Source Link - Mattanawcook Academy students learn sign language, promote awareness
If you happen to meet any of the 39 members of Carrie Pierce’s American Sign Language classes at Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln, you’d be wise to avoid using the term “hearing-impaired.”
They really don’t like it.
“They’re not impaired — they’re deaf,” said senior Candice Osborne, 17, of Lincoln during an interview last week. “They’re deaf, they know that they’re deaf, and they like to be treated equally. They don’t want you to baby them.”
Deaf people — or those who live in “the community,” as the students say — feel that being called “hearing-impaired” smacks of condescension and the unequal treatment given those who are disabled, when all they really do that’s different from anybody else is speak with their hands, the students said. They also like the “d” in deaf to be capitalized.
“Don’t stare at them [when they sign],” Osborne said. “They regard that as an intrusion, like people being nosy.”
“And don’t yell at them,” said sophomore Jenna Brown, 15, of Lincoln. “They won’t be able to hear you any better. If you meet someone who is deaf and don’t know how to do sign language, tell them you don’t understand and that you will try your hardest to understand.”
This awareness of the sensitivities of deaf people, and the fact that it was among the first things mentioned by a half-dozen of Pierce’s students at the Mattanawcook Academy football game last Friday night, shows that the students are learning more than just ASL in Pierce’s classes.
They’re learning awareness, the culture of American deaf people, how to be more inclusive with the deaf, and a healthy feel for the sensibilities of those for whom signing is not just a second language — and that’s precisely the point, Pierce said.
Pierce, who is deaf, said with aid from Osborne’s translation that one of the goals of the class is to have her students, all of whom can hear, become more “understanding and accommodating to deaf people.”
This year, Pierce is teaching three ASL classes at MA. Students take the class for foreign language credit. It is part of the curriculum and meets every other day. Pierce also teaches adult education in Ellsworth and teaches two ASL classes at the University of Maine. She also runs a summer camp for deaf children and has a nature photography business.
One of the principles taught in Pierce’s classes is that English and ASL are separate languages. For example, when a student asked how to sign the phrase “you’re welcome,” Pierce explained that the sign is a thumbs up, or the sign for “all right” or “fine.” This prevents confusion with the sign for “welcome” when admitting someone to your home.
Friday’s football game was something of a milestone for Pierce and the two years of classes in ASL that she has taught at the Lincoln high school: It marked the first time that her students signed the national anthem before an athletic event.
The 10 students arrayed themselves on the field before the crowd and, after an announcement explaining their presence, “sang” the anthem in sign.
“I thought it was great,” said Julia Delano of Lincoln, who attended the game with her husband, Byron. “We actually have a cousin who is deaf, and I was thinking it would be great for her to have seen them doing that.”
“It was really different,” said Mike Farrell, 20, of Lincoln, a business management major at Husson University in Bangor. “We never had that in class when I was here.”
Pierce said she was proud of her students for their performance on the field and in the classroom, though sophomore Harlee Whitney, 15, of Lincoln said they were “crazy nervous” learning the translation for the anthem before the game.
“This is the first time it’s ever been done at a game here,” she said.
“We crammed it all in,” said 15-year-old sophomore Alycia Botting of Lincoln.
The students hope to sign the anthem at an MA basketball game next, they said.
They also want to continue learning and teaching sign language and promoting awareness of the needs of deaf people until the goal Pierce announced to her students in the first days of class — to have sign language so commonly known in the Lincoln Lakes region that she can shop here without any discomfort — is finally realized.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sign of promise: EPCC teaches sign language at early childhood center
Source Link - Sign of promise: EPCC teaches sign language at early childhood center
Ruby Ruiz was born deaf, but the condition wasn't diagnosed until she was 5.
A lifelong El Pasoan who now works with the deaf and those with hearing impediments, she says El Pasoans aren't very much aware of the deaf culture in the city.
Ruiz, 43, is a sign language instructor at El Paso Community College who is now working with a West Side early childhood learning center to teach its young students how to sign.
Many people with hearing problems are isolated and resistant to acknowledge their condition, Ruiz said. She wasn't introduced to sign language until her diagnosis. After graduating from Austin High School and starting college, Ruiz decided she wanted to become a sign language instructor.
"I decided to learn about the deaf culture and work as an interpreter, help them give feedback,"she said.
It is thought that about 4,000 people in El Paso are deaf or have a hearing impediment, Ruiz said.
This fall, Flying Colors Learning Center is implementing sign language in its curriculum.
