Dear Friends,
I begin this newsletter with a news alert that the Orange County
(California) HUD (Housing Urban Development) office is now accepting
applications for Section 8 rental assistance. If you or know anyone
who may need help paying the apartment rent, please contact us or have
them contact us ASAP because the application window is only in the
month of November 2005.
Mata Expo was great! A lot more people showed up than expected maybe
300% more than expected. Next year it will be held in the Ontario
Convention Center. Pictures of this have been uploaded to the
newsletter's website along with the pictures of the other events in
'crazy October'. We have distributed a lot of advocacy, health, and
education materials. Even our volunteers decided to sell Mint
Meltaways candies there and we sold all out. Deaf people mobbed the
T-Mobile booth all day. The Sidkick communication devices are still
very hot in the deaf market and we are considering making a
sidekick-friendly version of this newsletter.
The recent Forrest vs Buydig.com settlement through the U.S.
Department of Justice states businesses who hang up on relay assisted
calls could be liable for damages under Title III of the ADA. Deaf
people use relay the relay service to communicate with hearing people
through the telephone. Make sure you use a relay service that
utilizes the recording of conversations. Preferably using the Internet
Protocols (IP) relay services instead of video relay services (VRS) to
document businesses responses to relay calls would produce the
strongest evidence. Use the recorded conversations in your complaint
to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Some of you wonder why we're taking up Rafael's side on his fight with
CISS.org organization is that the editor has personally experienced
similar problems with the WRAD.org and California Association of the
Deaf organizations in the past. The two organizations have toyed
around with their leadership elections many years ago preventing the
editor from getting elected on several occasions and that's why we're
strongly connected to Rafael's situation with the CISS organization.
It's all about a war against indiscipline.
Today's going to be an interesting day in California's history when
California voters decide on several interesting initiatives. They
involve minor pregnancy termination, 2 prescription drug initiatives,
public funding allocations, teacher issues, and union dues management.
Please update your mailboxes to permit our newsletters as were getting
a lot of bounces in the past week.
Remember us as the holidays are coming up! Don't forget to use the
Albertsons, Ralph, and Food4Less Cards this coming Thanksgiving as you
will help us with our mission and vision statements. Our iGive
program is there to help you with your holiday shopping too.
OCDAC Communications
ocdac@deafadvocacy.org
-------------< INSIDE NEWS >
We have started fundraising activities to build up the stock for The
New Year's event.
We have started on the planning our free Valentine's day dance event
next February. This will be supported by vendors who purchased booths
and we already have 2 vendors lined up for this.
We are having a Bowl-A-Thon next February and a committee is being
formed for that.
We are partnering with a Silent Poker Club in Orange County for the
purpose of supporting our Disability Gaming Initiative. We welcome
Rocky Butler on board with us.
Drastic Social Security rule changes for Title II Old Age, Survivors,
and Disability Insurance and SSI programs such as outlined in
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/200\
5/pdf/05-14845.pdf
renews our calls for self-reliance ideas for organizations who serve
the deaf and disabled and our very own idea, our California Disability
Gaming Initiative idea and that can be found at
http://www.deafadvocacy.com/cdgicinfo.pdf is an idea that works for
Native Americans. Why shouldn't it work for the Disability
communities? The proposed Social Security rules will limit appeals
and create a new process that is less about truth-seeking and more
hostile to applicants.
Our online magazine fundraiser is doing well.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Take a look at our new magazine fundraiser and this is one of the ways
you can help us do the good work for the deaf and disabled communities.
The URL is http://www.magfundraising.com/GroupPage.aspx?e=788159
Our blue van which we use to transport deaf-blind people to events and
we also use to conduct numerous fundraiser and education activities is
showing signs it will need to be replaced soon. We use it to transport
over 15 deaf and deaf-blind people to various events each month.
These deaf and deaf-blind clients who are unable to use the bus cant
qualify for our local ACCESS program since their system's rules make
it extremely difficult to do so. Therefore our deaf and deaf-blind
friends are relying on us to help them participate in our society's
offerings and that is done through our blue van. The wipers have
ceased working making it inoperable on rainy days, the transmission is
bad limiting our travel to local areas. Last week the sliding door on
the side fell off because the metal cracked at the top. The van has
been heavily used in assisting us with our mission and vision
statements. We would appreciate your help in getting us a new van
soon so we can continue helping these deaf and deaf-blind people and
our education and fundraising activities. If you're interested in
helping us out, please contact us at ocdac@deafadvocacy.org
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 1/3 >
School for deaf marks 25 years
http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/11/school_for_deaf_1.html
Teaching the deaf to hear
http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/11/teaching_the_de.html
Listen: The Sound Of Hope
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_46/b3959101.htm
Elections Board says polling places have barriers to disabled
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/politics/13098489.htm
College Fair Focuses On The Hearing Impaired
http://www.wcsh6.com/home/article.asp?id=28243
-------------< CALIFORNIA DEAFIE HAPPENINGS >
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37
/ - meets each 3rd Wednesdays of the
month.
The Orange County Deaf & Hearing Impaired Meetup Group -
http://deaf.meetup.com/
38/ - meets each 1st Saturdays of the month.
===============================
SCRID and Cypress College welcomes you to DEMYSTIFYING CLASSIFIERS on
November 12 from 9am to 4:30pm at Cypress College, 9200 Valley View
Street, Cypress, CA 90630 in the Food for Thought Cafe in the Fine
Arts Building.
What exactly are classifiers?
Learn all about how classifiers function in ASL.
Learn how classifiers are the mortar to the bricks of ASL vocabulary
and how the use of the classifiers lets you really tell the story.
Both receptive and expressive practice.
Open to all levels. Space limited. Pre-registration is encouraged.
For more information, contact MKLanker@sbcglobal.net or
PMontalvo@cypresscollege.edu or visit www.scrid.org.
===============================
COFFEE NIGHT AT THE BLOCK AT ORANGE
20 City Blvd. West,
Orange, CA 92868
Location is just where the 5 freeway meets the 22 freeway at The City
Drive Exit in the city of Orange. November 11 , 6pm till closing.
Always heavy turnout rain or 'moon shine'!
===============================
TRAFFIC SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING NOVEMBER 12, 2005
from 8am to 4pm at Citrus College, 1000 W. Foothill Bvld., Glendora,
CA 91741 in the Lifelong Learning Center.
8 hours of instruction in the fundamentals of the vehicle code, laws,
and better driving practices.
For more information, contact John Stockman at jsroute66@aol.com or
jstockman66@tmail.com.
===============================
DynaMingle invites you to ICE CREAM NIGHT social at Cold Stone
Creamery, 2950 Johnson Drive, Ventura, CA 93003 on November 14 from
7pm to 9pm.
Tell the cashier that you're with DynaMingle so that a portion of your
purchase is donated to DynaMingle.
(From flyer at mata expo)
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our iGive store http://www.igive.com/ocdac for your
holiday shopping needs.
-------------< DEAF GRAPEVINE >
NAD Settles Relay Complaint Against Online Retailer
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), representing Heidi
Forrest, settled a disability discrimination complaint against
WorldWide Direct/Buydig.com, Inc. The complaint, filed with the United
States Department of Justice, claimed that Buydig.com, an online
retailer, refused to accept Ms. Forrest's Telecommunications Relay
Service (TRS) call.
Kelby Brick, NAD Director of Law and Advocacy, commented "this is an
important precedent establishing that stores and businesses must
comply with the law by accepting relay calls."
Buydig.com allows customers to place orders for the purchase of
digital products by phone, fax, mail, and online. In July 2004,
Forrest initiated on online order. After initiating her order,
Buydig.com contacted Forrest by email, requesting that she call the
customer service number provided. Buydig.com did not indicate that its
phone number was accessible to TTY calls so Forrest attempted to call
the customer service number using relay.
Buydig.com refused to accept Forrest's relay calls, explaining that
they do not accept "these calls." As a result, Forrest never had an
opportunity to communicate with a Buydig.com representative.
Buydig.com then cancelled her order.
As part of the settlement, Buydig.com agreed to comply with the
following conditions:
Produce and provide all company personnel with a written copy of the
company policy requiring acceptance of relay calls in compliance with
Title III of the ADA;
Provide comprehensive training to all personnel on Buydig.com
obligations to accept relay calls;
Post a notice on the Buydig.com website of its policy of accepting
relay calls. "Now deaf or hard of hearing individuals can receive
equal access to the products and services of Buydig.com," Brick
continued, "We are happy to see a retailer change their policies in
order to ensure deaf or hard of hearing individuals are treated equally."
For more news and information regarding requirements of businesses to
provide access to deaf and hard of hearing individuals as well as
other individuals with disabilities, please visit the following
website: http://www.nad.org/ADAtitleIII
-------------< BULLETIN >
Senators Kennedy and DeWine Introduce Bill to Help People with
Disabilities Overcome Barriers to Independence
On Wednesday, November 2, 2005, U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
and Mike DeWine (R-OH) held a press conference in which they announced
the introduction of the Community Living Assistance Services and
Supports (CLASS) Act of 2005 (S 1951) that would create an insurance
program for adults who become functionally disabled. This legislation
would provide a cash benefit to help obtain services and supports in
the community while providing individuals with disabilities more
choices in their lives.
Too many Americans are perfectly capable of living a life in the
community, but are denied the supports they need, said Sen. Kennedy.
The bill we propose is a long overdue effort to offer greater dignity,
greater hope, and greater opportunity. It makes a simple pact with
all Americans If you work hard and contribute, society will take care
of you when you fall on hard times.
This bill is a good step in changing public policy to help severely
impaired people overcome barriers to their personal independence, said
Sen. DeWine, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Retirement
Security and Aging. This bill would allow Ohio families and people
across the country to more easily obtain much-needed tools like
housing modifications and assistive technologies.
Over 100 groups representing people with disabilities, seniors, and
Americas workers have signed on to support this legislation. Included
in that support are the American Association of People with
Disabilities, the National Council on Independent Living, ADAPT, the
Association of University Centers on Disabilities, and the Disability
Policy Collaboration.
This legislation creates a voluntary insurance program that is based
on the principles of independence, choice, and empowerment. It would
be financed by voluntary payroll deductions of individuals (at least
18 years old) who have contributed to the program at least five years.
There are two benefit tiers: Tier 1 benefits ($50 a day) would be
payable to eligible individuals who have two or more impairments in
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) or the equivalent cognitive
impairments and Tier 2 benefits ($100 a day) would be payable to
individuals who have four or more ADLs or the equivalent cognitive
impairment.
Mr. James Stearns, a national trustee of United Cerebral Palsy, also
spoke at the press conference on Thursday. He stated: On behalf of
United Cerebral Palsy, I applaud Senators Kennedy and DeWine for
introducing the CLASS Act. Their legislation advances a system that
rewards independence by encouraging people with disabilities to live
in their own communities and be productive.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our bookstore that has related books and different kinds
of assistive living devices at http://store.deafadvocacy.org
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 2/3 >
Now Hear This: Films Captioned For The Deaf
http://www.courant.com/features/lifestyle/hc-captions.artnov07,0,1406623.story?c\
oll=hc-headlines-life
See me, hear me
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/health/s_391851.html
REEVE'S DISABLED INSPIRATION AIMS FOR POLITICS
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/reeves%20disabled%20insp\
iration%20aims%20for%20politics
Foundation for disabled robbed
http://www.press-citizen.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051107/NEWS01/51107001\
/1079
Videophones make calls easier for the hearing impaired
http://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2MTAmZmdiZWw3Zjd2\
cWVlRUV5eTY4MDEyNTQmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk1
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
National Association of the Deaf Urges Comments on Closed Captioning Rules
As a result of a petition submitted by the National Association of the
Deaf (NAD), Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc., Self Help for the
Hard of Hearing, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy
Network, and the Association of Late Deafened Adults, the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) has begun a rulemaking process to
examine the FCC closed captioning rules.
Closed captioning is an integral and crucial part of a deaf and hard
of hearing person's daily life and personal safety. However, despite
the FCC current closed captioning rules, there continues to be woeful
captioning access -- no access or poor quality -- in broadcast captions.
The FCC seeks comments on whether additional enforcement mechanisms
should be required to ensure full compliance with its rules and to
increase the accountability for noncompliance with its rules. "This
will be the biggest change in captioning rules in years," says Kelby
Brick, NAD Director of Law and Advocacy.
The FCC seeks comments on the following areas:
-non-technical quality standards for closed captioning
-technical quality standards for closed captioning
-monitoring of captioning
-complaint procedures
-accessibility of contact information
-standardized FCC complaint form for consumers to use
-fines and penalties for failure to caption
-requirement for compliance reports by broadcasters
-availability of captioners to provide live and pre-broadcast captions
"The FCC must hear from consumers on this important issue," urged
Sheila Conlon Mentkowski, Chair of the NAD Technology Committee.
Consumers are encouraged to take action now by going to:
http://www.nad.org/CaptioningAction
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"With video relay, I'm able to use my natural language, which is Sign
Language," James Ahearn
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Do you shop at Albertsons or Sav-on stores? You can get a free
community partners card at those stores and then add it to our list of
supporters. A percent of what you buy will go to helping our Deaf
youth program. If you already have a school or other program that you
are supporting, don't worry, you can add your card to support our
program too! There are two ways to add your card. You can email your
First and Last name with your phone number and community partners card
number to ocdac@deafadvocacy.org or you can download and print our
Albertsons / Sav-on Community Partners signup forms at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/AlbertsonsSignup.pdf and have your
friends, neighbors, associates, and relatives sign up as supporters
and then mail the form to the address on the
form. To reach our funding goal we need 25,000 supporters who shop at
Albertsons / Sav-on. And remember to use your community partners card
when you shop at Albertsons or Sav-on.
-------------< COMMUNITY BULLHORN >
Marilyn Golden, Policy Analyst at the Disability Rights Education and
Defense Fund (DREDF) (mgolden@dredf.org), reports:
New ADA Transportation Guidance From DOT
Recently, four new guidance documents interpreting the Department of
Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act Regulations were
released by DOT. These four guidance documents faithfully carry out
the intent of the ADA and its regulation to protect the civil rights
of people with disabilities. For example, one of the documents states
that transit agencies must provide paratransit service in a way that
goes beyond "curb-to-curb service" if necessary to actually get the
passenger from his or her point of origin to his or her destination.
