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Last issue's most-read story: HEARING-IMPAIRED MAN SENTENCED IN SANTA FE KIDNAPPING / Albuquerque Journal News
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NATIONAL
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Lakeland, FL
SANFORD MAN SURRENDERS IN CONNECTION WITH HIT-AND-RUN DEATH OF DEAF POLK COUPLE
A Sanford man surrendered to the Florida Highway Patrol on Monday in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a deaf Polk County couple in October 2013. Robert Bates, 69, turned himself in to the FHP in St. Lucie County, said Sgt. Mark Wysocky, Broward County FHP spokesman. Mariah Alexis King, 19, and Vincent Tyschenko Mathews, 24, died in the crash that happened on Oct. 7, 2013 on the Florida Turnpike. / The Ledger
Los Angeles, CA
THEATERS PLEDGE TO IMPROVE MOVIE ACCESS FOR DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED
The nation's theater owners have agreed to make their cinemas more accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons. The National Assn. of Theatre Owners has reached an agreement with the the Alexander Graham Bell Assn. and other advocacy groups on a new set of recommendations to the Department of Justice, which is conducting a review of guidelines under the Americans with Disabilities Act. / LA Times
Brattleboro, VT
SOME VERMONTERS QUESTION THE BENEFITS OF MAINSTREAMING DEAF STUDENTS
The closing of Vermont's only school for the deaf has opened new debate about the best way to educate deaf and hard-of-hearing children. This fall more than 200 deaf and hard of hearing Vermonters and their allies held a rally at the statehouse in Montpelier. The event was organized by alumni of the Austine School for the Deaf in Brattleboro. The school closed in June after years of shrinking enrollment, ushered in by laws requiring public schools to appropriately educate children with disabilities. / Vermont Public Radio
Romney, WV
LEGISLATORS PLAN VISIT TO WV SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND THE BLIND
The West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind has not experienced significant capital projects in nearly 40 years, with the last buildings erected in the 1970s. On top of that, the Romney schools have not experienced significant renovation in nearly 30 years, with only one sizable renovation occurring to Seaton Hall in the 1980s. That situation may change in the near future. / State Journal
Framingham, MA
FRAMINGHAM DEAF SCHOOL GIVES THANKS FOR SCHOOL TRADITION
The Learning Center for the Deaf's annual Thanksgiving lunch had to have begun sometime. But even for long-timers at the school, the popular tradition might as well be as old as Thanksgiving Day itself. "I think it's been going on as long as the school's been in existence," said TLC's executive director, Judy Vreeland. "At least 35 years, maybe longer." Over that time, the event has grown from a small affair to one attended by the entire extended community. / The Framingham Tab
Hendersonville, TN
TOUCHING HEARTS: COMMUNITY UNITES TO RAISE $20K FOR DEAF, BLIND BOY, 6
If a Hendersonville first grader could speak, he'd be saying "thank you" to about 200 people he's never met. Lucas Hostettler, 6, will better hear the laughter, chattering and country music his family will share around the Thanksgiving table on Thursday thanks to a new hearing device community members have helped his family purchase. "The generosity of the people in Middle Tennessee has renewed my faith in humanity," his mother Amy Hostettler said tearfully. / The Tennessean
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INTERNATIONAL
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Linlithgow, Scotland
SEVEN GOVERNORS RESIGN OVER DEAF SCHOOL INQUIRIES
It is understood seven of the 16-member board at Donaldson's School in Linlithgow, West Lothian, have stepped down over a lack of confidence in its management. The latest development comes as police probe a number of concerns involving one of the school's employees, while deciding if a full investigation is required. Teachers have been given ministerial guidance to put together an emergency improvement plan after a surprise inspection was undertaken in the fallout from the allegations. / Herald Scotland
See Also DONALDSON'S SCHOOL FOR DEAF CHILDREN: IMPROVEMENT PLAN PRODUCED / BBC News
Darlington, England
DEAF CLUB BOSSES ARE FOUND GUILTY OF FRAUD
Company directors convicted of defrauding the taxpayer of £134,000 ($211,000 US) say they were naive, inexperienced and gained nothing from their fraud. Ian Johnston and partner Tracey Holliday – who ran the Darlington organization Deaf Development – claimed the cash from the government’s Access to Work scheme over a period of three years.The money was given to enable the pair to pay for support workers for disabled staff and interpreters for Ms Holliday, who is deaf. However, the Department of Work and Pensions said the support workers claimed for by the couple were “fictitious”, that Ms Holliday did not need a specialist interpreter and that the cash was used to prop up the failing business and to pay for their children’s private school fees. / The Northern Echo
London, England
HAZEL FIRST IN BRITAIN TO HAVE HER SIGN LANGUAGE NAME ON BIRTH CERTIFICATE
A deaf couple have become the first people in Britain to record their baby's name in sign language on her birth certificate. Theatre director Paula Garfield, 47, and her partner Tomato Lichy, 39, from Wembley, north London, wanted to record Hazel's name in British Sign Language (BSL), but said they were initially told by their local Brent Register Office that it was impossible. Now their personal name for four-year-old Hazel, a reference to her smiling face, has pride of place on her birth certificate - as UbOtDDstarL. / Daily Mail
