deafweekly

 

October 12, 2005
Vol. 1 No. 52

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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MURDER SUSPECT CALLED INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL

A competency hearing was held last Thursday in Beaver County, Pa. for Thomas Simich Jr., 45, who is charged with shooting and killing his sister and brother-in-law at his parents' home on May 2. Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Christine Martone told the court that Simich is not competent to stand trial because he doesn't know what is real and what is not. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Judge John McBride must now decide whether to accept Dr. Martone's recommendation. If Simich is judged incompetent, he would be transferred from Beaver County Jail to Mayview State Hospital for up to 90 days, after which the judge could re-evaluate his mental competency. The court provided three interpreters and projected a real-time transcription on monitors for Simich and his deaf parents, who witnessed the shooting of their daughter Marilyn and her husband, Steven Bergman.

JUDGE DISMISSES FIRST OF 18 BOSTON SCHOOL ABUSE LAWSUITS

A group of former Boston School for the Deaf students who are suing school officials for sexual and physical abuse suffered a setback last week. Four days before the first of 18 lawsuits was set to go to trial, a state judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by William Ross of Taunton, Mass., who said he was abused by nuns at the now-defunct school in the 1950s. Judge Margot Botsford dismissed the complaint after barring Ross's lawyer from presenting evidence of an "air of lawlessness" condoned by the school principal, reported the Boston Globe. The two nuns who allegedly abused Ross are now deceased, so Ross sued Sister Mary Carl Boland, 93, principal of the school from 1954 to 1966. Boland's attorney called the dismissal a "tremendous victory" and predicted the remaining suits would suffer a similar fate. Ross's lawyer, who also represents the other 17 former students, said he will press on with the individual suits, though last week's ruling "certainly doesn't help."

DEAF CLUB GIVES THUMBS DOWN TO NEW INTERPRETER PROGRAM

Quincy (Ill.) University's new Interpreter Training Program (ITP) has met with disapproval from the area's deaf community. The program was introduced last Thursday at an open house marking Deaf Awareness Day, but members of the deaf community stayed away. According to the Quincy Herald-Whig, Quincy Deaf Club president Terri Cutforth sent a letter to QU and local media saying the club "cannot support Quincy University's ITP." Cutforth gave the following reasons: there are already two ITP programs within two hours of Quincy; there are fewer than 20 deaf people in Quincy; the local deaf community was not involved in establishing QU's program; and certification requirements for the program are for minimal skills. QU president Sister Margaret Felder said she saw the letter and "appreciates their concern."

OKLAHOMA CONSIDERING BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN ASL

Oklahoma State University officials are considering a proposal to offer a bachelor's degree in American Sign Language, reported the Daily O'Collegian last week. "We'd be first in the nation to have an American Sign Language bachelor's degree," said Sandie Busby of OSU's Student Disability Services. "We've also looked into a master's program because there's not any master's programs in ASL English bilingual studies." The sign language program would be offered by the OSU English department, which hopes to launch the new program in January. "The interpreting community has been waiting for this forever," said Busby. The program would not be limited to interpreters, however. "It's for deaf people that are interested in language or anybody else that is interested in a different language who likes to study language," said Busby.

DEAF HOMELESS WOMAN RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL IN CALIFORNIA

One of the 10 candidates running for four City Council seats in Ventura, Calif. is a deaf homeless woman who has filed a $20 million lawsuit against the city. Melody Joy Baker, 52, an Army veteran and former diesel mechanic, is suing over what she calls a pattern of discrimination against homeless people like herself, reported the Ventura County Star. A tentative ruling in the lawsuit could come as early as this week. Baker, who lost the use of her legs after a hit-and-run accident in 1990, said she wants to give Ventura's homeless and disabled community a voice and will use any winnings to build housing for low-income people. "I know I'm a long shot" in the November 8 election, she said, "but I fight for the people the council doesn't listen to."

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CSD To Host Gala In Recognition of 30th Anniversary

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - 21 September 2005 -- CSD has launched a month-long celebration of its 30 years of deaf and hard of hearing services. Commemoration of the company's milestone includes articles, signed videos, a web site, the launch of a new book and a gala at the Sioux Falls Convention Center on Oct. 28.

Headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D., CSD had its humble beginning in 1975 as a sign language interpreter referral service with CEO Ben Soukup as the lone employee. Today, the company employs over 3,200 people, providing 39 services and products in 42 locations. CSD currently manages over 20 call centers, provides telecommunications relay services in 31 states, video relay services, equipment distribution programs and sign language interpreting services. Additionally, CSD's National Programs unit provides human services in 15 locations in eight states.

Signed Video Release Is Also Available:
http://www.c-s-d.org/30th/pressrelease
CSD 30th Anniversary Website: http://www.c-s-d.org/30yrs/

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POLICE ARREST MAN IN ASSAULT OF CALIFORNIA WOMAN

Police have arrested a suspect in the sexual assault of a deaf Sacramento, Calif. woman who was attacked on her way to work September 10. Juan Michael Tidwell, 25, is being held in Sacramento County Jail on kidnapping, rape and robbery charges. KXTV reported yesterday that Tidwell, a registered sex offender, allegedly tried to befriend the victim as she walked to a train station, using pen and paper to communicate with her. Police said Tidwell then used a knife to force the woman to a secluded location, where he allegedly assaulted her. Evidence from the crime scene was sent to the FBI, which helped identify Tidwell as a prime suspect.

COLORADO MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX WITH GIRL

A hospice worker in Lakewood, Colo. pleaded guilty Friday to sexually assaulting a blind, deaf and nearly comatose 10-year-old girl. James Philpott, 55, told police he had sex with the girl three times over a one-month period because he wanted her to experience pleasure before she died, reported the Rocky Mountain News. The assault took place at the Hospice of St. John in Lakewood, where Philpott was a licensed practical nurse. Philpott was taken into custody after pleading guilty and faces either probation of 20 years to life, or a prison term of four years to life, when he is sentenced on November 18.

NEW YORK MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SEX WITH BOY

A deaf maintenance worker pleaded guilty last Monday in Buffalo, N.Y. to felony sodomy charges for acts with a 15-year-old boy. Joseph Weitz, 47, of West Falls, pleaded to two counts of third-degree sodomy for several encounters with the boy between November 2002 and January 2003, reported the Buffalo News. The boy's parents agreed to the plea deal to bring "finality" to the case and spare the boy from testifying at trial. Judge Michael D'Amico said he will impose a prison term of up to two years when sentencing takes place January 12. Weitz remains free without bail pending sentencing.

SIGN LANGUAGE USED TO IDENTIFY MURDER SUSPECT

A Florida man used sign language to identify the person who allegedly shot him in the face three years ago. Last Monday, jurors in the Brevard County, Fla. trial watched a taped interview with Kelvis Smith as he fingerspelled the name of the man he says shot him and murdered his pregnant girlfriend in June 2002. Smith, a 475-pound aspiring rapper with normal hearing, was unable to talk after he was shot, reported WKMG-TV. He has since recovered from the shooting and was able to take the stand last week and identify the man, Willie Nowell, again. Nowell, one of two people accused in the shootings, faces the death penalty if convicted.

SORENSON INSTALLS VIDEO PHONE BOOTHS ON GALLAUDET CAMPUS

Sorenson Communications has installed 10 point-to-point video phone booths (VPs) in several public areas of the Gallaudet University campus in Washington, D.C. Point-to-point calls permit callers to communicate in sign language directly with others who have access to video phone equipment. The 10 new booths may be used for either point-to-point or traditional VRS (video relay service) calls.

AMERICAN SCHOOL OPENS NEW COMPUTER LAB

The American School for the Deaf held a grand opening last Thursday evening for a new print shop and technology education center. The new facility cost about $350,000 and was funded mostly from state grants and donations from local businesses and organizations. According to the Hartford Courant, the West Hartford, Conn. school first opened a print shop in 1923 to prepare students for printing careers, but found itself poorly equipped in recent years to teach printing in the digital age. The new computer lab is outfitted with the latest equipment, and the school will offer low-cost printing services to nonprofit organizations to help cover the cost of running the program.

