Deafweekly October 14, 2009

deafweekly

October 14, 2009
Vol. 5, No. 18

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 2009 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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Washington, DC
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY TO NAME NEW PRESIDENT ON SUNDAY
Gallaudet’s board of trustees will introduce the tenth president of the historic university at a ceremony this Sunday, October 18, at 1 p.m. in the campus’ Kellogg Conference Hotel’s Swindells Auditorium. The current year-long process has been the object of intense scrutiny due to past protests over two presidential searches. However this search has raised little controversy among students, faculty, staff and alumni. The trustees and the presidential search committee took extraordinary steps to insure and demonstrate that this search was in every way fair and transparent. / Gallaudet University

DeKalb County, GA
POLICE: DEAF WOMAN STABBED IN NECK, RAPED
DeKalb police said a man accused of stabbing a deaf woman to death inside her apartment also raped the victim. Authorities said Darrel Smith, 31, was scheduled to make a court appearance last Wednesday night. Police said a neighbor discovered Tekelia Blackshear, 21, dead at about 5 a.m. Sunday (October 4) at the Oak Creek Apartments. Blackshear had been stabbed in the neck, and sources told Channel 2 Action News that Blackshear was wearing a pair of fake handcuffs when she was found. / WSBTV-2

Cleveland, OH
STAGE GROUP EX-MANAGER CHARGED WITH THEFT
The last role a Cleveland-based theater company that adapts plays for hearing-impaired children wanted to fill was that of the victim. But that's what they are, according to a Cleveland police report stating that their stage manager went wild with the company's credit cards. Cleveland police have a warrant for James R. Jones III. The 27-year-old East Cleveland man is accused of aggravated theft. Jones racked up nearly $4,000 on company credit cards, said Sign Stage on Tour producers Bill Morgan and Erin LaFountain. Police need help finding him. / Plain Dealer

New York, NY
HEARING MAN IN DEAF ROLE STIRS PROTESTS IN NEW YORK
When the playwright Rebecca Gilman began adapting the Carson McCullers novel “The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter” for the stage several years ago, she made a bold and controversial artistic leap: opening and ending the play with speeches by a central character, John Singer, who is deaf and mute throughout the book. The monologues turn Singer into more than the cipher he is through large swaths of the 1940 novel. But by bestowing speech on Singer, Ms. Gilman took license with a character of symbolic importance to generations of deaf readers — a decision she justified because, McCullers wrote, Singer was once taught to speak as a boy. Inevitably, though, Ms. Gilman has made it difficult for a deaf actor to play Singer, now a speaking role. / The New York Times

Little Rock, AR
ARKANSAS SCHOOL TEMPORARILY CLOSES AFTER STUDENTS FALL ILL
Arkansas School for the Deaf made the decision to close last Thursday because the majority of the high school kids are sick. Over the past few days students, teachers, dorm staff and nurses have developed flu like symptoms. This is their second round this year and their neighbor, the School for the Blind, is now observing their kids a little closer. / Today's THV

Washington, DC
STATUARY HALL'S NEWEST RESIDENT -- HELEN KELLER
For those who’ve read their history, or at least seen "The Miracle Worker," it’s an indelible and inspiring moment: The deaf and blind Helen Keller, under the guidance of her teacher Anne Sullivan, successfully spells out in sign language the word "water" while at a water pump. That’s the moment captured in a new bronze statue, which was unveiled today at the Capitol. The ceremony took place in the Capitol Rotunda, but the statue will be installed in the famed Statuary Hall. / Los Angeles Times

Milwaukee, WI
GROUP SEEKS PRIEST'S REMOVAL FROM ABUSE REVIEW BOARD
Local advocates for victims of Catholic clergy sex abuse are calling on the Milwaukee Archdiocese to remove a high-ranking priest from its abuse review board, contending that he investigated one of Wisconsin's most egregious clergy-offenders in the 1990s and did nothing to warn the deaf community that he served. The investigation by Vice Chancellor James Connell is cited in a 1997 document released by plaintiffs in a civil fraud case filed Monday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court. The lawsuit, by an Illinois man identified only as John Doe 14, is the second by a former student at what was St. John's School for the Deaf in St. Francis, where the late Father Lawrence Murphy is believed to have molested as many as 200 boys between 1950 and 1974. / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

