Activities expand at Aspen camp for deaf kids

Kids psyched up for an adventure speak the same language, and “Me first!” looks the same in American Sign Language as it sounds coming in shrieks from an 8-year-old who wants to climb a sheer rock wall.

The Aspen Camp for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Old Snowmass is celebrating 40 years of getting deaf children involved in those and other activities. The camp is also entering something of a new era of expansion into winter and opening its door to more campers.

Clint Woosley, the camp program coordinator, has a knack for getting people’s attention. Bearded and quick with a smile, the outdoorsman and certified ropes course instructor from Maryland was born deaf but can read lips and hears with the help of hearing aids. read more

website frustrations

Well, what do you know! I found a new webspace host back in June for the Wyoming School for the Deaf website. I used to have a website called "Deaf Wyoming" which also included information and stuff for WSD. Well, that old website was basically deleted due to lack of update for months, so I decided I wanted to make a whole new one. And hopefully this new one will be better than the old one as well. read more

New faculty a good sign for new Deaf Studies program

UVSC has recently hired an experienced husband-and-wife team to teach its new Deaf Studies program.

"They're going to be key to the program," said Bryan Eldredge, ASL and Deaf Studies program coordinator. "Both of them bring energy; that's the biggest thing. They just love to be in the classroom with their students."

Garrow, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Studies and a master's degree in linguistics, first encountered the deaf community while pursuing a professional snowboarding career in New York. read more

R.I. School for the Deaf to Remain in Providence

LINCOLN, R.I. (AP) -- The Rhode Island School for the Deaf has decided against relocating. Officials had planned to build a new facility in Lincoln, but then realized that the property wasn't big enough to accommodate the building.

As a result, the state says it decided to build the new facility in Providence, on the grounds of the existing school. Roughly 105 students, between the ages of three and 21, attend the school.

Officials said a new school was needed because the current building could no longer meet the students' needs. read more

MCE and ASL

In the past we have talked about different types of sign language and though we have done that we haven't come out and said what there is to say. Most forms of sign language in America is a form of MCE or Manually Coded English. English remains the base for the signs. The signs can come from American Sign Language or they can be shortened or simplified (or lengthed and complicated) versions. Often Signing Exact English will make signs longer and more complicated by adding prefixes and changing tenses. American Sign Language doesn't add an ed or an ing to change when something happened or will happen, but SEE II does.

Any way...

Manually Coded English (and in other countries other forms of Manually Coded Languages) arose from a need to bridge the gap between the hearing and the deaf. Parents struggled to learn a new language to communicate with their children (and many who choose to use ASL still struggle). MCE was a way to use signs and also to communicate easily without having to learn a new language. Often the signs are the easy part of learning to communicate, it is the difference in grammar and structure that causes one to have difficulty. You have to retrain your brain to think in ASL.

Sign language isn't universal. There are differences in regions, in different circles, different books, and all across America. Not to mention that ASL is different then BSL (British Sign Language) which is different then FSL (French Sign Language) and so forth. It is true, however that if you put a FSL user in the same room with a ASL user and a French speaking person in with an English speaking person, it would be the deaf who would be communicating faster. Much faster. This has to do with how words are represented and the natural inclination to work through communication issues. If you have spent your whole life working through communication problems...it's not as much work as if you think everyone should just understand you. read more

Firm friends help Auckland deaf

When Pt Chevalier residents Leonie Morete and Carmen Otatahu met, they could hardly have imagined that they would enjoy a twenty-year friendship based on helping others in the community. Leonie is deaf, and taught Carmen to speak New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), and now they both assist in training new translators with a multicultural volunteer deaf group based in Avondale.

Carmen, whose husband Finau is profoundly deaf, says that although there are good courses for learning sign language, those who are deaf make excellent teachers because they use so much expression when communicating with others. read more

Deaf Benefit from Computer Technology

Web cams, projectors, DVD's, and portable laptop computers are being put to good use by the deaf in New Zealand in their desire to communicate with others in the community.