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Have You Tried CSDVRS Today?
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D-Link Users - csdvrs.tv

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INTERNATIONAL
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NEW RESEARCH CENTER SET TO OPEN SOON IN LONDON

A major new research center called the Deafness, Cognition and Language Research Centre (DCAL) is set to open at the University College London in January. Funding of 4.5 million pounds (about $7.9 million US) has been awarded by the Economic and Social Research Council to support the center and pay for 12 post-doctorate and post-graduate researchers during the first five years of the 10-year program. The center, based at UCL's Department of Human Communication Science, is expected to be a world leader in research into deafness, linguistic systems and communication. Center officials hope to change the perception of deafness by the hearing community. "By studying deaf people's language, we will be able to illuminate all aspects of human communication," said center director Bencie Woll.

STUDY: CANCER TREATMENT LEAVES HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN DEAF

The U.K.'s Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) announced this week that several hundred babies and children become deaf each year by the drugs given to them to cure their cancers and save their lives. More than 500 children are treated every year in Britain with platinum-based chemotherapy treatments, usually cisplatin, and at least a quarter of them end up with hearing loss, tinnitus and/or balance problems. The drugs damage adults' hearing, too, but "before and after" research on adults has not been conducted. About 68,000 people are treated with cisplatin annually, and the risk to adults is put at between 11 and 91 percent. According to the Telegraph, the RNID is appealing to pharmaceutical companies to develop less toxic versions of the drugs.

U.K. MAN WHO STABBED TEEN IS SPARED JAIL

A deaf U.K. pensioner who stabbed a 14-year-old boy outside his home was spared jail yesterday. Frank Morton, 66, "snapped" after experiencing 18 months of harassment by local teenagers that included a violent assault on his adult son, reported the Daily Telegraph. More than 100 people gave references vouching for Morton's good character and calling him a "highly respected" member of the deaf community. Judge David Hodson said a custodial sentence could not be avoided due to the seriousness of the offense, but the exceptional circumstances meant the nine-month sentence could be suspended for two years. Morton's lawyer, Gavid Doig, said, "This was a serious offense committed by a man of good character who had been driven to the end of his tether."

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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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NEW BOOK SPOTLIGHTS CANADIAN EDUCATOR OF 1800'S

Samuel Thomas Greene was born deaf in 1843 and made significant contributions to the deaf community, but not a single book about him has been written -- until now. Clifton F. Carbin, a deaf researcher and writer who specializes in Canadian deaf historical subjects, has released his latest book: "Samuel Thomas Greene: A Legend in the Nineteenth Century Deaf Community." Greene grew up in Maine and attended the American Asylum (now the American School for the Deaf) in Hartford, Conn. and the National Deaf-Mute College (now Gallaudet University) in Washington, D.C. He went on to become an accomplished teacher in Canada at a school for the deaf in Belleville, Ontario. For information about the new book, visit http://home.cogeco.ca/~ccarbin/stg/booksale.htm.

SIGN-SONG FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK IN MINSK

Deaf people from around the world will travel to Belarus next week to take part in the International Festival of Sign Songs. The annual festival, now in its fifth year, will take place October 19-23 in Minsk. The purpose of the festival is to give deaf people from different countries the opportunity to make new friends and share creative ideas. Festival participants who use sign language to communicate will work together to develop their sign-song skills and perform their creations for one another.

SOUTH AFRICA BENEFIT RAISES FUNDS FOR DEAF CRICKET

A "glamorous event" was held last Friday in South Africa to raise funds for deaf cricket, the Pretoria Rekord reported. The hotel benefit was designed to raise money for the national deaf cricket team, which will compete in the Deaf World Cup cricket tournament next month in India. Well-known cricket player Jacques Rudolph joined forces with Juanita Mostert, mother of two hearing-impaired children, to support the team. "It is essential that we raise the much-needed funds to send them off on a one-in-a-lifetime experience," said Mostert.

