I’ve been asked why…

I do appreciate your input, dialogue, and participation. Whoever you are, it’s neither your fault nor your parents, we must get together and push for bilingual education for the next generations of deaf children. I love all my relatives, friends, and colleagues–hearing, deaf, oral, hard-of-hearing, CIers and CODAs. I’m not against speech training! Why, my younger brother enjoyed wearing his hearing aid and was ever eager for his speech lessons and we supported him.

Granted, I’m proud of my heritage. ASL is my first language, I grew up bilingually and, of course, as a bilingual I’d protect it with my life. Does this make me a deaf militant? I really don’t know.


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Tyler is deaf.

I feel jealous of normal people. And then again I hate being surrouded by people with lots of problems. Does that mean that I hate people?
I am 16 years old and very lost. I feel like I used to have everything down pat. Now, it's all spun out of control. I can't wait until school starts. That will definitely be better than what is now. I feel ultra dull. Like I said, I hardly like being around any type of person. Nah. I take that back. I like people. I like diversity. I just wish that I had a normal life, ya know? Like, parents involved with my life, sports, future. Shit like that.
I dod have a future.
But ahhh, right now just sucks. I am not even going to beat around the bush or try to convince myself that I am okay. For once, I'll admitt that I am not stable. Sure I have a job, sure I am moving, and sure school is starting.
But that's coming up. That's not what it has been for like, all summer. Stress.
I hate it.read more

Breaking News: Attack of the Clone

With the discovery of the Deaf Jedi Cloning Facility, pandemonium has erupted across the galaxy. It has become apparent that for the past 15 weeks Deaf Jedi Master Stephen Newell and his consort, the Lady Patricia of the ‘Ville, have secretly been harboring the first of a Newell Clone Army.
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You can still become a pilot no matter if you are Deaf.

A deaf pilot can obtain a student pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, and, on a limited basis, a commercial pilot certificate; for example, agricultural aircraft operations, banner towing operations, or any operation which does not require radio communication. With new interface technology for in cockpit receipt of weather information and digital communication, additional pilot certificates may be available to deaf pilots in the future.

A deaf pilot’s certificate will include the limitation, “Not Valid for Flights Requiring the Use of Radio”

a deaf pilot is required to submit the results of a hearing exam to the medical examiner or the FAA in order to satisfy the medical exam. He or she must also take a Special Medical Flight Test in the later stages of flight instruction to demonstrate the following: 1) recognition of engine power loss or engine failure by a change in vibration and by instrument scan; 2) recognition of approaching stall by aerodynamic buffet and visual cues; and 3) recognition of retractable gear emergencies by observation of gear warning lights (if applicable). Upon the successful completion of the Special Medical Flight Test, the FAA will issue a second-class or third-class medical certificate and a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA). This can be done at a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) of choice.

The IDPA or local deaf advocate organizations would be able to assist the flight school in locating interpreters. Again, check with your local FSDO for flight schools in your area. read more

This deaf teen's Accomplishments.....As they stand and as they are..

a Complex long term accomplishment which was a half a mentel(emotional) and hard work was recieveing honors with distinction. Despite teh facte I failed a couple of Music exams. The teacher wasn't aware I was HOH and of course I did horrid in the class. Oh well I didn't enjoy it any way and I was bable to duck out with my dignity and playing abilty intact.

Another accomplishment that I shouldn't be able to do play the clarinet,Saxophone,Flute,Piano and many other instruments Ive tryed. You see I think to the non hearing world accomplishments should be things that cannot be achieved by societies standards yet have been reached. More importantly I think the smaller accomplishments need to be brought up. The things as a deaf person that sets us apart that makes us a whole minority of our own.

Deafness should be celebrated and held up. read more

Free equipment for hearing impaired

The nonprofit Deaf and Hearing Connection, with locations throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, is providing amplified telephones and other specialized equipment free to residents with hearing loss. Free hearing screenings, other assistant equipment and low cost hearing aids also are available. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (727) 399-9983 in Pinellas, the Florida Telecommunications Relay Inc. at 1-800-222-3448 (voice) or Text Telephone (TTY) at 1-888-447-5620 or online at www.ftri.org. read more

School plan for the deaf sparks outcry

Canada needs its own new sign language college – preferably on free land being offered by the town of Milton – to ease the "crisis in deaf post-secondary education," says the head of the Canadian Association of the Deaf.
To sign language advocates, those are fighting words. The very notion of a deaf campus in Canada points to the touchy debate between oral and sign language supporters in the deaf community.

Yet enrolment at the provincially run E.C. Drury School for the Deaf in Milton and its counterparts in London, Belleville and Ottawa has slipped slightly in recent years to a total of about 400, as more deaf children receive the implant and attend mainstream schools where they do not use sign language. More than 2,400 deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Ontario attend local schools with special help.

Enrolment at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., which operates in English and American Sign Language, has slipped to about 1,800 last year from 2,350 in 1990.

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Yates recalled as champion of VSDB cause

Yates' passion was deaf education. He spent the majority of his career at VSDB as a teacher, principal and mentor to the many students who passed through its doors.
Yates also had his own way with words. When named the Virginia Association of the Deaf's Man of the Year in the 1960s, Yates shared his thoughts on honor, a central characteristic that those who knew him said he always displayed in his work with both education and politics.
He was the first director of the Virginia Council for the Deaf, now called the Virginia Department of the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing. In that role, Yates fought for more services for the deaf. Later deaf community advocates would look up to Yates as a model of leadership. read more

Brigade introduces smoke alarms for deaf

The special alarm consists of a normal smoke alarm with a radio transmitter that transmits to a portable receiver that is designed so it can be carried around from room to room.

At night it goes on to a mounting pad next to the bed and plugged into that is a vibrating pad which goes under the pillow.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service has been extremely approachable and easy-going and this has now given both my mum and myself peace of mind - you never know when a fire might happen.

For more information on smoke alarms for people who are deaf or hard of hearing contact Phil Burridge on 01202 844657. read more

Hear this!

Nearly nine million people in the UK experience some degree of hearing loss and over 650,000 are severely or profoundly deaf.

Hearing Dogs for deaf people was originally launched at Crufts in 1982 and to date more than 1,300 have been placed with deaf people.

The hearing dog scheme receives no government funding and relies solely on the generosity of individuals and organisations like Rotary to keep deaf people 'hearing' by training unwanted dogs. £5,000 sponsors a hearing dog throughout its working life. So far Rotary has raised enough to help 100 profoundly deaf people.
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