One group that is doing so with good success is the Avondale Deaf Group of Jehovah's Witnesses. Official volunteer groups based in Avondale and Christchurch are using technology to train translators and care for the needs of the deaf not just in big cities, but in provincial areas of New Zealand. read more

Frank Bowe, advocate for deaf

--Frank Bowe, a deaf professor who helped win civil rights protections for the disabled and advised Congress on how to better serve people with disabilities, has died. He was 60.Bowe, a Hofstra University special-education professor, had been battling cancer, one of his daughters said.

Bowe, deaf from childhood, was the first executive director of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, helping to direct the 1977 sit-ins that led to federal enforcement of the first major law to bar discrimination against the disabled. -- associated press read more

Veteran rider in desert bike trek

Denis, who has hearing difficulties, is undertaking the ride across Jordan to raise money for the National Deaf Children’s Society.

“Challenge is certainly the word,” he said.

“It will be six days of intensive cycling, taking in Petra and down to the Red Sea.

“That will work out about 60 miles a day, which in normal circumstances would be do-able, but it will be very hot out there and what with our weather this summer I haven’t been able to get the miles of training done I’d have liked.

“It has been difficult to find the conditions for logging up the miles – a little heat by way of conditioning would have been welcomed.” read more

Filmmaker's moving story of parents' journey into the hearing world

HOLLYWOOD — In fall 2004, documentary filmmaker Irene Taylor Brodsky was caught off guard when her 65-year-old parents, both profoundly deaf since birth, announced that they had made a life-altering decision: They both would undergo cochlear implants. In three weeks.

In the film, Paul remembers his mother pushing him in his stroller weeping, because, as he puts it, "I would never speak ... I would never have a life." She needn't have worried; he became a college professor and engineer who helped invent a technology that would help deaf people communicate by phone. read more

Learning to read if deaf—how?

[First of all, I am not completely aware of the politically correct terms of people with different disabilities, so I'm just using the word I know here, deaf. If some of you feel it is offensive, please forgive me. I mean no offence.]

I've been wondering about this for a while, but... how do the deaf learn how to read? Lately I've been studying reading in literature (which is my minor) and learning to read was one part of those studies. The POV varied from a child with no disabilities all the way to children with mild-to-mildly-serious mental disabilities, but deaf children were omitted. read more

Defying deafness

Born hearing-impaired, the 21-year-old Mei Mei, as she is affectionately known, has not allowed deafness to stop her from pursuing her dream of studying overseas.

“Many parents of the deaf do not send their children abroad for studies because they are afraid the deaf won’t be able to cope. I am thankful that my family, mentor and friends were very supportive of my dream to study in Canada,” she says.

Disability Studies at the college is a two-year diploma course that focuses on integrating the disabled into the community. Subjects include advocacy and communication, and leadership skills as well as nutrition, health and fitness.

So far, Mei Mei has completed subjects on the mentally challenged, the physically handicapped and those with learning disabilities. read more

Nice Pro-Gun Article in Worcester Telegram

NEADS, Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, is a nonprofit organization established in 1976 to train and provide rescued dogs and donated puppies to assist people who are deaf or physically disabled in leading more independent lives at work, home or school. With headquarters in Princeton, NEADS has trained approximately 800 assistance dogs since its inception.

Those who would like additional information about the program, or who would like to make a donation, can contact NEADS by visiting the Web site www.neads.org or by calling (978) 422-9064 (voice or TDD) or by writing to NEADS, P.O. Box 213, West Boylston, MA 01583. read more

Activities expand at Aspen camp for deaf kids

ASPEN — Kids psyched up for an adventure speak the same language, and “Me first!” looks the same in American Sign Language as it sounds coming in shrieks from an 8-year-old who wants to climb a sheer rock wall.

The Aspen Camp for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Old Snowmass is celebrating 40 years of getting deaf children involved in those and other activities. The camp is also entering something of a new era of expansion into winter and opening its door to more campers. read more

109 Deaf Girl Gives a Speech

It was the first time I used Power Point. Of course I was very nervous, and when I gave the speech I had lost most of my hearing in both ears due to allergic reactions to the ventilation systems at IUSB… my Eustachian tubes were blocked, preventing airflow to the middle ear, and so the ear drums weren’t working. I could barely hear myself talk.

