Wadsworth exhibition celebrates co-founder of American School for the Deaf
The American School for the Deaf and the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art collaborated to create an installation celebrating Laurent Clerc titled “Connections Gallery: American School for the Deaf,” which will be on view through June 6.
Clerc is a prominent figure in the history of deaf culture and Hartford. Clerc came to America from France in 1816 to help co-found the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, the oldest school for the deaf in the United States. The founding of the school began in Hartford in 1814 when Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a recent Yale graduate and clergyman, met the Dr. Mason Fitch Cogswell family and their deaf daughter, Alice. Cogswell and 10 prominent citizens, including the Wadsworth’s founder Daniel Wadsworth, decided there was a great need for an American school for the deaf. In a short time, sufficient funds were raised to send Gallaudet to Europe to study the methods of teaching the deaf.
Embarking on a voyage to Europe to learn the art of educating deaf children, Gallaudet encountered the work of l’Institut National de Jeunes Sourds de Paris, the world’s first free school for the deaf. He then enlisted Clerc to join him in an historic journey to establish the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States. On April 15, 1817, The Connecticut Asylum for the Education and Instruction of Deaf and Dumb Persons opened with seven students in Bennett’s City Hotel at Main and Gold Streets in Hartford.
The portraits of Laurent and Eliza Boardman Clerc by Charles Willson Peale are the inspiration for this exhibition and the video “Portrait of a Community: American School for the Deaf.”
“The Peale portraits are important to the deaf community,” said Gary E. Wait, American School for the Deaf archivist, “because they are one of the first examples of a deaf person signing. In the portrait of Eliza, she is signing the letter ‘E’ for the first initial of her name.”
This Connections Gallery is presented in conjunction with the Wadsworth Atheneum’s exhibition “Reunited Masterpieces: From Adam and Eve to George and Martha.”
Guests can visit the museum Thursday, May 27, at noon for free, and can join a docent for a closer look at portraits of Clerc.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Living in a silent world
Living in a silent world
avid Sanderson, and his wife, Barbara, live on the shores of Silver Lake in Fenton and enjoy an active lifestyle on the water — but they’ve never heard the soothing sounds of the lake or the early morning bird calls signaling the beginning of a new day.
Both of the Sandersons have been deaf since birth, but it hasn’t stopped them from doing anything in life they’ve wanted to achieve — including raising three successful daughters blessed with acute hearing, who are just as comfortable in the deaf world as they are in the hearing world.
As residents of Fenton since 1989, the Sandersons love and appreciate small-town living, compared to California where David was born and raised.
“We chose to live in Fenton because of the recreational opportunities here and its family orientation. We know everyone here — everyone at The Home Depot knows me by name,” said Sanderson, with the help of American Sign Language and interpreter Carie Sarver at the Michigan School of Deaf, where he is in his fifth year as superintendent.
“We do everything that the hearing population does. We just speak a different language,” said Sanderson. His expressive movements and quick fingers bring a new appreciation of the importance of visual cues in the life of a deaf person. “Our language comes from our eyes. It’s acquired visually, not auditorially. That’s the only difference.”
This common language and life experience is often what brings deaf people together, both in marriage and in friendships. “About 95 percent of deaf people marry other deaf people,” said Sanderson, who met Barbara when they were both attending Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., the nation’s only deaf, liberal arts college.
Linden residents David and Debby Dietch met in college, too, when both were attending the National Technical Institute for the Deaf on the Rochester ITT campus in Rochester, N.Y.
Debby, 53, was a “rubella baby,” whose deafness wasn’t diagnosed until she was 2 years old. She was sent to an oral deaf school, before, sign language was taught in the classroom. “I learned sign language while riding the bus with Michigan School for the Deaf students,” recalled Debby. She was mainstreamed into regular school in seventh grade, but was the only deaf student in her high school class.
“I’ve always been a part of both the deaf community and the hearing population, because I came home every day to a family who could hear,” said Debby. “My mom encouraged speech therapy for years when I was a child, so I learned to speak.” In fact, Debby is so well spoken, people in work or social situations often forget that she is deaf. “I still miss a lot in meetings if I don’t have an interpreter,” she said.
After being downsized from her work at the Communication Access Center on the Michigan School for the Deaf campus and a career at The State Bank in Fenton, she’s attending college to complete her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She’s hoping to work in disability services at the college level.
David, 52, was born deaf from a congenital defect. He spent all of his childhood attending schools for the deaf. He has been a professional tool and die maker for more than 30 years, the last 19 at Century Tool in Fenton.
