Deafweekly September 29, 2010

deafweekly

September 29, 2010
Vol. 6, No. 47

Editor: Tom Willard

Deafweekly is an independent news report for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community that is mailed to subscribers on Wednesdays and available to read at www.deafweekly.com. These are the actual headlines and portions of recent deaf-related news articles, with links to the full story. Minor editing is done when necessary. Deafweekly is copyrighted 2010 and any unauthorized use is prohibited. Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive Deafweekly.

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NATIONAL
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Milwaukee, WI
DEAF VICTIM OF SEX ABUSE IS SUING POPE
Terry Kohut has kept a dark secret for nearly 50 years. Now he is breaking his silence, becoming a key figure in the sex-abuse crisis in the Catholic Church and the growing controversy over what Pope Benedict XVI did about it. When Kohut was barely a teen, and for years afterward, he says, he was sexually molested and assaulted by the headmaster and priest of the school where he lived, St. John’s School for the Deaf, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Kohut has now filed the first sex-abuse lawsuit against the Vatican actually naming Pope Benedict, previously known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as a defendant. / CNN

San Diego, CA
'GENIUS GRANT' IS BIG SURPRISE TO UCSD PROFESSOR
Carol Padden, a UCSD professor whose childhood experience led her to specialize in sign language and deaf culture, has been awarded a $500,000 MacArthur Foundation grant. The awards, often called genius grants, come with no conditions on how recipients use them. Padden, who teaches in the Communications Department at the University of California San Diego, is one of 23 MacArthur Grant winners this year. / San Diego Union-Tribune

Houston, TX
INMATE FOUND HANGED IN HIS MONTGOMERY COUNTY JAIL CELL
An inmate awaiting trial on capital murder charges was found dead early Friday, hanging in his cell from a bed sheet tied to the bars at the Montgomery County Jail. Earl Handy Jr., 39, who was deaf, was in a segregation cell for medical reasons before his body was discovered around 3 a.m., the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said. Deputies administered CPR before Handy was taken to Conroe Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead just after 4 a.m. / Houston Chronicle

Dallas, TX
DEAF TEXAN EXONERATED OF CHILD SEX ASSAULT FREED
A deaf man exonerated of the rape of a 5-year-old suburban Dallas girl was released Tuesday after 17 years in prison, one day after a judge determined he was innocent. Stephen Brodie's dad was there to greet the 39-year-old north Texas man when he walked out of the Dallas County jail. Brodie said through an interpreter that he was looking forward to being able to have lunch with his dad, J. Steve Brodie, now that he was out of jail. / Associated Press

Nashua, NH
ST. JOSEPH SETTLES DEAF PAIR'S CLAIMS
St. Joseph Hospital has agreed to improve its interpretation services for deaf patients after being accused of failing to communicate properly with people who are hard of hearing. In a settlement reached with the U.S. attorney’s office, St. Joseph Hospital will also erase the $10,000 medical bill of the two deaf people who forwarded the allegations to the federal government. Sheila Coombs and Gary Catania accused St. Joseph Hospital and its affiliated medical practices of providing inadequate medical care to them and their children between 2005 and 2008 because they didn’t have access to sign language interpreters. / Nashua Telegraph

New Port Richey, FL
MAN WHO FAKED BEING DEAF ARRESTED FOR DRUNKEN DRIVING
The man behind the wheel of a pickup pulled over early Monday morning on suspicion of drunken driving indicated that he was deaf and requested an interpreter. But when Officer Chris Denton used sign language to ask the driver for his license, he didn't appear to understand. So Denton asked him to read his lips and he asked again. This time the man said he didn't have a license, according to the report. On the way to the Land O' Lakes Jail, Christopher Michael O' Callaghan apparently was quite chatty with Denton, saying, "You guys were persistent. I usually play the deaf card and get away with it." / Tampa Bay Online