I kept thinking this whatever it was would clear on its own. I didn’t have an ear ache an either ear, until one day, after I had let it go on for two months, I had excruciating pain in my left ear, and then stuff came oozing out. I rushed to the doctor to find my left eardrum had ruptured. That was scary. I got on some allergy medicine and began to heal. Little did I know that wouldn’t be the last major ordeal with my ears, or that they would cost me my career dreams. read more

Former Hofstra professor, activist dies

Frank Bowe, a celebrated Hofstra professor and activist who championed for the rights of the disabled and helped draft the legislation that led to the Americans With Disabilities Act, died Aug. 21 of cancer. He was 60 years old.

Bowe, who was deaf, served as the executive director of the American Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities from 1976 to 1981. In 1977, he helped direct a nationwide sit-in that pushed legislators to implement Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act, the world's first civil-rights provision for the disabled. Section 504 was the forerunner of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. read more

BIG 92.7 FM celebrates Sports Day with hak De?girl

Bombay Institution of Deaf & Mute is one of the many schools that undergo School Health Education Programme (SHEP) by the Aga Khan Health Service India and is a functionary of the Aga Khan Development Network. The primary focus of the organization is towards the under-privileged population and it works in partnership with the government and other health providers. read more

Mark your Calendar

Aquarium caters to deaf visitors

The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher will offer programs tailored especially for the deaf and hard of hearing on Saturday.

Sign language, captioning or scripting will enhance most of the activities of the day - animal feedings, live-animal presentations and films - and interpreters will assist visitors at the admissions lobby, snack bar and selected exhibits.

An interpreter will be available periodically at the Coquina Outcrop touch pool and the "Let's Talk Turtle" loggerhead sea turtle booth. read more

Workshop discuses problems of hearing disabled

The first workshop in Yemen to address the problems of people with hearing disabilities was held this week at the Taj Sheba Hotel.

“This workshop is the first of its kind in Yemen to specialize on the auditory disabilities, we will try to discuss all its different issues,” said Eman Hashem Enqadh, the chairman of the Al-Eman Center for Hearing and Speech Therapy. The workshop was called Early Diagnosis of Audio Disability and Proper Training and their Impact on the Evolution of Language in Children with Auditory Disabilities.

“The audio disabled can easily integrate in the society if we choose the best training and qualification program, because his mental and physical abilities are right,” she said. “It is not the first workshop but they will do other workshops that specialize in audio disabilities.” read more

Sorenson Communications' VP-200® Videophone Wins TDI Engineering Award

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (TDI) has presented the Andrew Saks Engineering Award to Sorenson Communications™, the nation’s leading provider of Video Relay Services (VRS) for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate. TDI, a long-time national advocate for equal telecommunications access for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, honored Sorenson Communications for its VP-200® videophone on Saturday at the 17th Biennial International TDI Conference in San Mateo, Calif.

The TDI award, given every two years, recognizes an outstanding design, electronic, or engineering accomplishment that improves access to telecommunications for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. The VP-200 videophone delivers crisp video images and smooth hand movements, essential for ASL users who depend on quick finger spellings and subtle facial expressions to communicate. read more

Cast and Crew of The Deaf Family

With few days left before we begin production of The Deaf Family, we are really excited to have a very motivated and talented people to take on the project. It is a honor to have them share their talents with us.

Auditions and interviews went really well as everybody did a fine job.

Ladies and gentlemen, we announce our cast and crew…

Andrew Rubin once starred in the famous classic McDonalds commerical years ago. He’s making a comeback to play as CHARLIE, the Father. read more

god damn, shit the bed

The Summer of FYC closed with a whimper last night at Firewater. Dirty Pants, Shannon and I joined a tiny crowd for Deaf Pedestrians and assorted other bands.

By the time Deaf Pedestrians came on at 12:45, the crowd had thinned to well under 100 -- as usual. But, once again, the boys seemed not to care, as they rolled through a full 13 songs in fine fashion. They played several of the new songs from their soon-to-be-re-released CD, including "Idiot," which ranks highly with me. They also brought back my favorite: read more

What a load of crap people listen to

Being deaf from birth, and with my deafness increasing, I did not realise how noisy the world is and what a load of crap people listen to!