"As they grow older, children will develop sign language," said Denise Leal, director of Flying Colors on the West Side.
The center takes care of about 200 children. At least two children are deaf or have a hearing impediment, Leal said.
She said implementing sign language instruction into the curriculum is a way to reach out to the deaf community.
Leal said Flying Colors decided to work with El Paso Community College to provide sign language training for the staff.
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Last week about 50 people attended a sign language workshop at Flying Colors, 600 E. Redd Road.
Sylvia Montelongo, a student at EPCC and vice president of its sign language club, said her club wants to partner with local agencies to promote sign language.
She said El Pasoans are not aware of the deaf community, while people with hearing problems tend to be isolated.
"They are in our community and they are productive citizens. I don't think a lot of people know about them," she said.
Montelongo said introducing children to sign language at an early age enables them to develop a broader vocabulary and helps them relate to people with a hearing problem.
"It's amazing for children! Because before they can talk, they can move their hands. They're able to get along with deaf children," Montelongo said.
Jeanette Lawrence, 33, said her 3- year-old, Alexa, enjoys showing her the new signing words she learns at Flying Colors.
"Apples" and "mama" were among the first words her daughter learned in sign language, she said.
Lawrence said sign language helps children without a hearing impediment improve their communication skills at an early age.
Michael Hicks, owner of Flying Colors Learning Center, said he hopes other centers follow up and introduce sign language to more young children.
He said sign language lessons have also been introduced at the Flying Colors center on the East Side.
Aileen B. Flores may be reached at aflores@elpasotimes.com; 546-6362.
Ruby Ruiz was born deaf, but the condition wasn't diagnosed until she was 5.
A lifelong El Pasoan who now works with the deaf and those with hearing impediments, she says El Pasoans aren't very much aware of the deaf culture in the city.
Ruiz, 43, is a sign language instructor at El Paso Community College who is now working with a West Side early childhood learning center to teach its young students how to sign.
Many people with hearing problems are isolated and resistant to acknowledge their condition, Ruiz said. She wasn't introduced to sign language until her diagnosis. After graduating from Austin High School and starting college, Ruiz decided she wanted to become a sign language instructor.
"I decided to learn about the deaf culture and work as an interpreter, help them give feedback,"she said.
It is thought that about 4,000 people in El Paso are deaf or have a hearing impediment, Ruiz said.
This fall, Flying Colors Learning Center is implementing sign language in its curriculum.
"As they grow older, children will develop sign language," said Denise Leal, director of Flying Colors on the West Side.
The center takes care of about 200 children. At least two children are deaf or have a hearing impediment, Leal said.
She said implementing sign language instruction into the curriculum is a way to reach out to the deaf community.
Leal said Flying Colors decided to work with El Paso Community College to provide sign language training for the staff.
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Acai Berry EXPOSED (Official Test)This Weight Loss Special Report Will Shock You! More info... Los Angeles - Mom Lost 47lbs Following 1 RuleI Cut Down 47 lbs of Stomach Fat In A Month By Obeying This 1 Old Rule Get details...
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Last week about 50 people attended a sign language workshop at Flying Colors, 600 E. Redd Road.
Sylvia Montelongo, a student at EPCC and vice president of its sign language club, said her club wants to partner with local agencies to promote sign language.
She said El Pasoans are not aware of the deaf community, while people with hearing problems tend to be isolated.
"They are in our community and they are productive citizens. I don't think a lot of people know about them," she said.
Montelongo said introducing children to sign language at an early age enables them to develop a broader vocabulary and helps them relate to people with a hearing problem.
"It's amazing for children! Because before they can talk, they can move their hands. They're able to get along with deaf children," Montelongo said.
Jeanette Lawrence, 33, said her 3- year-old, Alexa, enjoys showing her the new signing words she learns at Flying Colors.
"Apples" and "mama" were among the first words her daughter learned in sign language, she said.
Lawrence said sign language helps children without a hearing impediment improve their communication skills at an early age.
Michael Hicks, owner of Flying Colors Learning Center, said he hopes other centers follow up and introduce sign language to more young children.
He said sign language lessons have also been introduced at the Flying Colors center on the East Side.
Aileen B. Flores may be reached at aflores@elpasotimes.com; 546-6362.
Mattanawcook Academy students learn sign language, promote awareness
Source Link - Mattanawcook Academy students learn sign language, promote awareness
If you happen to meet any of the 39 members of Carrie Pierce’s American Sign Language classes at Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln, you’d be wise to avoid using the term “hearing-impaired.”
