Dear Friends,
Last week at the California State University, Northridge's 21'st
Annual Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference at the Los
Angeles Airport Marriott and Hilton hotels was a huge success for both
the editor and Beth who directs our deaf blind service programs.
There in the 4 day conference we picked up new tools and took
workshops on captioning web videos, learning about the new NexTalk TTY
program, teaching people how to use the mouse, and non-visual access
to computers for the blind. Beth was in high heaven when she had the
opportunity to try out Pacmates and many other assistive technology
for the blind. The 4 day conference capped up with Beth getting her
picture taken with Steve Wonder the famous blind pianist. With the
workshops, the food, and the education being rich for us we were
overwhelmed with new knowledge and tools that we will be using to be
able to serve our stakeholders. And pictures of all these are in the
newsletter's photo album.
This weekly newsletter will soon be available in print form to be
mailed out each week. The price is going to be $90 per year for the
print version and the price is highly reasonable due to it's very rich
deaf and disability advocacy content and very little advertising. Last
week we announced the incorrect price for it and our apologies for the
inconvenience. This still beats out the Deafweekly.com print news.
They will also be available in other alternative formats like in
braille, floppies, and in large print for people with vision impairments.
We seriously need help on the fundraising side. It seems we have some
big holes in our pocketbook that we are having enormous difficulties
shrinking or plugging up. We have to tap into our reserves this
month in order to meet the additional expenditures we are facing in
the near future. Not to mention that one of our revenue lines, the
IHSS contract from the county to a deaf-blind client that would bring
us at least 1/3 of our monthly revenues, had been completely
contracted out than letting our volunteers handle this. If you can
give us a hand on the fundraising side, we will be very grateful.
Please reply by email if you're interested in helping us out.
OCDAC Communications
[email protected]
-------------< INSIDE NEWS >
With our subscribership from the international communities increasing
at a steady pace, we wish to make this newsletter accessible to them
and the easiest way to accomplish this is by directing them to
http://www.babelfish.altavista.com/ and entering
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ in the website
translation box and the babelfish will help our international
subscribers become strong advocates for the deaf and disability
communities.
Macy's Community Shopping Day 2006, an in-store shopping event and
fundraiser for charities in the Orange County community, will be held
on May 12, 2006 at Macy's South Coast Plaza. We have 200 tickets to
sell. We need to sell at least 100 of the tickets at $10 each. And
we'll need at least 5 or more volunteers on hand as well. Besides a
good operation at Macy's Community Shopping Day would be as good as a
decent birthday gift to the editor from our communities. The money
will be used for operating expenses and the fee for our Orange County
fair fundraiser stand which is expected to be around $900 plus the
cost of insurance.
We are putting together a fantastic golf tournament at a golf course
near our office and the date would be for this fantastic event is
Friday September 22, 2006 and we will have a fantastic game, food, and
prizes for all players. We are also putting together a walk-a-thon
fundraiser event to take place on May 20, 2006 at the Mile Square Park.
We have began on our giant Orange County Fair educational booth
planning for this upcoming summer. This year's theme is 'Flower
Power' and its a retro theme. We have submitted the application for
our fundraiser booth. Your prayers are needed to help the fair
management be considerate and allow us conduct fundraising as they
know that the good results will be put into good use to advance
positive relationships between the deaf and the hearing communities.
We have started a Campbell's product label collection campaign to help
us raise the means to get supplies for our office Start saving your
campbells product labels today and mail them to us on the first week
of each month. We have aproximately 1050 subscribers and if each one
of them accumulates and sends us 900-1000 labels a month, we'd be able
to get lots of new equipment for our office and internal and external
education programs! Lets get those labels coming, the program ends in
June. Our big thanks to those who sent in their labels.
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 >
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 >
Officials treating deaf woman's death as homicide
http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/81795.asp
Program will help Danville, KSD, Boyle seniors prepare
http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=20463&format=htm\
l
Parrot saves deaf man from fire
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1658228,00050003.htm
Police identify suspect in deaf woman's death
http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/81903.asp
Court moved against delay in exams for deaf
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C03%5C25%5Cstory_25-3-2006_p\
g11_8
Hearing-impaired kids get help
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/showarticle.php?num=02SOC250306
Sign language won't be foreign very long
http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=811&NewsID=705413\
&CategoryID=9045&on=1
BT launches sign language broadband campaign
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2006/03/22/1481504.htm
$10K Scholarships For Future Science or Math Teacher
http://www.ntid.rit.edu/media/full_text.php?article_id=491
Deaf Students Use Language Skills to Perform
http://wfmz.com/cgi-bin/tt.cgi?action=viewstory&storyid=14223
-------------< CALIFORNIA DEAFIE HAPPENINGS >
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37/ - and the he Orange County Deaf & Hearing
Impaired Meetup Group http://deaf.meetup.com/38/ meets each 3rd
Fridays of the month.
Dont be a fool on April 1, come to our meetup on Friday April 21, 2006.
The Orange County American Sign Language & Orange County Deaf &
Hearing Impaired December Green Meetup
When:
Friday, March 21, 7:00 PM
Where:
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
17595 Harvard Ave #B
Irvine, CA
(949) 660-1332
What:
Meet the 2 meetups!
===================================
ASL BINGO!
Come learn ASL while playing bingo!
AT THE OCDAC CLASSROOM
May 27, 2006
4pm to 7pm
$1 per card per game – 7 cards for $5
Great Prizes! Players must be at least 18 years of age.
PROCEEDS BENEFIT ORANGE COUNTY DEAF ADVOCACY CENTER
For more info contact [email protected]
===================================
Our SSP classes are less taxing to the community.
Our next SSP training class is on April 15, 2006 from 12 noon to 5 pm.
This is for people interested in working with the Deaf-Blind. The
class will take place in our classroom at 2960 Main Street A102 ,
Irvine, CA 92614
There is a fee of $20 for this 5 hour workshop as we have to pay for
the room use and printing of the handbook and other materials.
This class is required to work with our Deaf-Blind clients. Please
contact me with any questions.
Beth Koenig
[email protected]
(714) 414-7982
===================================
DEAF SEMINAR SATURDAYS
We are having two 2 hour FREE educational seminars to our community
members.
Disaster preparedness
May 27, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Getting the most from your Sidekick
June 24, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Healthy Hands and Eyes workshop
August 26, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Dealing with creditors
September 30, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Deaf motorist safety
October 28, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Deaf employment rights
November 25, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Safety at home
December 30, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Classes take place at the OCDAC classroom. RSVP is required and 8
students maximum per class. Reply back with reservation choices. And
the seminars are always FREE.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Even though most of us working on computers only work on one, the
average American depends on more than 264 computers per day—from the
tiniest microprocessor to the largest mainframe! That is a lot of
people depending on a lot of computers! Think of how much money could
go to the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center if 264 supporters bought
one computer each at www.iGive.com/ocdac, where up to 26% of every
purchase is donated to the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center! At
www.iGive.com/ocdac, membership is free! So hurry up and visit the
Mall at www.iGive.com/ocdac, where you can shop at 600+ stores for all
your favorite electronics and computers from Dell, HP Shopping, Buy,
Computers4SURE, The Apple Store, SONY, and Gateway!
-------------< DEAF GRAPEVINE >
www.RidorLIVE.com
Allright! For so so so long we've been relying on news from big deaf
news media. Yes relying on pretty news and news that sounds like the
"All Is Well" midnight buggle call. Pretty boring it can be to some
people seeing the voice of the deaf community sounding like a pretty
field of roses.
Now no more! It's time for spice and you can see it at
www.RidorLIVE.com the home to the most arguably controversial deaf
blogger that feels hot as Fahrenheit 911. This is a place where
anyone can drop their hot 2 cents on any subject.
Give it a visit and you can either drop your hot thoughts or just
observe and do not interfere.
-------------< BULLETIN >
EDITOR'S COMMENTARY ON GLAD'S SCARECROW SIGN
It seems that one of the reasons why we have had a strong surge in
client traffic is that the Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness
(GLAD) has a sign at the entranceway that drives people away from the
agency.
The GLAD agency gets millions of dollars from the state each year and
they're driving people away leaving the underfunded agencies like ours
to do their work. The California Office of Deaf Access should be
disbanded for giving out millions of dollars to organizations that
have scarecrows in their front yards.
You can see pictures of the GLAD's scarecrow at this newsletter photo
album. The pictures dont lie and they're the real pictures of the
scarecrow at GLAD.
Richard Roehm
-------------< 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 >
Speaking up for the deaf
http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2006/3/23/lifefocus/13725289&sec\
=lifefocus
Crossroads: An Asian-American Deaf Woman's Journey
http://calendar.gallaudet.edu/?EventID=1935
Deaf studies conference starting April 6 at UVSC
http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,635193791,00.html
Chup Chup Ke - Preview
http://movies.indiainfo.com/preview/2006/cck-230306.html
Kenya: Archdiocese Starts Pastoral Care for Deaf Christians
http://allafrica.com/stories/200603210658.html
Plan to disband Idaho School for Deaf and Blind put on hold
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-mar2106-deaf_and_blind_school.4\
9180b0f.html
Tour highlights School for the Blind's quality education
http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060322/NEWS01/603220\
15/1002
So, what did Rani do on her big day?
http://www.ibnlive.com/article.php?id=7121§ion_id=8
Deaf and dumb boy country's youngest scuba diver
http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=29636
Elementary sign language proves popular with kids
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3626873
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
National Direct Service Workforce Resource Center
CMS is pleased to announce the opening of the National Direct Service
Workforce Resource Center. CMS created the Resource Center to respond
to the large and growing shortage of workers who provide direct care
and personal assistance to people with disabilities and older adults
in the community. The direct service workforce includes direct support
professionals, personal attendants, home health aides, certified nurse
assistants, and others.