He is also able to speak, but can best be understood face-to-face, at a close range. He finds it easiest to communicate if someone looks right at him so he can read lips, unless they know sign language. The couple has three hearing daughters, Jennifer, 28, Ashley, 24 and Stacy, 23, all of whom work with their dad to help him with grammar and writing. Both of these skills are weak.
Because communication tends to be easier among those who are deaf or “hard of hearing” (the preferred expression, as opposed to “hearing impaired”), those in the deaf community tend to socialize together. The Flint Area Deaf Club provides a social outlet, and many couples like to socialize on Friday night at restaurants with friends.
Just as the hearing community has a wide range of ability in verbal and written skills, there is a vast range of levels in deafness, which determine how people choose to communicate. Some people are totally deaf, and cannot hear any sound at all and are not helped by a hearing instrument. Others, like the Dietchs, are able to speak and hear slightly, with the help of a hearing aid.
What those in the deaf community appreciate most of all is patience. “A deaf person will do his or her best to let a hearing person know how to communicate — whether by writing a note, lip reading, gesturing, etc.,” said Sanderson. “We know how to communicate. It’s just a different language than yours.”
avid Sanderson, and his wife, Barbara, live on the shores of Silver Lake in Fenton and enjoy an active lifestyle on the water — but they’ve never heard the soothing sounds of the lake or the early morning bird calls signaling the beginning of a new day.
Both of the Sandersons have been deaf since birth, but it hasn’t stopped them from doing anything in life they’ve wanted to achieve — including raising three successful daughters blessed with acute hearing, who are just as comfortable in the deaf world as they are in the hearing world.
As residents of Fenton since 1989, the Sandersons love and appreciate small-town living, compared to California where David was born and raised.
“We chose to live in Fenton because of the recreational opportunities here and its family orientation. We know everyone here — everyone at The Home Depot knows me by name,” said Sanderson, with the help of American Sign Language and interpreter Carie Sarver at the Michigan School of Deaf, where he is in his fifth year as superintendent.
“We do everything that the hearing population does. We just speak a different language,” said Sanderson. His expressive movements and quick fingers bring a new appreciation of the importance of visual cues in the life of a deaf person. “Our language comes from our eyes. It’s acquired visually, not auditorially. That’s the only difference.”
This common language and life experience is often what brings deaf people together, both in marriage and in friendships. “About 95 percent of deaf people marry other deaf people,” said Sanderson, who met Barbara when they were both attending Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., the nation’s only deaf, liberal arts college.
Linden residents David and Debby Dietch met in college, too, when both were attending the National Technical Institute for the Deaf on the Rochester ITT campus in Rochester, N.Y.
Debby, 53, was a “rubella baby,” whose deafness wasn’t diagnosed until she was 2 years old. She was sent to an oral deaf school, before, sign language was taught in the classroom. “I learned sign language while riding the bus with Michigan School for the Deaf students,” recalled Debby. She was mainstreamed into regular school in seventh grade, but was the only deaf student in her high school class.
“I’ve always been a part of both the deaf community and the hearing population, because I came home every day to a family who could hear,” said Debby. “My mom encouraged speech therapy for years when I was a child, so I learned to speak.” In fact, Debby is so well spoken, people in work or social situations often forget that she is deaf. “I still miss a lot in meetings if I don’t have an interpreter,” she said.
After being downsized from her work at the Communication Access Center on the Michigan School for the Deaf campus and a career at The State Bank in Fenton, she’s attending college to complete her bachelor’s degree in business administration. She’s hoping to work in disability services at the college level.
David, 52, was born deaf from a congenital defect. He spent all of his childhood attending schools for the deaf. He has been a professional tool and die maker for more than 30 years, the last 19 at Century Tool in Fenton.
He is also able to speak, but can best be understood face-to-face, at a close range. He finds it easiest to communicate if someone looks right at him so he can read lips, unless they know sign language. The couple has three hearing daughters, Jennifer, 28, Ashley, 24 and Stacy, 23, all of whom work with their dad to help him with grammar and writing. Both of these skills are weak.
Because communication tends to be easier among those who are deaf or “hard of hearing” (the preferred expression, as opposed to “hearing impaired”), those in the deaf community tend to socialize together. The Flint Area Deaf Club provides a social outlet, and many couples like to socialize on Friday night at restaurants with friends.
Just as the hearing community has a wide range of ability in verbal and written skills, there is a vast range of levels in deafness, which determine how people choose to communicate. Some people are totally deaf, and cannot hear any sound at all and are not helped by a hearing instrument. Others, like the Dietchs, are able to speak and hear slightly, with the help of a hearing aid.