All I want to hear is people talking to me, but even then, people talk such utter drivel that 90% of it is not worth listening to!

Frankly, I'd rather remain deaf and use my hearing aids selectively to hear what want to hear, rather than this meaningless crescendo of pollution that appears to surround us that non-hearing impaired people call "normal hearing". read more

Deaf & Hard of Hearing Business

Grant discussed about deaf and hard of hearing owned business. He remembers his father was in painting business for many years in Pittsburgh area back in 60’s and 70’s. Today many deaf businesses still exist today in construction, painting, and all that stuff. What’s more, more and more deaf and hard of hearing entered advanced business in 80’s & beyond. we saw it growing steady over years. (dot com boom, technology, better laws, etc.)

Fortunately, we have organization like NDBI (National Deaf Business Institute) but they have been either quiet or dead for long time time now. (Anybody know why?) Hopefully NDBI will be active again soon before he get old read more

Six mile walk to hospital for deaf and blind person

Being deaf and blind - total of 3 points

There are other criteria too and there may be a number of combinations that stop anybody in serious need being left out. But a deaf and blind patient isn't automatically entitled to transport, nor would a person with learning difficulties who can only walk 200m, for example.

I'm not having a go at the North Mid, I guess this is fairly standard practice and I'm sure patient transport is a very expensive business. As usual, it all comes back to government funding. And in the meantime I'm sure the North Mid staff will be able to get transport for those patients who need it. read more

Monday profile: Sign language interpreter a bridge between sound and silence

She is a language vessel who often gets so absorbed in the work of listening, processing and signing at an event that, afterwards, she can’t say what was happening around her.

She is a light helping illuminate the experience of music for deaf people, like when she memorized 200 songs, including “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” at Country Jam in Eau Claire, Wis., this summer, or helping illuminate the experience of a silent world for hearing people, like when she requires students at Western Technical College to go around with ear plugs for six hours.

In her own spoken words, Cudo is a bridge.

“You’ve got the deaf island, and you’ve got the hearing island,” said Cudo, who lives in Onalaska with her husband and two children. “It’s like a bridge and you’re holding two islands together.” read more

DIAMOND-ENCRUSTED HEARING AID TO RETAIL FOR OVER US$50,000

According to UK-based charity Hearing Concern, an organization dedicated to individuals who are deaf or struggle with hearing impairments, younger adults are increasingly susceptible to hearing loss earlier on in their lives.

Modern day technologies were cited by the charity as the reason for recent trends. To address this emerging market of younger-aged hearing aid consumers, Denmark-based Widex, a company specializing in digital hearing aid technology, has developed a trendy, 24-karat gold hearing device encrusted with 220 diamonds. read more

ADDRESS BOOK 5.5 X 8.5;TANGO Mfg: Payne Publishing

Personal Signaler (Deaf & Blind)
Personal signaler for the Deaf/Blind
For use with the AME-AM-6000 or the AME-AM-100
Vibrating notification and tactile pad for deaf/blind users
Provides notification for all alerts from the system
Receive pages from the unit inside or outside of your home
Mfg: Clarity. Mfg No: AMEAMPXBAM5

Click here for more information
read more

Perspectives of a Deaf Muslim

Since losing my hearing at the age of nine(9) and at the same age I was taken out from an Arabic/English School I used to go to in Kumbungu in the northern region of Ghana to a School for the deaf in Savelugu as in the Northern Region. There I learned to use sign language more often than spoken language because then I was living several miles away from my family Fortunately, most of what I have learned while being a hearing had not been lost, I can still speak my native language with fluency and remember vividly all that the times with my friends.

Going to MSA meeting at RIT with an interpreter and I was hoping that one day one deaf brother or sister would start something that I can consider worth taking part but that never happened. Until I was about to graduate, then I remember my assurances to deaf Muslim that one day I will use my expertise to get interpreters. I tried to fulfill my words with them knowing that I may be back in Ghana some day, I with friends started Global deaf Muslim Literacy aims at getting Deaf Muslims educational resources and other logistics, a big dream I have longed to see, with that done, going home would give me time to focus on my own future. read more

Welcome: Lions are grateful for community's support

Welcome Lions Club members are grateful to the community for their support at the buffet breakfast last Saturday.