AUSTRALIA REFUSES TO GRANT VISA TO PAKISTAN SQUASH TEAM

A squash team from Pakistan was barred from competing in a recent world deaf squash championship in Melbourne because the Australian foreign office refused to grant a visa to the deaf players. According to Geo TV in Pakistan, officials in Australia refused to give a reason for their decision. Khalid Jamil, president of the Pakistan squash association, said his group was invited two months earlier by the world deaf squash federation and selected four male and two female players for the event. Jamil said he plans to contact the Australian foreign office and the world deaf squash federation to find out what went wrong.

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Announcing My IP Relay through Yahoo! Messenger

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This includes Sidekicks!

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Start using My IP Relay through Yahoo! Messenger today! For more information go to www.IP-RELAY.com.

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Sorenson IP Relay™ expands communication possibilities for deaf and hard-of hearing individuals by enabling free text-to-speech relay calls with any standard telephone user in the U.S. Sorenson IP Relay calls can be initiated by visiting the Web site at www.siprelay.com from a personal computer, or can be made with a Sidekick, Blackberry, Trço or other mobile device. A trusted Sorenson Communications Assistant (CA) instantaneously facilitates the conversation between the Sorenson IP Relay user and a friend, doctor or business associate. Sorenson IP Relay calls are free for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

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LIFE & LEISURE
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INTERNET APPEAL RAISES FUNDS TO SEND STUDENTS TO WORKSHOP

A high school teacher from Kingman, Ariz. recently sent an appeal over the Internet for funding to allow 10 of her American Sign Language students to attend a workshop in Lake Havasu City. Within minutes, Rae Henson began to hear from people who were interested in helping. As a result, her students will be able to take part in an all-day workshop led by Trix Bruce, a deaf artist, poet and storyteller. The workshop is set for October 28 at the London Bridge Resort and Convention Center, part of the London Bridge Day Parade Festival. The students are "our future interpreters," said Henson, and they are still in need of a few more generous sponsors. If you can help, send an email to mediarelations@cradhh.org.

STUDY SUGGESTS INFANTS MAY RECEIVE COCHLEAR IMPLANTS

Reuters Health reported last week on a study that suggests cochlear implantation can be safely done in children before their first birthday and leads to age-appropriate hearing ability and oral language skills. The study, published in the medical journal Pediatrics, was conducted at the New York University School of Medicine by Susan Waltzman and Thomas Roland, Jr. The researchers followed 18 children who underwent cochlear implantation at ages 6 to 11 months. There were no immediate surgical complications, and improvements in hearing were noted a few months after surgery. All of the children "are developing speech and language skills with a natural-sounding voice," the authors said.

YOUNG ADULTS SHOW LITTLE CONCERN FOR RISK OF HEARING LOSS

A study released last week shows most teenagers and young adults don't think hearing loss from listening to loud music is a big problem. The study, published in Pediatrics and reported by the Associated Press, was based on a 28-question survey posted on the MTV website and answered by 6,148 females and 3,310 males, with an average age of 19. Researchers from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a part of the Harvard Medical School, found that only 8 percent thought hearing loss was a big problem and only 14 percent had ever used earplugs. But 66 percent said they would consider using ear protection "if they were counseled by a medical professional," said Roland Eavey, one of the study's authors.

COLLEGE FRESHMAN AWARDED FIRST MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The League for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing in Nashville, Tenn. announced recently that it has awarded its first Linda Cowden Memorial Scholarship to Daniel Charles McClarney, a 2005 graduate of Hillsboro High School. McClarney, 19, will use the funds to assist with college expenses at David Lipscomb University, where he is a freshman. The scholarship was created in memory of Cowden, who died in July 2004 of cancer after serving as administrative assistant and League liaison to area deaf clubs for 10 years. "We are honored to provide a way to help fund higher education for a deserving student that honors the life of Linda Cowden," said Les Hutchinson, League president/CEO.