The Resource Center strives to support efforts to improve the quality
of the workforce and to enhance recruitment and retention of direct
support professionals by providing information, resources and
assistance to state and local governments, policy makers, researchers,
employers, workers, and consumers.
www.dswresourcecenter.org
1-877-822-2647
The Resource Center Offers.
a.. A comprehensive on-line searchable database
(www.dswresourcecenter.org) of resources, current research, best
practices and policy briefs related to recruitment and retention of
direct support professionals, including program materials such as such
as worker and supervisor training curricula, guidance on measuring
workforce outcomes, recruitment materials, and peer mentorship program
designs.
b.. Access to information, resources and advice from a diverse and
experienced team of direct service workforce policy professionals
through a national toll-free telephone number (1-877-822-2647).
c.. Individualized, in-depth technical assistance for selected State
Medicaid Agencies awarded through an annual application process. The
Resource Center Provides Assistance To.
Any state or local government, not-for-profit organization, employer
or professional in the field can access the Center's resources and
expert advice through the website or toll-free telephone number.
State Medicaid Agencies can apply for in-depth technical assistance
(TA) on an annual basis. CMS is specifically targeting this TA to
State Medicaid Agencies because of the key role they play in quality
assurance, worker education, supervisor education for workers and
consumers, wages and benefits, and provider reimbursement. States
can apply for assistance with existing initiatives aimed at improving
the home and community based direct service workforce, or for
assistance with a new initiative. Visit the Resource Center website
(www.dswresourcecenter.org) for more information.
The Resource Center's Team of Experts Includes.
a.. The Lewin Group
b.. Institute for the Future of Aging Services
c.. Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute
d.. Research and Training Center on Community Living, University of
Minnesota
Adrienne M. Delozier
Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group
(410) 786-0278
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"But the equal-rights requirement is not clear-cut for small
enterprises, which may not have to provide services that impose an
undue burden" said Andrew Imparato of the American Association of
People with Disabilities.
-------------< 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 [email protected] or you can download and print our
Albertsons / Sav-on Community Partners signup forms at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/community/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 >
NAD Moves to New Headquarters at End of March
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) will move at the end of
this month to its new Headquarters offices in downtown Silver Spring,
a few blocks away from its old building. The current Halex House
location has been home to the NAD Headquarters for the past 35 years,
is now in the process of being sold.
"It was a proud moment in the history of the deaf and hard of hearing
community when the National Association of the Deaf purchased Halex
House in 1971 with donations from supporters around the country," said
NAD President Andrew J. Lange. "These supporters and others who
contributed to pay off the mortgage in 2002 are making it possible for
the NAD to shift gears and begin plans to build a deaf-friendly NAD
Headquarters that will be a center for community involvement."
The NAD Board of Directors made the decision to sell Halex House more
than a year ago. The building needed millions of dollars in
renovations to provide adequate and safe working conditions – money
that the NAD does not have. The NAD Board also considered constructing
a new building on the land, but realized that this, too, would require
millions for an architectural plan, construction, and temporary staff
relocation.
The real estate market in downtown Silver Spring has become very
attractive with its booming development including the relocation of
Discovery Channel headquarters, new retail outlets, restaurants, and
office space. Several buyers expressed interest in the NAD property,
and the NAD has been working with a prospective purchaser since last fall.
"Halex House sale net proceeds will be invested with two overriding
objectives: preservation of principal funds and generation of interest
income. The latter will enable the NAD to cover lease expenses for its
new Headquarters offices in downtown Silver Spring," said Nancy J.
Bloch, NAD Chief Executive Officer. "Clearly, the original investment
in Halex House has grown in such a way that the NAD is now able to
`shift gears' and begin planning for the next and most extraordinary
chapter in its illustrious 125-year history."
Time Capsule
On April 22, 1982, NAD staff members, tenants and friends buried a
Time Capsule in front of Halex House. The Time Capsule was a gift of
the Alabama Association of the Deaf and was presented to the NAD
during the Centennial Conference in 1980 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Time
Capsule contains historical documents, materials and objects
contributed by State Associations, organizations and agencies of, by
and for deaf people. The Time Capsule is scheduled to be opened in
2080 on NAD's 200th anniversary. The Time Capsule will be moved to the
new NAD Headquarters, where it will be put on display.
New NAD Headquarters "Look"
The NAD is moving to a modernized and visually pleasing environment,
where it expects to bring in state-of-the-art video communications to
showcase the many possibilities that affordable and accessible
broadband holds for American Sign Language (ASL) users. Over time, the
new Headquarters space will be complemented by works of art by
established as well as up-and-coming American deaf artists. Also
planned are exhibit displays to highlight the 125-year advocacy
history of the NAD to complement the visual emphasis of the new offices.
Mailing Address: The new address, effective March 30, 2006 is:
National Association of the Deaf
8630 Fenton Street, Suite 820
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Telephone Numbers:
All telephone numbers for the NAD remain the same.
301-587-1788 Voice
301-587-1789 TTY
301-587-1791 FAX
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
Pakistan deaf squad wins cricket series against India
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C03%5C27%5Cstory_27-3-2006_p\
g2_8
Library helps mark major event for Deaf community
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0603/S00160.htm
Master lip-reader overcomes obstacles
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14193813.htm
KSD graduate vying for Miss Deaf America title
http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=20506&format=htm\
l
DEAF, SPANISH-SPEAKING KIDS FIND COMMON GROUND
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/14203698.htm
Deaf demand special news
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/489719
Court orders hospital to improve services for hearing-impaired
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2006/03/27/court_orders_\
hospital_to_improve_services_for_hearing_impaired/
Panel on deaf to meet April 22
http://news.kypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060327/NEWS02/603270380/1014
National Deaf Poker Tour Lets Deaf Poker Players Go All-In with Major
Tournament Action
http://www.poker777.com/20060326/national-deaf-poker-tour-lets-deaf-poker-player\
s-go-all-in-with-major-tournament-action_0d42_ogajfr.php
Grief talk offered for deaf community
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060327/LIFE/603270313/10\
04/LIFE
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES >
Begin your journey toward self-sufficiency by becoming a Discovery
Toys consultant! Discovery Toys focuses on learning through play,
with products specifically designed to maximize learning moments, has
proven to be a success as the company has now witnessed an entire
generation grow up with Discovery Toys. Many parents and their adult
children credit DISCOVERY TOYS® products with helping them to develop
core skills and self-esteem, which contributed to their later life
accomplishments and success as adults. Beth Koenig is your Discovery
Toys consultant. Her Discovery Toys website is at
Http://www.discoverthetoys.net and this is a great business
opportunity for people disabilities. Discovery Toys is one of our
supported activities through our Community Business Enterprise Program.
-------------< LETTERS >
!!COMMUNITY ACTION NEEDED!!
Call, write, or email to the following radio stations in Northern
California!
(forward this text to as many people as you can)
WHAT's GOING ON?!
We as members of the Deaf Community, need to tell those radio
broadcasters that their mockery, insensitive, and mean-spirited
statements about Deaf persons and the recent tragedy are NOT acceptable!
As many of you may have heard, a Deaf teenager who won the Miss Deaf
Texas title and was going to compete at the National Association of
the Deaf convention in California this summer, Tara McAvoy, was struck
and killed by a train in Austin two days ago while crossing railroad
tracks in a residential area. Apparently she had been paging and was
unable to see the oncoming train in time.
STATION 94.9
Wild 94.9 a "popular" hip hop radio station in the Bay Area has picked
up the story and are making light of "the Miss Deaf Texas who died in
the train accident" with comments such as "why was she on a cell phone
texting...so she has some hearing??" And "we want to hear from the
Deaf people (said in a joking way)". They were also making loud train
wreck sounds (on air) with the calls they're getting and "pretending"
they couldn't hear the callers. According to one of the listeners,
they are saying "it's only a few people calling in to complain - that
they are people who work with "deaf special ed. kids" and saying they
are "special".
It's one thing to be politically incorrect and another to be
insensitive. This affects everyone in the Deaf community and beyond.
Write/call and let them HEAR from us.
Contact information for the radio station:
Wild 94.9
340 Townsend Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
Phone nbr of main office - 415 975 5555
Fax nbr of main office - 415 975 5475
The person who made the comments at WiLD 94.9 was Rick Delgado. His
direct number is (415) 538-5940. Best time to reach him is after 10 AM
to 5:30 PM.
STATION 104.1
104.1 HAWK is where the mockery comments made by Bob and Tom
(www.bobandtom.com) were heard:
"She is not d e f (as in being cool) but D E A F, ha ha, I repeat, she
is not d e f but D E A F, haha. Why would a deaf girl walk by the
train? Of course, the train killed her."
Email at [email protected]
Mailing address is: KHKK-FM, 1581 Cummins Dr #135 Modesto, CA 95358
Fax Nbr: 209 572 0540
Let's speak up!
(Thanks go to Sylvia Wood, Hugh Lafler, Vanessa Sanchez, Greg
Hettwier, and David Eberwein for sharing information)
FROM 'DREN' - Deaf Rights Equal Now
-------------< 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.
DISCLAIMER: The OCDAC Newsletter is designed to share information of
interest to people with disabilities, their friends, associates, and
relatives and promote advocacy in the disability community.