The community is encouraged to continue helping the club recycle used eyeglasses, hearing aids, computer cartridges and cell phones. In addition, the club collects Campbell Soup labels, which are sent the North Carolina School for the Deaf to get computer programs and other school supplies. These items can be given to any club member or placed in the recycling boxes at LSB TheBank in Welcome read more

Arrow Rock State Historic Site to feature art exhibit

Arrow Rock State Historic Site's visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and is located on Highway 41 in Saline County. For more information, contact Arrow Rock State Historic Site at (660) 837-3330 or the Missouri Department of Natural Resources toll free at 1-800-334-6946 (voice) or 1-800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about state parks and historic sites, visit the Web at www.mostateparks.com.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of upcoming meetings and events in the state park system, visit the online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/parkssearch.do. read more

Sorenson Communications Establishes Four New VRS Interpreting Centers

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sorenson Communications™, the leading provider of Video Relay Services (VRS) for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use American Sign Language (ASL), has opened four new Sorenson Video Relay Service (Sorenson VRS®) Interpreting Centers in major cities in the United States and in Puerto Rico. Since January, centers have been established in the following locations: Columbia, SC; El Paso, TX; Santa Rosa, CA; and in Puerto Rico, a location that will provide additional numbers of trilingual VRS interpreters who are fluent in ASL, English, and spoken Spanish.

Sorenson VRS enables deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who use ASL to communicate with hearing individuals through a qualified ASL interpreter via a videophone, high-speed Internet connection, and a standard TV. The free video relay service empowers deaf individuals to connect with hearing individuals in real-time, and the opening of additional VRS centers makes it possible for calls to be processed more quickly, resulting in shorter wait times for callers.

“Establishing new VRS Interpreting Centers in diverse locations is one of many ways Sorenson Communications is demonstrating its commitment to the interpreting needs of the deaf community,” notes Chris Wakeland, vice president of interpreting for Sorenson Communications. “These new facilities allow Sorenson Communications to locate and employ the highest-quality, professional interpreters in regions that, until recently, have not had centers.” read more

An old friend testifies

Marvin Denney, who is deaf, testified through sign language interpreters.

Denney told the court he and Roberto Torres, who is also deaf, and who is following the trial through the efforts of two sign language interpreters who sit opposite him at the defense table, both worked for the National Park Service at the Amistad National Recreation Area.

Denney testified he has known Roberto Torres for 24 years and that he has known Jaime Torres for at least 20 years. read more

Thieves Strike Fort Worth Church For The Deaf

(CBS 11 News) FORT WORTH The New Life Deaf Fellowship Church in east Fort Worth provides a place of worship for 125 hearing disabled people across North Texas.

Randolph says there's only so much the church can do. "Where there's a will there's a way," he told us, in sign language. "If people want to break in they're going to. What can we do? We can do nothing. I can't sleep here, can't watch it all the time. If it happens it happens."

Despite the break-ins, Pastor Randolph and his members say their faith will prevail. "What bothers me the most is someone broke into the church building. But we know that God will take care of us, he will provide, he will help us. Then we're okay. He helps us." read more

Graham: 'It's all about the children'

TALLADEGA ?Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind is in the middle of a flurry of construction projects, and according to AIDB President Dr. Terry Graham, all about the children.

Rogers visited Helen Keller School Tuesday to talk to the AIDB Board of Trustees about $200,000 in funding for a new program to train interpreters for the deaf, which has been approved by the House of Representatives and now goes to the Senate. The program would be a cooperative effort between AIDB, which has resources to provide the training, and colleges and universities around the state, which would give college credit to students who take the course.

Including the nine regional centers situated throughout Alabama, AIDB serves more than 12,000 blind and deaf people, with about 400 residential students ?3 years old and up ?living on-campus at ASD, ASB or Helen Keller School. E.H. Gentry vocational school and Alabama Industries for the Blind round out the full-service program provided in Talladega to the blind and deaf by AIDB read more

Deaf seminarian opens lines of communication

Ghislain Cheret Bazikila, a Catholic seminarian and native of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, decided to spend the summer in Toledo because he wanted to work for a diocese that does not have a deaf priest.