They really don’t like it.
“They’re not impaired — they’re deaf,” said senior Candice Osborne, 17, of Lincoln during an interview last week. “They’re deaf, they know that they’re deaf, and they like to be treated equally. They don’t want you to baby them.”
Deaf people — or those who live in “the community,” as the students say — feel that being called “hearing-impaired” smacks of condescension and the unequal treatment given those who are disabled, when all they really do that’s different from anybody else is speak with their hands, the students said. They also like the “d” in deaf to be capitalized.
“Don’t stare at them [when they sign],” Osborne said. “They regard that as an intrusion, like people being nosy.”
“And don’t yell at them,” said sophomore Jenna Brown, 15, of Lincoln. “They won’t be able to hear you any better. If you meet someone who is deaf and don’t know how to do sign language, tell them you don’t understand and that you will try your hardest to understand.”
This awareness of the sensitivities of deaf people, and the fact that it was among the first things mentioned by a half-dozen of Pierce’s students at the Mattanawcook Academy football game last Friday night, shows that the students are learning more than just ASL in Pierce’s classes.
They’re learning awareness, the culture of American deaf people, how to be more inclusive with the deaf, and a healthy feel for the sensibilities of those for whom signing is not just a second language — and that’s precisely the point, Pierce said.
Pierce, who is deaf, said with aid from Osborne’s translation that one of the goals of the class is to have her students, all of whom can hear, become more “understanding and accommodating to deaf people.”
This year, Pierce is teaching three ASL classes at MA. Students take the class for foreign language credit. It is part of the curriculum and meets every other day. Pierce also teaches adult education in Ellsworth and teaches two ASL classes at the University of Maine. She also runs a summer camp for deaf children and has a nature photography business.
One of the principles taught in Pierce’s classes is that English and ASL are separate languages. For example, when a student asked how to sign the phrase “you’re welcome,” Pierce explained that the sign is a thumbs up, or the sign for “all right” or “fine.” This prevents confusion with the sign for “welcome” when admitting someone to your home.
Friday’s football game was something of a milestone for Pierce and the two years of classes in ASL that she has taught at the Lincoln high school: It marked the first time that her students signed the national anthem before an athletic event.
The 10 students arrayed themselves on the field before the crowd and, after an announcement explaining their presence, “sang” the anthem in sign.
“I thought it was great,” said Julia Delano of Lincoln, who attended the game with her husband, Byron. “We actually have a cousin who is deaf, and I was thinking it would be great for her to have seen them doing that.”
“It was really different,” said Mike Farrell, 20, of Lincoln, a business management major at Husson University in Bangor. “We never had that in class when I was here.”
Pierce said she was proud of her students for their performance on the field and in the classroom, though sophomore Harlee Whitney, 15, of Lincoln said they were “crazy nervous” learning the translation for the anthem before the game.
“This is the first time it’s ever been done at a game here,” she said.
“We crammed it all in,” said 15-year-old sophomore Alycia Botting of Lincoln.
The students hope to sign the anthem at an MA basketball game next, they said.
They also want to continue learning and teaching sign language and promoting awareness of the needs of deaf people until the goal Pierce announced to her students in the first days of class — to have sign language so commonly known in the Lincoln Lakes region that she can shop here without any discomfort — is finally realized.
If you happen to meet any of the 39 members of Carrie Pierce’s American Sign Language classes at Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln, you’d be wise to avoid using the term “hearing-impaired.”
They really don’t like it.
“They’re not impaired — they’re deaf,” said senior Candice Osborne, 17, of Lincoln during an interview last week. “They’re deaf, they know that they’re deaf, and they like to be treated equally. They don’t want you to baby them.”
Deaf people — or those who live in “the community,” as the students say — feel that being called “hearing-impaired” smacks of condescension and the unequal treatment given those who are disabled, when all they really do that’s different from anybody else is speak with their hands, the students said. They also like the “d” in deaf to be capitalized.
“Don’t stare at them [when they sign],” Osborne said. “They regard that as an intrusion, like people being nosy.”
“And don’t yell at them,” said sophomore Jenna Brown, 15, of Lincoln. “They won’t be able to hear you any better. If you meet someone who is deaf and don’t know how to do sign language, tell them you don’t understand and that you will try your hardest to understand.”
