Deafweekly December 15, 2010

deafweekly

December 15, 2010
Vol. 7, No. 9

Editor: Tom Willard

Deafweekly is an independent news report for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community that is mailed to subscribers on Wednesdays and available to read at www.deafweekly.com. These are the actual headlines and portions of recent deaf-related news articles, with links to the full story. Minor editing is done when necessary. Deafweekly is copyrighted 2010 and any unauthorized use is prohibited. Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive Deafweekly.

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NATIONAL
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Louisville, KY
DEAF MAN CONVICTED IN TWO LOUISVILLE MURDERS
A Jefferson Circuit Court jury late Monday night convicted a man of two counts of murder after more than seven hours of deliberation in a case in which his deafness was a factor. Jeston Murray was charged with helping another deaf man kill two people -- one with a hatchet and the other with a knife. The jury of six men and six women will return to court today to hear evidence on whether Murray should be executed. / Louisville Courier-Journal

See Also JURY SPARES LIFE OF DEAF MAN CONVICTED OF MURDERS / Fox41.com

Dayton, OH
HEARING-IMPAIRED MAN ATTACKED, SHOT
A hearing-impaired man is recovering from critical injuries after four men attacked and shot him Monday night. Dayton police said it appears that the victim was selected at random and robbed. Sherman Robinson, 24, is being treated at Miami Valley Hospital, and family members said he is expected to recover. / WHIO

Redding, CA
STUDENTS SAY THEIR SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER WAS FIRED FOR BEING DEAF
Born with full hearing, Jaye Brown became deaf as a child. She's now a well-loved American Sign Language professor at Shasta College in Redding, California, working to bridge the gulf between deaf and hearing people with a language both can understand. But last week, Brown was shocked to learn that one of her community college students had complained about a gesture she'd made. Her contract wouldn't be renewed, college officials told her. She was finished. / Change.org

Great Falls, MT
DISPLACED DEAF COUPLE GLAD NO ONE WAS HURT IN FIRE THAT DESTROYED DUPLEX
A fire that broke out in a duplex December 3 has left four people homeless, but not hopeless, as they head into the holiday season. Bob and Liz Ellesch, both of whom are deaf, had called their side of the duplex home for seven years. Their place was completely destroyed and they lost their Siamese cat, King. Liz Ellesch was set to retire from MSDB next week and was looking forward to painting and sorting years of photos stored in her basement. Now that is all gone, along with the laptops they used to communicate with each other and their family. / Great Falls Tribune

Buda, TX
TRAIN NEARLY HITS DEAF WOMAN DURING BUDAFEST
An apparently deaf woman was almost hit by a Union Pacific train Dec. 4 as crowds converged in downtown Buda for its annual Budafest celebration, police say. The train sounded its horn but still had to come to a complete stop to prevent a tragic incident, authorities say. “She was just standing there on the track, facing the other way,” Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd said. By the time officers arrived, the woman had walked off and wasn’t questioned. / Hays Free Press

New Port Richey, FL
FEDS ARREST FORMER CAREGIVER ON FRAUD CHARGES
A 61-year-old caregiver was arrested last Thursday in West Virginia after a federal investigation said she swindled funds from an 80-year-old woman, who is deaf and legally blind. A federal indictment says Rebecca Moody, formerly of New Port Richey, falsely obtained power of attorney over the woman, and used that to get a fraudulent mortgage loan on the victim's residence, without the victim's knowledge. / St. Petersburg Times

Harrisburg, SD
DEAF & DETERMINED
Imagine being trapped inside your own body; able to think but not communicate clearly. A teen who was born deaf, is now going blind, and is also autistic faces that every day, but his teachers say his biggest handicap is being a teenage boy who's trying to finish high school. Jorden Curran has made some huge strides in the past few months, thanks to the Harrisburg School District. Seventeen-year-old Curran learns the same geography lesson as his classmates; he just gets his information a bit differently. / KELOLAND