New York, NY
THE SECRET WORLD OF DEAF PRISONERS
In the 1970s, an antiwar demonstrator found himself at New York City’s Rikers Island jail facility for a couple of months on a disorderly conduct charge. The demonstrator met a handful of young men from the Bronx in his unit who were deaf. They were having trouble communicating with anyone but themselves. My friend knew a little sign language and, after a few conversations, discovered they were illiterate. With the idea of helping them improve their communication skills, he asked prison authorities for permission to order books on sign language. The wardens refused, saying that they did not want anyone in that prison using a “language” they could not understand. / New America Media

Newark, DE
GROUND BROKEN FOR NEW SCHOOL FOR DEAF
Good timing is everything, and that was the case with the long-awaited construction of the new Delaware School for the Deaf near Newark. "This project has started and stopped several times while we waited for the Legislature to release the funds," said Della Thomas, director of the Delaware School for the Deaf, statewide programs and deaf-blind programs. So Thomas was buoyed to learn -- in her first week on the job in June -- that the construction had received the final go-ahead. And last Tuesday, she took part in an official groundbreaking ceremony that paves the way for an 18-month project that is designed to help bring the school's students into the 21st century. / The News Journal

New York, NY
HOTEL CARTER SETTLES U.S. SUIT OVER ACCESS TO DISABLED
The owners of the Hotel Carter, a somewhat seedy fixture of the Times Square entertainment district, have agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department charging that the hotel’s public areas, restrooms and guest rooms were not sufficiently accessible to disabled people. Under a consent decree signed last Tuesday, the hotel will, within the next three years, make its public entrance, registration counter and public restrooms accessible to the disabled; designate 13 rooms with roll-in showers for disabled guests; and set aside 22 other rooms for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. / The New York Times

Annapolis, MD
MAN CHARGED AFTER PUNCHING, BREAKING ANNAPOLIS BUS WINDOW
A man upset about being unable to sit with his wife on an Annapolis bus last Wednesday afternoon punched and broke a bus window, Annapolis police said. A bus driver told officers the problem occurred around 4:30 p.m. in the 900 block of Spa Road. Police said a man who is deaf explained to officers, with his wife interpreting sign language, that he was sorry and did not mean to break the window. / Baltimore Sun

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INTERNATIONAL
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Eastern Cape, South Africa
POLICE STRUGGLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH MUTE AND DEAF AXE-MURDER SUSPECT
Eastern Cape police are still trying to find someone to communicate with a mute and deaf murder suspect. The man allegedly hacked his mother and her four grandchildren to death with an axe. Police have not been able to converse with the man for over a week now. “At this stage we do not have someone who can translate what we are saying,” said the police’s Mzukisi Fatyela. / Eyewitness News

Gulu, Uganda
DUMB, DEAF BOY STRANDED IN GULU
A deaf-and-dumb boy, looking for his parents, is stranded in Gulu. The boy, who has been stranded for over a year, neither talks nor hears but tries to write names such as Paul Karuhanga and Louis Kamukama if asked to do so in a question written in Luganda. He is currently staying with a 39-year-old woman, Rose Ajok. “The boy has frequently attempted to commit suicide by lying in the road to be knocked dead since he has failed to get back to his parents,” she said. / The New Vision

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
DEAF STUDENTS PUT IN DOG CAGES, SUIT CLAIMS
Two former students of the Manitoba School for the Deaf are suing the province. In the suit, filed Sept. 30 in Court of Queen's Bench, the students allege they were physically and sexually assaulted and harassed by staff and classmates for years. The two women, now in their 40s, attended the school in the 1970s and 80s. The allegations have not yet been proven in court. A statement of defense has not yet been filed by the government. / CBC News

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
DEAF-MUTE'S SIXTH SEX ATTACK
The Crown is considering a dangerous offender bid for a deaf-mute man who pleaded guilty yesterday to his sixth sexual assault. Marc Lecuyer, 31, entered his guilty plea through a sign-language interpreter. The chubby man, clad in a baggy lumberjack shirt, watched the interpreter intently as the court heard that on Feb. 24, he followed a woman he knew into the laundry room of an apartment complex. He was captured on a surveillance camera wearing only boxer shorts. His penis was hanging out. / Edmonton Sun