Information circulated does not necessarily express the views of The
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. The OCDAC Newsletter is
non-partisan. OCDAC Newsletter does not sell advertising space.
To subscribe to this newsletter go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ or send a blank email
to [email protected]
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
OCDAC Newsletter March 21, 2006
Dear Friends,
Our very own ASLNews.com is making a comeback with a new website
design. For maximum benefit, you will need to adjust your screen
resolution to 1024 x 768 or larger otherwise it'll look funny. The
ASLNews.com website is now available for you to look at and comment to
us about it.
We have been getting a lot of access equipment donations in the past
few weeks from companies that are involved with these equipments.
They are TTY's, loud phone ringers, and phone amplifiers. We've been
able to clean and refurbish many of them and we are offering these to
people and businesses at a price that is far less than what they would
be paying if they bought these devices from the manufacturer's
dealers. So we have a "Brown Bag Deal" for businesses who want to
make themselves accessible to the deaf communities. They are;
1) TTYs are telephone devices the deaf people use to talk over the
telephone. They're from different companies. They can cost between
$300 to $600 each and were offering them for $60.00 plus shipping each.
2) Ameriphone SR-100 super phone ringer devices emit super loud
shreiks when the phone rings. They retail for $40 each and were
offering them for $15.00 plus shipping each.
3) Ameriphone HA-30 amplifier amplifies the telephone through the
phone cords. They retail for $30 each and were offering them for $10
plus shipping each.
Brown Bag Deal is all 3 devices for $75.00 plus shipping each. These
also are excellent accommodations you can provide to employees with
hearing and speech impairments. They go a long way to preventing some
access complaints and even lawsuit issues by deaf community members.
If you are (or know of anyone who is) interested in these accessories
contact us by reply email or through the office phone 949-955-0054.
Our service animal education and fundraiser booth at the Pet Expo this
year will be at the same location as last year.
This weekly newsletter will soon be available in print form to be
mailed out each week. The price is going to be $90 per year for the
print version and the price is highly reasonable due to it's very rich
deaf and disability advocacy content and very little advertising. Last
week we announced the incorrect price for it and our apologies for the
inconvenience. This still beats out the Deafweekly.com print news.
They will also be available in other alternative formats like in
braille, floppies, and in large print for people with vision impairments.
OCDAC Communications
[email protected]
-------------< INSIDE NEWS >
With our subscribership from the international communities increasing
at a steady pace, we wish to make this newsletter accessible to them
and the easiest way to accomplish this is by directing them to
http://www.babelfish.altavista.com/ and entering
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ in the website
translation box and the babelfish will help our international
subscribers become strong advocates for the deaf and disability
communities.
Macy's Community Shopping Day 2006, an in-store shopping event and
fundraiser for charities in the Orange County community, will be held
on May 12, 2006 at Macy's South Coast Plaza. We have 200 tickets to
sell. We need to sell at least 100 of the tickets at $10 each. And
we'll need at least 5 or more volunteers on hand as well. Besides a
good operation at Macy's Community Shopping Day would be as good as a
decent birthday gift to the editor from our communities. The money
will be used for operating expenses and the fee for our Orange County
fair fundraiser stand which is expected to be around $900 plus the
cost of insurance.
We are putting together a fantastic golf tournament at a golf course
near our office and the date would be for this fantastic event is
Friday September 22, 2006 and we will have a fantastic game, food, and
prizes for all players. We are also putting together a walk-a-thon
fundraiser event to take place on May 20, 2006 at the Mile Square Park.
We have began on our giant Orange County Fair educational booth
planning for this upcoming summer. This year's theme is 'Flower
Power' and its a retro theme. We have submitted the application for
our fundraiser booth. Your prayers are needed to help the fair
management be considerate and allow us conduct fundraising as they
know that the good results will be put into good use to advance
positive relationships between the deaf and the hearing communities.
We have started a Campbell's product label collection campaign to help
us raise the means to get supplies for our office Start saving your
campbells product labels today and mail them to us on the first week
of each month. We have aproximately 1050 subscribers and if each one
of them accumulates and sends us 900-1000 labels a month, we'd be able
to get lots of new equipment for our office and internal and external
education programs! Lets get those labels coming, the program ends in
June. Our big thanks to those who sent in their labels.
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 >
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 >
OU offers Megillah power-point presentation for the deaf
http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2006/03/16/news/on_the_cover/news02.txt
Deaf Talkabout: Pluses and minuses to medical cure for deafness
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/features/story.jsp?story=682880
Woman Hosts Polk County TV Show Despite Deafness
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060317/NEWS/603170341/1004
Protesters: Deaf need interpreters with doctor
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1142589364170140.\
xml&coll=2
Senate subcommittee passes sign language bill
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/14116605.htm
Deaf text-messager killed by train
http://www.p2pnet.net/story/8221
Indian deaf sportspersons to tour Pakistan
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/8648.php/Indian_deaf_sportspersons_to_tour_Pakist\
an
Software for the handicapped launched
http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/16/stories/2006031617350300.htm
Hearing test for every baby in England
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/womenfamily.html?in_articl\
e_id=380058&in_page_id=1799
-------------< CALIFORNIA DEAFIE HAPPENINGS >
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37/ - and the he Orange County Deaf & Hearing
Impaired Meetup Group http://deaf.meetup.com/38/ meets each 3rd
Fridays of the month.
Dont be a fool on April 1, come to our meetup on Friday April 21, 2006.
The Orange County American Sign Language & Orange County Deaf &
Hearing Impaired December Green Meetup
When:
Friday, March 21, 7:00 PM
Where:
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
17595 Harvard Ave #B
Irvine, CA
(949) 660-1332
What:
Meet the 2 meetups!
===================================
ASL BINGO!
Come learn ASL while playing bingo!
AT THE OCDAC CLASSROOM
March 25, 2006
4pm to 7pm
$1 per card per game – 7 cards for $5
Great Prizes!
PROCEEDS BENEFIT ORANGE COUNTY DEAF ADVOCACY CENTER
For more info contact [email protected]
===================================
California School for the Deaf, Riverside - Drama Production
A Bad Year For Tomatoes
When: Friday, March 24, 2006 7:00 PM (ASL only) Saturday, March 25,
2006 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Where: CSDR Social Hall 3044 Horace St. Riverside, CA 92506
TICKET INFO: Advance Ticket Sale*
Pre-Sale Tickets $8.00 Adult and H.S. Students $5.00 Senior Citizens
and Students under 14
At Door Prices $10.00 Adults and H.S. Students $7.00 Senior Citizens
and Students under 14
*Deadline 3/20/06 For Advance Tickets
Call for more info-951-782-6502 Voice/TTY
===================================
DEAF SEMINAR SATURDAYS
We are having two 2 hour FREE educational seminars to our community
members.
Protecting yourself from deaf-run scams
March 25, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Disaster preparedness
May 27, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Getting the most from your Sidekick
June 24, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Healthy Hands and Eyes workshop
August 26, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Dealing with creditors
September 30, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Deaf motorist safety
October 28, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Deaf employment rights
November 25, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Safety at home
December 30, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Classes take place at the OCDAC classroom. RSVP is required and 8
students maximum per class. Reply back with reservation choices. And
the seminars are always FREE.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Even though most of us working on computers only work on one, the
average American depends on more than 264 computers per day—from the
tiniest microprocessor to the largest mainframe! That is a lot of
people depending on a lot of computers! Think of how much money could
go to the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center if 264 supporters bought
one computer each at www.iGive.com/ocdac, where up to 26% of every
purchase is donated to the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center! At
www.iGive.com/ocdac, membership is free! So hurry up and visit the
Mall at www.iGive.com/ocdac, where you can shop at 600+ stores for all
your favorite electronics and computers from Dell, HP Shopping, Buy,
Computers4SURE, The Apple Store, SONY, and Gateway!
-------------< DEAF GRAPEVINE >
EDITOR'S COMMENTARY ON THE ADMINISTRATION'S REVERSE ROBIN HOOD BUDGET ZEAL
Call it a "reverse Robin Hood" budget because it takes The
Administration's habit of robbing from the poor and middle class to
pay back his wealthy supporters to new heights. Here's some of the
highlights of how The Administration's plan would effect us all;
1) Social Security: The Administration is trying to use the budget to
sneak through his old $700 billion dollar plan to privatize Social
Security and immediately slash benefits by $6.3 billion dollars.
2) Health Care: The Administration would slash Medicaid by $13.7
billion over 5 years, abandoning millions of young, elderly, poor and
disabled Americans who depend on Medicaid as their health care option
of last resort.
3) Education: The Administration is pushing for the largest cut in the
history of the Department of Education, and to completely eliminate
the Perkins loan, a vital program for college students in need.
4) Child care: The Administration wants to kick 400,000 children out
of child care programs for low income working families.
5) Budget busting tax breaks for the rich: The Administration's budget
would only continue to explode the deficit by giving away over $900
billion dollars to richest 1% of the population over 10 years.
6) Deeper debt: The Administration wants to give so much away to
millionaires that even after his service cuts the annual deficit would
grow by almost $200 billion dollars
So what are we going to do about it? Sit and watch the congress
prostitute themselves to the administration? We've lost a lot already
in the past 8 months and unless someone makes a stink over the
Administration's zeal, our lives as low income Americans are going stink!
Richard Roehm
Editor
-------------< BULLETIN >
The National Council on Disability (NCD) will celebrate the 16th
anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a
disability policy seminar in Washington, DC, on July 26, 2006. As you
are aware, the landmark ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990. We
consider the passage of ADA to be one of the great historical events
of the civil rights movement in the United States.