Southampton, England
RESEARCHERS: DEAF CHILDREN HAVE BETTER READING SKILLS IF HEARING LOSS IS IDENTIFIED EARLY
Deaf children have better reading skills if their hearing loss is identified by nine months old, a Southampton study has found. A team from the University of Southampton has been following the development of a group of children identified as deaf at a very early age in a pilot programme conducted in the city in the 1990s. And follow up tests at ages eight and 17 have shown those who were screened for deafness at birth have better language skills than those who were not. / Daily Echo
Manchester, England
DEAF FOOTBALL TEAM DOCUMENTARY TO AIR ON MUTV
A new documentary featuring Manchester United Foundation’s deaf football team will air on MUTV on Nov. 24. After watching it I felt very proud to be part of something that started from nothing but has gone from strength to strength. "Universal Language" is a story that follows the deaf team’s set-up and their journey under the guidance of coaches Sean Bailey and Steve Harcourt, with the help of fitness coach Jade Mottley and sign communicator Lorri Wilson. / Manchester United Foundation
Swansea, Wales
REPORT INTO CHALLENGES FACING DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING AUDIENCES IN WALES PUBLISHED
Swansea University researchers have published a report, entitled Digital Switchover and Hard of Hearing Audience in Wales, looking at the communication barriers facing hard-of-hearing audiences after the digital switchover in Wales. The report has called for more to be done to ensure that opportunities made possible by the digital switchover are fully utilized in order to ensure a positive viewing experience for deaf and hard of hearing audiences in Wales. / Swansea University
Sydney, Australia
FUNDING CUTS THREATEN DEAF PLUMBER'S EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS
A deaf apprentice plumber fears he will have to give up his studies and any hopes of long-term employment because TAFE funding will no longer cover his sign-language interpreter. Anthony Hinton was unemployed and struggling to find work before he secured a plumbing apprenticeship and began studying at Granville TAFE. But under the 2015 Smart and Skilled reforms, the amount of money going to TAFE for extra services he relies on, such as sign-language interpreters and notetakers, will be cut. / Daily Telegraph
Canberra, Australia
FUTURE OF AUSLAN SIGN LANGUAGE THREATENED IN ACT
Advocates for the deaf community are concerned Auslan sign language courses will be shelved by Canberra Institute of Technology, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)'s only course supplier. Former CIT Auslan co-ordinator Mandy Dolejsi said Auslan is not readily available in the territory. Mrs Dolejsi is one of just two interpreters in Canberra and worries for its future if she retires as there would only be one qualified interpreter left. / The Advocate
Japan
FAKE JAPANESE 'BEETHOVEN' FACES DAMAGE LAWSUIT
The fraudulent composer once dubbed "Japan's Beethoven" is facing a lawsuit over the cancellation of his tour after it emerged he lied about his work and relied on a ghostwriter, reports said Tuesday. Mamoru Samuragochi faces a damage suit brought by concert organiser Samon Promotion, which is seeking 61 million yen ($520,000) from him because it had to cancel his tour after he admitted in February that he used a ghostwriter for his major works, TV Asahi said. / Yahoo! News
Zimbabwe
DEAF MURDER SUSPECT LANGUISHES IN REMAND
A deaf and dumb man who allegedly beat a relative to death during a beer drink is still languishing in remand prison two years after he was arrested for the offense. Nathan Ngwenya, 47, is alleged to have beat up Moses Michael Netha during a traditional beer drink. Netha died a few days later at his homestead on October 12, 2012. Ngwenya was arrested and has since then tried without success to have the trial start. / New Zimbabwe
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LIFE & LEISURE
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Internet
RAISING A DEAF CHILD MAKES THE WORLD SOUND DIFFERENT
Just before my youngest son Alex turned two, we discovered that he had significant hearing loss that was likely to get worse. A few weeks later, I found myself in the gym at the school my two older boys attended. I was there for the regular Friday morning assembly. I’d been in that gym dozens of times for such events -- dutifully clapping and cheering, chatting with other parents, and then moving on with my day. On this morning, my routine was upended. / TIME
Internet
SH*T PEOPLE NEED TO STOP SAYING TO DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY
It's not unthinkable for people to have questions about people who are deaf or hard of hearing. But sometimes, the unbridled curiosity goes too far. Video blogger and makeup guide Rikki Poynter knows that feeling all too well. In a new video, "Shit Hearing People Say (Things You Don't Say to Deaf and Hard of Hearing)," she highlights some of the most ridiculous things she's been told as a deaf person. / Mic
Lubbock, TX
LUBBOCK OPENS FIRST CHURCH DEDICATED TO DEAF WORSHIP
There are only 11 churches in the entire state of Texas dedicated to deaf worship. The closest in West Texas is an hour and a half away in Amarillo. The opening of Lubbock's first deaf church Sunday made the number grow to 12. Although deaf worships have existed in Lubbock for years, congregation and staff members said having their own church means so much more than just having a building. / FOX 34
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Learn how to make your local hospital more accessible for Deaf people. If you are Deaf or Hard of hearing, learn where to turn to advocate if your communication needs are not being met in the hospital setting.
