Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive Deafweekly.
SIGN UP HERE for a free subscription. Be sure to open the confirmation email and click on the link to activate your subscription. It is required by law and prevents others from signing you up without your permission.
ADDRESS CHANGES are self serve. Simply unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of every newsletter, then sign up for a subscription with your new address.
Last issue's most-read story: MANY DEAF SCHOOL STUDENTS WEREN'T RAISED WITH SIGN LANGUAGE / The Press-Enterprise
Last week's website page views:7,185
Deafweekly subscribers as of today: 5,302
ADVERTISE IN DEAFWEEKLY FOR $20 OR LESS PER WEEK
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NATIONAL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tempe, AZ
FEDS TRYING TO ELIMINATE HOUSING FOR THE DEAF -- AT COMPLEX BUILT FOR HEARING-IMPAIRED
Arizona is defying a federal order to eliminate apartments for deaf seniors at a housing complex built specifically -- for the deaf. "I think it's about the most ridiculous thing I've heard in a while," said Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who attempted to negotiate the impasse. A 2005 federal study found that the U.S. had virtually no affordable housing for the deaf. So the federal government helped build Apache ASL Trails, a 75-unit apartment building in Tempe, Ariz., designed specifically for the deaf. But now, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development says Apache ASL Trails violates civil rights law -- because it shows a preference for the hearing-impaired. / Fox News
Philadelphia, PA
VICTIM IN ALLEGED KIDNAP FOR BENEFITS CASE TESTIFIES WITH HELP OF 4 SIGN-LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS
A judge has sentenced a South Philadelphia man to up to five years in prison for violating probation in an endangering a child case, based on the extraordinary testimony of a 63-year-old man who can’t hear or speak, read or write, and who has minimal sign language skills. Defendant Dwayne Young allegedly violated probation by locking victim Willie Richardson in his basement and stealing his money. And prosecutor Noel Ann DeSantis proved her case with the help of four sign-language interpreters working together, who interpreted Richardson’s sounds, gestures, facial expressions, even eye movements, used picture boards and engaged in role playing demonstrations with each other and the witness to demonstrate words and concepts. / CBS Philly
Poway, CA
DEAF TEEN IN LONG LEGAL BATTLE WITH SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR TRANSCRIBING SERVICE
A Poway High School senior has been battling the Poway Unified School District for years over what she says is a necessary accommodation for herself and other deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Delanie Harrington, who is 17, was diagnosed as deaf as a toddler. A cochlear implant and hearing aids have helped, but Harrington, who does not use American Sign Language and was raised to speak, wants the district to provide her and other deaf and hard-of-hearing students with a interpreting system called CART (Communication Access RealTime Translation), which the district has denied. / Pomerado News
Washington, DC
DEAF ADVOCATES SUING UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND FOR ACCESS HAVE TRACK RECORD FOR SUCCESS
The lawsuit filed in September by the National Association of the Deaf against the University of Maryland for its lack of amenities for deaf fans at sporting events is just one of many such efforts to ensure hearing-impaired sports enthusiasts can enjoy themselves at stadiums. Association CEO Howard A. Rosenblum said his organization has successfully sued other athletic organizations over the same issue, including the Washington Redskins, Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky. / Capital Gazette
San Diego, CA
ASL CLUB PLEA UNIVERSITY FOR PROGRAM'S RETURN
Isaiah Moore stands in complete silence surrounded by a group of about 20 students. Though no words are spoken aloud, Moore’s agile hands tell his story to his captive audience. Moore, unlike most of the students around him, is deaf. He has spent most of his life in deaf education, but he is able to communicate to his hearing audience through American Sign Language. “I used to want to go to SDSU,” Moore signed. “But since they closed the deaf studies program there is no place for me here.” / The Daily Aztec
Council Bluffs, IA
IOWA SCHOOL FOR DEAF STUDENTS LET LOOSE THEIR 'ROAR' FOR KATY PERRY CONTEST
When Katy Perry and “Good Morning America” announced the Roar with Katy Perry contest last month, high school students at the Iowa School for the Deaf jumped at the opportunity. The contest offered the chance to win a live performance from Perry, but that wasn’t what motivated the students to participate. Instead, it was a chance to show off their school — and how proud they are to be a part of it. The contest required high school students to create a video interpretation of any portion of Perry’s song “Roar.” / Omaha World-Herald
Laredo, TX
90 AREA DEAF STUDENTS FIND NORMALCY AT LISD
Belen Villarreal stands at the front of her classroom at Cigarroa Middle School, microphone headset on and hands moving with swift motion. Villarreal’s students are doing research on people who are just like them, people who are deaf. Laredo Independent School District is charged with providing education for 90 deaf students in Webb and Zapata counties. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students have the option of attending Texas School for the Deaf in Austin but many stay in their home areas to be close to family. / Laredo Morning Times