NCD will conduct a half-day seminar based on findings from its
National Disability Policy: A Progress Report, which will be released
during the seminar. As in past years
(http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2005/progress_report.htm),
each chapter from the progress report is devoted to a specific issue
affecting people with disabilities.
-------------< 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 >
Hicks aids hearing impaired
http://www.thehj.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=32&ArticleID=13785&TM=219\
13.95
Deaf students compete at Manchester Memorial
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Deaf+students+compete+at+Manche\
ster+Memorial&articleId=e7a694ad-afd8-4626-837d-31c573454148
PUC questions AT&T job cuts ( at relay call centers ) after merger
http://www.pennlive.com/business/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/business/1142591313\
3280.xml&coll=1
Silent tales enthrall children
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/031906/TRI_B99N59TN.053.shtml
I play in a deaf football team
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4780000/newsid_4786100/4786144.stm
I read you, teacher!
http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2006/3/19/education/13666835
DALTREY: I'M DEAF
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16834774&method=full&siteid=66633&\
headline=daltrey--i-m-deaf--name_page.html
Bonnie Funk bridges gap between hearing and deaf communities
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section_id=12&screen=news&news_id=48\
611
Deaf man sentenced in prison stabbing
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060321/LOCAL/603210485
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
Students With Disabilities In Private Schools
Troy R. Justesen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at the U.S. Department
of Education is pleased to share with you news of the release of some
helpful information about students with disabilities placed by their
parents in private schools.
--------------------------------------------------------------
A useful online resource for school districts and parents about how
the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
provides for students with disabilities enrolled by their parents in
private elementary schools and secondary schools is now available on
the Department's Web site. Titled Questions and Answers on Serving
Children with Disabilities Placed by Their Parents at Private Schools,
this resource was developed in response to queries from state
officials, elected representatives and parents since a change to IDEA
became effective on July 1, 2005. This resource is posted to the IDEA
2004 Resources Web page at
www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html,
The statutory revisions to the IDEA in 2004 significantly changed the
obligation of states and local education agencies (LEAs) to children
with disabilities enrolled by their parents in private elementary and
secondary schools. While previously it was the responsibility of the
LEAs in which the parents resided to conduct child find and provide
equitable services to these students, that responsibility has now
shifted to the LEAs in which the private schools are located.
Questions and Answers address such topics as child find and individual
evaluations for parentally placed private school children, the
provision of equitable services, and preschool and out-of-state
parentally placed private school children with disabilities.
Questions and Answers is the latest resource added to the IDEA 2004
Resources Web page, intended to assist educators, students and families.
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"I thank God and my family, especially my parents, for supporting me
and being there for me," Bahasa Melayu SMK Sultan Abdul Samad school
in Malaysia
-------------< 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 [email protected] or you can download and print our
Albertsons / Sav-on Community Partners signup forms at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/community/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 >
March 2, 2006
Dr. Jacques Rogge
President
The International Olympic Committee
1007 Chateau d'Vidy
Lausanne
Switzerland
Subject: Kidnapping/Murder of My Deaf Husband and CISS President
Dear Dr. Rogge:
I am a deaf spouse of Felix Shlimovich who has been a missing person
since December 11, 2005. Before his disappearance my husband was a
manager of the Russian Deaf Sports Committee and traveled to
Deaflympic Games many times.
I do sincerely hope and pray that you, a concerned and caring citizen,
will read this very painful message of mine and do something in
finding the truth as to what actually happened to my beloved husband.
Since the day of Felix's disappearance, our family members - Samuel
Shlimovich ( Felix's aging and ailing father ), Anatoliy Shlimovich (
Felix's deaf brother ) and I have tirelessly and sleeplessly been
working day and night to locate Felix or his body.
Recently, on February 4, 2006, an advertisement was published in the
popular Russian daily newspaper - MOSCOW KOMSOMOLETS. On that
newspaper advertisement my family appealed to the Russian public for
help in locating Felix's whereabouts and in which a monetary reward
incentive was set up for this purpose.
So far, there is no positive result.
However, my family received the following leads related to Felix's
disappearance:
1) that the persons who were involved in planning to kidnap ( and,
possibly, murder ) of Felix were the three deaf members of the
Nikolai Klimov family: Nikolai himself, his son - Slava Klimov, his
son-in-law - Yakov Frenkel, as well as their close female friend from
the USA - Donalda Ammons,
2) that the idea, influence and order to harm Felix came directly from
Washington, D.C., that is, from the two Gallaudet University employees
- Slava Klimov and Donalda Ammons, and
3) that Nikolai Klimov, as a result, decided to launch and finance the
horrific operation to eliminate Felix from his life's existence by
hiring the service of deaf hit persons in Moscow.
Please note the following facts: 1) Donalda Ammons is the current
President of the CISS and she is employed as a teacher at Gallaudet
University; 2) Slava Klimov is also an employee of Gallaudet
University and since 2001 he has been acting as an informant for
Donalda Ammons in her legal case against one prominent and outspoken
deaf sports leader from New York; 3) Nikolai Klimov - was removed as
the President of the Russian Deaf Sports Committee in 2004; 4) Yakov
Frenkel was also removed as the Vice President of the Russian Sports
Committee in 2004.
Previously, I was aware of the facts that twice - on February 27, 2003
in Sweden and on January 3, 2005 in Australia, respectively - at the
influence and orders of Donalda Ammons - the local police and
security agents were attempting to arrest Felix in these respective
places because Felix accused Donalda Ammons, with the assistance of
the Klimov family members, in allegedly stealing his exclusive
property - the original of his produced videofilm of the 37th CISS
Congress and 2001 Deaflympic Summer Games.
For such an alleged theft and by being unable to retrieve his own
property from either Donalda Ammons or the Klimovs - father and son,
Felix filed the two separate lawsuits against these persons in
Washington, D.C., and Moscow.
I was also aware of the two following facts that during Felix's visit
to the campus of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., on March
17, 2004, Felix was verbally abused and physically attacked by Slava
Klimov there ( an incident report was filed with the Gallaudet
University police department on that day ). In addition, on January
12, 2005, during the Deaflympic Summer Games, at the premises of the
Melbourne Sports and Athletic Complex in Melbourne, Australia, Jerald
Jordan, the former President of the CISS, 1995 Olympic Order
holder and now a senior advisor to Donalda Ammons in the CISS,
secretly met with Felix and there Jerald Jordan vainly persuaded Felix
to drop his lawsuit cases against Ammons and her accomplices.
The recent court case held in Washington, D.C., on January 18, 2006,
in which Felix as a plaintiff was absent and in which both defendants
Slava Klimov and Donalda Ammons appeared, is now being dismissed
because of Felix's non-showing up at the court's premises on that day.
It is quite unbelievably, outrageous and appalling that a
still-sitting-in-the-office President of the International Olympic
Committee of the Deaf ( CISS ) - Donalda Ammons - is being directly
and indirectly implicated in this criminal act: the kidnapping and
possible murder of Felix!
I write to you because the IOC has influence over the CISS and
Donalda Ammons since the IOC, as I understand, provides some financial
assistance to the CISS. I do also understand that you and your people
in the IOC have a close working relationship with Donalda Ammons.
Therefore, I am now appealing to you, dear IOC President, to take
appropriate action, including using your influence in pressuring
Donalda Ammons to tell the truth and provide accurate information as
to what factually happened with Felix's mysterious disappearance on
the night of December 11, 2005.
Please help my family and me.
With Tears in Eyes,
Irina Im Sem Nyu Shlimovich
copy sent to Mr. Igor Kotz,
Editor-in-Chief of Sovetskii Sport newspaper
Bolshoi Spasoglinishevskii Pereulok, 8
Moscow 101990
e-mail: [email protected]
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
How to Lick Hearing Loss
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,70434-0.html?tw=wn_index_3
School for the Deaf club to stage fund-raiser play
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3620546
Deaf-friendly synagogues offer sign language interpreters
http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2006/03/16/news/on_the_cover/news01.txt
Rani celebrates her Birthday with deaf and blind students
http://www.indiafm.com/news/2006/03/21/6848/
Sign language plan may not jibe with colleges
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/032106/met_6840577.shtml
School for the Deaf club to stage fund-raiser play
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3620546
Future uncertain for Idaho deaf, blind school
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-mar2006-deaf_and_blind.44b4228c\
.html
Women & Murder
http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail5442.cfm?Id=0,46853
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES >
Begin your journey toward self-sufficiency by becoming a Discovery
Toys consultant! Discovery Toys focuses on learning through play,
with products specifically designed to maximize learning moments, has
proven to be a success as the company has now witnessed an entire
generation grow up with Discovery Toys. Many parents and their adult
children credit DISCOVERY TOYS® products with helping them to develop
core skills and self-esteem, which contributed to their later life
accomplishments and success as adults. Beth Koenig is your Discovery
Toys consultant. Her Discovery Toys website is at
Http://www.discoverthetoys.net and this is a great business
opportunity for people disabilities. Discovery Toys is one of our
supported activities through our Community Business Enterprise Program.
-------------< LETTERS >
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Alexa Posny as the
Director of OSEP effective April 17, 2006. Since 2001, Posny has
served as the Deputy Commissioner of Education in the Kansas State
Department of Education. In this position, she was responsible for the
overall operations of the Learning Services Division, leading and
supervising the delivery of services for school districts and
teacher-preparation institutions. These services included school
improvement and accreditation; licensure and teacher education; state
and federal education programs; special education and technical
education; and planning and research. Thanks to Posny's leadership,
Kansas is viewed as a national leader in the inclusion of students
with disabilities in its statewide accountability system. Posny has
been invited to OSEP and the Office of Elementary and Secondary
Education (OESE) on numerous occasions to share Kansas' experience in
implementing alternate assessments under IDEA and the No Child Left
Behind assessment provisions for students with disabilities.