The documents are entitled:
1. Origin to Destination Service
2. Full-Length, Level-Boarding Platforms in New Commuter and Intercity
Rail Stations
3. Paratransit Requirements for '5311-Funded Fixed-Route Service
Operated by Private Entities
4. Use of "Segways" on Transportation Vehicles
The new DOT documents can be found at www.fta.dot.gov/ada under the
first heading, "DOT Disability Law Guidance." A current direct link is
http://www.fta.dot.gov/14531_17511_ENG_HTML.htm. Note that the first
link has a number of other important ADA transportation tools for
advocates, including:
* The FTA ADA complaint form at
http://www.fta.dot.gov/14531_14889_ENG_HTML.htm
* A growing list of FTA ADA assessments of transit agencies at
http://www.fta.dot.gov/14531_16159_ENG_HTML.htm
--
Marilyn Golden
Policy Analyst
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
<mgolden@dredf.org>
Home office:
1629 Ward Street
Berkeley, CA 94703
USA
Voice (510) 549-9339
FAX (510) 549-9449
<www.dredf.org>
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
ARB donates to Sekondi School for the Deaf
http://www.accra-mail.com/mailnews.asp?id=14615
Sign language improves mental abilities
http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/11/sign_language_i_2.html
Disabled Woman Sentenced To House Arrest For Smuggling Cuban Birds
http://www.local10.com/news/5268792/detail.html
Assistive Technology Centre for hearing-impaired ready next year
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/176969/1/.html
Hearing-impaired victims to enjoy group's assistance
http://www.thetidenews.com/article.aspx?qrDate=10/23/2005&qrTitle=Hearing-impair\
ed%20victims%20to%20enjoy%20group%E2%80%99s%20assistance&qrColumn=NATION
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY JOB OPPORTUNITIES >
1)Assistant Professor at a California State University
2)HIV/AIDS HEALTH EDUCATOR WANTED FOR DEAF POPULATIONS ( In Kenya )
All candidates interested in any of the job opportunities are required
to apply for our job placement services. Our intake form is at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/intake.htm
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
We recycle used cell phones, empty printer and toner cartridges! If
you have any of these to unload from your hands, please send or drop
them at our agency at 2960 Main Street, A100, Irvine, California 92614
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES >
Begin your journey toward self-sufficiency by becoming a .WS domain
reseller! Become an owner of a _________.WS website for only $10 a
month! Includes hosting, email, and easy to use website design tools
to create a professional looking website. And all _________.WS owners
automatically become .WS website resellers and it comes with an
automatic selling program. All you have to do is lead people to your
reseller website! The WS stands for 'website'! This is an excellent
self-sufficiency opportunity for people who want to be on the top of
the .WS cyber real estate market. Take a look at the ASL video at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/cbep/website05.wmv and if you're
interested in this self-sufficiency program please go to
http://website.ws/ocdac for an easy sign
up. Or if you do not know American Sign Language, go straight to the
reseller page at http://website.ws/ocdac for a video of the program.
-------------< LETTERS >
How to contact the DEAF ACTION CENTER of NEW ORLEANS :
Contact Information for the Deaf Action Center for the New Orleans
Region: Deaf Action Center-New Orleans (moved to Baton Rouge, LA)
Shari Bernius, Executive Director (Offices have moved to Baton Rouge
under the Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of New Orleans-also in Baton
Rouge) Jennifer Guerrieri, Coordinator of Interpreters
9853 Jefferson Highway
Unit F-5
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
cell 504-615-7122
sbernius@mycingular.blackberry.net
Jennifer Guerrieri, Coordinator of Interpreters
504-615-4944 cell
504-736-9103 home
jguerrieri@mycingular.blackberry.net
Shari Bernius home ph now 225-243-5200
sbernius@mycingular.blackberry.net
Fred
W. Fred Roy III
Executive Director
Louisiana Commission for the Deaf
8225 Florida Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70806-4834
225-925-4175 Video Phone/v/tdd
800-256-1523 v/tdd
225-922-1515 FAX
225-235-4203 Cell
froy1@dss.state.la.us (email & Cell IM)
www.dss.state.la.us
==============================
Special Meeting and Workshop
Hello everyone. I truly hope this finds you all healthy and safe!!
LRID would like to announce a Special Meeting and Workshop on December
10 from 9:00am - 5:00pm at the Lafayette Athletic Association of the
Deaf (LAAD) Clubhouse.
Thank you to LAAD and to Bruce Dunn for the site location. Derrick
Elkins is working to finalize the workshop details.
Please share this information with others interested in LRID. I look
forward to seeing everyone. Smiles!!!
If you have any questions, please contact me at mlknowles0321@yahoo.com
Leslie Knowles
LRID 2nd Vice-President
==============================
Apply for Financial Assistance from ENTERGY
I have found out that ENTERGY is giving away money. Between $1,000 and
$10,000. The only stipulation is that you must have already APPLIED
for FEMA assistance. The website address to apply online is:
http://www.fndmidsouth.org/Power_of_hope_applications.htm
Once you complete the application online and emailed it to the
foundation you will receive an instant/fast response back from the
foundation thanking you for submitting you application, and you will
be contacted about your approval or rejection within 30 days of them
receiving your application.
Please share with everyone we know who are in need.
Peace and continued blessings to everyone.
ILY
"fmy"
-------------< EPILOG >
If you wish to contribute to this newsletter, feel free to send in
news, stories, and opinions relating to the disability community. Your
support in this effort to move the disability community forward will
be greatly appreciated. We will continue to aggressively pursue
justice, fairness, and equality for the disability community as it has
been doing since November 1996. We have chosen that EDUCATION is the
best way to accomplish this objective.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center is a community based
organization that puts people with disabilities first in their
advocacy for equal opportunities in safety, health, and productive living.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center provides services for disabled
individuals and their families in our community who need help in
navigating the social services maze. Every day people go without
proper food, shelter, and essential medical care every day due to a
variety of factors including low wages, job loss, injuries, illness,
age, domestic violence, or divorce. While all of us are susceptible to
hard times, disabled individuals are at the most risk. With the
generous support of people like you, we are able to help many of these
families and individuals not only to meet essential daily needs, but
to work toward a brighter future with programs in job training,
education, counseling, elderly assistance, and temporary housing.
Feel free to forward this email message to anyone and any of your
personal mailing lists so we can get the important messages out far
and wide and encourage them to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
To subscribe to this newsletter go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ or send a blank email
to ocdacnewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Monday, October 31, 2005
OCDAC Newsletter October 31, 2005
Dear Friends,
Happy Halloween folks! This issue is all treats for you to enjoy and
no tricks found here.
Bravo to National Council on Disabilities chairperson Lex Frieden who
refused to take part in October 22nd radio broadcast of Voice of
America's Talk to America show on Living with Disabilities because the
show is not available in text for people who are deaf or hard of hearing!
Last week, I was contacted by Congressman Tom Reynolds of New York and
he said I am getting the Congressional Leadership Award at a black tie
dinner event in New York next month! Vice president Dick Cheeny will
be there. I want to credit all the board members and the volunteers
our agency has and had in the past for helping me get this
recognition. This comes with a 10 day all expense paid trip to New
York and it's a much deserved 'vacation' I need for my 11 years as a
deaf advocate.
Our blue van which we use to transport deaf-blind people to events and
we also use to conduct numerous fundraiser and education activities is
showing signs it will need to be replaced soon. We use it to transport
over 15 deaf and deaf-blind people to various events each month.
These deaf and deaf-blind clients who are unable to use the bus cant
qualify for our local ACCESS program since their system's rules make
it extremely difficult to do so. Therefore our deaf and deaf-blind
friends are relying on us to help them participate in our society's
offerings and that is done through our blue van. The wipers have
ceased working making it inoperable on rainy days, the transmission is
bad limiting our travel to local areas. Last week the sliding door on
the side fell off because the metal cracked at the top. The van has
been heavily used in assisting us with our mission and vision
statements. We would appreciate your help in getting us a new van
soon so we can continue helping these deaf and deaf-blind people and
our education and fundraising activities. If you're interested in
helping us out, please contact us at ocdac@deafadvocacy.org
Crazy October with mixed results on the fundraising side and positive
results on the education and deaf awareness side has been declared an
overall success! We look forward to a repeat in 2006!
Remember us as the holidays are coming up! Don't forget to use the
Albertsons, Ralph, and Food4Less Cards this coming Thanksgiving as you
will help us with our mission and vision statements. Our iGive
program is there to help you with your holiday shopping too.
OCDAC Communications
ocdac@deafadvocacy.org
-------------< INSIDE NEWS >
We are ready for our educational booth at 'Mata Expo' this Saturday!
We have started fundraising activities to build up the stock for The
New Year's event.
We have started on the planning our free Valentine's day dance event
next February. This will be supported by vendors who purchased booths
and we already have 2 vendors lined up for this.
Drastic Social Security rule changes for Title II Old Age, Survivors,
and Disability Insurance and SSI programs such as outlined in
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/200\
5/pdf/05-14845.pdf
renews our calls for self-reliance ideas for organizations who serve
the deaf and disabled and our very own idea, our California Disability
Gaming Initiative idea and that can be found at
http://www.deafadvocacy.com/cdgicinfo.pdf is an idea that works for
Native Americans. Why shouldn't it work for the Disability
communities? The proposed Social Security rules will limit appeals
and create a new process that is less about truth-seeking and more
hostile to applicants.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
The first week of each month and respectively the first newsletter
issue of each month, we will have our pledge week issues. To see our
pledge form, please visit Http://www.deafadvocacy.com/pledgeform.txt
and it's very accessible to all editors.
Take a look at our new magazine fundraiser and this is one of the ways
you can help us do the good work for the deaf and disabled communities.
The URL is http://www.magfundraising.com/GroupPage.aspx?e=788159
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 1/3 >
Two treats of a lifetime for deaf schoolchildren
http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=129&fArticleId=2973629
Deaf choir fills church with signed music
http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/10/deaf_choir_fill.html
Special technology helps hearing-impaired teacher hear her students
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4032062&nav=0Rce
Ministry upgrades services to deaf school children, parents
http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051027/NEWS/11027012\
4
-------------< CALIFORNIA DEAFIE HAPPENINGS >
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37
/ - meets each 3rd Wednesdays of the
month.
The Orange County Deaf & Hearing Impaired Meetup Group -
http://deaf.meetup.com/
38/ - meets each 1st Saturdays of the month.
===============================
A memorable visit with Academy Award winning film and television
actress Marlee Matlin
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2005 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
7 p.m. - Jazz on the Patio / Concessions Available
Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her motion
picture debut in Paramount Pictures' Children of a Lesser God. At age
21 she was bestowed an Academy Award for Best Actress. Since that time
you've seen her in film and television (What the Bleep Do We Know, The
West Wing, and Desperate Housewives). On November 7th, this
award-winning actress/author/executive producer will grace our stage.
Don't miss this exciting evening!
$5 General Seating
Pasadena Playhouse
State Theatre of California
39 South El Molino Ave., Pasadena CA
CALL (626) 356-PLAY
www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our iGive store http://www.igive.com/ocdac for your
holiday shopping needs.
Special Deals going on at Charles Tyrwhitt! Charles Tyrwhitt offers a
4% Donation to Orange County Deaf
Advocacy Center.
-------------< DEAF GRAPEVINE >
Many of you may have seen a new company fall down from the sky as
"Deaf Video Professor" with claims they are releasing new videos for
the deaf communities. After a quick glance, we're finding it's a
repackaged version of the videos from the operators of Deaf Caution,
Deaf Training, and Hire Deaf. These people behind the "Deaf Video
Professor" operation have long histories of problems with consumer
watchdogs and their customers. I would not recommend "Deaf Video
Professor", instead we are in the process of obtaining a grant to
produce related videos with New Environmental Services to be freely
distributed. New Environmental Services is owned and run by Hard of
Hearing people in the South Orange County area.
-------------< BULLETIN >
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT
ISSUE: The Presidents budget for Fiscal Year 2006 proposes to REDUCE
funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Office of Disability
Employment Policy (ODEP) by 41 percent, from $47.2 million to $27.9
million. This is only the first step toward eliminating the office
altogether within the next two to three years.
The unemployment rate of people with disabilities has hovered near 70
percent for decades. ODEP was created to work at the highest levels of
DOL to improve employment and training opportunities for people with
disabilities in the mainstream workforce development system. This is
the first time in history that DOL has had such a visible focus on
employment of people with disabilities. In a post-ADA world, an office
like ODEP plays an important role in helping employers and the
workforce development system better understand issues around the
employment of people with disabilities.
In its five short years, ODEP has already had a significant impact on
policies and programs to facilitate employment prospects for youth and
adults with disabilities. Slashing or eliminating the office would be
a serious step backwards for disability employment policy.
In light of all the other proposed budget cuts, ODEPs budget could get
lost in the fray. ODEP is an easy target for elimination because it
has been highly effective in addressing disability employment issues
inside the DOL and across the federal government.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our bookstore that has related books and different kinds of
assistive living devices at http://store.deafadvocacy.org
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 2/3 >
A loving hand, a healing heart
http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/10/a_loving_hand_a.html
Proposed levy would buy independence for disabled
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051030/NEWS17/510300314/-1/N\
EWS
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
"Low Income" Housing Tax Credits and "Affordability"
After Katrina struck, Texas announced it had 7,000 VACANT low-income
housing tax credit (LIHTC) units available. That is a lot of vacant
housing units. Texans started asking why had Texas not offered them to
low income disabled Texans before Katrina? How long were they vacant?
This triggered an informal discussion among a number of disability
advocates who were asked if they knew the approximate number of LIHTC
units in their States and how many were vacant? No one knew either
answer! Below, by State, are the number of LIHTC units. (These are
from HUD and we believe they are FEWER than actually exist in your
State.)
ACTIONS ADVOCATES SHOULD TAKE:
1. Disability advocates should be in communication with your State's
Housing Finance Agency to obtain (1) the city and street location of
LIHTC units in existence, (2) the name and telephone number of the
LIHTC developer, (3) how many units are vacant, (4) how many and
which are accessible, and (5) how many of the accessible units have
disabled persons actually residing in them. Without this information,
disability advocates are not able to access a large number of units.
2. A number of persons have correctly pointed out that the "low
income" in LIHTC does not include persons with disabilities whose
income is SSI (or low SSDI). That is, persons on SSI who do not have
a Section8 Housing Voucher are normally TOO POOR to be able to afford
the rents in the LIHTC.
The reason for this is that the LIHTC federal program requires a
certain number of LIHTC units be rented to persons whose incomes are
either at or below the 50-60% of the area median income. Rents (and
therefore income for the developers) are based on a household's
income. Because SSI is at about 18-20% of the area median income, far
lower than 50-60%, persons with disabilities cannot
afford the rents with only an SSI income.
3. Here are two handles disability advocates could use to overcome
the SSI "TOO POOR" barrier to LIHTC units.
First, no developer who receives LIHTC can discriminate against
persons who have a Section 8 Housing Voucher. Advocates for disabled
persons should find out the location/developer who received LIHTC in
the past For these EXISTING units that are vacant, advocates should
inform persons with disabilities who have Housing Vouchers to apply
for those LIHTC units. Housing Vouchers are a necessary rent
supplement for persons on SSI to be able to afford LIHTC units.
Disability advocates should also know which developers are awarded
LIHTC for projects to be constructed in the near FUTURE. Once your
Housing Finance Agency announces the developers awarded LIHTC for
future projects, advocates should contact the developers so that
persons with Section 8 Housing Vouchers are first in line for the
units that will be constructed..