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Special Limited Time Offer at Harris Communications

Harris Communications is offering a 10% discount on books, novelties, DVDs, and videos. Plus, we have FREE shipping on orders of $50 or more*. Choose from a wide selection of titles with many new products available. Hurry, this offer expires October 16th. *Free shipping only available for UPS ground shipments within the Continental US. 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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Sprint Relay Wireless, powered by GoAmerica®,
is available on the Sidekick/HipTop wireless devices. Sprint Relay Wireless is also accessible through the RIM 850, 857 and 950 devices running WyndTell® service.
Sidekick and HipTop wireless device users access Sprint Relay by clicking on the bright TTY icon directly from the chooser screen. To download and install Sprint Relay Wireless, access the device’s Catalog download feature. In the catalog, simply select Sprint Relay Wireless from the Applications list, and select Purchase to download and install the service for free. For more information on Sprint Relay Wireless, visit http://www.sprintrelay.com/ or email srw@goamerica.com.

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WORKING WORLD
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COUPLE RECEIVES AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

Over the past 11 years, Mary and Jules Dufour have collected, crushed and sold nearly 40,000 pounds of aluminum cans, raising $20,000 for Dogs for the Deaf. According to the Los Alamos (N.M.) Monitor, the couple recently received the Golden Halo award for outstanding service to the New Mexico State Good Sams Organization and for contributions to Dogs for the Deaf. The Dufours are founding members of Pajarito Sams, a chapter of the state organization, and a dog has been placed in Albuquerque in Pajarito Sams' name.

QUESTION OF INTERPRETER FEE ARISES IN SOCIAL COLUMN

Who should pay if a deaf wedding guest needs an interpreter? That was the question posed recently in the Social Grace column in San Francisco's SF Weekly. "Some say the deaf person should make all arrangements herself; others say the wedding hosts should provide the service," wrote an interpreter who feared "being caught in the middle of an uncomfortable family dynamic." In response, the columnist wrote, "Simply put, the people who hire the interpreter should pay the interpreter. But while providing a sign language interpreter would be a very thoughtful thing to do, it is not a requirement if the family cannot afford it."

MICHIGAN MAN HONORED FOR 40 YEARS WITH THE YMCA

The Saginaw, Mich. YMCA hosted a reception yesterday for Roger Lukowski, a deaf employee who has worked for the association for 40 years. Lukowski became a Y member in 1960 when he was 12 and began working after school and during summers when he was 17. He joined the staff full-time in 1968 after graduating from Saginaw High School, reported the Saginaw News. "Roger is a bull of a guy," said Steve Springsdorf, former Saginaw YMCA executive director. "Although he's deaf, he can read lips, and he understands what he needs to do." Lukowski said he has "seen it all" in 40 years on the job, and recalls one time when he noticed a girl drowning. "I saw the lifeguards were busy, so I jumped in and rescued her," he said.

CIRCUS PROVIDES JOBS FOR THREE DEAF MEN FOUND IN MEXICO

The Stockton (Calif.) Record reported last week on three deaf men from Mexico who have found work with the Circus Chimera. Saul Perez, Arturo Apolinar and Agustino Rivera were dicovered by circus owner Jim Judkins in the small city of Tlapacoyan, Mexico during a trip to recruit workers. When the trio joined the Hugo, Okla.-based circus as teenagers, they were functionally illiterate, said Judkins. He hired them and began teaching them to read, write and learn American Sign Language. "Sometimes, I felt foolish trying to teach them," he said, "but finally there were breakthroughs." The men are expected to deal with the public just like any of the circus' 100 employees. "They started out being shy, but now they are outgoing," said Judkins. "They are all bright, engaging people who are fun to be around."

i711.COM MAKES AIM RELAY CALLS FAST AND EASY

GoAmerica, Inc. announced last week that its i711.com relay services are now available through the AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) service. Anyone with AIM, wherever they have AIM (work computers, computer cafes, wireless devices, etc.) can now make relay calls using i711.com. They have automatic access to their i711 Phone Book wherever they use AIM, so there is no need to look up a phone number. They can simply type "call mom" and the service will look up "mom's" phone number and dial it. These "smart dialing" features are exclusive to i711.com's service. "With one-step calling and our other smart dialing features, we think i711.com moves AIM-accessed relay calling to a new level of speed and convenience," said GoAmerica's Mark Stern.

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With HIP Relay Wireless, there is no software to download!!