Flint, MI
ALUMNI GROUP WAGES OPPOSITION TO SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF SALE
Leaders of the School for the Deaf Alumni Association have launched a campaign against plans to sell their alma mater's Flint campus, saying the plans don't take into account the needs of MSD students, cost the state too much money and could drive the school out of operation. "We're going to make sure that they're not going to sign this," Alumni Association board member Marty Miracle said through an interpreter. / Flint Journal

See Also MICHIGAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF SALE BLOCKED BY GLITCH / WJRT

See Also STATE AWARDS $5.6 MILLION TAX CREDIT TO SCHOOL FOR DEAF PROJECT / Flint Journal

Santa Fe, NM
DEAF COMMUNITY CELEBRATE'S SCHOOL'S 125TH YEAR IN SANTA FE
More than 50 people, all closely attached to the Four Corners' deaf community, gathered together to celebrate the 125th year of the New Mexico School for the Deaf. The families ate enchiladas and talked with hands and a few words about how deafness is better with company. / The Daily Times

Rome, GA
DECEMBER GRADUATION PLANNED FOR 'FAB FIVE' SENIORS
For five seniors at the Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD), their senior year became an endurance test that all five eventually passed with flying colors. Having earned the credits for completing the required coursework, the only obstacle to graduation was the Georgia High School Graduation Tests. Said GSD director Lee Shiver: “They made up their minds they were not going to accept a special education diploma or a certificate of attendance when they and all of us knew they were capable of earning a regular diploma.” / Rome News-Tribune

West Hartford, CT
ASD DONATES GINGERBREAD HOUSE TO 'WE ARE THE CHILDREN'
For the past 10 years, students at The American School for the Deaf (ASD) have been creating gingerbread houses for the "We are the Children" Christmas Party. This year students took on the challenge of replicating the school's iconic building, Gallaudet Hall. / Hartford Courant

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INTERNATIONAL
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London, England
ONE WEEKEND ... I FOUND OUT I WAS COMPLETELY DEAF
One of my earliest memories is sitting on a floor playing with a toy and a woman asking if I could hear her clapping as she walked around the room. I was five years old and it was frightening because I was in a strange environment, a hospital. I was having my hearing tested for the first time and I was diagnosed as being deaf in my left ear. Soon afterwards I was given a hearing aid. / Mirror

London, England
TV PRODUCER TO TURN SPOTLIGHT ON DEAF STORIES
A drama production company aimed at producing television content specifically dealing with deaf themes has been formed by writer Charlie Swinbourne and director William Mager, both of whom are hearing impaired. C&B Film’s first project will be the drama My Song, a 30-minute production for the Community Channel, which is based on an incident in Swinbourne’s own life. / The Stage

Weston, England
BLIND AND DEAF MAN SIGNS NEW BOOK
Globetrotter Tony Giles, who has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles and visited more than 50 countries, will be in Waterstone’s in the Sovereign Centre on Saturday from 1pm. Among his action-packed travels the 30-year-old, who is totally blind and 80 per cent deaf, has sky-dived in Australia, bungee jumped in New Zealand and hiked up the Rocky Mountains. / Weston & Somerset Mercury

Kent, England
OLD KENTISH SIGN LANGUAGE PUT ON THE WORLDWIDE ENDANGERED LIST
A centuries-old sign language thought to have been spread throughout America by Kentish settlers is on the worldwide endangered list. Evidence of the use of Old Kentish Sign Language dates back as far as the mid-1600s, but is now thought to be extinct thanks to the rise of British Sign Language in its place. It is also thought to be one of the forerunners of American Sign Language, as a number of 17th century settlers on the island of Martha’s Vineyard near Massachusetts - the majority of whom knew how to sign - migrated from the Kentish Weald. / Kent News

North Lanarkshire, Scotland
SOS ONLINE PROJECT GIVES DEAF MORE FREEDOM
Deaf people all over North Lanarkshire are taking part in a pilot project to test online services. Members of various groups are trying out British Sign Language online interpretation services using webcam-equipped net books. The six-month project aims to give local deaf people free access to Deaf Connections' new 'Sign on Screen' (SOS) service, which allows easy and convenient access to online interpretation services. / Motherwell Times