Vineland, NJ
'CLASSROOM CLOSE-UP, NJ' SPOTLIGHTS POPULAR VINELAND SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER
Although the classroom was silent, students were abuzz with conversation, interacting with each other through American Sign language (ASL). They had to stay quiet because a television crew from “Classroom Close-up, NJ” was filming a feature on their teacher Juliana Frankenfield Wednesday. The majority of the signing was between an interpreter and two deaf students, but some of the Vineland High School teenagers were also asking their teacher if there is still going to be a quiz on Friday. “They’re used to having class without spoken English,” Frankenfield said. / South Jersey Times
Washington, DC
FEMA, NPR PARTNER ON EMERGENCY ALERT PREPAREDNESS FOR DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING
The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a cooperative pilot project with National Public Radio's (NPR's) technology research and development group, NPR Labs, to demonstrate the delivery of the first-ever, real-time emergency alert messages to people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in five Gulf states. Twenty-five NPR-affiliated public radio stations throughout Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas agreed to participate in the pilot project to transmit emergency alert messages, such as weather alerts, to 475 individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. / Radio Magazine
Harrisburg, PA
NEW HELP FOR DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING PEOPLE
The Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania has come out with a series of fact sheets and videos to help deaf and hard-of-hearing people. According to a news release, the program is designed to explain the rights of people who are deaf or hard of hearing in medical settings such as doctor's offices and hospitals, courts and law offices, police settings and jails, places of employment, entertainment venues and in facilities providing intellectual disability services. / Lehigh Valley Health
Jackson Twp., OH
DEAF, HARD-OF-HEARING INDIVIDUALS ENCOURAGED TO PARTNER WITH GOVERNMENT
Kate Croteau, 15, is hard of hearing. The problem is worsening with age, so she’s learning American Sign Language. The teenager, from Galion, came with her mother, Helene, to the Ohio Association of the Deaf conference in Jackson Township at the suggestion of her sign language instructor. Friday marked Kate’s first ASL event, and she said the outing was helping her learn the fluidity of the language. / Canton Repository
Plymouth, MN
MIRACLE-EAR FOUNDATION GIVES [HEARING AIDS] TO FIRST ADULT RECIPIENT
Miracle-Ear of Longview, Wash., a part of the nationwide hearing solution franchise, partnered with the Miracle-Ear Foundation to give [hearing aids] to Mary McDaniel. Mary is the first adult to receive hearing aids since the nonprofit expanded its reach to provide assistance to both hearing impaired children and adults. / PRWeb
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV+++
Stay Connected with Sprint IP Relay!
Use our new and improved Sprint IP Relay on your wireless device, computer and even your tablet! Registration is required before placing your first call.
Learn more at www.sprintip.com.
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
INTERNATIONAL
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chennai, India
HEARING-IMPAIRED MEN RUN OVER BY TRAIN IN CHENNAI
Two hearing-impaired men were run over by an electric train in Pattabiram on Sunday evening. According to police, one of the victims was Koti, 56, who lived with his family in Tiruvallur. He had retired recently after working at a government office. On Sunday morning, he left home with his brother-in-law Veeramani. The two had set out to distribute invitations for Koti’s son’s wedding. The police identified them with the help of the invitation cards and other documents the two had on them. / The Hindu
London, England
HOW DEAF WOMEN ARE VULNERABLE TO DOMESTIC ABUSE: THE TRAGIC STORY OF SAFIYA
Safiya is in a cellar. She’s ten years old and is deaf and mute. It’s cold and damp and she can’t hear who’s coming. It was back in Pakistan that her mother and father died and she’s been brought somewhere dark she doesn’t know. An elderly man slaps her. She is raped. The man and his wife make her serve them. She cooks the meals and cleans the house. She washes their car and is told to do the same for their friends. He beats her. She can’t read or write and is kept away from school. / NewStatesman
London, England
PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE CLARIFIES REPORTS THAT DEAF SPORTS ARE IN FOR TOKYO 2020
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has moved to dismiss reports that deaf sports will be included in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo 2020. On the official IPC website a statement appeared on Friday saying that the IPC Chairman, Sir Philip Craven, had been misquoted as saying that it was an IPC objective for deaf sports to be included in the 2020 games in Tokyo while he actually said it was an ICSD (International Committee of Sports for the Deaf) objective to get some events included for deaf athletes. / The Limping Chicken
Gloucestershire, England
HAVE YOU HEARD THE ONE ABOUT THE DEAF COMEDIAN?