HIP Relay Wireless is available nationwide and does NOT require you to download any software. You could choose another Wireless Relay provider, but WHY? No other provider makes using relay so simple!
Place Hamilton relay calls with your Blackberry, Treo and Sidekick or with ANY device that runs AIM® or has a Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) browser!
How? With AIM®, send an instant message to HipRelay.
With a WAP browser, go to http://www.hamiltonrelay.com/.

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NEW RELAY OPTION >>>

Introducing i711.com, the newest Internet relay service. i711.com delivers the best relay call experience, but is much MORE than relay. i711.com also has an online community, with exclusive articles on deaf culture, employment and technology, community news headlines, open captioned movie information and more. Visit i711.com to have a great experience when you make your Internet relay calls. But you'll also love i711.com's community connections, news, and content you can't find anywhere else.

i711.com: Better call experience. Better call tools. Community and
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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SORENSON VRS ANNOUNCES CONTEST FOR SCHOOL-AGE ARTISTS

Sorenson Video Relay Service is establishing a collection of artwork by deaf and hard-of-hearing student artists from around the U.S. The theme for the art collection is "Hand Art - Communicating with Sign Language. More than $4,500 in cash prizes will be donated to schools for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. There are three categories: elementary, middle and high school, and the top prize in each category is $750 for the winning school. The winning entries will be announced on December 5 and the winning artworks will be displayed at Sorenson Communications corporate offices in Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as on the company's website and in the Sorenson VRS Messenger corporate newsletter. November 1 is the postmark deadline. To learn more, visit www.sorenson.com/contest.

MCCARTNEY SAYS PRODUCER'S HEARING LOSS IS BEATLES' FAULT

Paul McCartney says he blames himself and his fellow Beatles for producer George Martin's hearing loss. Martin, a music legend, has been forced to retire because he no longer has the finely tuned ear that made him famous, reported Contact Music last week. McCartney fears the recording sessions with the Fab Four could be partly to blame. "We did listen to it too loud," he said. McCartney wanted Martin to produce his new album but couldn't persuade his old friend to return to the studio. "He just got to the stage where he thinks, very nobly, that he shouldn't produce," said the former Beatle.

NTID STUDENTS VISIT JAPAN AFTER WINNING HAIKU CONTEST

Five students from the National Technical Institute for the Deaf visited Japan recently after winning a haiku poetry contest sponsored by NTID. The trip was a cultural exchange funded by the Postsecondary Education Network-International, an NTID grant program designed to bring modern technology to deaf college students in developing countries. Students Stephen McDonald, Sam Sepah, Jessica Thurber, Jack Williams and Christopher Zahniel were accompanied by five faculty and staff members. They performed their haikus for local media and worked with a calligrapher to design scroll representations of their creations. The students also met with officials from the Nippon Foundation, which has given more than $5.5 million to NTID to support PEN-International.

DOCUMENTARY TO EXPLORE NEARLY 200 YEARS OF DEAF HISTORY

"History Through Deaf Eyes," a 90-minute PBS documentary currently in production, will explore the experience of the U.S. deaf community from 1814 to the present. The story will be presented chronologically and tell the stories of people both eminent and everyday while conveying a broad range of perspectives on deafness. The documentary is a co-production of WETA Washington, D.C. and Florentine Films / Hott Productions, in association with Gallaudet University. For more information, go to www.florentinefilms.org/inproduction/02_deaf.htm.

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SPORTS
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INDIANA VOLLEYBALL TEAM SEEKS FIRST-EVER TITLE

For the first time, the Indiana School for the Deaf volleyball team is ranked in the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association Class A state poll, reported the Indianapolis Star yesterday. Coach Aimee Bippus's team is currently ranked No. 4. Next week, the team will attempt to earn its first-ever IHSAA sectional title in any sport. The Deaf Hoosiers (31-3) will open play against Covenant Christian as hosts of a nine-team sectional. "It would be a huge accomplishment for our fans in the deaf community and especially for our school and players," said Bippus. Last year's team broke 34 school records, and this year's squad has set another 10 individual and several more team records, the Star reported.