Montreal, QC, Canada
LACK OF SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER SCUTTLES CONDO PROJECT CONSULTATION
A set of public hearings to determine whether developers will be allowed to turn a longtime community centre near the Jean Talon Market into 302 condos got off to a rocky non-start last Wednesday night. An initial session to determine the fate of the $85-million project at the former Institut des sourds-muets -- organized by the Office de consultation publique de Montreal -- never got off the ground, after a sign-language interpreter cancelled at the last minute. / Montreal Gazette

Banjul, The Gambia
LEATHER PROJECT TARGETS THE DEAF, LESS PRIVILEGED
A leather project initiated by a local Gambian NGO to hand the poor and disabled a lifeline with which to improve their lives has been launched in The Gambia recently. The project which will have a lifespan of six months is the brainchild of KWAJEH Ability, a non-governmental organization, which dedicates its resources to tackling issues of poverty and joblessness among the physically challenged in Gambian society. / Today Newspaper

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My Yesterdays
In A Changing World of the Deaf
by Mervin D. Garretson

A lifestory of a totally deaf educator and advocate about growing up in an anti-sign world dominated by oralists and professional audists. Includes bits of deaf history, commentaries on ASL, deaf culture, presidents of Gallaudet University, and other notable people in the field. Available from Xlibris Marketing Service, 1663 Liberty Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403, Toll-free phone 888 795 4274 Hardback $29.99 Paperback $19.99.

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LIFE & LEISURE
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Scranton, PA
WHO NEEDS REINDEER, SANTA REACHES CHILDREN OVER THE INTERNET
Tom Shaffer remembered how it felt as a deaf young boy not being able to talk to Santa Claus. So he seized the opportunity to become jolly St. Nick and use American Sign Language to communicate with area deaf children over the Internet hoping to pass along their Christmas wish list. "Now, Santa has the ability to sign," Mr. Shaffer wrote in an instant message while taking a brief break at the Northeast Pennsylvania Center for Independent Living in Scranton. / The Times-Tribune

See Also SIGNING SANTA HEARS KIDS' REQUESTS / Sioux City Journal

See Also SANTA BRINGS SIGNS OF THE SEASON TO DEAF STUDENTS / The Beacon-News

Washington, DC
HEARTS, HANDS FIND NO NEED FOR SPEECH
The ground rules at a Gallaudet University speed-dating night were simple: Five minutes with each partner. When time is up, everyone switches seats. Keep the conversations G-rated. And no talking allowed. The last rule was the easiest to follow, since Gallaudet is one of the few colleges in the world where American Sign Language dominates all nonwritten communication. With a flurry of hand movements, about two dozen speed daters started to get to know one another on a recent Friday night as they sat in folding chairs arranged in two concentric circles in the campus student center. / The Washington Post

Loveland, CO
LOVELAND STUDENTS, DEAF DOG SHARE INSTANT CONNECTION
When fourth-grader Casey LaTulip walked into Marsha Dorr’s classroom for After School Group recently, she was not greeted by her usual classmates and mentors. Instead, Casey was greeted Thursday at Monroe Elementary School by 5-year-old Angelyne, an Australian cattle dog, who shared a common trait with the young student. Angelyne is deaf and Casey is hard of hearing, so the two made an instant connection. “It let me know that humans weren’t the only ones with hearing problems,” Casey said. “Animals do, too.” / Loveland Connection

Silver Spring, MD
ALCOHOL AND OTHER SUBSTANCE USE AMONG DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING YOUTH
Little research has focused on alcohol and illicit drug use among deaf and hard of hearing youth. Findings are reported from survey data collected among high school students at two phases of a program of research primarily focusing on tobacco use in 1999/2000 and 2004. Evidence of considerable drinking and other substance use was found. / Alcohol Reports

Middlebury, VT
CAROLINE YALE: CHAMPION FOR THE DEAF IN AMERICA
Tucked away in the annals of American history are people who don’t get the front page headlines, yet were on the front lines of instrumental change in the lives of Americans both past and present .One Vermonter that fits this description is Caroline Yale, who was born in Charlotte, Vermont in 1848. During her life and career Ms. Yale created an educational system for teaching speech to the deaf. / The Valley Voice