Second, LIHTC are competitive. Developers bid for them and very much
want them! Disability advocates should begin urging your Housing
Finance Agency to award extra points in the bidding competition to
developers who agree that a certain percent of the accessible units
will be rented to persons whose income is at the SSI level. This will
ensure some SSI recipients who do not have a Housing Voucher can
afford LIHTC units solely with their SSI income. Advocates should also
urge the Housing Finance Agency to award additional points developers
who agree to increase the percent of accessible units. These two
handles are being used in Pennsylvania.
HUD Reported State Totals of LIHTC:
Alabama 11,889
Alaska 1,910
Arizona 14,056
Arkansas 10,896
California 100,900
Colorado 12,741
Connecticut 8,078
Delaware 3,681
D. C. 6,718
Florida 81,123
Georgia 30,371
Hawaii 2,641
Idaho 5,120
Illinois 32,811
Indiana 16,411
Iowa 12,804
Kansas 14,807
Kentucky 10,378
Louisiana 23,544
Maine 4,794
Maryland 18,873
Massachus 23,164
Michigan 42,195
Minnesota 11,0916
Mississippi 11,677
Missouri 32,242
Montana 3,224
Nebraska 7,462
Nevada 6,661
New Hampshire 3,729
New Jersey 13,034
New Mexico 8,167
New York 36,174
North Carolina 29,392
North Dakota 2,885
Ohio 51,262
Oklahoma 15,886
Oregon 19,204
Pennsylvania 27,623
Rhode Island 4,528
South Carolina 13,519
South Dakota 4,326
Tennessee 22,413
Texas 88,609
Utah 7,268
Vermont 3,468
Virginia 46,843
Washington 31,842
West Virginia 5,481
Wisconsin 21,279
Wyoming 1,363
Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues
To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"They have hustled the deaf program for $260,000, and I don't like
it." Tom Mills complaining that money meant to aid the deaf has been
siphoned off to pay for program for the blind in Alabama.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Do you shop at Albertsons or Sav-on stores? You can get a free
community partners card at those stores and then add it to our list of
supporters. A percent of what you buy will go to helping our Deaf
youth program. If you already have a school or other program that you
are supporting, don't worry, you can add your card to support our
program too! There are two ways to add your card. You can email your
First and Last name with your phone number and community partners card
number to ocdac@deafadvocacy.org or you can download and print our
Albertsons / Sav-on Community Partners signup forms at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/AlbertsonsSignup.pdf and have your
friends, neighbors, associates, and relatives sign up as supporters
and then mail the form to the address on the
form. To reach our funding goal we need 25,000 supporters who shop at
Albertsons / Sav-on. And remember to use your community partners card
when you shop at Albertsons or Sav-on.
-------------< COMMUNITY BULLHORN >
PRESS RELEASE - October 28, 2005
For translation of this Press Release in your native language, visit
www.babelfish.altavista.com
From: www.deafsportlawsuit.com
2005 CISS/DEAFLYMPICS CONGRESS VOTING FRAUD: OMBUDSMAN'S REBUTTAL TO
ANARCHIST JERALD JORDAN'S OCTOBER 24, 2005 STORY
A WHOPPING 286 VOTING BALLOTS ( 29.8% ) WENT UNACCOUNTED AND UNUSED!
By Rafael PINKHASOV PINCHAS, CISS Ombudsman
Note: see below
EXHIBIT NUMBER ONE - March 27, 2005 39th CISS CONGRESS MINUTES REPORT,
POINT NUMBER 17
EXHIBIT NUMBER TWO - October 23, 2005 39th CISS CONGRESS MINUTES
REPORT, POINT NUMBER 17 ( altered version )
EXHIBIT NUMBER THREE - ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD ARE FALSE story
New York, USA - The meddling into the internal affairs of the
organization of the CISS/Deaflympics or ICSD ( "CISS" ) by the
so-called deaf international sports role model and CISS Honorary
Member for Life - Jerald Jordan - is going on.
Once again, Jordan, the recipient of the 1994 Gallaudet University
Honorary Doctorate Degree and 1995 Olympic Order, is getting backfired.
After mishandling his one-man Deaflympics Database Project, in which
over 985 errors were spotted in his work, Jordan has now again
degraded the image and integrity of the CISS in the eyes of the whole word
www.deafsportlawsuit.com/update77.htm
www.deafsportlawsuit.com/update78.htm
And despite his recent denial as a person in charge of the 39th CISS
Congress election running, Jordan ( not Lennart Edwall of Sweden, the
chief scrutineer or teller of the election session ) has now himself
found the nerve to describe his story about these elections in one
publication - www.deaftimes.com
www.deafsportlawsuit.com/update82.htm
Jordan's recent story is an excellent piece of evidence document
strengthening this Ombudsman's case that the 39th Congress election
session held on January 4, 2005, at Melbourne, Australia, was
mishandled and that the elections were organized in a highly-dubious
and fraudulent manner!
The reputable deaf online news publication in the USA -
www.deaftimes.com -
in its recent October 24, 2005 edition published Jordan's story titled
ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD ARE FALSE.
In spite of his long-time status in the organization of the CISS ( he
was its President between 1971 and 1995 ), Jordan's October 24 story
was produced in an unprofessional, confused, negligent, inconsistent,
inaccurate and mistaken manner.
According to Jordan's story, a record total of 286 voting ballots out
of 960 for five various CISS Executive Committee positions went
unaccounted or unused: these 286 ballots were either returned blank or
disqualified ones by the Congress delegates.
These 286 ballots out of 960 translate into 29.8% of votes that went
unaccounted during the January 4 Congress elections!
Allow this Ombudsman to elaborate further.
There was a supposed breakdown for the total of 960 voting ballots
distributed for five different positions:
120 votes for the office of President
120 votes for the office of Vice President
360 votes for the office of Member-at-Large Round One
240 votes for the office of Member-at-Large Round Two
120 votes for the office of Member-at-Large Round Three.
For the office of President Jordan mistakenly reports in his story a
total of 120 votes, that is, Donalda Ammons received 89 votes, while
Valery Rukhledev - 23.
Mathematically, 89 plus 23 will equal 112 votes. So, Jordan failed to
report 8 missing votes.
For the office of Vice President, Jordan again erroneously reports a
total of 120 votes, that is,
David Lanesman got 62 votes, Rukhledev 39 and Jessica Rohde 15.
Mathematically, 62 plus 39 plus 15 equal 116 votes. Thus, Jordan in
his story did not report these 4 votes as void ones.
For the office of Member-at -Large, there were 3 vacant positions, in
which three different Rounds were held.
Member-at-Large Round One: Jordan wrote to say that "But the facts are
that 118 ballot papers were returned ( meaning a country either left
the room or chose not to vote )," and that "Three of the ballot papers
were disqualified," and that "Examination of remaining papers shows
that some countries did not vote for three candidates ( nor were they
required to )."
Jordan's statements translate into the following: 118 returned ballots
plus 3 disqualified ballots means a total 121 ballots went uncontested
or unused. Therefore, of 360 ballots awarded for this Round One minus
121 equal 239 ballots ( or, 360 - 121=239 ). This translates into a
total 239 ballots which were supposed to be contested among the six
candidates in this Round.
However, there is a huge inconsistency: how could these six candidates
collect a combined total of 239 votes?
According to Jordan's story itself and CISS Congress Minutes Reports
of March 27 and October 23, 2005, Siv Fosshaug received 79 votes,
Tommy Jung 44, Dogan Ozdemir 55, Yang Yang 57, Rohde 28 and Rukhledev
41, which equals to an aggregate of 304 votes.
The figure of 239 does not justify the figure of 304. That is, an
aggregate of 304 votes, let's repeat, was collected by all these six
candidates in this Round One contest.
Thus, it appeared that a total of 239 votes went unaccounted or unused
in this Round One.
Member-at-Large Round Two: Jordan provided confusing and
vaguely-worded statements by writing to say that "116 ballots were
returned, meaning 2 countries did not vote," that "Eight ballot sheets
were disqualified," and that "Again, not all countries voted for two
candidates."
Jordan's statements interpret the following: 4 votes ( that is, each
country has 2 votes times 2 countries ) plus 8 disqualified ballot
sheets equal 12 votes. Now, 240 contested votes for this Round minus
12 votes equal 228 remaining votes ( or, 240 - 12 = 228 ).
Again, there is an inconsistency with these 228 votes compared with
Jordan's story and the two different CISS Congress Minutes Reports of
March 27 and October 23, 2005 ( that is, Jordan and the two CISS
Congress Minutes Reports indicate that a combined total of 208 votes
were awarded between 4 candidates for this Round - Jung got 45 votes,
Ozdemir 54, Yang 65 and Rukhledev 44.
Therefore, 228 votes minus 208 equal 20 votes ( or, 228 - 208 = 20 ).
Thus, according to Jordan's story, 20 votes went unaccounted or
unused in this Round Two.
Member-at-Large Round Three: Jordan stated in his story that "112
ballot sheets returned ( 4 countries not voting )," and that "Seven
ballot sheets were disqualified."
Jordan's these 2 statements interpret the following: 4 countries not
voting is tantamount to 8 votes ( or, 4 countries x 2 votes each
country = 8 ) plus 7 disqualified ballot sheets equal a total of 15
unaccounted or unused votes.
Once again, there is an inconsistency and contradiction with these
statistics. Jordan reports that Ozdemir received 61 votes, while Jung
44, but the altered October 23, 2005 CISS Congress Minutes Report
indicate that Ozdemir got 61 votes, while Jung 45 ( not 44 ). It is
also still unclear whether there in fact was a live election contest
in the Round Three between Ozdemir and Jung at all because the March
27, 2005-issued CISS Congress Minutes Report mentions the name of
Ozdemir with 61 votes as the only entrant in this Round Three contest.
By the way, this Ombudsman has sent an e-mail message to Tommy Jung
of Korea to find out and verify the facts from him on whether there
was actually held a face-to-face election session between Jung and
Ozdemir of Turkey and the exact number of votes Jung received in the
last Round Three. As of this writing, unfortunately, Jung has not
replied to this e-mail message yet.
Overall, per Jordan's explanations in the story, a total of 286 votes
went unaccounted or unused, including disqualified and returned blank
ones. That is, for the office of President - 8 votes went unreported
by Jordan, Vice President - 4, Member-at-Large Round One - 239, Member
-at-Large Round Two - 20, and Member-at-Large Round Three - 15.
In comparison, based on the March 27, 2005 CISS Congress Minutes
Report release, this Ombudsman found out a total of 151 unaccounted
and missing votes in the Report. That is, for the Office of Vice
President - 4 votes went unreported, Member-at-Large Round One - 56,
Member-at-Large Round Two - 32, and Member-at-Large Round Three - 59.
www.deafsportlawsuit.com/update72.htm
Interestingly, the various figures produced in Jordan's story, for
instance, such as "118" ( or "118 ballot papers returned" ), "116" (
or "116 ballot sheets were returned" ) and "8" ( or "eight ballot
sheets were disqualified" ) went unmentioned in the October 23, 2005
altered version of the 39th CISS Congress Minutes Report.
The main and eloquent fact is that the many voting ballot numbers
presented in Jordan's story do not match with the numbers published
in both CISS Congress Minutes Reports
demonstrated in EXHIBITS NUMBER ONE and TWO below.
Jordan concluded his story with his beautifully-uttered words, "I
repeat, NO FRAUD"!
This is another sophisticated propaganda ploy by Jordan to mislead the
world.
For many valid reasons, however, this Ombudsman must wholly and
squarely challenge Jordan's irresponsible and intimidating propaganda
tactic by reiterating his opinion conclusion that there was indeed an
election FRAUD, which was primarily orchestrated by its chief
mastermind and architect - Jordan!
Thus, ideology and opinion difference over how to properly,
appropriately, competently and professionally manage the CISS
business, including the issue of election handling, between the two
different schools of thought: this Soviet Union-born and USA
citizen's Ombudsman and two USA-born citizens and anarchists' -
Jordan and his "a yes-person" and disciple Ammons - continues.
P.S. It was just learned by this website that Ammons, the
illegitimately-elected CISS President, sent her letter explaining
about her viewpoint of the 2005 CISS Congress election outcome to
Jean-Laurent Bourquin, the I.O.C. Sports Manager at the I.O.C.
headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The contents of Ammons'
letter were almost identical ones as Jordan's story of October 24, 2005.
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
Deaf boy winning plenty of support
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051029/NEWS0102/5\
10290329/1001/NEWS
Debt spiral for elderly and disabled
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/personalfinance/s/179/179906_debt_spiral_f\
or_elderly_and_disabled.html
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY JOB OPPORTUNITIES >
Assistant Professor at a California State University
All candidates interested in any of the job opportunities are required
to apply for our job placement services. Our intake form is at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/intake.htm
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
We recycle used cell phones, empty printer and toner cartridges! If
you have any of these to unload from your hands, please send or drop
them at our agency at 2960 Main Street, A100, Irvine, California 92614
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES >
Begin your journey toward self-sufficiency by becoming a .WS domain
reseller! Become an owner of a _________.WS website for only $10 a
month! Includes hosting, email, and easy to use website design tools
to create a professional looking website. And all _________.WS owners
automatically become .WS website resellers and it comes with an
automatic selling program. All you have to do is lead people to your
reseller website! The WS stands for 'website'! This is an excellent
self-sufficiency opportunity for people who want to be on the top of
the .WS cyber real estate market. Take a look at the ASL video at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/cbep/website05.wmv and if you're
interested in this self-sufficiency program please go to
http://website.ws/ocdac for an easy sign
up. Or if you do not know American Sign Language, go straight to the
reseller page at http://website.ws/ocdac for a video of the program.
-------------< LETTERS >
We need letters! Send to ocdac@deafadvocacy.org
-------------< EPILOG >
If you wish to contribute to this newsletter, feel free to send in
news, stories, and opinions relating to the disability community. Your
support in this effort to move the disability community forward will
be greatly appreciated. We will continue to aggressively pursue
justice, fairness, and equality for the disability community as it has
been doing since November 1996. We have chosen
that EDUCATION is the best way to accomplish this objective.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center is a community based
organization that puts people with disabilities first in their
advocacy for equal opportunities in safety, health, and productive living.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center provides services for disabled
individuals and their families in our community who need help in
navigating the social services maze. Every day people go without
proper food, shelter, and essential medical care every day due to a
variety of factors including low wages, job loss, injuries, illness,
age, domestic violence, or divorce. While all of us are susceptible to
hard times, disabled individuals are at the most risk. With the
generous support of people like you, we are able to help many of these
families and individuals not only to meet essential daily needs, but
to work toward a brighter future with programs in job training,
education, counseling, elderly assistance, and temporary housing.
Feel free to forward this email message to anyone and any of your
personal mailing lists so we can get the important messages out far
and wide and encourage them to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
To subscribe to this newsletter go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ or send a blank email
to ocdacnewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Happy Halloween folks! This issue is all treats for you to enjoy and
no tricks found here.
