deafweekly

 

October 6, 2010
Vol. 6, No. 48

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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Last issue's most-read story: BONHEYO SEES ACTION AT GALLAUDET / The Frederick News-Post
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NATIONAL
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Washington, DC
NEW RULES TO MAKE TECHNOLOGY MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR BLIND, DEAF
Congress passed a bill Tuesday that aims to make new technology more accessible to people with disabilities — an update that advocates for the blind and deaf say is “momentous.” The legislation, called the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, covers things like captions on Internet video and Internet phone services that work with hearing aids. The bill, which passed by voice vote, will now go to President Obama for approval. / The Wall Street Journal

Milwaukee, WI
JUDGE FILES SUMMONS WITH THE POPE
A U.S. federal judge in Milwaukee will serve a summons to Pope Benedict XVI and two other Vatican officials for allegedly covering up the sexual abuse committed by Father Lawrence Murphy at St. John's School for the Deaf in Milwaukee. Arthur Budzinski, himself a victim of abuse at St. John's, said in a statement he hopes the "Pope himself, if required, will testify directly under oath concerning what he knew and what actions he did and did not take concerning Father Murphy's crimes against us as children." / The Daily Cardinal

Sacramento, CA
IT'S POLITICS: SCHWARZENEGGER SIGNS ONE MENDOZA BILL, VETOES THREE
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger had some good news but mostly bad news for Assemblyman Tony Mendoza. Schwarzenegger vetoed three of Mendoza's bills, including A.B. 2072, which would have required the state Department of Education to develop an informational pamphlet for parents of newborns and infants identified as deaf or hard of hearing. Schwarzenegger stated that A.B. 2072 is unnecessary and uses an advisory committee that might be biased. / Whittier Daily News

Dallas, TX
WITH 20-YEAR CLOUD OF GUILT LIFTED, DALLAS COUNTY'S LATEST EXONEREE IS JUST GRATEFUL TO BE FREE
Stephen Matthew Brodie walked out of the Dallas County Jail a free man last Tuesday, nearly 20 years after first declaring his innocence and 24 hours after a judge finally agreed with him. State District Judge Lena Levario ruled last Monday that Brodie, 39, had been wrongly convicted of the 1990 abduction and sexual assault of a 5-year-old Richardson girl. But he had to spend an extra day behind bars because of paperwork between the Texas prison system and Dallas and Lamar counties. "I was not worrying about it," a smiling Brodie, who is deaf, said through an American Sign Language interpreter. / Dallas Morning News

See Also DALLAS COUNTY EXONERATION SHOWS CHANGES NEEDED TO DEAL FAIRLY WITH THE DEAF, LAWYERS SAY / Dallas Morning News

Sioux Falls, SD
JUDGE'S RULING ALLOWS S.D. SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF TO CLOSE
South Dakota will be able to close the Sioux Falls campus of its School for the Deaf after a federal judge ruled against a group of parents who had sued to keep it open. The parents of eight deaf or hearing impaired students claimed closing the school in favor of outreach education and contracted services would deprive students of their due process rights and violate the state constitution and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act. / Associated Press

Atlanta, GA
PROPOSED SETTLEMENT CALLS FOR SCHOOLS, CREDITORS TO SPLIT KATHY COX'S $1 MILLION PRIZE
Three schools for blind and deaf children would receive half of the $1 million that Kathy Cox won on a TV show when she was the state schools superintendent, under a recently proposed court settlement. A legal tug of war over the prize winnings has been going on for more than a year in the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case filed by Cox and her husband, John Cox, a home builder. Kathy Cox said she was angered by the agreement. "I'm happy that the schools will get $500,000, don't get me wrong on that," she said. "But all of it should have gone to the schools." / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Decatur, IL
POLICE FOIL APPARENT KIDNAPPING IN I-72 ARREST
Police intercepted an alleged kidnapper Monday afternoon on Interstate 72 near Decatur and freed a deaf woman and her two young children. Teams of police had spent 1½ hours searching anxiously for the suspect's black Pontiac sedan after the Decatur woman sent text messages to a friend around 12:35 p.m. saying she and her children, both aged 4, had been abducted by an armed man. Police would not confirm the information but it is understood the 26-year-old suspect is the father of the children. / Herald & Review