His first goal, he said, was to get to know and serve the local deaf community, whose home parish is St. Pius Church on Ilger Avenue in West Toledo.

"Sometimes hearing priests forget the needs of the deaf community, but a deaf priest would know," he said.

He hopes that by spending the summer in Toledo, he will help encourage more young deaf Catholics to enter the priesthood, and that more local priests will be inspired to learn American Sign Language. read more

Deaf Young Filmmakers Workshops

This programme is aimed at Deaf individuals between the ages of 16 – 25. If you fancy being the new Steven Spielberg and directing your own film or are interested in the art of Animation. Then look no further and apply now! There are limited places on the programme and applicants will be given an interview before a place is allocated.

Cost?
The workshops are FREE!

How to apply:
You will need to fill in an application form:

Download application form (Word) read more

Deaf Media Resource

Welcome to the Deaf Media Resource website. The site aims to provide information and inspiration for deaf people who are interested in a career in the Media.
The site has been developed as a partnership between Zebra Uno Ltd and Hi8us Midlands Ltd. We will be continuing to further develop the site over the coming months as we progress with our new workshops.

The BSL videos on the site require Quicktime 6 or above. Available free from: www.apple.com/quicktime read more

Naked Newsreaders Stripped Of Cash

Paradise TV, which is billed as an adult cable and satellite channel, is outraged and says it provides a valuable service to people with disabilities.

Supporters say deaf people have the right to enjoy the same programmes as other people.

"This programme provides a unique way for ordinary people to become familiar with basic sign language so people both with and without disabilities can communicate with each other better," Paradise TV producer Hajime Shimagiri said.

Paradise TV insists they will continue making the programme despite the loss of subsidies . read more

Do you all know about Deaf Lottery Accociation?

Walter said, you are winner $150,000. he is work for Deaf Lottery Association
I was laughing and never believe that…. B.S. really, I never heard about that could to work for deaf Lottery Assocation.

He said, oh truth!.. you won. I am still laughing what he said? I thought, he is not normal.better I block on AIM to him..
Do you have been getting same happened from Walter Morgan or another Deaf Lottery Association?

I did asking to my friend about that. He gave me warning if I did gave my account no etc. to Walter Morgan. He would take a lot money from my bank. another deaf from LA lost $6,000. *ouch* It make my heart hurting.

How could you all against Deaf Lottery assiciation. Do you all like it? true, I don´t like that.. *jeeez*
In germany don´t have same with "Deaf Lottery Accociation" that is good! read more

Trainings by the SC Interagency Deaf-Blind Project

For additional information, please contact: Martha Veto - SC
Interagency Deaf-Blind Project, mveto@scsdb.org, 843-665-2415

Training Opportunities SPONSORED BY THE SC INTERAGENCY DEAF-BLIND PROJECT

Teaching to the Standards in Math for Students with Significant Disabilities
Presenters: Dr. Diane Browder, Ph.D., Katherine Trela, M.Ed, Vicki
Knight, M.Ed, Pam Mims, M.Ed
Monday, September 24, 2007
9:00-3:30
SC History and Archives Building
8301 Parklane Road Columbia, SC 29223. Tele: (803) 896-6100

Target audience: Teachers of students with moderate to severe mental
or multiple disabilities including deafblindness, or autism
Workshop overview: IDEA and NCLB require access to the general
education curriculum and the state academic content standards. Some
standards, like those that can be related to the use of money are
easy to incorporate within functional activities. Others can be
difficult to develop in ways that are feasible and meaningful for
students with significant cognitive disabilities. This workshop will
provide ideas for defining skills students can master and
instructional methods that give context and meaning to the skills. read more

Hearing, deaf students learn together in same classroom

As school begins, teachers are striving for their students' success. That is also the goal for two teachers who had a classroom with both hearing and deaf students.

