Deaf man seeking health board seat

Profoundly deaf Marlborough man Kim Robinson, who uses sign language, is bidding to become the first deaf person in New Zealand to be elected to a district health board.

NMDHB chief executive John Peters said: "The three-yearly board elections are an opportunity for community.

The election will use the single transferable vote system and results will be calculated locally with a declaration of results expected between October 17 and 24.
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Noise advice often falls on deaf ears

Your ears need 16 hours to recover from two hours of exposure to noise levels of 100 decibels to prevent long-term hearing loss.

Tips on reducing risk include:

● It's obvious but when listening to a personal MP3 or CD player, or stereo, turn down the volume. There's no need to blast your ears out!

● Take regular breaks from the noise – at least 10 minutes every hour.

● If at a concert or nightclub, keep as far away from the source of the noise as possible.

● Most damage is due to repeated exposure so try to have a few quiet days after a noisy night out. read more

John Thomas Nelson: 1911 - 2007

John Thomas "Tom" Nelson was very passionate about handicapped kids and lobbied for them extensively.

He wasn't a real popular person with the administration or the school board.He did what he thought was right, not what was politically correct.

Having graduated right into the Depression," Mr. Nelson moved back to Durant to work in his father's feed mill.

By the early 1930s, conditions improved, and he persuaded his parents to send him to Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Mr. Nelson transferred to the University of Iowa in Iowa City in his senior year and graduated in 1939 with an education degree. read more

Library works to connect with deaf

Carlson, of Wilton is 95 percent deaf in her right ear and 75 percent deaf in her left ear

Her siblings taught her to talk using a mirror. Her first word was cup, she said, and though no sound came out at first, she put her hand on her larynx and learned to make her voice stronger.

If a voice is at the right level and she can see the person speak, she doesn't need an interpreter. read more

New Deal for the Deaf

Delegates to the World Federation of the Deaf Congress held recently in Madrid, Spain, have said that multi-function phones, webcams and other new technological innovations have transformed the lives of the hard of hearing.

The main aim of the congress, which is held every four years, is "to advance recognition of sign language in national legislations." At the same time the meeting is also an opportunity for deaf people to share their experiences and knowledge in the fields of education, culture, science and application of new technologies
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