Nashville, TN
HOUSING COMPLEX BEING BUILT FOR DEAF IN EAST NASHVILLE
A redeveloped former nursing home on the corner of Porter Road and Eastland Avenue will soon be the site of the state’s first apartment complex for low-income, deaf and hearing-impaired residents. Construction crews are currently completing the façade of 701 Porter, a retail and residential development. Seven retailers including a bakery, salon and restaurant will open this month, said Brent Elrod, project manager with Urban Housing Solutions, which operates eight other low-income complexes in Nashville. Elrod said he expects to lease the apartments by December. / The Tennessean

Harrisburg, PA
HOUSE APPROVES SSSD CAMPUS SALE
A bill authorizing a $500,000 sale of the former Scranton State School for the Deaf to neighboring Marywood University cleared a major hurdle Tuesday on its track to final passage. The House voted 193-3 to approve the bill containing a number of transactions involving state-owned properties, including the 10-acre deaf school campus in Scranton's Green Ridge section. / Citizen's Voice


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What: A national study for counselors who serve the Deaf funded by AHRQ

Why: Counseling and behavioral health services for persons who are Deaf, Deaf-blind or hard of hearing are scarce, and many individuals are underserved. We hope to learn and share the results with all who provide counseling services across the nation

If you are a counselor please take the time to complete the survey or if you know counselors in your region who work with people who are Deaf, Hard of hearing or DeafBlind please forward this survey to them at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5DYG2XF

The questionnaire takes about 30 minutes to complete. After completing the survey, the respondent will receive a small token of appreciation for their time. If you want a paper copy instead to complete please let us know.

The study is being conducted by Drs. Kim Mathos and Beth Nolan ( mailto:kkmathos@gmail.com )

Thank you very much for completing the survey or helping us to identify appropriate providers. We very much appreciate your help!

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INTERNATIONAL
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Amsterdam, The Netherlands
MEMORIAL MONUMENT FOR JEWISH DEAF VICTIMS OF THE NAZI REGIME
Sunday, October 17 at 14.00 hr. a monument will be unveiled in Amsterdam in memory of all the Jewish Deaf victims of the nazi regime. The unveiling will be done by Anna Vos-van Dam (the only Dutch deaf survivor of Auschwitz) together with Hedy d’Ancona (former minister and politician). As far as we know, this will be the only monument for Deaf Jews in the world that will be placed in public space. The monument is situated in the same district as the Auschwitz monument and the Jewish Historical Museum. / Vicdeaf

Port-au-Prince, Haiti
HELPING HAITI'S DEAF EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS
Sylvie MC Weir (Friends of Deaf Haiti): "I'm Sylvie Marc Charles Weir. I currently have just founded an organization called Friends of Deaf Haiti." Kyra Phillips: "The goal is simple.. yet daunting. To make sure Haiti's deaf population isn't forgotten." Sylvie MC Weir: "We found the land and tents, water, medicine, different organizations all working together." Kyra Phillips: "This tent city in Port-au-Prince was set up exclusively for Haiti's deaf earthquake victims. 300 people are living here. It's one of the cleaner and safer of the tent cities in Haiti." / CNN

Manila, Philippines
DEAF MAN PREVENTED FROM BOARDING PLANE TO QATAR
A deaf person will file a discrimination case before the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) after an airport immigration officer prevented him from boarding his flight to Qatar. Franklin Corpuz said he was supposed to leave for Qatar on Monday after he was invited to train for a week as a chef in the said country. If the company likes him, he could be hired as a chef. However, Corpuz said he was held by an immigration officer at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. / ABS-CBN News

London, England
ANNETTE CROSBIE: I'M NOT GRUMPY, JUST DEAF!
Having become a household name as Victor Meldrew's long-suffering wife, Annette Crosbie is accustomed to people assuming she's somewhat grumpy. Indeed, the Bafta-winning actress freely admits that she has irritated her fair share of people by bluntly ignoring their attempts to spark up a conversation. What has never been revealed before, however, is that the 76-year-old is not deliberately snubbing anyone. She, quite simply, cannot hear them. / Daily Mail

East London, South Africa
DEAF BENEFIT IN RELAY SWIM
The vuvuzela made a bit of a comeback at the Joan Harrison swimming Complex in East London Monday when 25 swimmers participated in an 18km relay for charity. The event was hosted by Michael Swartz, a deaf swimmer, and it brought awareness about the plight of the deaf in society, as well as integrating the deaf and the hearing. The relay swim was also used to raise funds for Linda Mbewana, 19, who spends her days helping the deaf in her community. It was also Swartz’s 18th birthday. / The Daily Dispatch