Teaching a class of deaf and hearing junior high school students is not easy. Chicago Public School teachers Suzi Gantz and Kambri Zielinski were determine to make it work even when it involved time outside of class. read more

Disabled artists redraw boundaries

Scott - who had Down syndrome and was deaf and mute - had been institutionalized until she came to the center at the age of 40. With no sign language or any other communication skills, her only interface with the outside world was through sculptures made of twined fibers, string and other materials.

"Judith Scott prominently displayed alongside (Mark) Rothko and Ann Hamilton is a sign of change," she said. "Before the last few years, these artists would be shown together. Only recently do we see disabled and non-disabled artists showing in the same shows." read more

New services help migrants and disabled

Language will no longer be a barrier for new migrants, refugees and for those who have hearing and speech impairments trying to access services from the Hastings District Council.

The council's community services committee this week agreed to adopt two services, Language Line and New Zealand Relay to help remedy communication problems.

New Zealand Relay is telecommunications for people who are deaf, hearing-impaired, deaf-blind or speech-impaired. It is a free service which turns voice messages into text, via a textphone and also turns the return text messages into voice messages.

The two services were outlined in a report by the council's community development planner, Jennifer Leaf and while they were approved, it could be early next year before people could access the new services. read more

What's On in Wirral week commencing Thursday, August 23, 2007

TUESDAY August 28: Birkenhead Hard of Hearing Club, Merseyside Centre for the Deaf, Grange Road West, Birkenhead, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Details: 342-3850. The Parade Jazz Band, The Boathouse, Parkgate, 8.30pm. The Peninsula Jazzmen, Royal British Legion, Pensby Road, Heswall. Duplicate Bridge Club, St Michael's Church Hall, Frankby Road, Newton, 7.30pm. Details: 678-8083. Duplicate Bridge, The Grange, Grove Road, Wallasey, 7pm. Details: 638-1737. Bebington Photographic Society, Lower Bebington Methodist Church, Bromborough Road, Bebington, 7.30pm. Details: 645-1075. read more

Princeton Premier Honors Rita Hendricks Colbert as Its Latest Addition to the Exclusive 2007-2008 Registry

Huntsville, AL, August 24, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Princeton Premier Honors Rita Hendricks Colbert as its latest addition to the exclusive 2007-2008 Registry. Rita is a senior instructional designer for Sigmatech Inc. and is currently writing her thesis to complete her doctorate. As a instructional designer, Rita programs instructions for aviation and military people for federal contracts. Rita is a proud member of the National Association for the Deaf and the National Aviation Association.

In her spare time, Rita enjoys reading and gardening. She also gives back to the community by contributing to her favorite charity, Magnificence Hands of Praise.

About Princeton Premier:
Princeton Premier is the most interactive online business community in the world today. The exclusive registry is comprised of business leaders and professionals making an impact in their industry and community. read more

Organization seeks nominations

Community Services for the Deaf is seeking nominations to honor those who have given exceptional services to those with hearing losses.

Corporate Partnership Award: Business or agencies that recruit and keep deaf and hard-of-hearing employees, and make sure the employees have equal access to communication.

Outstanding Volunteerism and Advocacy Award: Someone who stands up for their rights or the rights of other deaf people.

Outstanding Deaf Teen Award: A deaf teenager who shows qualities and leadership skills over and above expectations. read more

Mum gears up to repay help of children’s deaf charity

ABIGAIL Willis will start a gruelling cycle tour along the Nile next year for a charity that has supported her throughout her life.

The 44-year-old mum from Woking, who is profoundly deaf, will cycle more than 200 blistering miles to raise money for the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS).

But as they are an entirely deaf family, the charity offers a crucial source of support. Abigail said: “Home life is not straightforward. We need things to help look after us, like a doorbell which lights up and smoke alarms and alarm clocks that vibrate under our beds. read more

E-Petitions

Currently Deaf Athletes are missing out on government funding for development, training, medical support and international competitions as deaf athletes are excluded from the governments' DCMS World Class Performance Funding Plan. The plan supports Olympic and Paralympic Athletics (but not Deaflympics) with funding for development, medical, training and competitions. Deaf athletes are not included and so are disadvantaged. read more