Bravo to National Council on Disabilities chairperson Lex Frieden who
refused to take part in October 22nd radio broadcast of Voice of
America's Talk to America show on Living with Disabilities because the
show is not available in text for people who are deaf or hard of hearing!
Last week, I was contacted by Congressman Tom Reynolds of New York and
he said I am getting the Congressional Leadership Award at a black tie
dinner event in New York next month! Vice president Dick Cheeny will
be there. I want to credit all the board members and the volunteers
our agency has and had in the past for helping me get this
recognition. This comes with a 10 day all expense paid trip to New
York and it's a much deserved 'vacation' I need for my 11 years as a
deaf advocate.
Our blue van which we use to transport deaf-blind people to events and
we also use to conduct numerous fundraiser and education activities is
showing signs it will need to be replaced soon. We use it to transport
over 15 deaf and deaf-blind people to various events each month.
These deaf and deaf-blind clients who are unable to use the bus cant
qualify for our local ACCESS program since their system's rules make
it extremely difficult to do so. Therefore our deaf and deaf-blind
friends are relying on us to help them participate in our society's
offerings and that is done through our blue van. The wipers have
ceased working making it inoperable on rainy days, the transmission is
bad limiting our travel to local areas. Last week the sliding door on
the side fell off because the metal cracked at the top. The van has
been heavily used in assisting us with our mission and vision
statements. We would appreciate your help in getting us a new van
soon so we can continue helping these deaf and deaf-blind people and
our education and fundraising activities. If you're interested in
helping us out, please contact us at ocdac@deafadvocacy.org
Crazy October with mixed results on the fundraising side and positive
results on the education and deaf awareness side has been declared an
overall success! We look forward to a repeat in 2006!
Remember us as the holidays are coming up! Don't forget to use the
Albertsons, Ralph, and Food4Less Cards this coming Thanksgiving as you
will help us with our mission and vision statements. Our iGive
program is there to help you with your holiday shopping too.
OCDAC Communications
ocdac@deafadvocacy.org
-------------< INSIDE NEWS >
We are ready for our educational booth at 'Mata Expo' this Saturday!
We have started fundraising activities to build up the stock for The
New Year's event.
We have started on the planning our free Valentine's day dance event
next February. This will be supported by vendors who purchased booths
and we already have 2 vendors lined up for this.
Drastic Social Security rule changes for Title II Old Age, Survivors,
and Disability Insurance and SSI programs such as outlined in
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/200\
5/pdf/05-14845.pdf
renews our calls for self-reliance ideas for organizations who serve
the deaf and disabled and our very own idea, our California Disability
Gaming Initiative idea and that can be found at
http://www.deafadvocacy.com/cdgicinfo.pdf is an idea that works for
Native Americans. Why shouldn't it work for the Disability
communities? The proposed Social Security rules will limit appeals
and create a new process that is less about truth-seeking and more
hostile to applicants.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
The first week of each month and respectively the first newsletter
issue of each month, we will have our pledge week issues. To see our
pledge form, please visit Http://www.deafadvocacy.com/pledgeform.txt
and it's very accessible to all editors.
Take a look at our new magazine fundraiser and this is one of the ways
you can help us do the good work for the deaf and disabled communities.
The URL is http://www.magfundraising.com/GroupPage.aspx?e=788159
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 1/3 >
Two treats of a lifetime for deaf schoolchildren
http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=129&fArticleId=2973629
Deaf choir fills church with signed music
http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/10/deaf_choir_fill.html
Special technology helps hearing-impaired teacher hear her students
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4032062&nav=0Rce
Ministry upgrades services to deaf school children, parents
http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051027/NEWS/11027012\
4
-------------< CALIFORNIA DEAFIE HAPPENINGS >
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37
/ - meets each 3rd Wednesdays of the
month.
The Orange County Deaf & Hearing Impaired Meetup Group -
http://deaf.meetup.com/
38/ - meets each 1st Saturdays of the month.
===============================
A memorable visit with Academy Award winning film and television
actress Marlee Matlin
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2005 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
7 p.m. - Jazz on the Patio / Concessions Available
Marlee Matlin received worldwide critical acclaim for her motion
picture debut in Paramount Pictures' Children of a Lesser God. At age
21 she was bestowed an Academy Award for Best Actress. Since that time
you've seen her in film and television (What the Bleep Do We Know, The
West Wing, and Desperate Housewives). On November 7th, this
award-winning actress/author/executive producer will grace our stage.
Don't miss this exciting evening!
$5 General Seating
Pasadena Playhouse
State Theatre of California
39 South El Molino Ave., Pasadena CA
CALL (626) 356-PLAY
www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our iGive store http://www.igive.com/ocdac for your
holiday shopping needs.
Special Deals going on at Charles Tyrwhitt! Charles Tyrwhitt offers a
4% Donation to Orange County Deaf
Advocacy Center.
-------------< DEAF GRAPEVINE >
Many of you may have seen a new company fall down from the sky as
"Deaf Video Professor" with claims they are releasing new videos for
the deaf communities. After a quick glance, we're finding it's a
repackaged version of the videos from the operators of Deaf Caution,
Deaf Training, and Hire Deaf. These people behind the "Deaf Video
Professor" operation have long histories of problems with consumer
watchdogs and their customers. I would not recommend "Deaf Video
Professor", instead we are in the process of obtaining a grant to
produce related videos with New Environmental Services to be freely
distributed. New Environmental Services is owned and run by Hard of
Hearing people in the South Orange County area.
-------------< BULLETIN >
DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT
ISSUE: The Presidents budget for Fiscal Year 2006 proposes to REDUCE
funding for the Department of Labors (DOL) Office of Disability
Employment Policy (ODEP) by 41 percent, from $47.2 million to $27.9
million. This is only the first step toward eliminating the office
altogether within the next two to three years.
The unemployment rate of people with disabilities has hovered near 70
percent for decades. ODEP was created to work at the highest levels of
DOL to improve employment and training opportunities for people with
disabilities in the mainstream workforce development system. This is
the first time in history that DOL has had such a visible focus on
employment of people with disabilities. In a post-ADA world, an office
like ODEP plays an important role in helping employers and the
workforce development system better understand issues around the
employment of people with disabilities.
In its five short years, ODEP has already had a significant impact on
policies and programs to facilitate employment prospects for youth and
adults with disabilities. Slashing or eliminating the office would be
a serious step backwards for disability employment policy.
In light of all the other proposed budget cuts, ODEPs budget could get
lost in the fray. ODEP is an easy target for elimination because it
has been highly effective in addressing disability employment issues
inside the DOL and across the federal government.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our bookstore that has related books and different kinds of
assistive living devices at http://store.deafadvocacy.org
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 2/3 >
A loving hand, a healing heart
http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/10/a_loving_hand_a.html
Proposed levy would buy independence for disabled
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051030/NEWS17/510300314/-1/N\
EWS
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
"Low Income" Housing Tax Credits and "Affordability"
After Katrina struck, Texas announced it had 7,000 VACANT low-income
housing tax credit (LIHTC) units available. That is a lot of vacant
housing units. Texans started asking why had Texas not offered them to
low income disabled Texans before Katrina? How long were they vacant?
This triggered an informal discussion among a number of disability
advocates who were asked if they knew the approximate number of LIHTC
units in their States and how many were vacant? No one knew either
answer! Below, by State, are the number of LIHTC units. (These are
from HUD and we believe they are FEWER than actually exist in your
State.)
ACTIONS ADVOCATES SHOULD TAKE:
1. Disability advocates should be in communication with your State's
Housing Finance Agency to obtain (1) the city and street location of
LIHTC units in existence, (2) the name and telephone number of the
LIHTC developer, (3) how many units are vacant, (4) how many and
which are accessible, and (5) how many of the accessible units have
disabled persons actually residing in them. Without this information,
disability advocates are not able to access a large number of units.
2. A number of persons have correctly pointed out that the "low
income" in LIHTC does not include persons with disabilities whose
income is SSI (or low SSDI). That is, persons on SSI who do not have
a Section8 Housing Voucher are normally TOO POOR to be able to afford
the rents in the LIHTC.
The reason for this is that the LIHTC federal program requires a
certain number of LIHTC units be rented to persons whose incomes are
either at or below the 50-60% of the area median income. Rents (and
therefore income for the developers) are based on a household's
income. Because SSI is at about 18-20% of the area median income, far
lower than 50-60%, persons with disabilities cannot
afford the rents with only an SSI income.
3. Here are two handles disability advocates could use to overcome
the SSI "TOO POOR" barrier to LIHTC units.
First, no developer who receives LIHTC can discriminate against
persons who have a Section 8 Housing Voucher. Advocates for disabled
persons should find out the location/developer who received LIHTC in
the past For these EXISTING units that are vacant, advocates should
inform persons with disabilities who have Housing Vouchers to apply
for those LIHTC units. Housing Vouchers are a necessary rent
supplement for persons on SSI to be able to afford LIHTC units.
Disability advocates should also know which developers are awarded
LIHTC for projects to be constructed in the near FUTURE. Once your
Housing Finance Agency announces the developers awarded LIHTC for
future projects, advocates should contact the developers so that
persons with Section 8 Housing Vouchers are first in line for the
units that will be constructed..
Second, LIHTC are competitive. Developers bid for them and very much
want them! Disability advocates should begin urging your Housing
Finance Agency to award extra points in the bidding competition to
developers who agree that a certain percent of the accessible units
will be rented to persons whose income is at the SSI level. This will
ensure some SSI recipients who do not have a Housing Voucher can
afford LIHTC units solely with their SSI income. Advocates should also
urge the Housing Finance Agency to award additional points developers
who agree to increase the percent of accessible units. These two
handles are being used in Pennsylvania.
HUD Reported State Totals of LIHTC:
Alabama 11,889
Alaska 1,910
Arizona 14,056
Arkansas 10,896
California 100,900
Colorado 12,741
Connecticut 8,078
Delaware 3,681
D. C. 6,718
Florida 81,123
Georgia 30,371
Hawaii 2,641
Idaho 5,120
Illinois 32,811
Indiana 16,411
Iowa 12,804
Kansas 14,807
Kentucky 10,378
Louisiana 23,544
Maine 4,794
Maryland 18,873
Massachus 23,164
Michigan 42,195
Minnesota 11,0916
Mississippi 11,677
Missouri 32,242
Montana 3,224
Nebraska 7,462
Nevada 6,661
New Hampshire 3,729
New Jersey 13,034
New Mexico 8,167
New York 36,174
North Carolina 29,392
North Dakota 2,885
Ohio 51,262
Oklahoma 15,886
Oregon 19,204
Pennsylvania 27,623
Rhode Island 4,528
South Carolina 13,519
South Dakota 4,326
Tennessee 22,413
Texas 88,609
Utah 7,268
Vermont 3,468
Virginia 46,843
Washington 31,842
West Virginia 5,481
Wisconsin 21,279
Wyoming 1,363
Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues
To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"They have hustled the deaf program for $260,000, and I don't like
it." Tom Mills complaining that money meant to aid the deaf has been
siphoned off to pay for program for the blind in Alabama.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Do you shop at Albertsons or Sav-on stores? You can get a free
community partners card at those stores and then add it to our list of
supporters. A percent of what you buy will go to helping our Deaf
youth program. If you already have a school or other program that you
are supporting, don't worry, you can add your card to support our
program too! There are two ways to add your card. You can email your
First and Last name with your phone number and community partners card
number to ocdac@deafadvocacy.org or you can download and print our
Albertsons / Sav-on Community Partners signup forms at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/AlbertsonsSignup.pdf and have your
friends, neighbors, associates, and relatives sign up as supporters
and then mail the form to the address on the
form. To reach our funding goal we need 25,000 supporters who shop at
Albertsons / Sav-on. And remember to use your community partners card
when you shop at Albertsons or Sav-on.
-------------< COMMUNITY BULLHORN >
PRESS RELEASE - October 28, 2005
For translation of this Press Release in your native language, visit
www.babelfish.altavista.com
From: www.deafsportlawsuit.com
2005 CISS/DEAFLYMPICS CONGRESS VOTING FRAUD: OMBUDSMAN'S REBUTTAL TO
ANARCHIST JERALD JORDAN'S OCTOBER 24, 2005 STORY
A WHOPPING 286 VOTING BALLOTS ( 29.8% ) WENT UNACCOUNTED AND UNUSED!
By Rafael PINKHASOV PINCHAS, CISS Ombudsman
Note: see below
EXHIBIT NUMBER ONE - March 27, 2005 39th CISS CONGRESS MINUTES REPORT,
POINT NUMBER 17
EXHIBIT NUMBER TWO - October 23, 2005 39th CISS CONGRESS MINUTES
REPORT, POINT NUMBER 17 ( altered version )
EXHIBIT NUMBER THREE - ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD ARE FALSE story
New York, USA - The meddling into the internal affairs of the
organization of the CISS/Deaflympics or ICSD ( "CISS" ) by the
so-called deaf international sports role model and CISS Honorary
Member for Life - Jerald Jordan - is going on.
Once again, Jordan, the recipient of the 1994 Gallaudet University
Honorary Doctorate Degree and 1995 Olympic Order, is getting backfired.
After mishandling his one-man Deaflympics Database Project, in which
over 985 errors were spotted in his work, Jordan has now again
degraded the image and integrity of the CISS in the eyes of the whole word
www.deafsportlawsuit.com/update77.htm
www.deafsportlawsuit.com/update78.htm
And despite his recent denial as a person in charge of the 39th CISS
Congress election running, Jordan ( not Lennart Edwall of Sweden, the
chief scrutineer or teller of the election session ) has now himself
found the nerve to describe his story about these elections in one
publication - www.deaftimes.com
www.deafsportlawsuit.com/update82.htm
Jordan's recent story is an excellent piece of evidence document
strengthening this Ombudsman's case that the 39th Congress election
session held on January 4, 2005, at Melbourne, Australia, was
mishandled and that the elections were organized in a highly-dubious
and fraudulent manner!
The reputable deaf online news publication in the USA -
www.deaftimes.com -
in its recent October 24, 2005 edition published Jordan's story titled
ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD ARE FALSE.
In spite of his long-time status in the organization of the CISS ( he
was its President between 1971 and 1995 ), Jordan's October 24 story
was produced in an unprofessional, confused, negligent, inconsistent,
inaccurate and mistaken manner.
According to Jordan's story, a record total of 286 voting ballots out
of 960 for five various CISS Executive Committee positions went
unaccounted or unused: these 286 ballots were either returned blank or
disqualified ones by the Congress delegates.
These 286 ballots out of 960 translate into 29.8% of votes that went
unaccounted during the January 4 Congress elections!
Allow this Ombudsman to elaborate further.
There was a supposed breakdown for the total of 960 voting ballots
distributed for five different positions:
120 votes for the office of President
120 votes for the office of Vice President
360 votes for the office of Member-at-Large Round One
240 votes for the office of Member-at-Large Round Two
120 votes for the office of Member-at-Large Round Three.
For the office of President Jordan mistakenly reports in his story a
total of 120 votes, that is, Donalda Ammons received 89 votes, while
Valery Rukhledev - 23.