Two different patient stories are told in the following video
http://healthbridges.info/?p=427
HealthBridges website offers information about social services, advocacy and behavioral health topics and resources available to persons who are Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of hearing.
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WORKING WORLD
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Washington, DC
CHRISTIN WHITE, DEAF LANSING NATIVE, MAKING WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS COOKIES
A year ago, Christin White, 27, was making Christmas cookies with a friend in Lansing. Now she’s helping make cookies for the White House. She is deaf, and found on visits that D.C. had more to offer in terms of deaf resources and culture. She moved from Lansing to D.C. in May of 2014 to attend the culinary arts program at The Art Institute of Washington, and was recently invited to volunteer at the White House. / MLive.com
Norman, OK
DEAF STUDENTS TRAIN NORMAN POLICE ACADEMY CADETS
Training to be a police officer for the Norman Police Department is intense. Cadets must be trained in firearms, criminal law, police vehicle operations, and more. For the past six years, students at the Moore Norman Technology Center who cannot hear are an important part of the cadets' curriculum. These three students are deaf and what they're teaching could help thousands of Oklahoma drivers. They're teaching cadets how to overcome barriers when drivers who can't speak meet officers who can't sign. / KOKH FOX25
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Acushnet, MA
YOUNG DEAF MAN COMMUNICATES THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY
A profoundly deaf young man has discovered the power of communication through a camera lens and looks to share his photography as he captures the history and beauty of the South Coast region. Adam Richard, a 22 year-old Acushnet resident and art student, spent many years living in an isolated world, like many individuals with disabilities. On the long daily commute to Providence, where he attended the Rhode Island School for the Deaf, he used his cell phone to take pictures of passing landmarks and sights that captured his interest. / South Coast Today
Internet
EL DEAFO: MOVING, FRESH COMIC-BOOK MEMOIR ABOUT GROWING UP DEAF
When Cece Bell was four years old, she contracted meningitis, and lost her hearing. El Deafo is the story of how she grew up with her deafness, the way it affected her education, family life and social relationships, and the way she found strength and power in the "specialness" of being deaf. Bell's story is pitched at younger readers, but like all the best kids' literature, it was absolutely marvelous to read as an adult. / Boing Boing
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SPORTS
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Modesto, CA
DEAF PLAYERS AN INSPIRATION FOR DOWNEY HIGH TEAMMATES, FANS
Friday was the biggest game of the season for Downey High School. They faced state powerhouse Grant High School in the second round of the playoffs. The cheers blared from the bleachers and onto the field. Everyone could hear the excitement, except for three Downey football players. Jed McGuire and Omar Ruiz were born deaf, while Alejandro Lobato lost his hearing in an accident at the age of 5. / CBS Sacramento
Dallastown, PA
DEAF SINCE BIRTH, BRANDON GOMEZ AND ASST. COACH JOSH HESS HAVE AN UNDERSTANDABLE BOND
Prior to hosting New Oxford, the Dallastown ninth grade football team jumped up and down in a huddle chanting and cheering wildly. But one player excluded himself from the fracas. In fact, Brandon Gomez wasn't even looking at his team. The freshman kept his eyes on his interpreter, Rosemary DiCesare, as she frantically used sign language to let Gomez know what his teammates were yelling. Deaf since birth, Gomez couldn't hear what was being said. But, with the help of a special coach, he is part of the team. / The York Daily Record
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MILESTONES
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Los Angeles, CA
ROXANNE HELENE CLANIN, 53, TAUGHT AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR 24 YEARS
Roxanne Helene Clanin, 53 years, tragically departed on November 23, 2014. She was born and raised in Sacramento California. As a child, in her early years, were ones of confusion, frustration, temper tantrums and crying jags. The story has been told that she held her breath so long and so well that her grandmother dangled her by her heels to make her breathe. It was discovered that she was unable to hear. She was deaf. On January 1989, she was hired and taught at Multnomah Street Elementary School Special Day Class for 24 years. / Google