Salford, Greater Manchester, England
SALFORD STUDENT BECOMES FIRST DEAF MALE NURSE
A student from the University of Salford has become the first deaf male nurse to enter the nursing register using British Sign Language (BSL) as his first language. Andrew Maxim graduated with a Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, making him only the tenth deaf nursing graduate nationally. Mr. Maxim has been offered a role as a staff nurse at the National Centre for Mental Health and Deafness, at Prestwich Hospital. / Nursing Times

England
COULD TOPLESS DRIVING MAKE YOU DEAF?
It's like driving in the good old days. On a fine sunny morning you fold the roof back on the sports number and really open it up with the wind in your hair and roaring in your ears. But it could harm your hearing. One respected science correspondent this week reported that a British doctor claims that driving at just 50 mph with the roof down can create noise levels that permanently damage your hearing. / Ayrshire Post

Amritsar, Punjab, India
PINGALWARA CHARITABLE SOCIETY TO OPEN SCHOOL FOR DEAF
The Pingalwara Charitable Society, a home for destitute, aged, disabled, handicapped, orphans and mentally retarded, will open a school for deaf and dumb children at its Manawala branch. The school, named after founder of Pingalwara Bhagat Puran Singh, would come up in the three-storey building constructed with the financial aid of more than Rs 60 lakh provided by Dr V.S. Abrol of Jalandhar. / Global Sikh News

New Delhi, India
AFTER 15 YEARS OF TRYING, DEAF CANDIDATE GETS INTO IAS
Maniram Sharma has won a 15-year-old battle for justice. Last Thursday, this deaf IAS (Indian Administrative Services) candidate learned he has made it to the service. With this, Maniram has not just won a personal battle but a milestone victory for disabled persons like him who have been kept away from the premier government service. "I still can't believe it has happened. It has not sunk in. After suffering so many disappointments, it's difficult to imagine it has actually come true,'' Maniram told TOI. / The Times of India

Nigeria
DEAF WOMAN CHASES GHANAIAN ACTOR
Ghanaian actor, Prince David Osei got the shock of his life when a deaf and dumb woman chased him as he walked through the streets of Nigeria, just to get his attention. "She started demonstrating how she saw me on TV," David said. "I stood there speechless and exclaimed waoo! She can’t speak, she can’t hear but she was able to make me out. As a matter of fact I opened my mouth till a fly almost entered." / Peace FM Online

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Mary A. Rappazzo, a deaf artist, created her online stores and is listed in an art book: "Deaf Artists in America: Colonial to Contemporary" by Deborah Sonnenstrahl.

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LIFE & LEISURE
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Rochester, NY
CDC FUNDS PIONEERING WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM IN DEAF COMMUNITY
The University of Rochester Medical Center and its partners in the deaf community are setting out to tackle a common problem - obesity - by using a unique approach. Researchers will launch the nation’s first randomized, clinical study of ways to reduce obesity in the underserved deaf population. They plan to adapt an existing weight-loss intervention program by translating English language to American Sign Language (ASL), and training members of the Rochester deaf community to act as weight-loss coaches. / URMC Newsroom

Folsom, CA
FORMERLY DEAF TEEN HELPS HOMELESS KEEP WARM
Born into a world without sound, a young Folsom girl overcame her disability and now helps others. Elizabeth Cocker, 14, was born deaf. When she was about 7, she received cochlear implants that allowed her to hear. Now, she works to help the homeless. “I’m making scarves and blankets for the homeless and we’re trying to keep them warm during the winter,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for three or four years.” / El Dorado Hills Telegraph

New York, NY
SAY WHAT? 8 WAYS TO LOSE YOUR HEARING
Cruising on a highway in a convertible with the top down and radio blasting may be one of the classic images that spring to mind when we think of the pleasures of driving an automobile. In reality, such a scenario is more likely to be deafening, with the roar of the wind punctuated by sounds of traffic. And according to a new study, the noise associated with driving a convertible can damage hearing over time. The following is a list of ways hearing can be damaged and lost. / ABC News

