New: STC boy making transition to mainstream school

ST. CHARLES – Stephen Para can do something that many children would like to do.

He can turn off his parents’ voices – by taking out his cochlear implant. Stephen, who is deaf, won’t be taking it off today, though, as he starts his first day in second grade at Ferson Creek Elementary in St. Charles.

According to the National Association of the Deaf, about 10,000 children or youths have received a cochlear implant. The device consists of microphones and radio signals that are transmitted through a lead directly into a chip and then through to the brain. The cochlear implant allows the individual to hear a range of sound volumes and frequencies.

Implants are controversial in the deaf community, however, because an implant restores a certain degree of hearing to those with it and eliminates the need for sign language and lip reading, two mainstays of deaf culture. read more

Disabled artists enter mainstream

One of Creative Growth's biggest successes was the late sculptor Judith Scott.

Scott -- who had Down syndrome and was deaf and mute -- had been institutionalized until she came to the center at age 40. Having no communication skills, her only interface with the outside world was through sculptures.

"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

College for Deaf are promoted

DONCASTER College Deaf have been promoted to the Premier Division of the Doncaster Senior League.

The programme kicks off this Saturday with only three Premier Division matches but there is a full Division One programme. read more

Sign of the times: Leeds Society offers conversation classes in BSL

The Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People has announced a new initiative to encourage more widespread learning of British Sign Language (BSL).

The society is running weekly conversation classes to enable those of all signing abilities to interact socially in a relaxed environment. The informal environment will allow learners to practice their conversation in a natural way, and so develop their skills beyond classroom learning.

The teaching of BSL is very often classroom based, with many learners having little opportunity to practice their signs in between lessons. Formal learning means the language often doesn’t come naturally, and without the opportunity of genuine interaction, those learning BSL can struggle in a social environment. read more

Record to CD conversion is available but costly

Q: I’ve been deaf in my right ear since birth. Might I be eligible for disability because of this? I’m 42 and unemployed. I can’t hear what anyone says to me unless I turn completely around to hear them. — L.H., Clarkton

A: You would have to apply to see if you qualify, said Nathan Holmes, the regional communications director for Region 4 of the Social Security Administration. In general, people who are deemed disabled cannot work in any capacity because of their condition.

To be eligible for disability payments, a doctor must expect the disability will last a year or longer or result in death. Your age, educational background and past work history would be investigated. If Social Security Administration officials feel you could learn a trade that doesn’t require your hearing, you could be denied benefits, Holmes said. read more

Deaf literacy center recognized for excellence

PINELLAS COUNTY – The Pinellas Public Library Cooperative’s Deaf Literacy Center was recently recognized by the Florida Association of the Deaf.

In recognition to community service and to improving the literacy skills of the deaf community, the center received the Outstanding Community Service Award at the recent Florida Association of the Deaf Conference in Orlando.

The Deaf Literacy Center has four library locations – the main office at the Safety Harbor Public Library, the Palm Harbor Public Library, the Pinellas Park Public Library, and the St. Petersburg South Branch Library. read more

Uganda: A Second Life for People With Disabilities

FLAVIA Nantalo is deaf. Because of her handicap, she had found it hard to enroll for computer studies in the same institution with able people.

She had resigned to her fate until in March this year, when she got an opportunity to go for computer studies.

Through the National Union of Women with Disabilities of Uganda (Nuwodu), Nantalo, with nine others with disabilities, enrolled for a three-month course at Second Life Uganda Limited, a computer training centre in Lugogo.

Today, Nantalo has successfully completed her training and is happily applying the skills she learnt. read more