What those in the deaf community appreciate most of all is patience. “A deaf person will do his or her best to let a hearing person know how to communicate — whether by writing a note, lip reading, gesturing, etc.,” said Sanderson. “We know how to communicate. It’s just a different language than yours.”
Park to lead South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind
Park to lead South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind
Maggie Park's interim position as president of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind was made permanent Tuesday by the school's board of commissioners.
Park, who has worked at the school for nearly 10 years, was selected in August to temporarily lead the organization until a permanent replacement could be found. She said her time already spent in the top position has allowed her a better overall view of the school and prepared her to take on the job permanently.
"I'm thrilled to be able to serve SCSDB in this way," Park said. "It has been a great opportunity to get a feel for the job in the last 10 months. With all the budget cuts, we are still going to be working on moving forward with our programs and serving our students here and across the state, but doing it as economically as we possibly can."
Until August, Park served as the school's director of curriculum and instruction. She has nearly 20 years of experience in curriculum, special education and administrative duties through work with SCSDB, the Willie Ross School for the Deaf in Longmeadow, Mass., the First Baptist Cooperative Preschool in Bethlehem, Pa., and Pateros Preschool in Pateros, Wash.
After earning degrees in educational administration, deaf education and early childhood education, Park is pursuing a doctorate in educational administration. She expects to complete the degree in 2011.
Park has earned numerous educational awards and is affiliated with the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Council for Exceptional Children, the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf and the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
SCSDB board chairwoman Cynthia Holland said the decision to appoint Park was unanimous.
"We feel that Maggie's outstanding credentials and years of experience at SCSDB qualify her to take on the leadership of this state agency," Holland said. "She has certainly demonstrated over the last year that she possesses the ability to lead SCSDB, as she has worked diligently to maintain student programs and services in spite of dire economic times. We are thrilled that Maggie will accept the position and look forward to working with her as SCSDB continues to grow here on campus and through outreach services statewide."
The SCSDB board conducted a formal candidate search last year, a few months after the replacement of former president Pamela Shaw in August 2008, then selected Park as an interim leader for the school.
Park's permanent appointment is pending approval by the South Carolina Agency Head Salary Commission and the Budget and Control Board in June 2010. The state Agency Head Salary Commission will set Park's salary this summer. She currently earns $103,000 per year as interim president.
"I am just thrilled the board has allowed me to have the position on a permanent basis," Park said. "I am really looking forward to serving this campus."
Maggie Park's interim position as president of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind was made permanent Tuesday by the school's board of commissioners.
Park, who has worked at the school for nearly 10 years, was selected in August to temporarily lead the organization until a permanent replacement could be found. She said her time already spent in the top position has allowed her a better overall view of the school and prepared her to take on the job permanently.
"I'm thrilled to be able to serve SCSDB in this way," Park said. "It has been a great opportunity to get a feel for the job in the last 10 months. With all the budget cuts, we are still going to be working on moving forward with our programs and serving our students here and across the state, but doing it as economically as we possibly can."
Until August, Park served as the school's director of curriculum and instruction. She has nearly 20 years of experience in curriculum, special education and administrative duties through work with SCSDB, the Willie Ross School for the Deaf in Longmeadow, Mass., the First Baptist Cooperative Preschool in Bethlehem, Pa., and Pateros Preschool in Pateros, Wash.
After earning degrees in educational administration, deaf education and early childhood education, Park is pursuing a doctorate in educational administration. She expects to complete the degree in 2011.
Park has earned numerous educational awards and is affiliated with the Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Council for Exceptional Children, the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf and the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
SCSDB board chairwoman Cynthia Holland said the decision to appoint Park was unanimous.
"We feel that Maggie's outstanding credentials and years of experience at SCSDB qualify her to take on the leadership of this state agency," Holland said. "She has certainly demonstrated over the last year that she possesses the ability to lead SCSDB, as she has worked diligently to maintain student programs and services in spite of dire economic times. We are thrilled that Maggie will accept the position and look forward to working with her as SCSDB continues to grow here on campus and through outreach services statewide."
The SCSDB board conducted a formal candidate search last year, a few months after the replacement of former president Pamela Shaw in August 2008, then selected Park as an interim leader for the school.
Park's permanent appointment is pending approval by the South Carolina Agency Head Salary Commission and the Budget and Control Board in June 2010. The state Agency Head Salary Commission will set Park's salary this summer. She currently earns $103,000 per year as interim president.
"I am just thrilled the board has allowed me to have the position on a permanent basis," Park said. "I am really looking forward to serving this campus."
Deaf man sells home after being conned out of thousands on Facebook
Deaf man sells home after being conned out of thousands on Facebook
A British DEAF man is being forced to sell his home after internet scammers tricked him into believing he won a special lottery.