Raleigh, NC
ADVOCATES DISAPPOINTED BY NC SCHOOL FOR DEAF PROBE
An advocacy group that found allegations of abuse and neglect at the North Carolina School for the Deaf said Tuesday that it was disappointed by a state investigation into the matter. Department of Health and Human Services officials said they did not conclude whether the claims were true and instead focused on “systemic” problems at the Morganton facility. The school’s director was fired in August because officials felt that the abuse and neglect issues were not being addressed in a timely manner. / WRAL

Flint, MI
MORE IS BEING LEARNED ABOUT PLANS TO BUILD A NEW MICHIGAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
More is being learned about plans to build a new Michigan School for the Deaf and how Powers Catholic High School could play a role. The location where the Michigan School for the Deaf is right now could be transformed to a large campus with two separate schools. One school would be designed for the School for the Deaf and the other for possibly Powers Catholic High School if they decide to jump on board. / WJRT

Baldwin County, AL
DEAF TEEN ON BIKE HIT BY CAR
Alabama State Troopers say a 13-year-old boy was hit by a car Wednesday around 3:45 p.m. in Baldwin County. It was a scary afternoon for one Summerdale family. "Had a 13-year-old male that was riding his bike east on county road 38. As he was riding a vehicle was approaching him from behind and for some reason the boy turned into the road and the vehicle couldn't stop in time," said Trooper Greg Eubanks. Eubanks said the teenager, Percy D. Simpson, is hearing impaired. / Fox10tv

Rochelle Park, NJ
PARTIALLY BLIND AND DEAF WOMAN, 84, HAS MORE COURT TROUBLES
Susanna Reinhardt is 84, partially blind and deaf - and the octogenarian equivalent of the town troublemaker. She is also a social dilemma. Reinhardt may be facing a jail sentence in Rochelle Park municipal court if she is convicted of yet another harassment charge brought by yet another neighbor. But her legal troubles barely scratch the surface of the perplexing quandary she embodies -- namely, what can a town do with a frail, elderly woman who lives alone and makes false charges against almost everyone who crosses her path? / The Record

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INTERNATIONAL
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Helsinki, Finland
DEAF WANT MORE RIGHTS FOR SIGN LANGUAGE
The Finnish Association of the Deaf and the Research Institute for the Languages of Finland are jointly pressing for legislation guaranteeing a more solid legal status for sign language. These groups say that at present the constitution does not provide sufficient rights for sign users. "The sign language community is frustrated with current laws. There is plenty of goodwill among politicians and civil servants, but hardly any real change at all. The deaf using sign language continue to suffer inequality," says Markku Jokinen, director of the Finnish Association of the Deaf. / YLE Uutiset

Valletta, Malta
MAN CHARGED WITH THREATENING DEAF NEIGHBOR
A man from Zabbar who allegedly did not want anyone to park in front of his house this morning pleaded not guilty to threatening a disabled person. Justin Cassar, 22, was also charged with causing voluntary damage to a car belonging to neighbour Lawrence Muscat, breaching the peace and swearing in public. Taking the witness stand, alleged victim Mr Muscat, aided by a sign language interpreter, told the court he had had several arguments with the accused, who used to swear at him. / Times of Malta

Chelmsford, England
MEET ZIPPY ... THE DEAF DOG WHO KNOWS SIGN LANGUAGE
He may be as deaf as a post, but that doesn’t stop this little pooch. Despite being born totally deaf, two-year-old Boston Terrier Zippy has proved animals with disabilities can be amazing too. Where others may have given up on Zippy, owner Vicky Tate, has spent two years training him, using her own arm and leg signals. Zippy even has his own special vibrating collar, which Vicky can set off when they are at the park. / Chelmsford Weekly News

Ahmedabad, India
MOVIE MADE BY DEAF AND DUMB TO PREMIERE OCT. 9
The movie Amir=Garib, to be premiered on October 9 in the Town Hall Auditorium, has all the essentials of a Bollywood flick, but one fundamental element -- sound. The movie has been made by deaf and dumb people. Ahmedabad Behra Munga Mitra Mandal, the association of deaf and dumb, has made this two-hour-long movie in sign language. / Indian Express