Posny began her career as a teacher of students with emotional and
learning disabilities. Prior to her appointment as deputy
commissioner, she served as the State Director of Special Education
for the Kansas State Department of Education. During her career, Posny
has been a Director of Special Education in school districts in
Kansas, Wisconsin and Illinois, and the Director of Curriculum and
Instruction at the Title I Technical Assistance Center in Kansas. She
has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Kansas.
Posny holds a doctorate in Educational Administration with a minor in
Special Education, as well as a master's degree in Behavioral
Disabilities from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She holds a
bachelor's degree in Sociology and Psychology from the University of
Wisconsin at Stevens Point. In addition, she has published numerous
articles and resource guides over the years.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to
Troy Justesen for his leadership as acting director of OSEP, and to
all of the OSEP staff for their continued high performance and focus
on improving results for infants, toddlers, children, and youths
during this transition.
John H. Hager
Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services
U. S. Department of Education
-------------< 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.
DISCLAIMER: The OCDAC Newsletter is designed to share information of
interest to people with disabilities, their friends, associates, and
relatives and promote advocacy in the disability community.
Information circulated does not necessarily express the views of The
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. The OCDAC Newsletter is
non-partisan. OCDAC Newsletter does not sell advertising space.
To subscribe to this newsletter go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ or send a blank email
to [email protected]
Our very own ASLNews.com is making a comeback with a new website
design. For maximum benefit, you will need to adjust your screen
resolution to 1024 x 768 or larger otherwise it'll look funny. The
ASLNews.com website is now available for you to look at and comment to
us about it.
We have been getting a lot of access equipment donations in the past
few weeks from companies that are involved with these equipments.
They are TTY's, loud phone ringers, and phone amplifiers. We've been
able to clean and refurbish many of them and we are offering these to
people and businesses at a price that is far less than what they would
be paying if they bought these devices from the manufacturer's
dealers. So we have a "Brown Bag Deal" for businesses who want to
make themselves accessible to the deaf communities. They are;
1) TTYs are telephone devices the deaf people use to talk over the
telephone. They're from different companies. They can cost between
$300 to $600 each and were offering them for $60.00 plus shipping each.
2) Ameriphone SR-100 super phone ringer devices emit super loud
shreiks when the phone rings. They retail for $40 each and were
offering them for $15.00 plus shipping each.
3) Ameriphone HA-30 amplifier amplifies the telephone through the
phone cords. They retail for $30 each and were offering them for $10
plus shipping each.
Brown Bag Deal is all 3 devices for $75.00 plus shipping each. These
also are excellent accommodations you can provide to employees with
hearing and speech impairments. They go a long way to preventing some
access complaints and even lawsuit issues by deaf community members.
If you are (or know of anyone who is) interested in these accessories
contact us by reply email or through the office phone 949-955-0054.
Our service animal education and fundraiser booth at the Pet Expo this
year will be at the same location as last year.
This weekly newsletter will soon be available in print form to be
mailed out each week. The price is going to be $90 per year for the
print version and the price is highly reasonable due to it's very rich
deaf and disability advocacy content and very little advertising. Last
week we announced the incorrect price for it and our apologies for the
inconvenience. This still beats out the Deafweekly.com print news.
They will also be available in other alternative formats like in
braille, floppies, and in large print for people with vision impairments.
OCDAC Communications
[email protected]
-------------< INSIDE NEWS >
With our subscribership from the international communities increasing
at a steady pace, we wish to make this newsletter accessible to them
and the easiest way to accomplish this is by directing them to
http://www.babelfish.altavista.com/ and entering
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ in the website
translation box and the babelfish will help our international
subscribers become strong advocates for the deaf and disability
communities.
Macy's Community Shopping Day 2006, an in-store shopping event and
fundraiser for charities in the Orange County community, will be held
on May 12, 2006 at Macy's South Coast Plaza. We have 200 tickets to
sell. We need to sell at least 100 of the tickets at $10 each. And
we'll need at least 5 or more volunteers on hand as well. Besides a
good operation at Macy's Community Shopping Day would be as good as a
decent birthday gift to the editor from our communities. The money
will be used for operating expenses and the fee for our Orange County
fair fundraiser stand which is expected to be around $900 plus the
cost of insurance.
We are putting together a fantastic golf tournament at a golf course
near our office and the date would be for this fantastic event is
Friday September 22, 2006 and we will have a fantastic game, food, and
prizes for all players. We are also putting together a walk-a-thon
fundraiser event to take place on May 20, 2006 at the Mile Square Park.
We have began on our giant Orange County Fair educational booth
planning for this upcoming summer. This year's theme is 'Flower
Power' and its a retro theme. We have submitted the application for
our fundraiser booth. Your prayers are needed to help the fair
management be considerate and allow us conduct fundraising as they
know that the good results will be put into good use to advance
positive relationships between the deaf and the hearing communities.
We have started a Campbell's product label collection campaign to help
us raise the means to get supplies for our office Start saving your
campbells product labels today and mail them to us on the first week
of each month. We have aproximately 1050 subscribers and if each one
of them accumulates and sends us 900-1000 labels a month, we'd be able
to get lots of new equipment for our office and internal and external
education programs! Lets get those labels coming, the program ends in
June. Our big thanks to those who sent in their labels.
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 >
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 >
OU offers Megillah power-point presentation for the deaf
http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2006/03/16/news/on_the_cover/news02.txt
Deaf Talkabout: Pluses and minuses to medical cure for deafness
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/features/story.jsp?story=682880
Woman Hosts Polk County TV Show Despite Deafness
http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060317/NEWS/603170341/1004
Protesters: Deaf need interpreters with doctor
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1142589364170140.\
xml&coll=2
Senate subcommittee passes sign language bill
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/local/14116605.htm
Deaf text-messager killed by train
http://www.p2pnet.net/story/8221
Indian deaf sportspersons to tour Pakistan
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/8648.php/Indian_deaf_sportspersons_to_tour_Pakist\
an
Software for the handicapped launched
http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/16/stories/2006031617350300.htm
Hearing test for every baby in England
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/womenfamily.html?in_articl\
e_id=380058&in_page_id=1799
-------------< CALIFORNIA DEAFIE HAPPENINGS >
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37/ - and the he Orange County Deaf & Hearing
Impaired Meetup Group http://deaf.meetup.com/38/ meets each 3rd
Fridays of the month.
Dont be a fool on April 1, come to our meetup on Friday April 21, 2006.
The Orange County American Sign Language & Orange County Deaf &
Hearing Impaired December Green Meetup
When:
Friday, March 21, 7:00 PM
Where:
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
17595 Harvard Ave #B
Irvine, CA
(949) 660-1332
What:
Meet the 2 meetups!
===================================
ASL BINGO!
Come learn ASL while playing bingo!
AT THE OCDAC CLASSROOM
March 25, 2006
4pm to 7pm
$1 per card per game – 7 cards for $5
Great Prizes!
PROCEEDS BENEFIT ORANGE COUNTY DEAF ADVOCACY CENTER
For more info contact [email protected]
===================================
California School for the Deaf, Riverside - Drama Production
A Bad Year For Tomatoes
When: Friday, March 24, 2006 7:00 PM (ASL only) Saturday, March 25,
2006 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Where: CSDR Social Hall 3044 Horace St. Riverside, CA 92506
TICKET INFO: Advance Ticket Sale*
Pre-Sale Tickets $8.00 Adult and H.S. Students $5.00 Senior Citizens
and Students under 14
At Door Prices $10.00 Adults and H.S. Students $7.00 Senior Citizens
and Students under 14
*Deadline 3/20/06 For Advance Tickets
Call for more info-951-782-6502 Voice/TTY
===================================
DEAF SEMINAR SATURDAYS
We are having two 2 hour FREE educational seminars to our community
members.
Protecting yourself from deaf-run scams
March 25, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Disaster preparedness
May 27, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Getting the most from your Sidekick
June 24, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Healthy Hands and Eyes workshop
August 26, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Dealing with creditors
September 30, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Deaf motorist safety
October 28, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Deaf employment rights
November 25, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Safety at home
December 30, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Classes take place at the OCDAC classroom. RSVP is required and 8
students maximum per class. Reply back with reservation choices. And
the seminars are always FREE.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Even though most of us working on computers only work on one, the
average American depends on more than 264 computers per day—from the
tiniest microprocessor to the largest mainframe! That is a lot of
people depending on a lot of computers! Think of how much money could
go to the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center if 264 supporters bought
one computer each at www.iGive.com/ocdac, where up to 26% of every
purchase is donated to the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center! At
www.iGive.com/ocdac, membership is free! So hurry up and visit the
Mall at www.iGive.com/ocdac, where you can shop at 600+ stores for all
your favorite electronics and computers from Dell, HP Shopping, Buy,
Computers4SURE, The Apple Store, SONY, and Gateway!
-------------< DEAF GRAPEVINE >
EDITOR'S COMMENTARY ON THE ADMINISTRATION'S REVERSE ROBIN HOOD BUDGET ZEAL
Call it a "reverse Robin Hood" budget because it takes The
Administration's habit of robbing from the poor and middle class to
pay back his wealthy supporters to new heights. Here's some of the
highlights of how The Administration's plan would effect us all;
1) Social Security: The Administration is trying to use the budget to
sneak through his old $700 billion dollar plan to privatize Social
Security and immediately slash benefits by $6.3 billion dollars.