Philadelphia, PA
DOM GIORDANO ASKS: WHAT'S 'FOREIGN' ABOUT SIGN LANGUAGE?
What's the fourth most studied language by college students this year? A clue: It's growing rapidly, and is creating a controversy. The first controversy stems from the fact that a sizable number of colleges are accepting American Sign Language to meet their foreign-language requirements. But here's my question to college administrators: How does ASL qualify as a "foreign language"? What country or region speaks it? / Philadelphia Daily News

Internet
'DEAF' AND 'DEATH'
Anyone not like it how these words are similar to each other? / AllDeaf.com

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WORKING WORLD
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Bethesda, MD
SHIP DESIGNER WINS DOD DISABILTY AWARD
A Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) engineer received the Department of Defense's 2010 Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award Dec. 7 at an awards ceremony in Bethesda, Md. Anthony Battisti received the award for his work in improving Sailors' standard of living aboard ships. Battisti, a 29-year civil service employee who was born deaf, designs shipboard living areas for Sailors at NAVSEA. / NAVY

Bartlett, IL
BARTLETT RESIDENT ENHANCES LIVES OF THE HARD OF HEARING
Sign language comes second nature for Bartlett resident Linda Kowalczyk, who is a special education teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing. Kowalczyk said she always knew from a young age that this was her calling. While pursuing her teaching degree at Northern Illinois University, she volunteered to help a deaf college student, which she credits with steering her post college career. “We became such good friends,” she said. “I enjoyed working with her so much.” / Bolingbrook Reporter

Washington, DC
HIV/AIDS AND DISABILITIES: MAKING THE CONNECTION
Imagine going to a clinic to be tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, if you are deaf and cannot read or use formal sign language. The doctor gives a “thumbs-up” sign. Does it mean “yes, you have HIV” or “yes, you are OK”? This happened in Mozambique, and the patient went home not knowing his HIV status, said Rosangela Berman Bieler, a Brazilian journalist who is among a growing number of health activists trying to give persons with disabilities better access to HIV/AIDS services. / Media Newswire

Rochester, NY
HOSPICE VOLUNTEER GLAD TO PROVIDE COMFORT
When Solange "Sally" Skyer's husband, Richard, neared death, she called Lifetime Care to enroll in the agency's home hospice program. It wasn't that simple. Sally is, and Richard was, deaf. Sally, an associate professor and counselor at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, was born deaf. Richard, an analytical chromatography technician at Eastman Kodak Co., lost his hearing as a result of a rare hereditary disease. In 2005, she says, Richard "made the decision not to have more surgery." After 30 operations, he had had enough./ Democrat and Chronicle

Pittsburgh, PA
DT INTERPRETING RECEIVES EIGHT HOSPITAL CONTRACTS
Deaf-Talk, Inc. dba DT Interpreting, the industry leader in on-demand video sign language interpreting, announced yesterday the recent receipt of eight hospital contracts. The three-year contracts are for the company's around-the-clock nationwide in-hospital interpreting for the deaf and on-demand over-the-phone interpreting services. / Trading Markets

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Houston, TX
ALLY ASL KEEPS FIGHTING CORPORATE IGNORANCE
One of the most delightful acquaintances Rocks Off has made this year is Allyson Townsend also known as Ally ASL. A Baylor graduate now teaching deaf children in Dallas, Townsend carved quite a bit of fame for herself after she began her quest to translate modern pop hits into American Sign Language. Her efforts came to a halt last month when YouTube shut down her account. Thankfully, the Electronic Frontier Foundation interceded on her behalf and her videos were once again made available. All seemed well, until Townsend emailed us to let know that she wasn't free and clear yet. / Houston Press