Mathematically, 89 plus 23 will equal 112 votes. So, Jordan failed to
report 8 missing votes.
For the office of Vice President, Jordan again erroneously reports a
total of 120 votes, that is,
David Lanesman got 62 votes, Rukhledev 39 and Jessica Rohde 15.
Mathematically, 62 plus 39 plus 15 equal 116 votes. Thus, Jordan in
his story did not report these 4 votes as void ones.
For the office of Member-at -Large, there were 3 vacant positions, in
which three different Rounds were held.
Member-at-Large Round One: Jordan wrote to say that "But the facts are
that 118 ballot papers were returned ( meaning a country either left
the room or chose not to vote )," and that "Three of the ballot papers
were disqualified," and that "Examination of remaining papers shows
that some countries did not vote for three candidates ( nor were they
required to )."
Jordan's statements translate into the following: 118 returned ballots
plus 3 disqualified ballots means a total 121 ballots went uncontested
or unused. Therefore, of 360 ballots awarded for this Round One minus
121 equal 239 ballots ( or, 360 - 121=239 ). This translates into a
total 239 ballots which were supposed to be contested among the six
candidates in this Round.
However, there is a huge inconsistency: how could these six candidates
collect a combined total of 239 votes?
According to Jordan's story itself and CISS Congress Minutes Reports
of March 27 and October 23, 2005, Siv Fosshaug received 79 votes,
Tommy Jung 44, Dogan Ozdemir 55, Yang Yang 57, Rohde 28 and Rukhledev
41, which equals to an aggregate of 304 votes.
The figure of 239 does not justify the figure of 304. That is, an
aggregate of 304 votes, let's repeat, was collected by all these six
candidates in this Round One contest.
Thus, it appeared that a total of 239 votes went unaccounted or unused
in this Round One.
Member-at-Large Round Two: Jordan provided confusing and
vaguely-worded statements by writing to say that "116 ballots were
returned, meaning 2 countries did not vote," that "Eight ballot sheets
were disqualified," and that "Again, not all countries voted for two
candidates."
Jordan's statements interpret the following: 4 votes ( that is, each
country has 2 votes times 2 countries ) plus 8 disqualified ballot
sheets equal 12 votes. Now, 240 contested votes for this Round minus
12 votes equal 228 remaining votes ( or, 240 - 12 = 228 ).
Again, there is an inconsistency with these 228 votes compared with
Jordan's story and the two different CISS Congress Minutes Reports of
March 27 and October 23, 2005 ( that is, Jordan and the two CISS
Congress Minutes Reports indicate that a combined total of 208 votes
were awarded between 4 candidates for this Round - Jung got 45 votes,
Ozdemir 54, Yang 65 and Rukhledev 44.
Therefore, 228 votes minus 208 equal 20 votes ( or, 228 - 208 = 20 ).
Thus, according to Jordan's story, 20 votes went unaccounted or
unused in this Round Two.
Member-at-Large Round Three: Jordan stated in his story that "112
ballot sheets returned ( 4 countries not voting )," and that "Seven
ballot sheets were disqualified."
Jordan's these 2 statements interpret the following: 4 countries not
voting is tantamount to 8 votes ( or, 4 countries x 2 votes each
country = 8 ) plus 7 disqualified ballot sheets equal a total of 15
unaccounted or unused votes.
Once again, there is an inconsistency and contradiction with these
statistics. Jordan reports that Ozdemir received 61 votes, while Jung
44, but the altered October 23, 2005 CISS Congress Minutes Report
indicate that Ozdemir got 61 votes, while Jung 45 ( not 44 ). It is
also still unclear whether there in fact was a live election contest
in the Round Three between Ozdemir and Jung at all because the March
27, 2005-issued CISS Congress Minutes Report mentions the name of
Ozdemir with 61 votes as the only entrant in this Round Three contest.
By the way, this Ombudsman has sent an e-mail message to Tommy Jung
of Korea to find out and verify the facts from him on whether there
was actually held a face-to-face election session between Jung and
Ozdemir of Turkey and the exact number of votes Jung received in the
last Round Three. As of this writing, unfortunately, Jung has not
replied to this e-mail message yet.
Overall, per Jordan's explanations in the story, a total of 286 votes
went unaccounted or unused, including disqualified and returned blank
ones. That is, for the office of President - 8 votes went unreported
by Jordan, Vice President - 4, Member-at-Large Round One - 239, Member
-at-Large Round Two - 20, and Member-at-Large Round Three - 15.
In comparison, based on the March 27, 2005 CISS Congress Minutes
Report release, this Ombudsman found out a total of 151 unaccounted
and missing votes in the Report. That is, for the Office of Vice
President - 4 votes went unreported, Member-at-Large Round One - 56,
Member-at-Large Round Two - 32, and Member-at-Large Round Three - 59.
www.deafsportlawsuit.com/update72.htm
Interestingly, the various figures produced in Jordan's story, for
instance, such as "118" ( or "118 ballot papers returned" ), "116" (
or "116 ballot sheets were returned" ) and "8" ( or "eight ballot
sheets were disqualified" ) went unmentioned in the October 23, 2005
altered version of the 39th CISS Congress Minutes Report.
The main and eloquent fact is that the many voting ballot numbers
presented in Jordan's story do not match with the numbers published
in both CISS Congress Minutes Reports
demonstrated in EXHIBITS NUMBER ONE and TWO below.
Jordan concluded his story with his beautifully-uttered words, "I
repeat, NO FRAUD"!
This is another sophisticated propaganda ploy by Jordan to mislead the
world.
For many valid reasons, however, this Ombudsman must wholly and
squarely challenge Jordan's irresponsible and intimidating propaganda
tactic by reiterating his opinion conclusion that there was indeed an
election FRAUD, which was primarily orchestrated by its chief
mastermind and architect - Jordan!
Thus, ideology and opinion difference over how to properly,
appropriately, competently and professionally manage the CISS
business, including the issue of election handling, between the two
different schools of thought: this Soviet Union-born and USA
citizen's Ombudsman and two USA-born citizens and anarchists' -
Jordan and his "a yes-person" and disciple Ammons - continues.
P.S. It was just learned by this website that Ammons, the
illegitimately-elected CISS President, sent her letter explaining
about her viewpoint of the 2005 CISS Congress election outcome to
Jean-Laurent Bourquin, the I.O.C. Sports Manager at the I.O.C.
headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The contents of Ammons'
letter were almost identical ones as Jordan's story of October 24, 2005.
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
Deaf boy winning plenty of support
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051029/NEWS0102/5\
10290329/1001/NEWS
Debt spiral for elderly and disabled
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/personalfinance/s/179/179906_debt_spiral_f\
or_elderly_and_disabled.html
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY JOB OPPORTUNITIES >
Assistant Professor at a California State University
All candidates interested in any of the job opportunities are required
to apply for our job placement services. Our intake form is at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/intake.htm
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
We recycle used cell phones, empty printer and toner cartridges! If
you have any of these to unload from your hands, please send or drop
them at our agency at 2960 Main Street, A100, Irvine, California 92614
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES >
Begin your journey toward self-sufficiency by becoming a .WS domain
reseller! Become an owner of a _________.WS website for only $10 a
month! Includes hosting, email, and easy to use website design tools
to create a professional looking website. And all _________.WS owners
automatically become .WS website resellers and it comes with an
automatic selling program. All you have to do is lead people to your
reseller website! The WS stands for 'website'! This is an excellent
self-sufficiency opportunity for people who want to be on the top of
the .WS cyber real estate market. Take a look at the ASL video at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/cbep/website05.wmv and if you're
interested in this self-sufficiency program please go to
http://website.ws/ocdac for an easy sign
up. Or if you do not know American Sign Language, go straight to the
reseller page at http://website.ws/ocdac for a video of the program.
-------------< LETTERS >
We need letters! Send to ocdac@deafadvocacy.org
-------------< EPILOG >
If you wish to contribute to this newsletter, feel free to send in
news, stories, and opinions relating to the disability community. Your
support in this effort to move the disability community forward will
be greatly appreciated. We will continue to aggressively pursue
justice, fairness, and equality for the disability community as it has
been doing since November 1996. We have chosen
that EDUCATION is the best way to accomplish this objective.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center is a community based
organization that puts people with disabilities first in their
advocacy for equal opportunities in safety, health, and productive living.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center provides services for disabled
individuals and their families in our community who need help in
navigating the social services maze. Every day people go without
proper food, shelter, and essential medical care every day due to a
variety of factors including low wages, job loss, injuries, illness,
age, domestic violence, or divorce. While all of us are susceptible to
hard times, disabled individuals are at the most risk. With the
generous support of people like you, we are able to help many of these
families and individuals not only to meet essential daily needs, but
to work toward a brighter future with programs in job training,
education, counseling, elderly assistance, and temporary housing.
Feel free to forward this email message to anyone and any of your
personal mailing lists so we can get the important messages out far
and wide and encourage them to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
To subscribe to this newsletter go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ or send a blank email
to ocdacnewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Sunday, October 23, 2005
OCDAC Newsletter October 23, 2005
Dear Friends,
The Health Fair in Anaheim last Saturday was good. Had a good turnout.
National Association of the Deaf has decided to relocate the NAD
Conference to Palm Desert, California. We are thrilled to see this
large deaf organization having their conference here in our home
state. We will make every effort to participate in this great event.
More information on the NAD conference is in this newsletter.
We got the invite to Fullerton Winter Festival. It's a food stand
fundraiser and we did very well last year. We submitted all the
permits, fees, and applications on the same day we received the invite
in hopes we get all of our menu offerings.
Crazy October is already wearing us down. The editor's back already
hurts from all the loading and unloading of fundraising and
educational materials. So far the results of Crazy October has been
very positive on the educational booths and mixed on the fundraising
booths. It's almost over with next Saturday being the last booth.
HOT NEWS is RIM loses their appeal and with over 30% of the deaf
communities dependent on RIM based communication devices, the impact
on the deaf communities could be huge.
Finally take the time to read the letters we've been getting.
OCDAC Communications
-------------< INSIDE NEWS >
We are ready for our educational booth at 'Mata Expo' (Mata.tv's
version of Deaf Expo)
We have started fundrasising activities to build up the stock for The
New Year's event.
We have started on the planning our free Valentine's day dance event
next February. This will be supported by vendors who purchased booths
and we already have 2 vendors lined up for this.
Drastic Social Security rule changes for Title II Old Age, Survivors,
and Disability Insurance and SSI programs such as outlined in
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/200\
5/pdf/05-14845.pdf
renews our calls for self-reliance ideas for organizations who serve
the deaf and disabled and our very own idea, our California Disability
Gaming Initiative idea and that can be found at
http://www.deafadvocacy.com/cdgicinfo.pdf is an idea that works for
Native Americans. Why shouldn't it work for the Disability
communities? The proposed Social Security rules will limit appeals
and create a new process that is less about truth-seeking and more
hostile to applicants.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
We will soon have our 'Pledge Weeks' ahead to help us solicit funds
for the new Deaf Center in Orange County.
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 1/3 >
RIM loses latest NTP ruling, risks U.S. shutdown
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2005-10-21-rim-blackberry_x.\
htm?csp=26
(Editor : Approximately 30 percent of the deaf communities use RIM
based communicators)
New transplant fund for deaf children in Shanghai
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/22/content_3666350.htm
The Trust Co. taps Deaf Link for hearing-impaired services
http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2005/10/17/daily29.html
Disabled youths make a difference for victims of Katrina
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051023/NEWS01/510230\
425/1008
Helping the hearing-impaired earn money
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/man/2005/10/20/feat/helping.the.hearing.impaire\
d.earn.money.html
Videophones revolutionize communication for the hearing impaired
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051009/REPOSITORY/510\
090378/1013/NEWS03
-------------< CALIFORNIA DEAFIE HAPPENINGS >
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37
/ - meets each 3rd Wednesdays of the
month.
The Orange County Deaf & Hearing Impaired Meetup Group -
http://deaf.meetup.com/
38/ - meets each 1st Saturdays of the month.
===============================
CSDR'S MAGIC HOMECOMMING!
The CSDR's Homecoming Day will be held on Friday, Nov. 11th. The
Varsity will play at 7 pm after the JV plays at 4 pm. It will be first
time in school's history we will play under lights!
Attached is the link to the flyer for your information.
http://csdr-cde.ca.gov/homecoming.pdf
For more information, please contact John Castrese, Athletic Director at
jcastrese@csdr-cde.ca.gov. Thank you.
CSDR will host a Magic Show by the professionals on Wednesday,
November 16th at 7:30 pm at Social Hall. Three professional magicians
will perform for the fundraising event for the Extreme Magicians III team.
For more information, please link to this site:
http://csdr-cde.ca.gov/magicshow.html
Please contact Farley Warshaw at fwarshaw@csdr-cde.ca.gov if you have
any question. Thank you.
===============================
The Sunshine Boys
We are once again having an ASL-interpreted play at the Palm Canyon
Theatre at Alejo and North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. This
play is a comedy by Neil Simon about two old, retired Vaudeville
comedians getting together again for a one time Ed Sullivan TV
special. It is a fun play, has no bad language, sex, or violence.
WHEN? Sunday, Nov 6th, curtain time 2 p.m.
WHERE? The Palm Canyon Theatre, 538 No Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
HOW MUCH? Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and ASL students, $17. Anyone with a
valid
student ID card can buy tickets for $10
BUYING TICKETS? Call the box office, 760-323-5123, and give the code
"CVD" for $17 tickets and seats in the area reserved for our Deaf and
hard-of-hearing patrons. Pay for tickets with a credit card when you
call and tickets will be available at the box office before the
performance. You can also go to the box office to reserve your seat
and purchase tickets with cash.
The box office does not have TTY, text, or on-line ticket sales, so
you may need to call via a relay service.
I hope you will come and support the Palm Canyon Theatre's commitment
to making live theatre accessible to our local ASL community.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our iGive store http://www.igive.com/ocdac
-------------< DEAF GRAPEVINE >
NAD Relocates 2006 Biennial Conference to Southern California
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is pleased to announce that
its 48th Biennial National Conference will be held at Desert Springs
a J.W. Marriott Resort, in Palm Desert, California, June 29-July 3,
2006, which is in close proximity to the Palm Springs International
Airport. Mother Nature, in the form of Hurricane Katrina, forced the
NAD to find a new location for the conference originally scheduled for
New Orleans, Louisiana.
"We grieve with the rest of the nation on the destruction caused to
several states by the hurricane. Because of the uncertainty about the
New Orleans city infrastructure, the NAD Board of Directors felt that
it was in the best interest of all involved to move the 48th Biennial
National Conference in 2006 to Region IV and return to New Orleans in
2008," said NAD President Andrew J. Lange.