Kenneth Newman, 50, was born deaf and communicates using sign language.
However, thanks to the internet, he can easily communicate with friends across the globe using social networking sites.
In January, he was befriended by a woman on Facebook who called herself Sandra Owen.
She claimed she was deaf and had won £750,000 on the “United Nations Deaf Lottery”, but after paying £5,000 as a fee to receive the money, her prize money went up to £1.2million.
She forwarded the e-mail address of the supposed lottery organiser, Harry Thomas, to Mr Newman.
After contacting him, Mr Newman was told — having passed on his bank account details — that he had won £600,000.
Mr Newman was told to forward £300 via Western Union to an address in Lagos, Nigeria.
However, Mr Newman, a technical officer at Derriford Hospital, was then told he needed to find about £30,000 for “government fees” before he could receive his full winnings.
He took out a number of loans, secured against his Estover flat, but “Harry” would text him each time explaining he needed more, concocting various stories to encourage Mr Newman’s efforts.
Only after a meeting with his bank regarding life assurance was the con spotted — and Mr Newman was urged to contact police.
By this time, the crooks had hacked into Mr Newman’s Facebook site, so it appeared as if he was telling all his friends — particularly his deaf friends — that he had won £600,000 on a lottery for the deaf.
Investigators are trying to track down the crooks, but admit there is little hope of retrieving the money.
PC Michael Loveys said: “He has been sucked in by these people and they went on to try and target friends of his.
“There’s no such thing as a deaf and disabled person’s lottery. There are a number of scams like this out there. Lots and lots of people have been scammed, but if you haven’t entered a lottery, then you haven’t won.
“What is most appalling is that these criminals are specifically targeting vulnerable people.”
Mr Newman, speaking with assistance from his friend, British Sign Language interpreter Helen Doyle, said: “About £26,000 is gone from six loans. My flat’s been remortgaged and I now have to sell my flat. I hope I will be able to find another place.
“I want to warn other people, both deaf and hearing people, not to be taken in by these lottery scams. Say no to them, don’t contact them and remove them from your Facebook page.
“For the last three months, it was hell. I’m doing better now, thanks to the support of my friends, but it will take me years to pay off these debts.”
Ms Doyle said: “We keep telling Kenneth to stay positive. If I wasn’t here, I think he would be gone by now. Kenneth wants to warn others, to save them the same fate. He hopes he can save others by revealing what happened to him.”
Anyone with information about the scam should call police on 08452 777444 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number EL/10/1320.
For more information on scams, visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/watch_out/ or call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 for advice.
A British DEAF man is being forced to sell his home after internet scammers tricked him into believing he won a special lottery.
Kenneth Newman, 50, was born deaf and communicates using sign language.
However, thanks to the internet, he can easily communicate with friends across the globe using social networking sites.
In January, he was befriended by a woman on Facebook who called herself Sandra Owen.
She claimed she was deaf and had won £750,000 on the “United Nations Deaf Lottery”, but after paying £5,000 as a fee to receive the money, her prize money went up to £1.2million.
She forwarded the e-mail address of the supposed lottery organiser, Harry Thomas, to Mr Newman.
After contacting him, Mr Newman was told — having passed on his bank account details — that he had won £600,000.
Mr Newman was told to forward £300 via Western Union to an address in Lagos, Nigeria.
However, Mr Newman, a technical officer at Derriford Hospital, was then told he needed to find about £30,000 for “government fees” before he could receive his full winnings.
He took out a number of loans, secured against his Estover flat, but “Harry” would text him each time explaining he needed more, concocting various stories to encourage Mr Newman’s efforts.
Only after a meeting with his bank regarding life assurance was the con spotted — and Mr Newman was urged to contact police.
By this time, the crooks had hacked into Mr Newman’s Facebook site, so it appeared as if he was telling all his friends — particularly his deaf friends — that he had won £600,000 on a lottery for the deaf.
Investigators are trying to track down the crooks, but admit there is little hope of retrieving the money.
PC Michael Loveys said: “He has been sucked in by these people and they went on to try and target friends of his.
“There’s no such thing as a deaf and disabled person’s lottery. There are a number of scams like this out there. Lots and lots of people have been scammed, but if you haven’t entered a lottery, then you haven’t won.
“What is most appalling is that these criminals are specifically targeting vulnerable people.”
Mr Newman, speaking with assistance from his friend, British Sign Language interpreter Helen Doyle, said: “About £26,000 is gone from six loans. My flat’s been remortgaged and I now have to sell my flat. I hope I will be able to find another place.