See Also DEAF FIRE DANCER STANDS TO WIN R250 000 IN TALENT COMPETITION / The Daily Dispatch

Seguin, ON, Canada
ATTORNEY TO CHARGE DEAF CAMP WITH MAKING TOO MUCH NOISE
A local camp for deaf children could face a charge of making too much noise. An attorney who planned to file a charge under the Environmental Protection Act said he filed court paperwork Sept. 24 against the Ontario Mission of the Deaf, which operates the Ontario Camp of the Deaf (OCD). The charge stems from noise measurements collected by an acoustical engineering firm during a motocross race at the OCD on September 19. / CottageCountryNow

Dumbarton, Scotland
DUMBARTON MAN BRANDISHES MACHETE AT DEAF BOY
A Bellsmyre man aimed a tirade of abuse at a deaf child while brandishing a machete - because the boy’s dog was being too noisy. Last week Dumbarton Sherriff Court heard how 23-year-old Kevin Liddell conducted himself in a disorderly manner and committed a breach of the peace after shouting threats and swearing while waving a machete, placing members of the public in a state of fear and alarm. / Lennox Herald

Norfolk, England
NORFOLK MUSICIAN'S INSPIRATIONAL BATTLE TO KEEP ON PLAYING
Just two years ago Aimee-Louise Paddock started losing her hearing and in recent months it has deteriorated to the point she now struggles to hear a low flying jumbo jet. Yet the 18-year-old talented musician from King's Lynn has not given up on her passion. She is now going for top grade eight music exams and hopes to play her saxophone and flute to packed concert halls in the future. / EDP24

Cumbria, England
TV SHOW ROLE FOR DEAF WEST CUMBRIAN WOMAN
Rebecca Kiggins works at the World Owl Centre at Muncaster Castle and earlier this week she appeared on the BBC’s See Hear program describing how she overcame the barriers to get the job. The 25-year-old wanted to inspire other deaf people to achieve their dream, just as she had. “I have always had a passion for wildlife. I have pets and I love animals and these are the two main reasons I started this role,” said the conservation assistant. / News & Star

Sydney, Australia
SYDNEY 'SEX ASSAULT': HUNT FOR CREW CUT MAN COVERED IN TATTOOS
Police want to speak to a heavily tattooed man about alleged sexual assaults against a deaf woman in western Sydney two years ago. In May last year, detectives began investigating a number of alleged sexual assaults against the 23-year-old deaf woman. They took place between January and October 2008, when the woman was allegedly detained and sexually assaulted. A 46-year-old man was arrested Tuesday and charged with a string of offences. Detectives appealed for information about a second man to whom they want to speak. / The Sydney Morning Herald

Melbourne, Australia
OUT LESBIAN ARTIST ASPHYXIA IS EMBRACING HER DEAFNESS
Asphyxia is a Deaf artist with a capital D. Asphyxia is a unique artist and not just because she is Deaf. The name is for real and appears on her birth certificate and driver's license, although she wasn't born with it. Asphyxia was encouraged by her parents to pursue her dreams without her deafness getting in the way, attending mainstream schools. She didn't learn Auslan until she was 18. While she says this gave her a 'can do' attitude, she still experienced isolation and loneliness during her teenage years. That was until she discovered the internet. / SX News

Victoria, Australia
DEAF CAFE A HANDY LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL
How do you take an order for a weak, skinny, decaffeinated soy latte with two sugars if you are deaf? It's not as difficult as it might sound, as students at the Victorian College for the Deaf have learned, working at Tradeblock Cafe as part of their Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning. In the old metalwork room of the St Kilda Road school, the cafe is the brainchild of teacher Amanda Joyce, who was inspired by a visit to Lac Thien restaurant in Hue, Vietnam, which is run by a deaf family. / The Age

New Zealand
NZ HIGH COMM DONATES TO SCHOOL OF DEAF
The School of Deaf received more than $5,000 worth of bedding assistance from the New Zealand High Commission which has upgraded the bedding facility and hygiene level at the hostel. The school which caters to 57 students from around the country and other Pacific Island countries received much needed new pillows, pillow cases, single bed sheets, blankets and mattresses. / FijiVillage.com

New Delhi, India
A MUSIC VIDEO BY HEARING IMPAIRED
Deaf community, too, will get a chance to enjoy a music video! A group of deaf and normal people from city-based NGO Mook Badhir Mandal (MBM) has prepared a music video. It is an initiative where deaf will now be able to speak to normal people using an entertaining medium. The video was unveiled as part of the two-day World Deaf Day celebration in the city. / The Times of India