This awareness of the sensitivities of deaf people, and the fact that it was among the first things mentioned by a half-dozen of Pierce’s students at the Mattanawcook Academy football game last Friday night, shows that the students are learning more than just ASL in Pierce’s classes.
They’re learning awareness, the culture of American deaf people, how to be more inclusive with the deaf, and a healthy feel for the sensibilities of those for whom signing is not just a second language — and that’s precisely the point, Pierce said.
Pierce, who is deaf, said with aid from Osborne’s translation that one of the goals of the class is to have her students, all of whom can hear, become more “understanding and accommodating to deaf people.”
This year, Pierce is teaching three ASL classes at MA. Students take the class for foreign language credit. It is part of the curriculum and meets every other day. Pierce also teaches adult education in Ellsworth and teaches two ASL classes at the University of Maine. She also runs a summer camp for deaf children and has a nature photography business.
One of the principles taught in Pierce’s classes is that English and ASL are separate languages. For example, when a student asked how to sign the phrase “you’re welcome,” Pierce explained that the sign is a thumbs up, or the sign for “all right” or “fine.” This prevents confusion with the sign for “welcome” when admitting someone to your home.
Friday’s football game was something of a milestone for Pierce and the two years of classes in ASL that she has taught at the Lincoln high school: It marked the first time that her students signed the national anthem before an athletic event.
The 10 students arrayed themselves on the field before the crowd and, after an announcement explaining their presence, “sang” the anthem in sign.
“I thought it was great,” said Julia Delano of Lincoln, who attended the game with her husband, Byron. “We actually have a cousin who is deaf, and I was thinking it would be great for her to have seen them doing that.”
“It was really different,” said Mike Farrell, 20, of Lincoln, a business management major at Husson University in Bangor. “We never had that in class when I was here.”
Pierce said she was proud of her students for their performance on the field and in the classroom, though sophomore Harlee Whitney, 15, of Lincoln said they were “crazy nervous” learning the translation for the anthem before the game.
“This is the first time it’s ever been done at a game here,” she said.
“We crammed it all in,” said 15-year-old sophomore Alycia Botting of Lincoln.
The students hope to sign the anthem at an MA basketball game next, they said.
They also want to continue learning and teaching sign language and promoting awareness of the needs of deaf people until the goal Pierce announced to her students in the first days of class — to have sign language so commonly known in the Lincoln Lakes region that she can shop here without any discomfort — is finally realized.
Brown's Medicare bill could add hearing aids
Source Link - Brown's Medicare bill could add hearing aids
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown introduced a bill Thursday that would make Medicare cover hearing aids, a provision that he says he'll try to incorporate into broader health-care reform legislation being crafted by Congress.
Hearing aids are excluded from Medicare's basic coverage even though 30 percent of adults ages 65-74 have impaired hearing, as do nearly half of those older than 75.
"Too many seniors go without hearing aids because they cannot afford them," the Democrat from Avon said in a news release. "Hearing impairment is a health and quality-of-life issue, and Medicare must be improved to cover hearing aids and other treatment options."
The devices typically cost from $500 to $5,000, and Brown's office estimated they would cost the government about $500 each if bought in bulk. Brown observed that the Department of Veterans Affairs covers hearing aids for its beneficiaries and that free or discounted hearing aids are available for public health-care patients in other industrialized countries including Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Past legislative efforts to provide hearing aids to Medicare beneficiaries have stalled. AARP supports the idea, but Director of Federal Government Relations Nora Super predicts Brown will face difficulty unless he can find a way to pay for such an expensive benefit. She said many seniors participate in Medicare Advantage plans that pay for hearing aids.
"Cost is a huge issue associated with health-care reform, and unless Sen. Brown has an uncontroversial pay-for [way to pay for it], there may not be a strong chance of this passing," Super says.
Brown spokeswoman Meghan Dubyak says her boss is examining several ways the hearing aid purchases could be funded and is discussing them with Democratic leaders.
Earlier this year, Republican U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette of Bainbridge Township co-sponsored similar legislation in the House.
LaTourette says that he backs having Medicare pay for hearing aids but that he isn't sure whether the idea stands much chance of being included in upcoming health-care legislation because the bills under discussion call for $400 million to $500 billion in Medicare cuts.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown introduced a bill Thursday that would make Medicare cover hearing aids, a provision that he says he'll try to incorporate into broader health-care reform legislation being crafted by Congress.
Hearing aids are excluded from Medicare's basic coverage even though 30 percent of adults ages 65-74 have impaired hearing, as do nearly half of those older than 75.