“I want to warn other people, both deaf and hearing people, not to be taken in by these lottery scams. Say no to them, don’t contact them and remove them from your Facebook page.
“For the last three months, it was hell. I’m doing better now, thanks to the support of my friends, but it will take me years to pay off these debts.”
Ms Doyle said: “We keep telling Kenneth to stay positive. If I wasn’t here, I think he would be gone by now. Kenneth wants to warn others, to save them the same fate. He hopes he can save others by revealing what happened to him.”
Anyone with information about the scam should call police on 08452 777444 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number EL/10/1320.
For more information on scams, visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/watch_out/ or call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 for advice.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Couple Denied Service Due to Service Dog
Couple Denied Service Due to Service Dog
MCLEAN, Va. - A McLean couple says they were denied service at a Virginia restaurant because of their service dog. Even after the police were called the couple says they were turned away.
Forty-seven-year-old Christine Calabrese is legally blind, hearing impaired and suffers from severe balance problems. She needs her service dog for help walking in addition to seeing and hearing. But on a trip through southern Virginia the Calabreses were told the dog was not welcome at an area restaurant.
In a letter that John and Christine Calabrese are sending to the Justice Department, they claim that Napolis Italian Restaurant in Altavista, Virginia violated Christine's human rights.
Last Saturday, the Calabreses say they sat down in the restaurant along with Christine's service dog, Koji.
"They took our order for drinks. So I thought everything was fine," said Christine Calabrese.
But they were soon asked to leave by the managers, Ahmed Ahmed and Fathy Morse. John Calabrese says he repeatedly explained the Americans with Disabilities Act, but without success.
"He leaned over and said to me 'I know my business. That dog is not allowed,'" said Calabrese.
The Calabreses went outside and called police, who also called the Health Department to confirm that service dogs are allowed under state and federal law.
"And advised them what the consequences would be and they still refused to allow the lady with the dog into the restaurant," said Deputy Chief Kenneth Walsh with the Altavista Police Department.
The couple and their dog were still turned away.
Manager Fathy Morsy says he didn't know about the Americans with Disabilities Act and he says the Calabreses were being rude.
"I say 'just leave it outside,' because the people were complaining...they tell me 'no,'" said Fathy Morsy. "And he was talking with me, you know, it was not in a good way, you know."
Rude or not, Christine says hopes no other people with disabilities are treated the same way.
"I would like to prevent this from happening again, that's my ultimate goal," said Christine Calabrese. "I always try to make things better for the next disabled person to come along."
The Calabreses say they don't plan to sue the restaurant. They will let the Justice Department decide whether to prosecute.
The restaurant manager says he is sorry about what happened, knows the rules now, and the Calabreses are welcome back anytime.
MCLEAN, Va. - A McLean couple says they were denied service at a Virginia restaurant because of their service dog. Even after the police were called the couple says they were turned away.
Forty-seven-year-old Christine Calabrese is legally blind, hearing impaired and suffers from severe balance problems. She needs her service dog for help walking in addition to seeing and hearing. But on a trip through southern Virginia the Calabreses were told the dog was not welcome at an area restaurant.
In a letter that John and Christine Calabrese are sending to the Justice Department, they claim that Napolis Italian Restaurant in Altavista, Virginia violated Christine's human rights.
Last Saturday, the Calabreses say they sat down in the restaurant along with Christine's service dog, Koji.
"They took our order for drinks. So I thought everything was fine," said Christine Calabrese.
But they were soon asked to leave by the managers, Ahmed Ahmed and Fathy Morse. John Calabrese says he repeatedly explained the Americans with Disabilities Act, but without success.
"He leaned over and said to me 'I know my business. That dog is not allowed,'" said Calabrese.
The Calabreses went outside and called police, who also called the Health Department to confirm that service dogs are allowed under state and federal law.
"And advised them what the consequences would be and they still refused to allow the lady with the dog into the restaurant," said Deputy Chief Kenneth Walsh with the Altavista Police Department.
The couple and their dog were still turned away.
Manager Fathy Morsy says he didn't know about the Americans with Disabilities Act and he says the Calabreses were being rude.
"I say 'just leave it outside,' because the people were complaining...they tell me 'no,'" said Fathy Morsy. "And he was talking with me, you know, it was not in a good way, you know."
Rude or not, Christine says hopes no other people with disabilities are treated the same way.
"I would like to prevent this from happening again, that's my ultimate goal," said Christine Calabrese. "I always try to make things better for the next disabled person to come along."
The Calabreses say they don't plan to sue the restaurant. They will let the Justice Department decide whether to prosecute.
The restaurant manager says he is sorry about what happened, knows the rules now, and the Calabreses are welcome back anytime.
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