Kansas City, MO
YOUNG DANCER WINS 'NUTCRACKER' ROLE DESPITE HEARING IMPAIRMENT
The Kansas City Ballet’s performance of “The Nutcracker” always provides plenty of holiday fantasy. But one little angel is giving this year’s production a special magic. You can see “The Nutcracker” and a ballerina who has overcome amazing odds through Christmas Eve at the Music Hall, 301 W. 13th St. You’d never know it to watch her dancing to Tchaikovsky’s intricate score, but 9-year-old Gracie Hooks, who plays one of the angels, was born deaf. / The Kansas City Star

Great Falls, MT
EXPRESSIONS OF SILENCE BRINGS HOLIDAY SPIRIT
The sounds of the season have special meaning to everyone, but for those who are deaf, the holidays are expressed in a different way. The annual Songs of the Season concert was held on Sunday at the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. The Expressions of Silence performance fundraiser featured 16 songs which included new material for this year's show. / KPAX

Fremont, CA
THE DEAFHOOD MONOLOGUES PERFORMANCES A HUGE SUCCESS IN FREMONT!
The Deafhood Foundation held its first showing of The Deafhood Monologues which drew over 900 people over the weekend of December 3-4 at California School for the Deaf Theater in Fremont. The impressive cast and crew worked for weeks to prepare for the performance, and audience has reacted positively. The performances raised over $12,000 for The Deafhood Foundation. / Press Release (PDF)

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SPORTS
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Frederick, MD
2010 WIDEX SPORTSMAN AND SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
ICSD is pleased to announce that Miha ZUPAN of Slovenia and Anna TOVSTA of Ukraine have been selected as the 2010 WIDEX Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year by the members of International Committee of Sports for the Deaf Selections Commission through electronic ballot. / ICSD

Tampa Bay, FL
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING'S MATTIAS RITOLA TO GET INJECTION FOR MENIERE'S DISEASE
Mattias Ritola will get an injection Monday in his right ear. That is the next step for the Lightning forward in the hope of at least making manageable his Meniere's disease, which has left him with dizziness, ringing and pain and is threatening his career and, he fears, his hearing. "That's the scariest part," said Ritola, already deaf in his left ear, caused, he said, by several infections as a baby. "You're deaf in one ear, you don't want to be deaf in the other. I've got to do everything I can to get it better." / St. Petersburg Times

Tampa, FL
JOE PATERNO CALLS RADIO STATION, CAN'T HEAR A WORD HOST IS SAYING
If awesome and awkward ever held a party, Joe Paterno would be the guest of honor (and Steve Duemig would emcee). The 83-year-old Penn State coach recently called into WDAE-AM in Tampa to talk football. In theory, anyway. One slight problem: JoPa couldn't hear a thing radio host Steve "The Big Dog" Duemig was saying. Not a word. / Fanhouse

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COMING EVENTS
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Palm Springs, CA
DEAF SENIORS FOUNDATION OF PALM SPRINGS PLANS GALA
Deaf Seniors Foundation of Palm Springs' “Nostalgic Evening at the Riviera” Gala is firming up to be one spectacular event! The Gala will be held January 29, 2011 in the Grand Ballroom of the Riviera Resort & Spa, in Palm Springs, California. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $150 for general admission and $200 for VIP seating, if purchased before December 31, or $200 for general admission and $250 for VIP seating, if purchased after that date. For information about DSF, please visit www.dsf-ps.org.

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MILESTONES
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Henrico, VA
DEAF STUDENT'S TALENTS BELIED HIS DISABILITY
Those who knew W. Patrick Gorman saw him just as a normal boy. Many probably didn't know that from birth, Gorman was not given much hope for survival. He was born with pulmonary hypertension, was in a respirator for 27 days and as a toddler, his parents learned he had lost his hearing. But deafness and the other physical challenges he faced were no impediment living a joyful and thriving life. The senior at Godwin High School and the Center for the Arts at Henrico High School, died suddenly of a congenital heart defect Nov. 30 at his western Henrico home. He was 17. / Richmond Times-Dispatch

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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). To place your ad, send the announcement to mail@deafweekly.com.