2) Health Care: The Administration would slash Medicaid by $13.7
billion over 5 years, abandoning millions of young, elderly, poor and
disabled Americans who depend on Medicaid as their health care option
of last resort.
3) Education: The Administration is pushing for the largest cut in the
history of the Department of Education, and to completely eliminate
the Perkins loan, a vital program for college students in need.
4) Child care: The Administration wants to kick 400,000 children out
of child care programs for low income working families.
5) Budget busting tax breaks for the rich: The Administration's budget
would only continue to explode the deficit by giving away over $900
billion dollars to richest 1% of the population over 10 years.
6) Deeper debt: The Administration wants to give so much away to
millionaires that even after his service cuts the annual deficit would
grow by almost $200 billion dollars
So what are we going to do about it? Sit and watch the congress
prostitute themselves to the administration? We've lost a lot already
in the past 8 months and unless someone makes a stink over the
Administration's zeal, our lives as low income Americans are going stink!
Richard Roehm
Editor
-------------< BULLETIN >
The National Council on Disability (NCD) will celebrate the 16th
anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a
disability policy seminar in Washington, DC, on July 26, 2006. As you
are aware, the landmark ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990. We
consider the passage of ADA to be one of the great historical events
of the civil rights movement in the United States.
NCD will conduct a half-day seminar based on findings from its
National Disability Policy: A Progress Report, which will be released
during the seminar. As in past years
(http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2005/progress_report.htm),
each chapter from the progress report is devoted to a specific issue
affecting people with disabilities.
-------------< 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 >
Hicks aids hearing impaired
http://www.thehj.com/main.asp?SectionID=9&SubSectionID=32&ArticleID=13785&TM=219\
13.95
Deaf students compete at Manchester Memorial
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Deaf+students+compete+at+Manche\
ster+Memorial&articleId=e7a694ad-afd8-4626-837d-31c573454148
PUC questions AT&T job cuts ( at relay call centers ) after merger
http://www.pennlive.com/business/patriotnews/index.ssf?/base/business/1142591313\
3280.xml&coll=1
Silent tales enthrall children
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/031906/TRI_B99N59TN.053.shtml
I play in a deaf football team
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4780000/newsid_4786100/4786144.stm
I read you, teacher!
http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2006/3/19/education/13666835
DALTREY: I'M DEAF
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16834774&method=full&siteid=66633&\
headline=daltrey--i-m-deaf--name_page.html
Bonnie Funk bridges gap between hearing and deaf communities
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section_id=12&screen=news&news_id=48\
611
Deaf man sentenced in prison stabbing
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060321/LOCAL/603210485
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
Students With Disabilities In Private Schools
Troy R. Justesen, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at the U.S. Department
of Education is pleased to share with you news of the release of some
helpful information about students with disabilities placed by their
parents in private schools.
--------------------------------------------------------------
A useful online resource for school districts and parents about how
the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
provides for students with disabilities enrolled by their parents in
private elementary schools and secondary schools is now available on
the Department's Web site. Titled Questions and Answers on Serving
Children with Disabilities Placed by Their Parents at Private Schools,
this resource was developed in response to queries from state
officials, elected representatives and parents since a change to IDEA
became effective on July 1, 2005. This resource is posted to the IDEA
2004 Resources Web page at
www.ed.gov/policy/speced/guid/idea/idea2004.html,
The statutory revisions to the IDEA in 2004 significantly changed the
obligation of states and local education agencies (LEAs) to children
with disabilities enrolled by their parents in private elementary and
secondary schools. While previously it was the responsibility of the
LEAs in which the parents resided to conduct child find and provide
equitable services to these students, that responsibility has now
shifted to the LEAs in which the private schools are located.
Questions and Answers address such topics as child find and individual
evaluations for parentally placed private school children, the
provision of equitable services, and preschool and out-of-state
parentally placed private school children with disabilities.
Questions and Answers is the latest resource added to the IDEA 2004
Resources Web page, intended to assist educators, students and families.
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"I thank God and my family, especially my parents, for supporting me
and being there for me," Bahasa Melayu SMK Sultan Abdul Samad school
in Malaysia
-------------< 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 [email protected] or you can download and print our
Albertsons / Sav-on Community Partners signup forms at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/community/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 >
March 2, 2006
Dr. Jacques Rogge
President
The International Olympic Committee
1007 Chateau d'Vidy
Lausanne
Switzerland
Subject: Kidnapping/Murder of My Deaf Husband and CISS President
Dear Dr. Rogge:
I am a deaf spouse of Felix Shlimovich who has been a missing person
since December 11, 2005. Before his disappearance my husband was a
manager of the Russian Deaf Sports Committee and traveled to
Deaflympic Games many times.
I do sincerely hope and pray that you, a concerned and caring citizen,
will read this very painful message of mine and do something in
finding the truth as to what actually happened to my beloved husband.
Since the day of Felix's disappearance, our family members - Samuel
Shlimovich ( Felix's aging and ailing father ), Anatoliy Shlimovich (
Felix's deaf brother ) and I have tirelessly and sleeplessly been
working day and night to locate Felix or his body.
Recently, on February 4, 2006, an advertisement was published in the
popular Russian daily newspaper - MOSCOW KOMSOMOLETS. On that
newspaper advertisement my family appealed to the Russian public for
help in locating Felix's whereabouts and in which a monetary reward
incentive was set up for this purpose.
So far, there is no positive result.
However, my family received the following leads related to Felix's
disappearance:
1) that the persons who were involved in planning to kidnap ( and,
possibly, murder ) of Felix were the three deaf members of the
Nikolai Klimov family: Nikolai himself, his son - Slava Klimov, his
son-in-law - Yakov Frenkel, as well as their close female friend from
the USA - Donalda Ammons,
2) that the idea, influence and order to harm Felix came directly from
Washington, D.C., that is, from the two Gallaudet University employees
- Slava Klimov and Donalda Ammons, and
3) that Nikolai Klimov, as a result, decided to launch and finance the
horrific operation to eliminate Felix from his life's existence by
hiring the service of deaf hit persons in Moscow.
Please note the following facts: 1) Donalda Ammons is the current
President of the CISS and she is employed as a teacher at Gallaudet
University; 2) Slava Klimov is also an employee of Gallaudet
University and since 2001 he has been acting as an informant for
Donalda Ammons in her legal case against one prominent and outspoken
deaf sports leader from New York; 3) Nikolai Klimov - was removed as
the President of the Russian Deaf Sports Committee in 2004; 4) Yakov
Frenkel was also removed as the Vice President of the Russian Sports
Committee in 2004.
Previously, I was aware of the facts that twice - on February 27, 2003
in Sweden and on January 3, 2005 in Australia, respectively - at the
influence and orders of Donalda Ammons - the local police and
security agents were attempting to arrest Felix in these respective
places because Felix accused Donalda Ammons, with the assistance of
the Klimov family members, in allegedly stealing his exclusive
property - the original of his produced videofilm of the 37th CISS
Congress and 2001 Deaflympic Summer Games.
For such an alleged theft and by being unable to retrieve his own
property from either Donalda Ammons or the Klimovs - father and son,
Felix filed the two separate lawsuits against these persons in
Washington, D.C., and Moscow.
I was also aware of the two following facts that during Felix's visit
to the campus of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., on March
17, 2004, Felix was verbally abused and physically attacked by Slava
Klimov there ( an incident report was filed with the Gallaudet
University police department on that day ). In addition, on January
12, 2005, during the Deaflympic Summer Games, at the premises of the
Melbourne Sports and Athletic Complex in Melbourne, Australia, Jerald
Jordan, the former President of the CISS, 1995 Olympic Order
holder and now a senior advisor to Donalda Ammons in the CISS,
secretly met with Felix and there Jerald Jordan vainly persuaded Felix
to drop his lawsuit cases against Ammons and her accomplices.
The recent court case held in Washington, D.C., on January 18, 2006,
in which Felix as a plaintiff was absent and in which both defendants
Slava Klimov and Donalda Ammons appeared, is now being dismissed
because of Felix's non-showing up at the court's premises on that day.
It is quite unbelievably, outrageous and appalling that a
still-sitting-in-the-office President of the International Olympic
Committee of the Deaf ( CISS ) - Donalda Ammons - is being directly
and indirectly implicated in this criminal act: the kidnapping and
possible murder of Felix!
I write to you because the IOC has influence over the CISS and
Donalda Ammons since the IOC, as I understand, provides some financial
assistance to the CISS. I do also understand that you and your people
in the IOC have a close working relationship with Donalda Ammons.
Therefore, I am now appealing to you, dear IOC President, to take
appropriate action, including using your influence in pressuring
Donalda Ammons to tell the truth and provide accurate information as
to what factually happened with Felix's mysterious disappearance on
the night of December 11, 2005.
Please help my family and me.