Masaka, Uganda
MASAKA TO EDUCATE DEAF CHILDREN
Masaka district, together with Ka Tutandike, a non-governmental organisation, have started a project to sensitise deaf children on reproductive health. “I was shocked by a young girl who claimed that she was sick after seeing blood coming out of her private parts, not knowing that menstruation was common to everyone,” rehab worker Michael Miiro told New Vision. He said the project, which is targeting about 500 deaf children, focuses on teaching sign language to parents, health workers, teachers and members of the community. / The New Vision

See Also HOW TO TEACH BLIND AND DEAF CHILDREN ABOUT SEX / The Jakarta Globe


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A new website called www.healthbridges.info

was created by people who are Deaf, Hard of hearing and DeafBlind. It offers advocacy, social service and behavioral health information.

If you would like to submit an article to the website or suggest topics of interest for future months please do so in the feedback section.

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LIFE & LEISURE
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Park City, UT
100 CHICKEN DINNERS MAY BE HURTING THE DEAF
Park City restaurateurs have been complaining to the police that fraudulent meal orders are frequently made over telecommunication devices for the deaf. A typical scenario is that the call will come in with someone explaining that they need to feed a lot of people. The bill will be for a couple thousand dollars and the person will want to pay with a credit card number. They then say a courier will come to pick up the food but also ask the restaurant to overcharge the card for about $1,000 and give the cash to the courier to pay for their expenses. / The Park Record

Ellicott City, MD
HESSIAN BARRACKS' HISTORY BEING RESTORED
History is being dug up anew at the Maryland School for the Deaf. Since the time of the American Revolution, the property, which became the school's home in 1867, has been part of historic events and still offers glimpses of rare evidence from different periods. Chad Baker, deputy superintendent of the school, said the need to make repairs to the Hessian Barracks building dating to the 1770s prompted an investigation into its complete history. Before restoring it, school officials wanted to determine what it looked like originally. / Washington Examiner

Kansas City, MO
HOMEOWNER WITH DEAF-BLINDNESS TO GET MAJOR RENOVATIONS
On Saturday, October 9, 2010 the Fuller Center for Housing of Greater Kansas City, MO will kick off its first major home renovation project for homeowner Calvin Stallings, a man with deaf-blindness since birth. Volunteers will begin work at 9 a.m. and then will break at 10 a.m. for a brief ceremony to commemorate the start of the project. Location of the project is 717 E. 77th Street, Kansas City, MO 64131. / The Kansas City Star

Watertown, MA
DEAF AND LEGALLY BLIND WATERTOWN WOMAN OVERCOMES BREAST CANCER
A diagnosis of breast cancer is difficult for anyone, but for Ellen Mary Rys - who is deaf and legally blind - there were special challenges. Rys is healthy now, but her health is hard won. From February through October of 2009, she underwent a trying regimen of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Her breast surgeon, Dr. Susan Pories, said Rys’ personal strength and optimism helped get her through those difficult months. / Watertown TAB & Press

Internet
MY SON IS TOO DEAF FOR A DEAF CONTEST
This is so funny. My son found out about a communication contest the Optimist club is offering. There is a college scholarship award, cool. The only problem is the rules to enter. "Students must submit an audiogram completed within 24 months of the date of the contest by a qualified audiologist." Well my son is REALLY deaf. The kid can't hear a thing, never has. Why would I keep testing his hearing? / We Never Landed In Holland


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New Jersey Deaf Exposition has sold 33 exhibit tables so far and more is pending for SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010 at RITACCO CENTER, 1245 Old Freehold Road, Toms River, NJ 08753.

THE DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 5, 2010 and click for Exhibit Application and information, WWW.NJDEAFEXPOSITION.COM

Only $95.00 for table rental with two chairs, no electric. Am expecting 900 Walk-In for FREE Admission and Entertainment ASL Show. Contact AL LEPRE -- E-Mail: ALLEPRE@aol.com

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WORKING WORLD
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Rochester, NY
RIT PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION FOR LOUISE SLAUGHTER
In appreciation of her efforts to benefit Rochester-area students and residents, especially those who are deaf or hard of hearing, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-Fairport) has been named recipient of the Rochester Institute of Technology Presidential Medallion.The honor will be awarded by RIT President Bill Destler at the Robert F. Panara Theatre in Lyndon Baines Johnson Hall at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010. The ceremony is free and open to the public. A reception will follow in the Joseph F. and Helen C. Dyer Arts Center. / NTID News