Manila, Philippines
DEAF KIDS MAKE MUSIC IN SCHOOL OF LOVE AND HOPE
Music broke the silence of a humid Monday afternoon in a small neighborhood in San Pablo City. Inside a school gymnasium along a poorly paved road, a rondalla, an ensemble of string instruments, rehearsed melodic pieces for everyone to hear -- everyone except those playing them. Those who held the guitars, the 12-stringed bandurrias and lauds and the double bass, are students of Paaralang Pag-ibig at Pag-asa -- School of Love and Hope -- a public special education (SPED) center in this city in Laguna, about 100 km south of Metro Manila. / VERA Files

Lusaka, Zambia
RB THANKED FOR FIRST BOARDING SCHOOL FOR DEAF
Director of HIV/AIDS and Human Rights programmes for the blind Elijah Ngwale has commended President Rupiah Banda for allocating K30billion ($6.245 million US) for building the first-ever boarding school for the Deaf which will cater to about 500 pupils from basic school to senior secondary school. Mr. Ngwale said this was a welcome made by the government to consider the deaf who were facing a lot of challenges to cope up with the ordinary schools. / Lusaka Times

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Sorenson Video Relay Service® (SVRS®) is an industry leading communication tool for the deaf community provided by Sorenson Communications. Created with high-quality video technology, SVRS brings life into the conversations of our customers as they call family, friends, and business associates at no cost through a professional SVRS sign language interpreter and a cutting-edge videophone. SVRS is provided 24-hours a day, and 365 days a year, connecting the deaf and hard-of-hearing to anyone at their convenience. For more information, visit the SVRS Web site at www.sorensonvrs.com.

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Affordable Housing for Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, Deaf-Blind seniors --
Water Tower View, Greenfield, WI

Featuring a deaf manager, communications technology and design features to enhance the lives of people with hearing loss.
-Daily activities;
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Contact: Carol Comp - 414.937.5841 ccomp@cardinalcapital.us

Breaking news! We finally got the Apache ASL Trails of Tempe, AZ under constructions, please contact Katie Voss at 414-937-5903 kvoss@cardinalcapital.us or Charlotte at ckinney@cardinalcapital.us. "Filling up fast, apply now for occupancy in summer 2011."

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LIFE & LEISURE
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Colorado Springs, CO
DEAF NEIGHBORS OBLIVIOUS TO BARKING DOGS
Judith Litchfield and her family love dogs and have four. Their dogs live in the house, play in the backyard and bark at strangers, squirrels and rabbits. The Litchfields had lived blissfully on Plumstead Drive from 1992 until August 2006 when the Humane Society left a complaint about excessive barking at their Briargate home. Another warning came last March. Each time the family was shocked. They had no idea their dogs were bothering anyone. How would they? The Litchfields and their three children are deaf. / Colorado Springs Gazette

Rockville, MD
DEAF KIDS TAKE CUES FROM PARENTS TO LEARN TO TALK
Born deaf to deaf parents, identical twins Lola and Ella Scher of Rockville learned from the beginning to talk with their hands. When they were 9 months old, they produced their first word: shoe. If they had used American Sign Language, or ASL, they would have said "shoe" by tapping their fists together twice. But their parents used a different form of communication, cued speech. Grace Consacro and Steve Scher had grown up using cued speech, and they taught it to their twins, now 5, and their deaf son, Max, who is 3. / The Washington Post

Rochester, NY
SUKKOT EVENT TO BE HELD IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
The festival of Sukkot, when the Jewish people give thanks for the harvest and commemorate the 40 years in the desert after the exodus from Egypt, may be more special for Rochester’s deaf community this year. For the first time, there will be a celebration in American Sign Language. “We recognize that the deaf culture is a special culture,” said Rabbi Asher Yaras of Chabad Lubavitch of Rochester, which is organizing “Sukkot with the Entire Rochester Jewish Deaf Community” at the Hillel Community Day School. / Democrat and Chronicle