With Tears in Eyes,
Irina Im Sem Nyu Shlimovich
copy sent to Mr. Igor Kotz,
Editor-in-Chief of Sovetskii Sport newspaper
Bolshoi Spasoglinishevskii Pereulok, 8
Moscow 101990
e-mail: [email protected]
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
How to Lick Hearing Loss
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,70434-0.html?tw=wn_index_3
School for the Deaf club to stage fund-raiser play
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3620546
Deaf-friendly synagogues offer sign language interpreters
http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2006/03/16/news/on_the_cover/news01.txt
Rani celebrates her Birthday with deaf and blind students
http://www.indiafm.com/news/2006/03/21/6848/
Sign language plan may not jibe with colleges
http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/032106/met_6840577.shtml
School for the Deaf club to stage fund-raiser play
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3620546
Future uncertain for Idaho deaf, blind school
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-mar2006-deaf_and_blind.44b4228c\
.html
Women & Murder
http://www.keloland.com/News/NewsDetail5442.cfm?Id=0,46853
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES >
Begin your journey toward self-sufficiency by becoming a Discovery
Toys consultant! Discovery Toys focuses on learning through play,
with products specifically designed to maximize learning moments, has
proven to be a success as the company has now witnessed an entire
generation grow up with Discovery Toys. Many parents and their adult
children credit DISCOVERY TOYS® products with helping them to develop
core skills and self-esteem, which contributed to their later life
accomplishments and success as adults. Beth Koenig is your Discovery
Toys consultant. Her Discovery Toys website is at
Http://www.discoverthetoys.net and this is a great business
opportunity for people disabilities. Discovery Toys is one of our
supported activities through our Community Business Enterprise Program.
-------------< LETTERS >
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Alexa Posny as the
Director of OSEP effective April 17, 2006. Since 2001, Posny has
served as the Deputy Commissioner of Education in the Kansas State
Department of Education. In this position, she was responsible for the
overall operations of the Learning Services Division, leading and
supervising the delivery of services for school districts and
teacher-preparation institutions. These services included school
improvement and accreditation; licensure and teacher education; state
and federal education programs; special education and technical
education; and planning and research. Thanks to Posny's leadership,
Kansas is viewed as a national leader in the inclusion of students
with disabilities in its statewide accountability system. Posny has
been invited to OSEP and the Office of Elementary and Secondary
Education (OESE) on numerous occasions to share Kansas' experience in
implementing alternate assessments under IDEA and the No Child Left
Behind assessment provisions for students with disabilities.
Posny began her career as a teacher of students with emotional and
learning disabilities. Prior to her appointment as deputy
commissioner, she served as the State Director of Special Education
for the Kansas State Department of Education. During her career, Posny
has been a Director of Special Education in school districts in
Kansas, Wisconsin and Illinois, and the Director of Curriculum and
Instruction at the Title I Technical Assistance Center in Kansas. She
has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Kansas.
Posny holds a doctorate in Educational Administration with a minor in
Special Education, as well as a master's degree in Behavioral
Disabilities from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She holds a
bachelor's degree in Sociology and Psychology from the University of
Wisconsin at Stevens Point. In addition, she has published numerous
articles and resource guides over the years.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to
Troy Justesen for his leadership as acting director of OSEP, and to
all of the OSEP staff for their continued high performance and focus
on improving results for infants, toddlers, children, and youths
during this transition.
John H. Hager
Assistant Secretary of the Office of Special Education and
Rehabilitative Services
U. S. Department of Education
-------------< 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.
DISCLAIMER: The OCDAC Newsletter is designed to share information of
interest to people with disabilities, their friends, associates, and
relatives and promote advocacy in the disability community.
Information circulated does not necessarily express the views of The
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. The OCDAC Newsletter is
non-partisan. OCDAC Newsletter does not sell advertising space.
To subscribe to this newsletter go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ or send a blank email
to [email protected]
Thursday, March 16, 2006
OCDAC Newsletter March 16, 2006
Dear Friends,
The editor had a relaxing weekend at a very remote location after the
successful OC-Mixer. It was the most stressful week leading up to
this critical networking event. He enjoyed being in an area that was
pelted with heavy rains and pea-sized hail. He comes back with a bold
warning to those who are on the HUD Section 8 waiting list. You need
to make sure your information with the county's HUD Section 8 program
is correct and current. We're picking up complaints and evidences
that people are being knocked off the waiting lists because the
county's HUD program is not getting the periodical information
required to stay on the waiting lists. And interestingly we're
finding thats because the applicants address information at HUD's
county office has been changing or morphing by 'themselves' in the
county HUD offices. The result would be the HUD's county office
sending the maintennance forms to addresses that is not even the
applicants correct addresses. And that would result in the applicants
being knocked off the waiting lists because they're not responding to
the maintennance requests. The best way to deal with this potential
problem is to call them at least once a month to verify the current
mailing address hey have on their hands. This will give you the
opportunity to make corrections and ensure that you remain on the
waiting list. Maybe go on the extreme side by calling them weekly or
even daily if you have the time for it. Its a habit really worth
going home to.
The OC-Mixer was a huge success. We had to overcome some interesting
anomolies in the hours leading up to and in the first hour of the
mixer event. We handed out hundreds of goodie bags to corporate
leaders and networkers and we've gotten some strong support hints from
a few corporate officers. Hopefully they will make good on their
promises to help us with our needs to expand our services and to
provide support to our office operating expenses. Pictures of our
booth are at the ocdacvolunteer list.
Just as we're thrilled about our success at the OC-Mixer, we have
become saddened to see that charity fraud has been making the big news
in the county. At least by the way of the Orange County Register
newspaper, our local newspaper. Some telemarketing con-artists have
been tricking people by as much as $83 million under the color of
charity. This could cast a nasty cloud doubt over the success we've
achieved at the OC-Mixer. It really pays to check on the charity
status of any organization that asks you to send money. There are ways
you can check on the legitimacy of our and as well as other charity
status at a few key websites. Here are 2 links that lead you to our
information used for checking.
Our information at the California Attorney General Charity Registry
Website
http://partners.guidestar.org/cadoj/controller/searchResults.gs?action_gsReport=\
1&npoId=545957&ctn=112567
And our information at the California Secretary of State's California
Business Portal
http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/corpdata/ShowAllList?QueryCorpNumber=C2089125
Guidestar.org has our correct information but requires registration
information to access it. The same thing goes for accessing our
information at the Better Business Bureau.
We are a legitimate charity that deserves community support. It's is
very sad that much of the money intended for good causes like ours has
been falling into the hands of telemarketing con-artists and casts a
nasty dark cloud over our ability to raise money through our cold
calling activities at the office by our volunteers.
Our service animal education and fundraiser booth at the Pet Expo this
year will be at the same location as last year.
We are putting together a fantastic golf tournament at a golf course
near our office and the date would be for this fantastic event is
Friday September 22, 2006 and we will have a fantastic game, food, and
prizes for all players. We are also putting together a walk-a-thon
fundraiser event to take place on May 20, 2006 at the Mile Square Park.
The URL to our famous safety education coloring books for deaf kids
has been discovered incorrect in last week's newsletter and has been
corrected. These are excellent educational supplements to any school
for the deaf. They teach deaf kids safety. For information on our
coloring books please check
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/education/flyers/JustBeSafeInfo.pdf
This weekly newsletter will soon be available in print form to be
mailed out once a month. The price is going to be $50 per year and
the price is highly reasonable due to it's very rich deaf and
disability advocacy content. They will be available in large print
for people with vision impairments.
OCDAC Communications
[email protected]
-------------< INSIDE NEWS >
With our subscribership from the international communities increasing
at a steady pace, we wish to make this newsletter accessible to them
and the easiest way to accomplish this is by directing them to
http://www.babelfish.altavista.com/ and entering
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ in the website
translation box and the babelfish will help our international
subscribers become strong advocates for the deaf and disability
communities.
Macy's Community Shopping Day 2006, an in-store shopping event and
fundraiser for charities in the Orange County community, will be held
on May 12, 2006 at Macy's South Coast Plaza. We have 200 tickets to
sell. We need to sell at least 100 of the tickets at $10 each. And
we'll need at least 5 or more volunteers on hand as well. Besides a
good operation at Macy's Community Shopping Day would be as good as a
decent birthday gift to the editor from our communities. The money
will be used for operating expenses and the fee for our Orange County
fair fundraiser stand which is expected to be around $900 plus the
cost of insurance.
We have began on our giant Orange County Fair educational booth
planning for this upcoming summer. This year's theme is 'Flower
Power' and its a retro theme. We have submitted the application for
our fundraiser booth. Your prayers are needed to help the fair
management be considerate and allow us conduct fundraising as they
know that the good results will be put into good use to advance
positive relationships between the deaf and the hearing communities.
We have started a Campbell's product label collection campaign to help
us raise the means to get supplies for our office Start saving your
campbells product labels today and mail them to us on the first week
of each month. We have aproximately 1050 subscribers and if each one
of them accumulates and sends us 900-1000 labels a month, we'd be able
to get lots of new equipment for our office and internal and external
education programs! Lets get those labels coming, the program ends in
June. Our big thanks to those who sent in their labels.
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 >
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 >
Deaf beauty queen was text-messaging when hit by train
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/15/miss.deaf.texas/
Deaf Children Victims Of Bureaucratic Turf Wars
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00120.htm
Telecommunications device stolen from deaf person
http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=16289
RIT Unveils Deaf Studies Archive During Heritage Month
http://www.ntid.rit.edu/media/full_text.php?article_id=487
Health Tip: Cochlear Implant May Help Profoundly Deaf
http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2006/03/14/hscout531436.html
Next-generation cochlear implants aim to assist hearing-impaired
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=8bf0c1b7-e891-4e7e-8e00-f\
637e0e519e7&k=74421
ND School for the Deaf names superintendent
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/14092590.htm
-------------< CALIFORNIA DEAFIE HAPPENINGS >
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37/ - and the he Orange County Deaf & Hearing
Impaired Meetup Group http://deaf.meetup.com/38/ meets each 3rd
Fridays of the month.