Portland, OR
HELP ME SEX UP MY HEARING LOSS -- PLEASE?
I need a small decorative box with a secure closure. Something appx 2 inches deep and the size of a coffin for a fat minnow. It has to be pretty and femmy and make everyone who sees it think "I want that on my nightstand." The case my hearing aids came in is not sexy. I need a case that will help make my hearing loss seem more of a charming quirk rather than a sign that 39 is almost 50. / The Portland Mercury

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Nassau and Suffolk County NY
EXPERT TUTORING FOR HEARING IMPAIRED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Darlene Schaefer, Certified Teacher of the Deaf, with over 20 years of ORAL, SIGN and TOTAL COMMUNICATION teaching experience, has switched from full-time classroom teaching to providing the one-on-one extra help that can make your child more successful. Language development, academic and social life-skills can now be provided at your home, Mrs. Schaefer’s office in Melville, NY, or other venues. References upon request. Reasonable rates. FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION. Call or email today to give your child the boost they need.

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631 643-2065
516 330-3997
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WORKING WORLD
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Herriman, UT
LEADER OF UTAH SCHOOLS FOR DEAF, BLIND SETTLES IN
The new superintendent for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind is planning some reforms but says he's not aiming for a big shake-up. Steven Noyce says he wants the best-trained, most capable people in early intervention programs. While most of the schools' hearing intervention specialists have a master's degree and some level of certification, Noyce wants them all certified in sign language and auditory verbal therapy. He thinks most of the training can be done in house using already trained staff. / LocalNews8

Evanston, IL
STUDENTS CAMPAIGN FOR ASL CLASSES
Students in Northwestern's American Sign Language Club have begun organizing their efforts to create sign language classes at NU, arguing that the deaf have their own culture and language that merit scholarly study. Associated Student Government Academic Director Muhammad Safdari said ASL classes are still in the early stages of development. The Weinberg senior said he has created an ad hoc academic committee to develop a plan that demonstrates NU's need for a faculty member to teach ASL classes in the School of Communication. "We need to keep moving forward until we find that door to open somewhere," Safdari said. / The Daily Northwestern

Bennington, VT
MAU DEAF EDUCATION PROGRAM TO END
After educating a small group of deaf children at the middle school since 2000, Bennington's deaf education program for children will be closing at the conclusion of the school year. The "school within a school," as director Brenda Seitz calls it, has educated six students since being installed in Bennington and this year has three eighth-grade students who will soon graduate and one in seventh grade -- all of whom have been in the program since 2000. "We are closing this program in June because you can't run a program with one child and no peers," Seitz said. / Bennington Banner

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Keith Wann's ASL Comedy Tour 2009-2010

Keith Wann, renowned for his hilarious, sidesplitting comedy performances, is now producing and hosting the ASL Comedy Tour 2009, which will travel the U.S. this year. With American Sign Language (ASL) artists presenting solo performances incorporating comedy, skits, songs, improvisation, and stories, each show lasts two hours. Sponsored by www.CallVRS.org, the multi-city tour is designed to be affordable for each location - making it ideal as a fundraiser for participating organizations.

“We really want to reach out to all communities, so we are sharing in the costs and profits at each location. We will work closely with booking parties to maximize profits for their organization and to bring in as many people as possible for a night of laughter, socialization and fun,” Wann said. “We also offer workshops by some of our performers, which can be held the day of the performance. People can come to our workshops, and then unwind by attending the comedy show that evening.”

www.aslcomedytour.com
Contact KemiProductionsInc@gmail.com.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Hollywood, CA
'HEROES': DEANNE BRAY AS NEW HERO EMMA
Now THIS is a "Heroes" episode I can get behind. Welcome to the show, Deanne Bray as Emma. ... We are introduced to a new character tonight: Emma, a deaf woman who starts to see sounds as colors, which is awesome. She's understandably freaked but does do a little impromptu cello playing in the park and the music and lights and colors are gorgeous, it's a great scene. Thoughts & Tidbits: Did you catch Louis Fletcher as the nurse Emma talks to? That's right, Nurse Ratched in the flesh. Excellent bit of casting there. / Zap2it / Play clip