Orem, UT
DEAF FUNDRAISER SEEKS TO RAISE $2,500
As part of “Deaf Awareness Week,” hearing impaired Green Spin author John Pilmer solicits public support for a fundraiser to benefit the Utah Schools for the Deaf, a non-profit organization. Ninety percent of all proceeds go directly to the schools. “I’ve been fighting hearing loss my whole life,” said Pilmer. “If we can help even one other person prevent or deal with hearing impairment, we want to do it.” The fundraiser will run between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11, and seeks to raise $2,500 or more. / GreenSpin

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Video Chat Never Looked So Good!

Video chat with America’s newest 4G smartphone, the Samsung Epic™ 4G now at the Deaf Pager Store.

Powered by Android™, the Samsung Epic includes a Super AMOLED 4” screen and two cameras: one 5 megapixel camera/camcorder and a forward facing VGA camera for making video calls via Qik and Fring.

The Deaf Pager Store is the store with the devices and low-cost data plan for deaf and hard of hearing people.

See the Samsung Epic at: http://bit.ly/deafpagerstore_dw091910

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Do you wear an Advanced Bionics HiRes90k or Clarion II Cochlear Implant?

Weitz & Luxenberg P.C., a leading plaintiffs’ litigation law firm, is expanding litigation against Advanced Bionics related to defective cochlear implants. If you believe that you may have received an “Important Notification” letter from Advanced Bionics about your HiRes90k or Clarion II cochlear implant in either 2004 or 2006, we urge you to contact us to receive important legal information -- even if you CI is working. Many of our clients’ cochlear implants stopped working prematurely as described in the letter. We have a Deaf attorney and VP available. To find out more, please click here and follow instructions on the screen or go to www.weitzlux.com/failed-cochlear-implants_1937570.html.

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WORKING WORLD
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Cedar Falls, IA
OFFICE HOURS: THE LIFE OF A PROFESSOR
Karlene Kischer-Browne was born into a family of two deaf parents. Before she learned how to speak, she learned how to sign. "I had never really thought of going into the ‘family business,'" she said with a chuckle. But for Kischer-Browne, a University of Northern Iowa instructor of American Sign Language, the "family business" is more than just a job, it's a lifestyle. Kischer-Browne teaches sign language to hearing students at UNI. In her classes, she makes sure to teach not only the language, but the history and culture behind the deaf community -- a group of which she has always considered herself a member. / The Northern Iowan

Clearwater, FL
DEAF/HH CAN NOW MAKE ZVRS CALLS FROM IPOD TOUCH
The Z™ released their newest mobile option today: a ZVRS app that allows deaf and hard of hearing customers to use iPod Touch to place calls to hearing people. It marks the first time a non-smartphone device can be used to place calls between deaf and hearing callers. Now, the iPod Touch 4th Generation becomes a mobile videophone for the deaf and hard of hearing. The ability to make calls over WiFi provides them with a mobile videophone that does not require a telephone network. / ZVRS

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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!

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5th Annual New Jersey Deaf Exposition
on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
at RITACCO CENTER,
1245 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, NJ 08753

WE HAVE OVER 500 CHAIRS FOR YOU
to come down and browse our Exhibits,
or see our Professional Entertainment Show or
socialize with our FREE walk-in admission.