"Too many seniors go without hearing aids because they cannot afford them," the Democrat from Avon said in a news release. "Hearing impairment is a health and quality-of-life issue, and Medicare must be improved to cover hearing aids and other treatment options."
The devices typically cost from $500 to $5,000, and Brown's office estimated they would cost the government about $500 each if bought in bulk. Brown observed that the Department of Veterans Affairs covers hearing aids for its beneficiaries and that free or discounted hearing aids are available for public health-care patients in other industrialized countries including Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
Past legislative efforts to provide hearing aids to Medicare beneficiaries have stalled. AARP supports the idea, but Director of Federal Government Relations Nora Super predicts Brown will face difficulty unless he can find a way to pay for such an expensive benefit. She said many seniors participate in Medicare Advantage plans that pay for hearing aids.
"Cost is a huge issue associated with health-care reform, and unless Sen. Brown has an uncontroversial pay-for [way to pay for it], there may not be a strong chance of this passing," Super says.
Brown spokeswoman Meghan Dubyak says her boss is examining several ways the hearing aid purchases could be funded and is discussing them with Democratic leaders.
Earlier this year, Republican U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette of Bainbridge Township co-sponsored similar legislation in the House.
LaTourette says that he backs having Medicare pay for hearing aids but that he isn't sure whether the idea stands much chance of being included in upcoming health-care legislation because the bills under discussion call for $400 million to $500 billion in Medicare cuts.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Video link puts deaf on phone
Source Link - Video link puts deaf on phone
Deaf people living in Northland are testing a system that allows them to talk on the phone using sign language.
The new video relay service (VRS) involves a sign-language interpreter acting as a link between the deaf or hearing impaired person using a video screen and the person on the other end of the phone line.
The system can be used through the internet or a videophone.
Earlier this month it was demonstrated at the Deaf Aotearoa office in Deveron St, Whangarei, as part of the nationwide, government-funded trial to gauge the likely uptake of the system.
Local co-ordinator Glenys Walkinshaw said many of the service's 200 Northland clients were keen to see the system operating as soon as possible.
The system has been available in some Western countries for many years.
"Anyone who doesn't have the right equipment at home can come and use ours," Ms Walkinshaw said.
Sign language is one of the three official languages of New Zealand and is used partially or fully by more than 29,000 people every day.
Advocacy group Deaf Aotearoa said the system would allow sign language users to fully communicate in their natural language.
Using full-motion video meant their facial expression and cues would be also be picked up by the interpreter to ensure nothing was lost in translation.
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Deaf Aotearoa chief executive Rachel Noble said that, as well as making life easier in general, the service would open work opportunities for deaf people. Often the inability to use the telephone was a barrier to finding work.
"It is really about equality and ensuring that deaf people have access to the same services as hearing people. It is amazing that technology has advanced to this stage and we are very grateful to the Government for making this possible," Ms Noble said.
The five-month trial, which operates for four hours each weekday, will run until early November.
Deaf people living in Northland are testing a system that allows them to talk on the phone using sign language.
The new video relay service (VRS) involves a sign-language interpreter acting as a link between the deaf or hearing impaired person using a video screen and the person on the other end of the phone line.
The system can be used through the internet or a videophone.
Earlier this month it was demonstrated at the Deaf Aotearoa office in Deveron St, Whangarei, as part of the nationwide, government-funded trial to gauge the likely uptake of the system.
Local co-ordinator Glenys Walkinshaw said many of the service's 200 Northland clients were keen to see the system operating as soon as possible.
The system has been available in some Western countries for many years.
"Anyone who doesn't have the right equipment at home can come and use ours," Ms Walkinshaw said.
Sign language is one of the three official languages of New Zealand and is used partially or fully by more than 29,000 people every day.
Advocacy group Deaf Aotearoa said the system would allow sign language users to fully communicate in their natural language.
Using full-motion video meant their facial expression and cues would be also be picked up by the interpreter to ensure nothing was lost in translation.
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Deaf Aotearoa chief executive Rachel Noble said that, as well as making life easier in general, the service would open work opportunities for deaf people. Often the inability to use the telephone was a barrier to finding work.
"It is really about equality and ensuring that deaf people have access to the same services as hearing people. It is amazing that technology has advanced to this stage and we are very grateful to the Government for making this possible," Ms Noble said.
The five-month trial, which operates for four hours each weekday, will run until early November.
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