Rochester, NY
NEW THREE-YEAR RESEARCH GRANT ON PARTNER VIOLENCE
The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, a branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has awarded the Deaf Wellness Center a $1.2M grant to study intimate partner violence (IPV) affecting the Deaf community. This three-year project, which began in August, will investigate characteristics of IPV perpetrators who are involved in relationships where one or both partners are deaf and communicate via American Sign Language. / UR Medical Center

Washington, DC
IRS HAS DIFFICULTY HELPING DEAF TAXPAYERS
Americans who are hearing- and speech-impaired had an unusually difficult time getting assistance from the IRS during this year’s tax season. An audit of the IRS’s special phone line for deaf customers found that less than 9% of callers were assisted by agency personnel. Of the 350,000 dialed calls made to the special line in the 2010 filing season, only 339 got through to someone. / AllGov.com


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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_dw100310

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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;
-Club room with kitchen;
-Appliances/heat included;
-Communication barrier free;
-Heated underground parking
-State-of-art communication equipment and design;
-Convenient location to shopping, restaurants, medical centers, and more;
-Safe area for walking
-Pets allowed;
-Too many features to list here.

Check out this link: http://www.cardinalcapital.us/rentals_hearing_impaired.html
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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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Salem, OR
OREGON SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF MURAL OBJECTIONS LEAD TO ALTERED ART
John Roy Wilson spent the summer painting an outdoor mural in hopes of inspiring students at the Oregon School for the Deaf. On Friday, he returned to cover up the quarter based on Pablo Picasso's "Guernica" because of complaints that it is too violent for children to view. "I feel strangely kind of giddy," the retired art teacher said last week after hearing the decision from school director Patti Togioka. "It will be a teachable moment. …. The kids are going to ask a lot of questions." / Statesman Journal

New York, NY
REVIEW: JAY ALAN ZIMMERMAN'S INCREDIBLY DEAF MUSICAL
Jay Alan Zimmerman's Incredibly Deaf Musical tells the autobiographical story of composer Jay Alan Zimmerman, who devotes his life to music but then becomes deaf and is no longer able to hear the one thing that gives him the most pleasure. Zimmerman wrote the music, lyrics, and book for the show, which is directed by Kristin McLaughlin. The two of them create enough nuggets of joy throughout the piece to overshadow any shortcomings, making for a very entertaining original musical. / Theatre Is Easy

West Hartford, CT
THE TRANSFORMATION OF DEAF EDUCATION IN AMERICA
"Journeys of Identity," a new play by Garrett Zuercher, brings to life the story of Thomas Gallaudet, founder of the nation's first school for the Deaf, Laurent Clerc, its first teacher and Alice Cogswell, its first student as they struggle to overcome the obstacles and prejudices faced by Deaf Americans in 1817. "Journeys of Identity" will premiere at Connecticut's Old State House on Oct. 14, 15 and 17. This new play chronicles the creation of American Sign Language and the American School for the Deaf -- events that transformed the nation's attitudes on Deafness and education in the U.S. / Hartford Courant

Rochester, NY
ROCHESTER ARCHIVES CENTER RECEIVES GRANT FOR FILM PRESERVATION
The Carolyn White Siegfried & DeFois Hathaway Siegfried Archives Center at Rochester School for the Deaf will receive a grant award of $7,051 from the National Film Preservation Foundation. The school’s film archives are among 24 archives in the country -- including George Eastman House in Rochester -- to be awarded funding to preserve as many as 43 motion pictures covering a far-ranging collection of subjects. The funds will be used to make some of the oldest historical films ever made at Rochester School for the Deaf accessible to the public. / Penfield Post


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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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SPORTS
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Spartangburg, SC
MORNING BREW: SCSDB SHOCKER
We’re used to controversy in the professional football, college football and even high school football. But at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind? SCSDB head coach Don Creech resigned suddenly last week in the middle of the season, publicly citing only “personal reasons.” Athletics director Kim Speer said she was “shocked.” In their first game without him, a game that was featured on local radio for the first time in school history, the Green Hornets lost Thursday night to Augusta (Ga.), 62-20. Creech was on the sidelines but not coaching. Very strange. / Herald-Journal