Click for all Information and Direction as read:
WWW.NJDEAFEXPOSITION.COM

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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New York, NY
DEAF RAPPER PERFORMS IN WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK
The Finnish rap artist known as Signmark has a record deal with Warner Music, has performed extensively in five continents and has the respect of his peers for his groundbreaking work. But the 32-year-old rapper has never heard any of his own songs -- or any songs for that matter -- because he's deaf. Signmark, whose real name is Marko Vuoriheimo, is one of the world’s first deaf rappers to score a deal with a major label. On Thursday, Signmark gave a performance entitled "Silent Shout" in Washington Square Park, amassing a crowd of both the deaf and hearing. / DNAinfo

Internet
WIN A COPY OF DEAF DOGS PHOTO BOOK, FEATURING PETFINDER RESCUES!
Last week, photographer Melissa McDaniel shared her tips for taking better photos of deaf dogs and dogs in shelters. This week, she's giving you a chance to win a signed copy of her new book, Deaf Dogs! The book features portraits of deaf dogs -- including a number of Petfinder alumni -- along with their stories. Enter here for a chance to win a signed copy of Deaf Dogs -- just give us your name and contact info by midnight Sept. 30; one winner will be selected at random. / Petfinder

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Have you gotten your own 4G phone yet? The HTC EVO™ 4G and the Samsung Epic™ 4G remain top sellers at the Sprint Relay Store; the only wireless Android devices on the 3G/4G networks provided by none other than Sprint! With amazing video chat and camera quality capabilities; these astounding devices keep you one step ahead of the rest! As always, we offer customized plans - Sprint Relay Store Data Only Plan for the deaf and hard of hearing at only $39.99 a month! Go to www.sprintrelaystore.com and order yours today!

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SPORTS
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Spartanburg, SC
SCSDB HEAD FOOTBALL COACH CREECH RESIGNS
South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind football coach Don Creech has resigned from his position, he said in an e-mail on Tuesday. Green Hornets assistant coach Dennis White will take over as head coach for the remainder of the season. “This is sad for me to announce my resignation as head football coach at SCSDB,” he said. “But, I'm excited for my new endeavor in my future." SCSDB athletic director Kim Speer said that Creech has apparently resigned for “personal reasons." / Spartanburg Herald-Journal

Washington, DC
BONHEYO SEES ACTION AT GALLAUDET
Maryland School for the Deaf's Ryan Bonheyo, who in 2009 was the first MSD student to earn a full athletic scholarship to a Division I school, has transferred from Towson University to Gallaudet University. He is playing running back for Gallaudet, a college for the deaf. In an e-mail, Bonheyo said several factors figured into his difficult decision to transfer. "First, there was no deaf community in Towson," he said. / The Frederick News-Post

New York, NY
MOTOCROSS'S FEMALE STARS OVERCOME OBSTACLES
In motocross, one of the fastest growing extreme sports, riders tear through rugged terrain. The sound of the roaring engine can let riders know when to shift gears, or if competitors are gaining ground. But that's not the case for 19-year-old Ashley Fiolek, who's deaf. "Motorcycle riding is a hearing sport, really," Fiolek told CBS News correspondent Seth Doane. "Being deaf you have to rely on the vibration." At just 110 pounds, Fiolek throws around her 220-pound motorcycle. She's turned a childhood passion into a full-time profession. / CBS News

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Use Hamilton Web Relay® to make and receive calls over the Internet in a private environment, separate from buddy lists and potential disruptions. There’s nothing to download -- it’s all web-based making the service available wherever you can connect to the Internet!

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Don't have a HomeTown Number? Register today and share your number with friends and colleagues! Visit http://www.hamiltonrelay.com and click on the "Make & Receive Calls Now" icon to check it out.

Hamilton Relay. That’s what I’m talking about.

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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). Start spreading the news! To place your ad, send the announcement to mail@deafweekly.com.

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The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) serves deaf, hard of hearing and deaf blind individuals throughout Washington State. For more information about ODHH, go to http://odhh.dshs.wa.gov/ ODHH seeks applicants for the Information, Referral and Advocacy Program Manager. The IRA program manager is responsible for the statewide program providing information, referral, advocacy, education & training and outreach services. Applicants can apply online here: http://careers.wa.gov/index.html and type “01266” in the keyword search.