Los Angeles, CA
CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD EXTENDS DEAF WEST RUN TO NOVEMBER
The Deaf West Theatre production of Mark Medoff's Tony-winning drama Children of a Lesser God, starring Shoshannah Stern and Matthew Jaeger, has extended performances through Nov. 1. Jonathan Barlow Lee, who was the stage manager for the Broadway run of Children of a Lesser God, directs the 30th anniversary production, which began performances Sept. 6 and was originally set to close Oct. 11. / Playbill

Richmond, KY
ASL COMEDY BRINGS LAUGHS
Laughter was the only thing that could be heard. Throughout the night in the Student Services Building, the room was largely quiet, punctuated only by bursts of laughter. For a routine show, that silence might have seemed unusual. But on this night, it was expected, as this performance was not about what was heard, but what was seen. On Oct. 5, the American Sign Language Comedy Tour paid a visit to Eastern's campus, putting on a show for the deaf community. / The Eastern Progress Online

Binghamton, NY
CHENANGO VALLEY STUDENTS CARVE OUT COLLEGE CREDIT
In Kathryn Heller's hands, a newspaper-covered figure was bending into a handstand. Figures in motion are the next project in the senior's three-dimensional design class at Chenango Valley High School. For one recent project, students explored deaf artist Thad Martin, whose sculptures depicted deaf people struggling to learn to speak. For their own project, students sculpted hands doing sign language -- particularly those letters they found most difficult to form with their own hands. / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin

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10% off GENTEX SMOKE DETECTORS AT WCI!

Safeguard your home with a Gentex Smoke Detector and save 10% off the price in October. Choose from either hardwired or portable units. Each one offers a reliable, early warning to the presence of smoke. For more details and to order, call us now 1-800-233-9130 (V/TTY) or visit us online at http://www.weitbrecht.com/specials.html?utm_source=dw (Use code WCID1009). For a copy of our new catalog, email your request to sales@weitbrecht.com.

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callVRS has a new facelift and continues to give you the "freedom of choice"! callVRS allows you to find your favorite interpreter for your many needs. Keith Wann is now showing his serious side by bringing us a VRS company that his parents would be proud of...and one where interpreters want to work. You have seen him do silly commercials for other VRS companies, but he is also a Nationally Certified Interpreter, NIC Master and CI CT and calls himself a profesional Coda interpreter. "For the other VRS companies, I was a paid actor, with callVRS my true voice can be heard... It's time we have a VRS provider focus on the interpreters along with the callers to make the VRS experience better for everyone" www.callVRS.org - dial callVRS.info on your video phone.

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SPORTS
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Huntingburg, IN
BASEBALL SENSE KEEPS DEAF PLAYER IN GAME
Playing baseball as a female brings its own challenges — but Jill Bianco of the Chicago Stealth routinely deals with an even more constant one. She is deaf. Even though Bianco can't hear it, the crack of her bat sounds pretty sweet to her teammates. They competed over the weekend in the American Women's Baseball Federation national championship tourney at League Stadium in Huntingburg. / Evansville Courier & Press

Dallastown, PA
DEAF DALLASTOWN JV FOOTBALL PLAYER IS 'JUST ONE OF THE GUYS'
As the football flew through the air, a collective gasp overtook the Dallastown junior varsity bench when defensive back Josh Hess circled under it with arms extended. It was one of those moments in sports where time stood still as the ball seemingly took forever to find its way to the 5-foot-9, 140-pound sophomore. The gasp turned to cheers and screams when Hess came down with the ball for an interception that cemented a victory at Kennard-Dale. He was quickly mobbed by screaming teammates. Not that Hess heard his teammates' celebration. He has been deaf since birth. / The York Daily Record

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EVENTS
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Washington, DC
FCC TO HOLD BROADBAND FIELD HEARING ON IMPACT ON DISABILITY COMMUNITY
As part of its preparation for the national broadband plan, the Federal Communications Commission will hold a hearing October 20 on the topic of disabilities at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Commissioner Michael Copps will be the host and the public is encouraged to attended the event to present their ideas and comments to the commission. This will be the first field hearing on the topic of disabilities. / Broadband Census
Event Web Page

New York, NY
VMP & MICA GO GREEN FUNDRAISER
Your Host: DeafVision Filmworks
What: VMP & MICA GO GREEN FUNDRAISER
Where: THE VILLAGE POURHOUSE UPTOWN
982 Amsterdam Ave @ 109th Street
New York, NY 10025
(Take #1 (Red line to 110th St.)
When: November 5th, 2009, 6pm - 10pm
Event Web Page