The Desert Springs Resort sits on over 450 acres of lush grounds and
lakes and is one of the largest resort complexes in the southwestern
United States. Located 11 miles from Palm Springs International
Airport, 78 miles from Ontario Airport and 130 miles from Los Angeles
International Airport, the resort is a self-contained, thriving oasis
with gorgeous meeting space all on the same floor, two championship
golf courses on the property, tennis and swimming facilities, and one
of the finest resort spas in the United States. Five restaurants,
Starbucks and several small food outlets will sure that attendees will
not go hungry.
"This is the perfect place to have a conference," said NAD Chief
Executive Officer Nancy J. Bloch, "the meeting space is wonderful and
everything is under one roof. This conference is about change, a
unique and different kind of conference site, a change in dates, and
most importantly -- we will all be changed in the most positive way
after the 2006 NAD Conference experience!"
The Conference officially begins on Thursday, June 29 with forums and
workshops starting in the afternoon and Opening Ceremonies and a
Welcome Reception that evening. Pre-conference sessions for the NAD
Board and official delegates take place on June 28. The NAD College
Bowl Competition is on Saturday, July 1. The NAD 125th Anniversary
Celebration Banquet is scheduled for Sunday evening, July 2, and the
NAD Miss Deaf America Pageant finals will be held on Monday evening,
July 3, the last night of the conference week.
Exhibits, workshops and forums will all take place in two huge
ballrooms that easily accommodate all NAD Conference plans, with major
evening events taking place right next door to exhibits and workshops.
"The California Association of the Deaf is thrilled to welcome the NAD
Biennial National Conference to our beautiful state," said Richard
Ray, President. "We look forward to working with the NAD to make this
a most memorable event."
The basic 2006 NAD Conference schedule is now on the NAD website at:
http://www.nad.org/2006confschedule
Detailed information will be posted on the NAD website within the next
few weeks. "Our focus, in respect to the conference, the last few
weeks since Hurricane Katrina was finding a new location for our large
and unique meeting," said President Lange. "Now the NAD Board of
Directors and NAD Headquarters staff are hard at work to ensure a
successful national conference in Southern California," he continued.
To keep up-to-date on 2006 NAD Conference news, please subscribe to
the NAD Conference eNews at: http://www.nad.org/eNewsletters
The NAD will also honor 2006 NAD Conference pre-registrations at the
new location. If you have questions about your pre-registration,
please contact: conference@nad.org
-------------< BULLETIN >
Contact: Beth Slough, 402-694-3656 v/TTY
Communications Coordinator
Hamilton Relay, Inc.
Relay Presented at the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus
The Congressional Hearing Health Caucus (CHHC) participated in a
Luncheon Briefing on Emergency Preparedness yesterday in The CHHC, a
bipartisan caucus of members from the House and Senate, is committed
to supporting the needs of those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Founded in 2001, CHHC highlights the issues of critical importance to
those with hearing loss through periodic briefings and correspondence
with all Members of Congress. The caucus briefing was also supported
by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alliance and Friends of Hearing Health.
Presenters include Dan Sutherland, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Cheryl Heppner,
Executive Director of Northern Virginia Resource Center for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing Persons; and Dixie Ziegler, Vice President of
Hamilton Relay. These key leaders presented on topics such as
Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Communication Access and the
impacts emergencies have on individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Dan Sutherland outlined the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on
individuals with disabilities including deaf or hard of hearing
people, highlighting the efforts of the Interagency Coordinating
Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities.
The council plays an important role in ensuring accessibility for
those with disabilities during emergency situations and disasters.
Cheryl Heppner reported on the findings of a recent special needs
assessment conducted by The National Organization on Disability (NOD),
along with what's been learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Heppner also shared how the nation can assist those with hearing loss
to be prepared for future emergencies and disasters.
Dixie Ziegler focused on the necessity of providing individuals who
are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Speech Disabled with functionally
equivalent telephone accessibility. Through the availability of
today's wide array of advanced Telecommunications Relay Services,
opportunities for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech
disabled to communicate over the telephone have emerged. Ziegler
explained how Hamilton Relay ensures uninterrupted, 24-hour telephone
access to its customers in the event of a disaster.
"Hamilton Relay is extremely pleased to have sponsored this event,"
says Dixie Ziegler. "We hope that this caucus will result in better
preparedness for all types of disasters."
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our bookstore that has related books and different kinds
of assistive living devices at http://store.deafadvocacy.org
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 2/3 >
Deaf tow-truck operator is fighting the feds over regulation that's
holding back his business
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_Basic\
Article&c=MGArticle&cid=1128767697302&path=!business!article&s=1037645507703
To restore a special sense
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/10/23/stories/2005102300360700.htm
Executives cash in on set-asides for disabled
http://www.nj.com/business/ledger/index.ssf?/base/business-1/1130043145273880.xm\
l&coll=1
Disabled-parking stalls far from buses
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002578173_bumper23m.html
Technology helps hearing impaired
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051020/NEWS01/5102\
00354/1006
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
ATTENTION CAPTEL USERS, CRS USERS, AND ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THE
CALIFORNIA RELAY SERVICE
Learn about Captioned Telephone Service (CaptTel), an exciting
opportunity to read what the other calling party is saying during a
telephone conversation.
Meeting:
California Relay Service Advisory (CRSAC) Public Meeting
What is CRSAC?
The California Relay Service Advisory Committee (CRSAC) reviews
specialized phone services for hard of hearing, deaf, and
speech-disabled callers.
When:
Friday, October 28, 2005
Where:
Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7277 Valjean Avenue, Van Nuys, CA, 91406
Airtel Plaza Hotel Telephone: 800-2-AIRTEL (800-224-7835)
Room:
Concorde III Meeting Room
Time:
2:00pm - 5:00pm Business Meeting
5:00pm - 6:00pm Dinner Break
6:00pm - 7:00pm New Captioned Telephone Expanded Field Trial:
Overview and user panel
7:00pm - 8:00pm Public Input
Additional Meeting Information:
No cost. No obligation.
6:00pm - 7:00pm CapTel users will describe their experience with this
new free service.
Public comment is invited.
Communication Services Available: ASL Sign Language interpreters &
Real-time captioning
For more information:
Changchup Nyima
Voice: 1-510-302-1100 Ext.: 110
TTY: 1-510-302-1118
Email: changchup@ddtp.org
Judie Hughes
Marketing Project Analyst
Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program
505 14th Street, Suite 400
Oakland, California 94612
510.302.1100 Ext.: 107
510.302.1130 Fax
510.302.1115 TTY
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"Over 20,000 patients are going to receive an implant from us this
year, whether it's a Cochlear implant or a Baha," Dr. Chris Roberts
Chief executive of the Cochlear Corporation.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Do you shop at Albertsons or Sav-on stores? You can get a free
community partners card at those stores and then add it to our list of
supporters. A percent of what you buy will go to helping our Deaf
youth program. If you already have a school or other program that you
are supporting, don't worry, you can add your card to support our
program too! There are two ways to add your card. You can email your
First and Last name with your phone number and community partners card
number to ocdac@deafadvocacy.org or you can download and print our
Albertsons / Sav-on Community Partners signup forms at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/AlbertsonsSignup.pdf and have your
friends, neighbors, associates, and relatives sign up as supporters
and then mail the form to the address on the form. To reach our
funding goal we need 25,000 supporters who shop at Albertsons /
Sav-on. And remember to use your community partners card when you shop
at Albertsons or Sav-on.
-------------< COMMUNITY BULLHORN >
Press Release - October 21, 2005
Note: to translate this material in your native language, visit
http://babelfish.altavista.com
From: www.deafsportlawsuit.com
USA COURT FOR DISTRICT OF MARYLAND MAKES DECISIONS:
1) COURT IS NOT PROPER FORUM TO RESOLVE DISPUTES BETWEEN DEAF
PLAINTIFF AND DEAF DEFENDANTS
2) COURT REJECTS $1 MILLION CLAIM BY DEAF ANARCHISTS AMMONS AND JORDAN
VS. DEAF OMBUDSMAN PINCHAS
3) CISS/DEAFLYMPICS WAS NOT A PARTY TO LAWSUIT
Yesterday, on October 20, 2005, the Press Office of the
CISS/Deaflympics has issued to the world its brief and vaguely-worded
Press Release with its propaganda-themed U.S. District Court of
Maryland Rejected Pinchas' 4th Civil Action Suit headline
www.deaflympics.com
Once again, defendants Donalda Ammons ( herein, "Ammons" ) and Jerald
Jordan ( "Jordan" ) - individually or jointly or through their
attorney from the National Association of the Deaf ( NAD ) Kelby N.
Brick or the Press Office of the CISS/Deaflympics - have failed to
clearly and truthfully explain as to what actually happened with the
lawsuit case, including what was decided by the Court and why the
Court dismissed the case, etcetra.
Ammons and Jordan or their attorney Kelby N.Brick have also continued
to irresponsibly, intentionally and misleadingly imply that the
organization of the CISS/Deaflympics was involved as a lawsuit party.
By utilizing the above-mentioned questionable propaganda tactics,
especially among the 94-nation-members CISS/Deaflympics organization
and its leaders, Ammons and Jordan have again "painted" themselves as
the "true lawsuit battle winners," while Pinchas is "a loser!"
However, the facts and reality were and are quite different ones.
For the purposes of clarification, rebuttal, accurate and fair
reporting, here are the following facts.
On March 2, 2005, plaintiff Rafael Pinkhasov Pinchas ( "Pinchas" ),
appearing as a pro se, submitted his defamation of character lawsuit
action against four ( 4 ) different defendants - Ammons, Jordan,
Bobbie Beth Scoggins ( "Scoggins") and the United States Deaf Sports
Federation ( "USADSF" ).
The organization of the CISS/Deaflympics, like in the previous
lawsuits, was not specifically named by Pinchas as a party to this
lawsuit action.
Like in the three previous lawsuit actions filed in 2001 and 2003 (
twice ) by Pinchas against Ammons and Jordan on an individual basis,
the Court in Maryland again dismissed Pinchas' claim this time. Such a
dismissal was principally based on the fact that "this Court is not a
proper place or it has no jurisdction over disputes related to the
internal rules" of deaf organizations such as the CISS/Deaflympics.
Additionally, here are the main points outlined in Senior Judge
William M.Nickerson's 11-paged Civil Action Number WMN-05-629
Memorandum Decision recently:
- "While the Court can understand Pinchas' frustration at being
precluded from serving a very worthy cause about which he is obviously
passionate, this Court has repeatedly indicated to Pinchas that the
federal courts are not proper forum to resolve his disputes with
Ammons, Jordan, Scoggins and USADSF;"
- "As for the requirement of joinder of CISS/Deaflympics, Ammons and
Jordan have proffered nothing to establish that CISS/Deaflympics is a
necessary party in this action. While the Complaint repeatedly
mentions the USADSF and it might be inferred that the Individual
Defendants ( that is, Ammons, Jordan and Scoggins ) were acting on
behalf on that organization, the Complaint does not, as Ammons and
Jordan claim, "refer to action taken by CISS/Deaflympics," That
Ammons' and Jordan's actions may have taken place at CISS/Deaflympics
events is not a basis, without more, of imputing liability to
CISS/Deaflympics;"
- "Turning to the counterclaims and motion for sanctions filed by
defendants Ammons and Jordan, the Court notes that there is a certain
insubstantial element to them as well. To support their "Malicious
Prosecution" claim, Ammons and Jordan reference the four previous
suits that Pinchas has filed against them and then assert that they
have "incurred attorney fees" and "suffered extreme mental and
emotional anquish as a result of Pinchas' "deliberate and malicious
actions." Ammons and Jordan ask for $1,000,000.00 in damages. Ammons
and Jordan have clearly failed, however, to state a claim for
malicious prosecution...Here, Ammons and Jordan have not pled the
requisite special damages to support a malicious prosecution claim;"
- "While Ammons and Jordan did file a motion for sanctions, Paper
Number 11, they did not do so under the procedures prescribed in Rule
11. Rule 11 states that a motion for sanctions shall first be served
on the opposing party and "shall not be filed with or presented to the
court unless, within 21 days after service of the motion...the
challenged paper, claim, or defense, contention, allegation, or denial
is not withdrawn or appropriately corrected." Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, Rule 11 ( c) 1 ) ( A ). Ammons and Jordan indicate in
their certificate of service that they served the motion to Pinchas at
the same time as they filed their motion with the Court and thus, were
not in compliance with Rule 11. The motion for sanctions will be denied."
The Memorandum Decision, among the other things, also stated that
"this suit arises out of a highly contentious and long standing
dispute amongst the parties" and that "Defendants ( Ammons, Jordan and
Scoggins ) "have conspired to prevent him ( Pinchas ) from having any
active role in the international deaf sports community."
In the meantime, a legal battle between the CISS/Deaflympics Ombudsman
( Pinchas ) against two deaf sports anarchists ( Ammons and Jordan ),
Scoggins and USADSF continues.
Another and separate discrimination lawsuit involving Pinchas as a
plaintiff vs. the same four defendants is still pending before the
USA District Court for the District of South Dakota in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota.
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
Benefit Being Held For Deaf Honduran Girl
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_295151355.html
Implant may help deaf hear music
http://paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=123152
Employers Help Parents With Disabled Children
http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/re.aspx?re=26D8D87B-AB77-49E1-95E2-49BBADAB7A\
91
Hearing-impaired victims to enjoy group's assistance
http://www.thetidenews.com/article.aspx?qrDate=10/23/2005&qrTitle=Hearing-impair\
ed%20victims%20to%20enjoy%20group%E2%80%99s%20assistance&qrColumn=NATION
Interpreter praised for work with hearing impaired
http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/10/interpreter_pra.html
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY JOB OPPORTUNITIES >
Assistant Professor at a California State University
All candidates interested in any of the job opportunities are required
to apply for our job placement services. Our intake form is at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/intake.htm
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
We recycle used cell phones, empty printer and toner cartridges! If
you have any of these to unload from your hands, please send or drop
them at our agency at 2960 Main Street, A100, Irvine, California 92614
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES >
Begin your journey toward self-sufficiency by becoming a .WS domain
reseller! Become an owner of a _________.WS website for only $10 a
month! Includes hosting, email, and easy to use website design tools
to create a professional looking website. And all _________.WS owners
automatically become .WS website resellers and it comes with an
automatic selling program. All you have to do is lead people to your
reseller website! The WS stands for 'website'! This is an excellent
self-sufficiency opportunity for people who want to be on the top of
the .WS cyber real estate market. Take a look at the ASL video at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/cbep/website05.wmv and if you're
interested in this self-sufficiency program please go to
http://website.ws/ocdac for an easy sign
up. Or if you do not know American Sign Language, go straight to the
reseller page at http://website.ws/ocdac for a video of the program.
-------------< LETTERS >
I work for FEMA and am lending myself available to help as much as I
can. If you contact me with questions I will research the answers and
help any way that I can. I can likely get most information directly to
you. Unfortunately, I can not, for security reasons, access individual
claims, but I can tell you where to go, what to do and how to proceed.
Hopefully, I can make the application process a little easier to
understand and navigate. As you may know, we have been overwhelmed
with people in need and we are all trying every way we can to help the
people and each other.