When a Gloucestershire deaf charity booked world-renowned comedian John Smith for a gig little did they know just what a hit he was going to be. His stand-up routine, which is performed entirely using British Sign Language, proved popular when he performed at the Gloucestershire Deaf Association's Barnwood community centre on Friday night. Events co-ordinator, Gemma Sills, said: "A lot of comedy acts are out of bounds for deaf people and we wanted to bring something to our own centre that would reach out to our community." / This is Gloucestershire
Hertfordshire, England
DEAF ROYSTON MAN DENIED SHUTTLE BUS ACCESS
A deaf man has made a formal complaint after he and his assistance dog were denied access to an airport shuttle bus. Tony McMurray, of Priory Close, Royston, attempted to board the bus with his dog, Mac, as he was dropping his partner off at Luton Airport. However, the driver of the vehicle, which is operated by APCOA Parking, refused to take him because he said dogs were not allowed to travel. / Royston Crow
Dublin, Ireland
PARENTS OF DEAF CHILDREN BACK ON THE STREETS TO HIGHLIGHT CAMPAIGN
Members of the Happy New Ear Campaign were back outside the Dail last week in their latest attempt to secure Government funding for a bilateral cochlear implant program for deaf children. Parents held a one-minute silence in support of the children whose single cochlear implants have failed, plunging them back into a world of silence. In Ireland, single cochlear implants are provided for profoundly deaf children. However, best international practice is for two implants to be simultaneously inserted. / Dublin People
Galway, Ireland
IRISH SIGN LANGUAGE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION TO OPEN IN GALWAY CITY MUSEUM
Where would you be likely to find [numerous Irish celebrities] in one room? A stunning photography exhibition featuring all these celebrities and many more will be showing in Galway at the city museum. The exhibition is a free event open to the public in Galway City Museum November 4-18. "Signs of Life" is organized by the Irish Deaf society and is the first Irish Sign Language (ISL) celebrity photography exhibition. / Galway Advertiser
Haifa, Israel
BEDOUIN SIGN LANGUAGE MAY BE THE KEY TO HUMAN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
The unique sign language of a Bedouin tribe in the Negev is giving researchers in Israel a priceless look at how humans develop language. Professor Wendy Sandler and her staff, along with a pair of American researchers, have been researching the unique sign language used by the Al-Said Bedouin tribe in the Negev town of Hura for over a decade. The study has revealed a complex, language creation process in a setting with no prior linguistic example. / Haaretz
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
DEAF PASSENGERS TO 'HEAR' IN SMART DUBAI TAXIS
Dubai taxis will soon have the ability for passengers to tap the electronic screen to access the airport’s website or even your airline’s. This is especially handy for visitors without Internet connection for their smartphones or tablets. This and other ways in which Dubai taxis are becoming smarter have been publicized at the Dubai Taxi Corporation stand at international technology fair Gitex 2013, which kicked off on October 20. / Khaleej Times
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
The Z™ offers the best in videophone technology, providing equipment options to meet customers' individual needs and offering features not available through other VRS providers. Professional, nationally certified interpreters follow standards of service excellence above and beyond FCC requirements. Dedicated to a spirit of innovation and commitment to excellence, The Z™ continues to set the industry standard as the nation's premier VRS provider. Go to www.zvrs.com for more information on all of our products, services and features. Don't have a Z phone? You can still join The Z™ Life by calling 888.888.1116 to connect to ZVRS from any videophone!
++++ADV+++++ADV+++++ADV++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LIFE & LEISURE
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Los Angeles, CA
MOM WHO CAN'T HEAL SON'S DEAFNESS IS DOING SOMETHING WRONG, CLAIMS PAT ROBERTSON
Pat Robertson claimed Sunday on the 700 Club that he has healed deaf people and that a woman who cannot heal her deaf son must be doing something "wrong." Robertson received a letter from a female viewer who wrote, "My son is hearing impaired and cannot hear at all. I have prayed for his healing; it seems as if God is hearing-impaired. What am I doing wrong?" Said Robertson. "I have dealt with people who are deaf and you rebuke the spirit of deafness and they get healed." / Opposing Views
New York, NY
DON'T HATE ME BECAUSE I CAN'T HEAR YOU
"We cran do your earwig pest cow," the nurse said. "What?" I asked. "I said, 'We can do your hearing test now.'" Uh-oh. Over the last few years, I've noticed my hearing is starting to go. I'm constantly asking people to repeat themselves. At restaurants, I have to lean in and strain to decipher the conversation, and at home, my kids regularly tease me about my hearing, shouting out non-sequiturs like "Louisiana Purchase" or "Barack Obama" to illustrate how far off I am with my guesses at what they've just said. / The Huffington Post