Cincinnati, OH
CLIMB FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING COMMUNITY
Community Services for the Deaf (CSD) will host its 2nd Climb-A-Thon benefiting the Cincinnati Deaf and hard of hearing community. The event will take place at Rockquest located at 3475 E. Kemper Road on Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Climbers raising the most money will win fabulous prizes. The cost is $10 per climber with a minimum of $50 raised from sponsorship. / Cincinnati Enquirer

Rochester, NY
NATIONAL MATH CONTEST FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH HEARING LOSS
Deaf or hard-of-hearing middle school students from across the country can participate in Rochester Institute of Technology’s fourth annual Math Competition for Students with Hearing Loss on April 9-11, 2010 at RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf. This competition, for students in grades 6 to 8 who are deaf or hard of hearing, is designed to promote math as fun and engaging and features three rounds that test speed and accuracy, teamwork and additional math skills. / Deaf Network of Texas

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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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EXCITING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AT GLAD, INC.

* Administrative Assistant - Cypress, CA
* Job Developer/Interpreter - Pacoima, CA
* Community Interpreter - Los Angeles, CA

To learn more about these positions, please visit our website, www.gladinc.org.

To be considered for these positions please submit your resume and application to:
Jeff Fetterman
2222 Laverna Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Fax: (323) 550-4265
jfetterman@gladinc.org

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Available Now

Las Vegas Charter School of the Deaf
1951 S. Rainbow Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89146

DATE: October 2009

POSITION: ELEMENTARY TEACHER

REQUIRED CREDENTIALS:
Send an application, current resume, letters of recommendation and copies of transcripts

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
-- Bachelor’s Degree, preferably Master's Degree in Deaf Education
-- Experience teaching and working with Deaf and hard of hearing students
-- Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) at the advanced skill level

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
-- Performs work associated with standards-based student instruction: prepares lesson plans and develops input for the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
-- Demonstrates knowledge and skill in the areas of assessments, progress monitoring, behavior management, and curriculum development.
-- Participates in activities related to staff development and training/workshops.

TO OBTAIN INFORMATION, Please contact Cathy Bennett, Director at cbennett@lvcsd.org

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TEACHER OF THE DEAF - Middle School, Language Arts
COLORADO SCHOOL for the DEAF and the BLIND

Official job announcement may be found under non-classified employment at CSDB’s website…http://www.csdb.org

Salary based on appropriate education and experience. Excellent benefits. Open until filled. Interviews conducted on-site at CSDB. Send letter of interest, current resume, completed Employment Application, recent letters of recommendation, copies of transcripts, and a copy of current teacher certification to:

Chelle Lutz
CSDB - HR
33 North Institute Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 578-2114 (phone)
(719) 578-2239 (fax)
E-mail: clutz@csdb.org

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Job Announcement
Job Title: Executive Director
Employer: Southwest Washington Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (SWCDHH)
Vancouver, Washington

Job Description:
These responsibilities include management of personnel and services: implementation of Board policies; communication with the public, Board and community; program development; fundraising; data collection and fulfilling state reporting requirements; and direct client services to provide mentoring, advocacy, community access, and information and referral.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Knowledge and Abilities Desired:
- Thorough familiarity with the American Deaf culture and issues facing Deaf and Deaf-Blind consumers is required.
- Full knowledge of the special needs and issues of those who are Hard of Hearing.
- An understanding of the current issues related to Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing consumers accessing public and social services, in addition to familiarity with laws and regulations pertaining to Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing consumers.
- Demonstrated knowledge of budgeting concepts and practices, knowledge of personnel management practices and knowledge of the social service delivery system.
- Proven ability/skills with grant writing.

Minimum Qualifications/Required Skills:
- A Bachelor's degree in Social Services, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred
- Experience in providing social services to the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing (3 years) with supervisory experience (1 year)
- Fluency in American Sign Language
- Good communication skills including presentations and report writing.

Salary and benefits based upon qualifications and experience.
SWCDHH is an equal opportunity employer; people with disabilities and minorities are encouraged to apply.

TO APPLY: Please submit cover letter, resume, and list of 3 professional references by regular mail or email.