If you need information on resources just let me know and I will do my
best to find the information for you. I have a wealth of information
right here and am happy to help.
I have been helping people already, people I know, people I meet in
stores, etc. and it was suggested to me that I post here. That is
what it means to be a part of this agency. We are all so committed to
helping people.
Feel free to write.
Stephanie fotojunkie1967@yahoo.com
============================
Hello Everyone!
This is Myrna Danielson, Raymond Anderson and their Son Lil Raymond
leave from the travel on Sunday August 28, 2005 at 7:00am apt home.
And Raymond's mother and her Husband Charles left from my apt home
last sunday that safe Hurricane Katrina. We went to The Econ Lodge,
Houston, Tx with family that night.We live in stay in the hotel
Recency Suite & Inn Houston, tx on August 30th and Sept 16, 2005. My
boyfriend Raymond Anderson and his Son Lil Raymond still live in stay
his mother Mary Samuel 's APT Houston, Tx. My supervisor John Lantron
call me my mother in law told me ready confirmation ticket from Naval
Support Activity Mid South on Sept 19,2005. i came to airport memphis
from my supervisor Pn1 Lantron pick me up Airport Memphis Sept 20. He
took me drop in the Navy Inn Millington Tn. God bless you and Thank
God save me for it. travel. Myrna Danielson and Raymond Anderson are
deaf and without tty.
============================
U can report abt me and all deaf 14 peoples here at San Antonio,Tx.
Some of deaf peoples sleep at Methodist Mission Homes in 6487 Whitby
Rd San Antonio, Tx 78240. The Red Cross help find the new apartment
for me and mt bf Curtis Tucker. We got the apt last months ago in
September 12, 2005 before my bf with me his family stay motel at
Austin, Tx for 3 days in Aug 30 to Sept 4,th, 2005 until We left
Austin,Tx and arrived to San Antonio,Tx. We stay sleep other the hotel
in Sept 4, 2004 to Sept 12, 2005. The name of apartment is The Peach
Creek Apartment.I have my new deaf and hoh mexico and black men and
ladies from San Antonio,Tx. My address is 333 Hedges St Apt 402 San
Antonio, Tx 78203 also My mailing address is Post Office Box 190203
San Antonio, Tx. 78203. My tty nbr is 210- 212- 7387.
Before My bf Curtis and I been looked for my family and kids and my 2
nephews with his mother Cindy Williams is my baby sister in Kelly Usa.
We cant find them in Texas. We keep call to Red Cross abt them from my
family and kids. The Red Cross keep look for them lists their names in
the computer fews weeks ago. We need ur help and find my family and
kids in Texas. Pls call or email me anytimes. Give to u my family and
kids names.
Ruby Williams-08-0852
Billy Williams-07-15-49
Ericka Cindy Williams-01-22-76
Christopher Kyle Williams-09-18-92
Darius Elijah Robinsin-05-16-98
Keenen Khalil Williams - 04-11 or 12-97
Noel,Jr - 09-04-02
Where is they flood them home at 1901 Rosary New Orleans, La 70122.
Her nbr is 504-284-5884.
I want u tell them my old friends deaf and hoh peoples I say BIG HELLO
TO Y'ALL FOR ME, PLS!
God Bless Yall for all deaf and hoh peoples
Save Yall Ur Lifes and Love Ur Friends
Mr. Curtis Tucker and Ms. Gretta Williams
-------------< EPILOG >
If you wish to contribute to this newsletter, feel free to send in
news, stories, and opinions relating to the disability community. Your
support in this effort to move the disability community forward will
be greatly appreciated. We will continue to aggressively pursue
justice, fairness, and equality for the disability community as it has
been doing since November 1996. We have chosen
that EDUCATION is the best way to accomplish this objective.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center is a community based
organization that puts people with disabilities first in their
advocacy for equal opportunities in safety, health, and productive living.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center provides services for disabled
individuals and their families in our community who need help in
navigating the social services maze. Every day people go without
proper food, shelter, and essential medical care every day due to a
variety of factors including low wages, job loss, injuries, illness,
age, domestic violence, or divorce. While all of us are susceptible to
hard times, disabled individuals are at the most risk. With the
generous support of people like you, we are able to help many of these
families and individuals not only to meet essential daily needs, but
to work toward a brighter future with programs in job training,
education, counseling, elderly assistance, and temporary housing.
Feel free to forward this email message to anyone and any of your
personal mailing lists so we can get the important messages out far
and wide and encourage them to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
To subscribe to this newsletter go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ or send a blank email
to ocdacnewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
The Health Fair in Anaheim last Saturday was good. Had a good turnout.
National Association of the Deaf has decided to relocate the NAD
Conference to Palm Desert, California. We are thrilled to see this
large deaf organization having their conference here in our home
state. We will make every effort to participate in this great event.
More information on the NAD conference is in this newsletter.
We got the invite to Fullerton Winter Festival. It's a food stand
fundraiser and we did very well last year. We submitted all the
permits, fees, and applications on the same day we received the invite
in hopes we get all of our menu offerings.
Crazy October is already wearing us down. The editor's back already
hurts from all the loading and unloading of fundraising and
educational materials. So far the results of Crazy October has been
very positive on the educational booths and mixed on the fundraising
booths. It's almost over with next Saturday being the last booth.
HOT NEWS is RIM loses their appeal and with over 30% of the deaf
communities dependent on RIM based communication devices, the impact
on the deaf communities could be huge.
Finally take the time to read the letters we've been getting.
OCDAC Communications
-------------< INSIDE NEWS >
We are ready for our educational booth at 'Mata Expo' (Mata.tv's
version of Deaf Expo)
We have started fundrasising activities to build up the stock for The
New Year's event.
We have started on the planning our free Valentine's day dance event
next February. This will be supported by vendors who purchased booths
and we already have 2 vendors lined up for this.
Drastic Social Security rule changes for Title II Old Age, Survivors,
and Disability Insurance and SSI programs such as outlined in
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/200\
5/pdf/05-14845.pdf
renews our calls for self-reliance ideas for organizations who serve
the deaf and disabled and our very own idea, our California Disability
Gaming Initiative idea and that can be found at
http://www.deafadvocacy.com/cdgicinfo.pdf is an idea that works for
Native Americans. Why shouldn't it work for the Disability
communities? The proposed Social Security rules will limit appeals
and create a new process that is less about truth-seeking and more
hostile to applicants.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
We will soon have our 'Pledge Weeks' ahead to help us solicit funds
for the new Deaf Center in Orange County.
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 1/3 >
RIM loses latest NTP ruling, risks U.S. shutdown
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2005-10-21-rim-blackberry_x.\
htm?csp=26
(Editor : Approximately 30 percent of the deaf communities use RIM
based communicators)
New transplant fund for deaf children in Shanghai
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/22/content_3666350.htm
The Trust Co. taps Deaf Link for hearing-impaired services
http://sanantonio.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2005/10/17/daily29.html
Disabled youths make a difference for victims of Katrina
http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051023/NEWS01/510230\
425/1008
Helping the hearing-impaired earn money
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/man/2005/10/20/feat/helping.the.hearing.impaire\
d.earn.money.html
Videophones revolutionize communication for the hearing impaired
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051009/REPOSITORY/510\
090378/1013/NEWS03
-------------< CALIFORNIA DEAFIE HAPPENINGS >
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37
/ - meets each 3rd Wednesdays of the
month.
The Orange County Deaf & Hearing Impaired Meetup Group -
http://deaf.meetup.com/
38/ - meets each 1st Saturdays of the month.
===============================
CSDR'S MAGIC HOMECOMMING!
The CSDR's Homecoming Day will be held on Friday, Nov. 11th. The
Varsity will play at 7 pm after the JV plays at 4 pm. It will be first
time in school's history we will play under lights!
Attached is the link to the flyer for your information.
http://csdr-cde.ca.gov/homecoming.pdf
For more information, please contact John Castrese, Athletic Director at
jcastrese@csdr-cde.ca.gov. Thank you.
CSDR will host a Magic Show by the professionals on Wednesday,
November 16th at 7:30 pm at Social Hall. Three professional magicians
will perform for the fundraising event for the Extreme Magicians III team.
For more information, please link to this site:
http://csdr-cde.ca.gov/magicshow.html
Please contact Farley Warshaw at fwarshaw@csdr-cde.ca.gov if you have
any question. Thank you.
===============================
The Sunshine Boys
We are once again having an ASL-interpreted play at the Palm Canyon
Theatre at Alejo and North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. This
play is a comedy by Neil Simon about two old, retired Vaudeville
comedians getting together again for a one time Ed Sullivan TV
special. It is a fun play, has no bad language, sex, or violence.
WHEN? Sunday, Nov 6th, curtain time 2 p.m.
WHERE? The Palm Canyon Theatre, 538 No Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs
HOW MUCH? Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and ASL students, $17. Anyone with a
valid
student ID card can buy tickets for $10
BUYING TICKETS? Call the box office, 760-323-5123, and give the code
"CVD" for $17 tickets and seats in the area reserved for our Deaf and
hard-of-hearing patrons. Pay for tickets with a credit card when you
call and tickets will be available at the box office before the
performance. You can also go to the box office to reserve your seat
and purchase tickets with cash.
The box office does not have TTY, text, or on-line ticket sales, so
you may need to call via a relay service.
I hope you will come and support the Palm Canyon Theatre's commitment
to making live theatre accessible to our local ASL community.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our iGive store http://www.igive.com/ocdac
-------------< DEAF GRAPEVINE >
NAD Relocates 2006 Biennial Conference to Southern California
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is pleased to announce that
its 48th Biennial National Conference will be held at Desert Springs
a J.W. Marriott Resort, in Palm Desert, California, June 29-July 3,
2006, which is in close proximity to the Palm Springs International
Airport. Mother Nature, in the form of Hurricane Katrina, forced the
NAD to find a new location for the conference originally scheduled for
New Orleans, Louisiana.
"We grieve with the rest of the nation on the destruction caused to
several states by the hurricane. Because of the uncertainty about the
New Orleans city infrastructure, the NAD Board of Directors felt that
it was in the best interest of all involved to move the 48th Biennial
National Conference in 2006 to Region IV and return to New Orleans in
2008," said NAD President Andrew J. Lange.
The Desert Springs Resort sits on over 450 acres of lush grounds and
lakes and is one of the largest resort complexes in the southwestern
United States. Located 11 miles from Palm Springs International
Airport, 78 miles from Ontario Airport and 130 miles from Los Angeles
International Airport, the resort is a self-contained, thriving oasis
with gorgeous meeting space all on the same floor, two championship
golf courses on the property, tennis and swimming facilities, and one
of the finest resort spas in the United States. Five restaurants,
Starbucks and several small food outlets will sure that attendees will
not go hungry.
"This is the perfect place to have a conference," said NAD Chief
Executive Officer Nancy J. Bloch, "the meeting space is wonderful and
everything is under one roof. This conference is about change, a
unique and different kind of conference site, a change in dates, and
most importantly -- we will all be changed in the most positive way
after the 2006 NAD Conference experience!"
The Conference officially begins on Thursday, June 29 with forums and
workshops starting in the afternoon and Opening Ceremonies and a
Welcome Reception that evening. Pre-conference sessions for the NAD
Board and official delegates take place on June 28. The NAD College
Bowl Competition is on Saturday, July 1. The NAD 125th Anniversary
Celebration Banquet is scheduled for Sunday evening, July 2, and the
NAD Miss Deaf America Pageant finals will be held on Monday evening,
July 3, the last night of the conference week.
Exhibits, workshops and forums will all take place in two huge
ballrooms that easily accommodate all NAD Conference plans, with major
evening events taking place right next door to exhibits and workshops.
"The California Association of the Deaf is thrilled to welcome the NAD
Biennial National Conference to our beautiful state," said Richard
Ray, President. "We look forward to working with the NAD to make this
a most memorable event."
The basic 2006 NAD Conference schedule is now on the NAD website at:
http://www.nad.org/2006confschedule
Detailed information will be posted on the NAD website within the next
few weeks. "Our focus, in respect to the conference, the last few
weeks since Hurricane Katrina was finding a new location for our large
and unique meeting," said President Lange. "Now the NAD Board of
Directors and NAD Headquarters staff are hard at work to ensure a
successful national conference in Southern California," he continued.
To keep up-to-date on 2006 NAD Conference news, please subscribe to
the NAD Conference eNews at: http://www.nad.org/eNewsletters
The NAD will also honor 2006 NAD Conference pre-registrations at the
new location. If you have questions about your pre-registration,
please contact: conference@nad.org
-------------< BULLETIN >
Contact: Beth Slough, 402-694-3656 v/TTY
Communications Coordinator
Hamilton Relay, Inc.
Relay Presented at the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus
The Congressional Hearing Health Caucus (CHHC) participated in a
Luncheon Briefing on Emergency Preparedness yesterday in The CHHC, a
bipartisan caucus of members from the House and Senate, is committed
to supporting the needs of those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Founded in 2001, CHHC highlights the issues of critical importance to
those with hearing loss through periodic briefings and correspondence
with all Members of Congress. The caucus briefing was also supported
by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alliance and Friends of Hearing Health.
Presenters include Dan Sutherland, Officer for Civil Rights and Civil
Liberties at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Cheryl Heppner,
Executive Director of Northern Virginia Resource Center for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing Persons; and Dixie Ziegler, Vice President of
Hamilton Relay. These key leaders presented on topics such as
Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Communication Access and the
impacts emergencies have on individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Dan Sutherland outlined the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on
individuals with disabilities including deaf or hard of hearing
people, highlighting the efforts of the Interagency Coordinating
Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities.
The council plays an important role in ensuring accessibility for
those with disabilities during emergency situations and disasters.
Cheryl Heppner reported on the findings of a recent special needs
assessment conducted by The National Organization on Disability (NOD),
along with what's been learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Heppner also shared how the nation can assist those with hearing loss
to be prepared for future emergencies and disasters.
Dixie Ziegler focused on the necessity of providing individuals who
are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Speech Disabled with functionally
equivalent telephone accessibility. Through the availability of
today's wide array of advanced Telecommunications Relay Services,
opportunities for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech
disabled to communicate over the telephone have emerged. Ziegler
explained how Hamilton Relay ensures uninterrupted, 24-hour telephone
access to its customers in the event of a disaster.
"Hamilton Relay is extremely pleased to have sponsored this event,"
says Dixie Ziegler. "We hope that this caucus will result in better
preparedness for all types of disasters."
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our bookstore that has related books and different kinds
of assistive living devices at http://store.deafadvocacy.org
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 2/3 >
Deaf tow-truck operator is fighting the feds over regulation that's
holding back his business
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_Basic\
Article&c=MGArticle&cid=1128767697302&path=!business!article&s=1037645507703
To restore a special sense
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/10/23/stories/2005102300360700.htm
Executives cash in on set-asides for disabled
http://www.nj.com/business/ledger/index.ssf?/base/business-1/1130043145273880.xm\
l&coll=1
Disabled-parking stalls far from buses
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002578173_bumper23m.html
Technology helps hearing impaired
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051020/NEWS01/5102\
00354/1006
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
ATTENTION CAPTEL USERS, CRS USERS, AND ANYONE ELSE INTERESTED IN THE
CALIFORNIA RELAY SERVICE
Learn about Captioned Telephone Service (CaptTel), an exciting
opportunity to read what the other calling party is saying during a
telephone conversation.