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Title: Senior System Administrator
Locations: Clearwater, Florida

Summary: Responsible for the administration, management and operations of the internal servers and virtual machines supporting the call center platform

Required Skills: Strong interpersonal and communications skills; capable of writing proposals or papers, acting as a vendor liaison, making presentations to customers or client audiences or professional peers, and working closely with upper management.

Ability to solve problems quickly and automate processes.

A solid understanding of Unix and Open Source (Linux) operating systems; understands paging and swapping, inter-process communications, devices and what device drivers do, file system concepts (inode, clustering, logical partitions), can use performance analysis to tune systems.

A solid understanding of networking/distributed computing environment concepts; understands principles of routing, client/server programming, the design of consistent network-wide file system layouts.

Ability to program in an administrative language (Tk, Perl, VBScript, a shell), to port C programs from one platform to another, and to write small C or C# programs.

Required Background:
More than five years of previous system administration experience.

Desirable Background and Skills:
A degree in computer science or a related field.
Extensive programming background in any applicable language.
Publications within the field of system administration.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications. Please send salary requirements.

Benefits: Group Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401K and match, Short/Long Term Disability, Paid Holidays and Employee Assistance Program, Vacation and Sick time.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Send Resume and Cover Letter to: jobs@zvrs.com

Title: Regional Sales Manager
Locations: Colorado

Description:

The Sales Manager will be responsible for individual, business and government accounts, introducing ZVRS to new customers, while also strengthening ZVRS' relationship with current customers. Is Responsible for sharing new exciting products and features with customers of all walks by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors.

Responsibilities:

* Plans and directs videophone sales and service programs to promote new markets, improve competitive position in area, and provide fast and efficient customer service.
* Primary POC for VRS users, major government and business accounts in assigned region.
* Prospect assigned region for new accounts and customers.
* Work with other Sales Managers to plan and implement state and region-wide events and promotions.
* Coordinate referrals of installations of Z videophones in homes, agencies, and/or businesses through our installation program; Confers with potential customer to ascertain service needs.
* Communicate with and submit regular activity reports to the Senior Director of Sales.
* Perform additional sales related responsibilities and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
* 1 -2 years of sales experience preferred.
* Bachelor's Degree in related field strongly preferred.
* Must have strong knowledge of Telecommunications Relay Service Industry.
* Must have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work successfully with a variety of people.
* Must have the ability to communicate fluently in American Sign Language; Must have a good understanding of Deaf Culture.
* Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.
* Must have extensive customer service experience.
* Must be willing to work a variety of hours and to travel frequently.
* Must have knowledge of Video applications.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications. Please send salary requirements.

Benefits: Group Health Insurance, 401K and match, Life Insurance, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Paid Time Off (PTO), Short/Long Term Disability, Paid Holidays and Employee Assistance Program.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.
Send Resume and Cover Letter to: jobs@zvrs.com

Title: Technical Support Rep - Tier Two - Full Time
Locations: Clearwater, Florida

Description: The Technical Support Rep will provide direct support to customers who have escalated technical support needs. These contacts could come in via video calls, emails, and transfer from video interpreters. The Technical Support Rep will also be able to provide support to Customer Service personnel.

Responsibilities: Answer video inbound calls from customers and answer their questions, record their complaints and/or concerns.

When requested, report complaints and/or concerns to appropriate departments.

Provide remote connection support to customers PC for router, modem or no-ip configuration.

Ability to troubleshoot on products.

Qualifications:

MUST have good ASL skills to communicate with customers
MUST have good people skills and positive attitude
MUST have extensive computer knowledge
MUST have 2 years of Technical background experience
Must be willing to work flexible hours, which includes evenings and weekends.

Salary: Based on experience

Benefits: Group Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401K and match, Short/Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Plan, Paid Holidays and Employee Assistance Program, Vacation and Sick time.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Send Resume and Cover Letter to: jobs@zvrs.com

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