Deadline: October 20, 2009

Mail: ATTN: Search Committee - Executive Committee
% SWCDHH
PO Box 871268
Vancouver, WA 98687

Email: mailto:stromberg@swcdhh.org

For more information, contact John Burke (Board Chairman) at mailto:johnsign13@yahoo.com

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Purple Account Services Rep
Location: Rocklin, CA

Purple Communications’ vision is to improve the quality of life of its customers by being their premier provider of high quality, innovative communication services that break down communications barriers.
We are experiencing tremendous growth and are looking to add strong expertise to our world-class teams!

Brief summary of duties:
Under the supervision of the Manager - Sales Operations, the Purple Account Services Representative will be responsible for making outbound calls and managing incoming calls for device qualification. In addition, the PAS Representative will help educate customers on the company’s products and services. The representative will also be required to maintain accounts through follow up and customer retention surveys.

Areas of Responsibility:
* Utilize the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to develop and maintain customers, and to continually update relevant customer information as required
* Communicate company value proposition to build loyalty, and maintain customer base
* Provide follow up support for all accounts
* Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
* Ability to effectively communicate using American Sign Language (ASL)
* Basic knowledge of MS Excel and MS Outlook
* Extremely organized and highly motivated
* Excellent written communication skills, and ability to communicate effectively through email
* Attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy in data entry
* Ability to work a flexible shift between the hours of 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. PST

Experience with the following is a plus:
* Experience with CRM a plus

Physical Requirements:
Employees may experience the following physical demands for extended periods of time:
* Sitting, standing and walking (95-100%)
* Keyboarding (40-60%)
* Viewing computer monitor, videophone, and pager requiring close vision (40-60%)

Work Environment:
Work is performed in a business office environment. Some travel to company, customer and vendor sites, including some that are out of state may be required.

TO APPLY:
Please submit your resume to: www.purple.us. Click on the Careers tab and job listings, or submit your resume directly to terri.coppel@purple.us in the Recruiting Dept.

Purple Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Principals only please.

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Customer Retention and Recruiting Specialist
Location: Corona, CA

About Purple Communications:
Purple Communications is one of the nation's largest providers of communication services for the deaf, hard of hearing, and speech-disabled communities. As a leading provider of onsite interpreting services, video relay and text relay services, and video remote interpreting, the Company delivers a wide array of options designed to meet the varied communication needs of its customers. Purple Communication’s vision is to improve the quality of life of its customers by being their premier provider of high quality, innovative communication services that break down communications barriers.

Brief summary of duties:
Customer Retention Specialist / Customer Recruiting Representative will be responsible for qualifying leads by cold calling and teaching customers how to use VRS services. This position works with customers on an outbound and inbound basis, helping them resolve any issues they may have related to using Purple products. In addition, they will call prospective deaf customers and convert them to become customers of Purple Communications. The representative will also be required to maintain accounts through follow up and customer retention surveys.

Areas of Responsibility:
1. Responsible for gathering data on both satisfied and dissatisfied customers and will work with other Purple teams to bring any customer issues to resolution.
2. Make outbound calls & qualify leads provided by Marketing or referrals
3. Market and provide support for VRS & Text Relay Services
4. Convert original equipment to use Purple communications / Hands On VRS
5. Communicate company value proposition to build loyalty, and maintain customer base
6. Provide follow up support for all accounts (inactive and active)
7. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:
1. Communicate effectively with customers
2. Requires the ability to stay on track and meet daily production goals.
3. Requires an energetic and outgoing person
4. Must be friendly, empathetic, a good team player, quick thinker and be able to multi task effectively

*** Good English skills and ASL fluency are required ***

Physical Requirements
Employees may experience the following physical demands for extended periods of time:
* Sitting, standing and walking (95-100%)
* Keyboarding (40-60%)
* Viewing computer monitor, videophone, and pager requiring close vision (40-60%)

Work Environment:
Work is performed in a business office environment. Some travel to company, customer and vendor sites, including some that are out of state may be required.

TO APPLY:
Please submit your resume to: www.purple.us. Click on the Careers tab and job listings, or submit your resume directly to terri.coppel@purple.us in the Recruiting Dept.

Purple Communications is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Principals only please.

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