SCHOOL IN HAWAII FIELDS ITS FIRST TEAM IN BOWLING

The Hawaii Center for the Deaf and the Blind is making history by fielding its first team in Oahu Interscholastic Association bowling, reported the Honolulu Advertiser. Students at the school, which dates back to 1914, have always had to join mainstream school teams if they wanted to play in high school sports. "Finally, our school has its own team," said senior Trey Balding, one of 10 bowlers -- five boys and five girls -- who account for 50 percent of the eligible high-school aged students at HCDB. At the team's first practice in May, no one knocked down more than 50 pins, said coach Steve Hanai. Players have improved since then, and Bryce Takaki's 139 average as of last week was the highest on the team.

LARGE CROWD TURNS OUT FOR NORTH CAROLINA HOMECOMING

A crowd of about 1,200 people turned out for Homecoming Day on Saturday, October 1 at the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton. They watched the NCSD football team beat Eastern North Carolina School School for the Deaf by a score of 48-30. Organizers were impressed by the size of the crowd, down from last year's 1,400 but still a large number in light of the high cost of gasoline. The area's deaf community is now looking ahead to October 22, when the South Carolina School for the Deaf holds its own Homecoming Day.


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COMING EVENTS
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CALIFORNIA SCHOOL TO MARK 25 YEARS IN FREMONT

The 145-year-old California School for the Deaf relocated from Berkeley to Fremont in 1980, and the school will celebrate its 25th anniversary at its new location with a series of events on Friday, November 11. Included on the schedule are a book fair, deaf services fair, student skits, homecoming game and a social hour for alumni. Following a reception in the cafeteria, alumna Rita Corey will provide entertainment in the Big Gym. Tickets may be purchased online at www.csdf.k12.ca.us.

25TH WORLD DEAF TIMBERFEST TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE

The 25th World Deaf Timberfest isn't for another 11 months, but already 250 people have bought combo tickets. The event will take place August 30-September 4, 2006 at the 101-acre Camp Taloali in Stayton, Oregon. All rental cabins and tepees are sold out, but space is available for RVs and tents. Motels are also available in the area. The WDT will offer a logging contest, horseshoe tournament, wood carving contest, basketball tournament, swimming contest, volleyball contest, food and craft booths, beer garden, games for seniors, children and teens, and more. Proceeds will be donated to Camp Taloali, a nature and leadership camp for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in the Pacific Northwest. Combo tickets are $45 until December 31. More information may be found at www.wdtxxv.com.


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EMPLOYMENT
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The Western PA School for the Deaf

The Western PA School for the Deaf is a residential school located in Pittsburgh on a beautiful 17 acre campus. We are searching for two high-energy people who love working with children to fill the following openings:

Parent Infant Program Coordinator

Full-time exempt position to oversee work of Parent Infant teachers and deaf mentor; coordinate activities/suppport services and programs to parents; interact with early intervention service providers; participate in local and state meetings. Good interaction, program analysis and public relations skills required. Individual should have experience with infants and parents; training and/or experience with cochlear implants, hearing aids and other assistive devices; knowledge of child development and language development; Bachelors Degree in Education of Deaf Children required (Masters preferred). Experience in supervision/leadership preferred.

Teacher of the Deaf

Full-time 187-day classroom instructor for Upper School deaf/hard-of-hearing students. PA Instructional I or Instructional II certification in Hearing Impaired required. Dual PA certification in content area preferred. (Information on PA teaching certification found on the web site www.pde.state.pa.us.)

Excellent salary and benefit packages available. Intermediate or higher sign language skills and Criminal and Child Abuse clearances required. Send letter and resume to:
Director of Human Resources
Western PA School for the Deaf
300 East Swissvale Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15218-1469
Fax (412) 244-4211
E-mail: hshirey@wpsd.org
EOE

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Position Announcement (Extended): CEO

DCARA is seeking a strong and dynamic Chief Executive Officer to lead the agency and to build on over 40 years of continuous growth and evolution of the agency. The CEO will report directly to the Board of Directors and will be responsible for all aspects of the agency's operations, programs, finances, and personnel. DCARA is a non-profit, community-based social service agency serving the Deaf community in the San Francisco Bay Area.

SALARY: Negotiable (plus excellent benefits)

For more information, visit www.dcara.org or email searchchair@dcara.org. Closing Date: Open until filled.

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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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