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Deaf Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Director of Client Support Services
Full-time * Exempt * San Leandro, CA

This position directs and supervises all aspects of Client Support Services (CSS) offices as well as specialized programs. Represents the agency in educational and advocacy contexts; coordinates program development and evaluation, and monitors department budget. This position reports to the Executive Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
-- Coordinate and implement staffing and programs in the San Leandro, Fremont, San Jose, and Fremont Oak Gardens (FOG) Client Support Services offices
-- Provide training and supervision to all Client Support Specialists, Program Developer, and contractors (for ASL classes and computer classes)
-- Develop linkages and working relationships with other agencies serving the deaf and hard of hearing community
-- Implement grant research and grant writing priorities to sustain the programs within the agency
-- Oversee the compliance of contracts that fund programs within the agency
-- Conduct evaluations of programs to ensure that services are meeting the current needs in the community
-- Monitor department budget
-- Facilitate regularly scheduled department meetings
-- Participate in management team meetings to support department as well as agency operations
-- Represent DCARA and/or the deaf and hard of hearing community at meetings and community events
-- Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

REQUIRED SKILLS:
-- Bachelor’s degree in counseling, social services, deafness, or related areas. MA degree preferred.
-- Experience in supervision and management
-- At least two years experience in program service delivery
-- Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and writing skills
-- Demonstrated ability to work well with others and to initiate projects independently
-- Knowledge of MS windows software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
-- Proficiency in American Sign Language and English
-- Positive cultural perspective of Deaf people
-- Able to travel during the week (and occasional weeknights/ weekends) and throughout the DCARA service area

SALARY & BENEFITS: Salary is negotiable dependent on experience and education. DCARA offers full medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits in addition to 12 days of holiday leave plus one week paid winter holiday.

DEADLINE: Friday, February 4, 2011 at 12:00 pm

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Send an application (available at www.dcara.org/jobs), cover letter, three references and resume to:
Human Resources
14895 East 14th Street, Suite 200
San Leandro, CA 94578 or hr@dcara.org

DCARA is an At-Will and Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Deaf Counseling, Advocacy & Referral Agency

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Director of Employment Services (Full Time)
Fremont and San Leandro, California

DCARA has a full-time job opening for the position of Director of Employment Services. This position has two major responsibilities: 1. Manage the Employment Services Department which is charged with the task of working with Deaf and hard of hearing residents of the San Francisco Bay Area to enhance their vocational skills, increase their employability, place them in jobs, and work with them to retain their employment; and 2. Develop and implement the Deaf Employment Training Center, a pre-employment skills training and development program for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. This position will report to the Executive Director and will occupy an office at the Fremont EDD office (primarily) and at DCARA Headquarters in San Leandro.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
-- Oversee the compliance of contracts that fund Employment Services department within the agency
-- Provide training and supervision to all Employment Services staff
-- Work with Executive Director and Program Developer to develop funding opportunities to implement Deaf Employment Training Center
-- Develop linkages and working relationships with other agencies serving the deaf and hard of hearing community
-- Conduct evaluations of services offered within Employment Services Department to ensure that services are meeting the current needs in the community
-- Advocate for employability and communication access for clients
-- Monitor department budget
-- Facilitate regularly scheduled department meetings
-- Participate in management team meetings to support department as well as agency operations
-- Other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director

REQUIRED SKILLS:
-- Bachelor’s degree in vocational services, social services, counseling, or related areas. MA degree preferred
-- Experience in supervision and management
-- At least two years experience in program service delivery
-- Demonstrated organizational, analytical and writing skills
-- Knowledge of MS Windows software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
-- Proficiency in American Sign Language and English
-- Positive cultural perspective of Deaf people
-- Able to travel during the week (and occasional weeknights/weekends) and throughout the DCARA service area

SALARY: Salary is negotiable dependent on education and experience. DCARA offers 12 days of holiday leave plus paid winter holiday, and full medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits.

DEADLINE: position open until filled

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Send DCARA application (www.dcara.org under “About”/”Jobs”), cover letter, resume & three references via mail, email or fax to:
DCARA - Human Resources
14895 E. 14TH Street, Suite 200
San Leandro, CA 94578
Email: hr@DCARA.org
Fax: 510.483.2526

DCARA is an at-will and equal opportunity employer

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