides, interpreters and other accommodations as needed

The job also includes helping the employer maintain contact with friends, disability groups, advocacy organizations and family.

A good working knowledge of computers is required and the ability to organize email, bank and calendar programs.

Applicant should be prepared to assist employer with a job search and possible job coaching.

In addition, 5 hours per week direct personal care (grooming, shopping, cooking, driving, etc) for the first three months--or as long as it takes to build trust—is anticipated.

The job is in Arlington VA, at the Court House Metro Stop.

Compensation: $18.00+/hour plus benefits after 3 month training.

Knowledge of ASL and the Deaf community would be a great plus for an applicant and Deaf individuals are encouraged to apply.

Contact: Send letter of application and resume to PCAjob@aol.com.

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