Meeting:
California Relay Service Advisory (CRSAC) Public Meeting
What is CRSAC?
The California Relay Service Advisory Committee (CRSAC) reviews
specialized phone services for hard of hearing, deaf, and
speech-disabled callers.
When:
Friday, October 28, 2005
Where:
Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7277 Valjean Avenue, Van Nuys, CA, 91406
Airtel Plaza Hotel Telephone: 800-2-AIRTEL (800-224-7835)
Room:
Concorde III Meeting Room
Time:
2:00pm - 5:00pm Business Meeting
5:00pm - 6:00pm Dinner Break
6:00pm - 7:00pm New Captioned Telephone Expanded Field Trial:
Overview and user panel
7:00pm - 8:00pm Public Input
Additional Meeting Information:
No cost. No obligation.
6:00pm - 7:00pm CapTel users will describe their experience with this
new free service.
Public comment is invited.
Communication Services Available: ASL Sign Language interpreters &
Real-time captioning
For more information:
Changchup Nyima
Voice: 1-510-302-1100 Ext.: 110
TTY: 1-510-302-1118
Email: changchup@ddtp.org
Judie Hughes
Marketing Project Analyst
Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program
505 14th Street, Suite 400
Oakland, California 94612
510.302.1100 Ext.: 107
510.302.1130 Fax
510.302.1115 TTY
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"Over 20,000 patients are going to receive an implant from us this
year, whether it's a Cochlear implant or a Baha," Dr. Chris Roberts
Chief executive of the Cochlear Corporation.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Do you shop at Albertsons or Sav-on stores? You can get a free
community partners card at those stores and then add it to our list of
supporters. A percent of what you buy will go to helping our Deaf
youth program. If you already have a school or other program that you
are supporting, don't worry, you can add your card to support our
program too! There are two ways to add your card. You can email your
First and Last name with your phone number and community partners card
number to ocdac@deafadvocacy.org or you can download and print our
Albertsons / Sav-on Community Partners signup forms at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/AlbertsonsSignup.pdf and have your
friends, neighbors, associates, and relatives sign up as supporters
and then mail the form to the address on the form. To reach our
funding goal we need 25,000 supporters who shop at Albertsons /
Sav-on. And remember to use your community partners card when you shop
at Albertsons or Sav-on.
-------------< COMMUNITY BULLHORN >
Press Release - October 21, 2005
Note: to translate this material in your native language, visit
http://babelfish.altavista.com
From: www.deafsportlawsuit.com
USA COURT FOR DISTRICT OF MARYLAND MAKES DECISIONS:
1) COURT IS NOT PROPER FORUM TO RESOLVE DISPUTES BETWEEN DEAF
PLAINTIFF AND DEAF DEFENDANTS
2) COURT REJECTS $1 MILLION CLAIM BY DEAF ANARCHISTS AMMONS AND JORDAN
VS. DEAF OMBUDSMAN PINCHAS
3) CISS/DEAFLYMPICS WAS NOT A PARTY TO LAWSUIT
Yesterday, on October 20, 2005, the Press Office of the
CISS/Deaflympics has issued to the world its brief and vaguely-worded
Press Release with its propaganda-themed U.S. District Court of
Maryland Rejected Pinchas' 4th Civil Action Suit headline
www.deaflympics.com
Once again, defendants Donalda Ammons ( herein, "Ammons" ) and Jerald
Jordan ( "Jordan" ) - individually or jointly or through their
attorney from the National Association of the Deaf ( NAD ) Kelby N.
Brick or the Press Office of the CISS/Deaflympics - have failed to
clearly and truthfully explain as to what actually happened with the
lawsuit case, including what was decided by the Court and why the
Court dismissed the case, etcetra.
Ammons and Jordan or their attorney Kelby N.Brick have also continued
to irresponsibly, intentionally and misleadingly imply that the
organization of the CISS/Deaflympics was involved as a lawsuit party.
By utilizing the above-mentioned questionable propaganda tactics,
especially among the 94-nation-members CISS/Deaflympics organization
and its leaders, Ammons and Jordan have again "painted" themselves as
the "true lawsuit battle winners," while Pinchas is "a loser!"
However, the facts and reality were and are quite different ones.
For the purposes of clarification, rebuttal, accurate and fair
reporting, here are the following facts.
On March 2, 2005, plaintiff Rafael Pinkhasov Pinchas ( "Pinchas" ),
appearing as a pro se, submitted his defamation of character lawsuit
action against four ( 4 ) different defendants - Ammons, Jordan,
Bobbie Beth Scoggins ( "Scoggins") and the United States Deaf Sports
Federation ( "USADSF" ).
The organization of the CISS/Deaflympics, like in the previous
lawsuits, was not specifically named by Pinchas as a party to this
lawsuit action.
Like in the three previous lawsuit actions filed in 2001 and 2003 (
twice ) by Pinchas against Ammons and Jordan on an individual basis,
the Court in Maryland again dismissed Pinchas' claim this time. Such a
dismissal was principally based on the fact that "this Court is not a
proper place or it has no jurisdction over disputes related to the
internal rules" of deaf organizations such as the CISS/Deaflympics.
Additionally, here are the main points outlined in Senior Judge
William M.Nickerson's 11-paged Civil Action Number WMN-05-629
Memorandum Decision recently:
- "While the Court can understand Pinchas' frustration at being
precluded from serving a very worthy cause about which he is obviously
passionate, this Court has repeatedly indicated to Pinchas that the
federal courts are not proper forum to resolve his disputes with
Ammons, Jordan, Scoggins and USADSF;"
- "As for the requirement of joinder of CISS/Deaflympics, Ammons and
Jordan have proffered nothing to establish that CISS/Deaflympics is a
necessary party in this action. While the Complaint repeatedly
mentions the USADSF and it might be inferred that the Individual
Defendants ( that is, Ammons, Jordan and Scoggins ) were acting on
behalf on that organization, the Complaint does not, as Ammons and
Jordan claim, "refer to action taken by CISS/Deaflympics," That
Ammons' and Jordan's actions may have taken place at CISS/Deaflympics
events is not a basis, without more, of imputing liability to
CISS/Deaflympics;"
- "Turning to the counterclaims and motion for sanctions filed by
defendants Ammons and Jordan, the Court notes that there is a certain
insubstantial element to them as well. To support their "Malicious
Prosecution" claim, Ammons and Jordan reference the four previous
suits that Pinchas has filed against them and then assert that they
have "incurred attorney fees" and "suffered extreme mental and
emotional anquish as a result of Pinchas' "deliberate and malicious
actions." Ammons and Jordan ask for $1,000,000.00 in damages. Ammons
and Jordan have clearly failed, however, to state a claim for
malicious prosecution...Here, Ammons and Jordan have not pled the
requisite special damages to support a malicious prosecution claim;"
- "While Ammons and Jordan did file a motion for sanctions, Paper
Number 11, they did not do so under the procedures prescribed in Rule
11. Rule 11 states that a motion for sanctions shall first be served
on the opposing party and "shall not be filed with or presented to the
court unless, within 21 days after service of the motion...the
challenged paper, claim, or defense, contention, allegation, or denial
is not withdrawn or appropriately corrected." Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure, Rule 11 ( c) 1 ) ( A ). Ammons and Jordan indicate in
their certificate of service that they served the motion to Pinchas at
the same time as they filed their motion with the Court and thus, were
not in compliance with Rule 11. The motion for sanctions will be denied."
The Memorandum Decision, among the other things, also stated that
"this suit arises out of a highly contentious and long standing
dispute amongst the parties" and that "Defendants ( Ammons, Jordan and
Scoggins ) "have conspired to prevent him ( Pinchas ) from having any
active role in the international deaf sports community."
In the meantime, a legal battle between the CISS/Deaflympics Ombudsman
( Pinchas ) against two deaf sports anarchists ( Ammons and Jordan ),
Scoggins and USADSF continues.
Another and separate discrimination lawsuit involving Pinchas as a
plaintiff vs. the same four defendants is still pending before the
USA District Court for the District of South Dakota in Sioux Falls,
South Dakota.
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
Benefit Being Held For Deaf Honduran Girl
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_295151355.html
Implant may help deaf hear music
http://paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=123152
Employers Help Parents With Disabled Children
http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/re.aspx?re=26D8D87B-AB77-49E1-95E2-49BBADAB7A\
91
Hearing-impaired victims to enjoy group's assistance
http://www.thetidenews.com/article.aspx?qrDate=10/23/2005&qrTitle=Hearing-impair\
ed%20victims%20to%20enjoy%20group%E2%80%99s%20assistance&qrColumn=NATION
Interpreter praised for work with hearing impaired
http://www.4hearingloss.com/archives/2005/10/interpreter_pra.html
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY JOB OPPORTUNITIES >
Assistant Professor at a California State University
All candidates interested in any of the job opportunities are required
to apply for our job placement services. Our intake form is at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/intake.htm
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
We recycle used cell phones, empty printer and toner cartridges! If
you have any of these to unload from your hands, please send or drop
them at our agency at 2960 Main Street, A100, Irvine, California 92614
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES >
Begin your journey toward self-sufficiency by becoming a .WS domain
reseller! Become an owner of a _________.WS website for only $10 a
month! Includes hosting, email, and easy to use website design tools
to create a professional looking website. And all _________.WS owners
automatically become .WS website resellers and it comes with an
automatic selling program. All you have to do is lead people to your
reseller website! The WS stands for 'website'! This is an excellent
self-sufficiency opportunity for people who want to be on the top of
the .WS cyber real estate market. Take a look at the ASL video at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/cbep/website05.wmv and if you're
interested in this self-sufficiency program please go to
http://website.ws/ocdac for an easy sign
up. Or if you do not know American Sign Language, go straight to the
reseller page at http://website.ws/ocdac for a video of the program.
-------------< LETTERS >
I work for FEMA and am lending myself available to help as much as I
can. If you contact me with questions I will research the answers and
help any way that I can. I can likely get most information directly to
you. Unfortunately, I can not, for security reasons, access individual
claims, but I can tell you where to go, what to do and how to proceed.
Hopefully, I can make the application process a little easier to
understand and navigate. As you may know, we have been overwhelmed
with people in need and we are all trying every way we can to help the
people and each other.
If you need information on resources just let me know and I will do my
best to find the information for you. I have a wealth of information
right here and am happy to help.
I have been helping people already, people I know, people I meet in
stores, etc. and it was suggested to me that I post here. That is
what it means to be a part of this agency. We are all so committed to
helping people.
Feel free to write.
Stephanie fotojunkie1967@yahoo.com
============================
Hello Everyone!
This is Myrna Danielson, Raymond Anderson and their Son Lil Raymond
leave from the travel on Sunday August 28, 2005 at 7:00am apt home.
And Raymond's mother and her Husband Charles left from my apt home
last sunday that safe Hurricane Katrina. We went to The Econ Lodge,
Houston, Tx with family that night.We live in stay in the hotel
Recency Suite & Inn Houston, tx on August 30th and Sept 16, 2005. My
boyfriend Raymond Anderson and his Son Lil Raymond still live in stay
his mother Mary Samuel 's APT Houston, Tx. My supervisor John Lantron
call me my mother in law told me ready confirmation ticket from Naval
Support Activity Mid South on Sept 19,2005. i came to airport memphis
from my supervisor Pn1 Lantron pick me up Airport Memphis Sept 20. He
took me drop in the Navy Inn Millington Tn. God bless you and Thank
God save me for it. travel. Myrna Danielson and Raymond Anderson are
deaf and without tty.
============================
U can report abt me and all deaf 14 peoples here at San Antonio,Tx.
Some of deaf peoples sleep at Methodist Mission Homes in 6487 Whitby
Rd San Antonio, Tx 78240. The Red Cross help find the new apartment
for me and mt bf Curtis Tucker. We got the apt last months ago in
September 12, 2005 before my bf with me his family stay motel at
Austin, Tx for 3 days in Aug 30 to Sept 4,th, 2005 until We left
Austin,Tx and arrived to San Antonio,Tx. We stay sleep other the hotel
in Sept 4, 2004 to Sept 12, 2005. The name of apartment is The Peach
Creek Apartment.I have my new deaf and hoh mexico and black men and
ladies from San Antonio,Tx. My address is 333 Hedges St Apt 402 San
Antonio, Tx 78203 also My mailing address is Post Office Box 190203
San Antonio, Tx. 78203. My tty nbr is 210- 212- 7387.
Before My bf Curtis and I been looked for my family and kids and my 2
nephews with his mother Cindy Williams is my baby sister in Kelly Usa.
We cant find them in Texas. We keep call to Red Cross abt them from my
family and kids. The Red Cross keep look for them lists their names in
the computer fews weeks ago. We need ur help and find my family and
kids in Texas. Pls call or email me anytimes. Give to u my family and
kids names.
Ruby Williams-08-0852
Billy Williams-07-15-49
Ericka Cindy Williams-01-22-76
Christopher Kyle Williams-09-18-92
Darius Elijah Robinsin-05-16-98
Keenen Khalil Williams - 04-11 or 12-97
Noel,Jr - 09-04-02
Where is they flood them home at 1901 Rosary New Orleans, La 70122.
Her nbr is 504-284-5884.
I want u tell them my old friends deaf and hoh peoples I say BIG HELLO
TO Y'ALL FOR ME, PLS!
God Bless Yall for all deaf and hoh peoples
Save Yall Ur Lifes and Love Ur Friends
Mr. Curtis Tucker and Ms. Gretta Williams
-------------< EPILOG >
If you wish to contribute to this newsletter, feel free to send in
news, stories, and opinions relating to the disability community. Your
support in this effort to move the disability community forward will
be greatly appreciated. We will continue to aggressively pursue
justice, fairness, and equality for the disability community as it has
been doing since November 1996. We have chosen
that EDUCATION is the best way to accomplish this objective.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center is a community based
organization that puts people with disabilities first in their
advocacy for equal opportunities in safety, health, and productive living.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center provides services for disabled
individuals and their families in our community who need help in
navigating the social services maze. Every day people go without
proper food, shelter, and essential medical care every day due to a
variety of factors including low wages, job loss, injuries, illness,
age, domestic violence, or divorce. While all of us are susceptible to
hard times, disabled individuals are at the most risk. With the
generous support of people like you, we are able to help many of these
families and individuals not only to meet essential daily needs, but
to work toward a brighter future with programs in job training,
education, counseling, elderly assistance, and temporary housing.
Feel free to forward this email message to anyone and any of your
personal mailing lists so we can get the important messages out far
and wide and encourage them to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
To subscribe to this newsletter go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ or send a blank email
to ocdacnewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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