Fort Myers, FL
DEAF VOLLEYBALL PLAYER GETS NATIONAL SHOT
Emma Racila is a senior playing for the FGCU volleyball team. She's also legally deaf, which has led to a special honor with a U.S. national team. Racila is a graduate of Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, where she played for four years, and was part of a team that won four straight district championships. In 2006, she began playing volleyball for the College of Charleston. As a junior, she transferred back home to FGCU, where she recorded 2.51 kills, which was second most on the team. What is most impressive about all this is the fact that Racila is legally deaf. / Eagle News

Frederick, MD
2012 WORLD DEAF ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE
With under two years to go until the 2012 World Deaf Athletics Championships (WDAC), we are pleased to report that the development of this exciting event is going well and we continue to work hard in its development. On 15 July 2010, exactly two years from the official opening of the 2012 WDAC, we held a press conference and unveiling ceremony. During this event, the official logo for the 2012 WDAC was unveiled. / ICSD


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MILESTONES
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Frederick, MD
OBITUARY -- CHARALAMPOS 'LAMPIS' GRAMMATOGLOU
The world of international deaf basketball is in mourning for an exceptional young man - Mr. Charalampos Grammatoglou, an internationally accredited and highly respected deaf referee from Greece for world-wide deaf basketball. Mr. Grammatoglou died from an unfortunate accident in a fall at Horseshoe Bend, within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, located near the town of Page, Arizona, USA on Saturday 24 July 2010. He was only 32 years old. / ICSD


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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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JOB OPENING
RHODE ISLAND OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Hamilton Relay, Inc. currently has a full-time position open for “Rhode Island Outreach Coordinator”.

Location: Rhode Island Area

Position summary: This full-time position is responsible for coordinating and implementing outreach activities designed to promote Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) and Captioned Telephone Relay Service (CapTel®) for Rhode Island Relay.

Preferred education, experience and skills:
-- Excellent presentation skills
-- Familiarity with the user communities that can benefit from relay services: Senior Community, Hard of Hearing Community, Speech Disabled , Deaf Community)
-- Knowledge of and ability to understand various communication modes used by current and potential relay users
-- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people who have differing hearing and speech abilities
-- Understanding of Deaf Culture
-- Fluency in American Sign Language is preferred
-- Ability to promote all relay services and to educate/train users of the services
-- Direct work experience with Telecommunication Relay Service or experience with Captioned Telephone Relay Service is helpful
-- Experience in public relations activities
-- Ability to organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines
-- Strong writing, analytical, and interpersonal skills
-- Associate’s Degree with 2 years experience or a Bachelor’s Degree required
-- Hold a valid driver’s license
-- Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing are encouraged to apply

Hamilton Relay, Inc. is a division of Hamilton Telecommunications based in Aurora, NE. Hamilton offers a competitive wage and a full time paid benefit package. Apply online at: www.hamilton.net/employment.html to the attention of Cindy Blase in Human Resource Department by October 15, 2010

Hamilton Relay is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.

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JOB OPENING
REGIONAL CAPTIONED TELEPHONE OUTREACH COORDINATOR

Hamilton Relay, Inc. currently has a position open for “Regional Captioned Telephone Outreach Coordinator" staffed in the state of Tennessee.

Position summary: This full-time position is responsible for coordinating and implementing community outreach activities designed to promote Captioned Telephone Service (CapTel®) for Tennessee Relay Services (1/2 time) and in other states as needed (1/2 time). Individual will be required to travel within the state of Tennessee and other states as needed.

Preferred education, experience and skills:
-- Excellent presentation skills
-- Prior work experience with the user communities that can benefit from relay services: Senior Community, Hard of Hearing Community
-- Knowledge of and ability to understand various communication modes used by current and potential relay users
-- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people who have differing hearing and speech abilities and communication modes
-- Ability to promote all relay services and to educate/train users of the services
-- Direct work experience with Telecommunication Relay Service or experience with Captioned Telephone Service is helpful
-- Experience in public relations
-- Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively and meet deadlines
-- Strong interpersonal skills, writing, and analytical
-- Captioned Telephone users are encouraged to apply
-- Hold a valid driver’s license

Interested individuals may apply online at: www.hamilton.net/employment.html or contact Cindy Blase in Corporate Human Resource Department by October 12, 2010 at 800.821.1831.

Hamilton Relay is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or disability.

Hamilton Relay, Inc. is a division of Hamilton Telecommunications based in Aurora, NE. Hamilton offers a competitive wage and full time benefits.

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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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