===================================
ASL BINGO!
Come learn ASL while playing bingo!
AT THE OCDAC CLASSROOM
March 25, 2006
4pm to 7pm
$1 per card per game – 7 cards for $5
Great Prizes!
PROCEEDS BENEFIT ORANGE COUNTY DEAF ADVOCACY CENTER
For more info contact [email protected]
===================================
The Orange County American Sign Language & Orange County Deaf &
Hearing Impaired December Green Meetup
When:
Friday, March 17, 7:00 PM
Where:
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
17595 Harvard Ave #B
Irvine, CA
(949) 660-1332
What:
Meet the 2 meetups!
===================================
DEAF SEMINAR SATURDAYS
We are having two 2 hour FREE educational seminars to our community
members.
Protecting yourself from deaf-run scams
March 25, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Disaster preparedness
May 27, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Getting the most from your Sidekick
June 24, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Healthy Hands and Eyes workshop
August 26, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Dealing with creditors
September 30, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Deaf motorist safety
October 28, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Deaf employment rights
November 25, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Safety at home
December 30, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Classes take place at the OCDAC classroom. RSVP is required and 8
students maximum per class. Reply back with reservation choices. And
the seminars are always FREE.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Even though most of us working on computers only work on one, the
average American depends on more than 264 computers per day—from the
tiniest microprocessor to the largest mainframe! That is a lot of
people depending on a lot of computers! Think of how much money could
go to the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center if 264 supporters bought
one computer each at www.iGive.com/ocdac, where up to 26% of every
purchase is donated to the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center! At
www.iGive.com/ocdac, membership is free! So hurry up and visit the
Mall at www.iGive.com/ocdac, where you can shop at 600+ stores for all
your favorite electronics and computers from Dell, HP Shopping, Buy,
Computers4SURE, The Apple Store, SONY, and Gateway!
-------------< DEAF GRAPEVINE >
TDI Appoints Neil McDevitt as National Coordinator for CEPIN Project
Press Release - March 10, 2006
Contact: Claude L. Stout, Executive Director
Email: [email protected]
TDI Appoints Neil McDevitt as National Coordinator for CEPIN Project
Silver Spring, MD [March 10, 2006] – Telecommunications for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing, Inc (TDI) announced today that Neil McDevitt has
been selected as the new National Coordinator for the Community
Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) Project.
As a volunteer firefighter in suburban Philadelphia, PA, Mr. McDevitt
is one of a handful of emergency responders in the country who are
also profoundly deaf. In addition to hands-on fire and rescue
experience with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, he has
provided fire safety presentations to deaf children and adults and
given non-verbal communication classes to firefighters, police
officers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
Claude L. Stout, TDI Executive Director, said, "TDI extends a big
welcome to Neil as the newest member of its CEPIN team. We look
forward to having his support and expertise as we fulfill the
objectives of the project in the remainder of the grant, which ends in
September 2006. We are fortunate to have his leadership as we go down
the home stretch. TDI's ongoing collaboration with the four
partnering community service centers is vital toward the eventual
success of the project."
Mr. McDevitt has been involved with CEPIN for the past several months
as one of its leading subject matter experts in developing a course,
which aims to foster interaction between emergency responders and
people who are deaf or hard of hearing. In addition, Neil brings 10
years of project management experience as a Senior Information
Security Specialist with Prudential Financial. He is a graduate of
Gallaudet University and lives in Montgomery Township, PA with his
wife and two children.
Mr. McDevitt replaces Mr. James D. House who has returned to his
previous position as Public Relations and Resource Development Officer
with TDI. Mr. House will continue to assist the CEPIN Project as a
subject matter expert, and represent TDI as needed on other emergency
preparedness activities.
-------------< BULLETIN >
California Family and Disabled Daughter Head for US Supreme Court
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Adult disabled child removed from parents' care, confined illegally
and subsequently injured while in state care. Parents denied right to
represent her in suit against her state conservators.
Washington, DC (PRWEB). February 28, 2006 -- The parents of an 35-year
old adult autistic woman have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to
intervene in a Ninth circuit civil rights lawsuit that denied them the
right to represent their daughter.
Their attorney, Gerard Wallace, stated, "The courts are saying that
challenges to the legality of Nancy's removal and confinement can only
be pursued by those who are confining her. This is the same as saying
that only the jailors of criminal defendants can challenge the
legality of their arrests and prosecutions. Barring the natural
guardians of disabled persons from representing them in suits against
their jailors means that the disabled have no where to turn for help."
The Golin case raises issues similar to Anna Nicole Smith's case,
Marshall v. Marshall (04-1544). Both involve the scope of the "probate
exception" that would arguably prevent federal jurisdictional matters
related to state probate matters from being heard by federal courts.
Like the Smith case, the Ninth Circuit raised in part similar issues
to deny the Golins a hearing in federal court on their civil rights
issues.
The Golins raised and cared for their only child Nancy at home since
birth until late 2001, when she was taken from her family by local
police in Palo Alto, California. She had wandered away from her family
one evening, returning happy and unharmed the next morning. Police put
her in the psychiatric ward of Stanford hospital, rebuffing her
parents. The Golins contend this constituted a wholesale denial of her
4th and 14th Amendment right to freedom from unreasonable seizure, as
there was no warrant or emergency. Two weeks later, a local court told
the state they had no authority to hold her because she was merely
autistic. Despite this they defied the laws, hiding her away. Nancy
has never been allowed to go home again. To keep her, parents showed
the state sought the help of the local DA to charge the parents with
some kind of criminal offense. After the parents protested to local
media, police briefly locked them up, then later dismissed charges.
When the state was finally appointed conservator over her parents'
objections, the procedures misapplied four statutory frameworks
protecting developmentally disabled citizens. This, despite the
parents' showing that Nancy has been raped, drugged, received
fractures, denied emergency medical care and subjected to life
threatening conditions in State custody. The Golins are still only
permitted to visit their daughter under approved supervision, even
though the State admits their relationship is close and loving.
The Golins sued the state and county in 2003 in United States Federal
District Court on a Section 1983 and 1985 civil rights lawsuit (Golin
v. Allenby et al, NDCal 03-04752). The suit, on their own and their
daughter's behalf, was for injuries, conspiracy, malicious prosecution
and wrongful confinement, among other claims. This escalated to the
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit where in June of
this year the Golins were again denied standing (Golin v. Allenby et
al, 04-15900). The parents also appealed directly to Gov.
Schwarzenegger and their State Senator, Jeff Denham, to no avail.
The District Court ruled that the federal courts lacked jurisdiction,
since now only the State had standing to seek redress on Nancy's
behalf, because the state appointed itself her conservator, despite
the fact that the state would then be both plaintiff and defendant.
More information and photos can be found at http://www.freenancy.com,
Contact Jeffrey Golin, (650) 814-6284, or e-mail at [email protected]
-------------< 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 >
Drinks charge shepherd: I was just looking for my deaf dog
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16810490&method=full&siteid=66633&\
headline=hear--shep--name_page.html
Cochlear implants aim for age-related loss
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/1500AP_HealthBeat_Better_Hearing.html
This lab promises hope for the hearing impaired
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=173650
Doctors training in sign language
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4799464.stm
MetroWest beat: Framingham home to Deaf Assoc. crown
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sportsColumnists/view.bg?articleid=124346
Swaziland Government grants US$33 000 to deaf, visually impaired
http://www.observer.org.sz/main.asp?id=19099&Section=Business
UNA students with disabilities focus on what they can do
http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060311/APN/603110746&cach\
etime=5
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
National ADA Symposium & Expo - April 10-12, 2206 in St. Louis, MO
Don't miss the opportunity to attend the most comprehensive event
available on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related
disability laws.
There are only six days left until the March 17th "Early Bird"
registration fee deadline! After the 17th, the registration fee will
increase from $350 per person to $425. Visit www.adasymposium.org and
register today.
Note: The National ADA Symposium keynote speaker, Lex Frieden, was
named Person of the Year in the January 2006 issue of New Mobility
magazine. Frieden was recognized, in large part, to his leadership on
the behalf of people with disabilities after hurricane Katrina. The
full story can be read at
www.ncd.gov/newsroom/inthenews/frieden_01-07-06.htm
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"I learned that you had to respect other people because there were a
lot of people who weren't as fortunate as I was," Ray Houser
-------------< 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 [email protected] or you can download and print our
Albertsons / Sav-on Community Partners signup forms at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/community/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 >
This letter was found in our mailbox and is worthy of this being
included in the community bullhorn because it is part of the ongoing
CISS-Ammons drama.
============================================
March 10, 2006
Dear Dr. Jane Fernandes,
I decided to write to you and send this copy to all members of the
Gallaudet Board of Directors because I learned that you are in charge
of accepting applications for those persons who are considered as
candidates for the honorary doctorate degree at Gallaudet every year.
In these days, I have read plenty about the ongoing selection
procedure of a new Gallaudet President as Irving King Jordan will soon
retire from this position.
Now I want to talk about another Jordan - Jerald Jordan. I believe he
is also from Gallaudet.
What bothers me the most is that Jerald received a honorary doctorate
degree from Gallaudet some time ago.
For what reason?
He was the past President of the CISS and now he acts as a CISS advisor.
Many people all over the world in the first place thought that Jerald
was a good CISS President and role model for everyone.
How wrong many people and I are about Jerald Jordan and his past and
present skills in sports leadership!
Many people and I have lately read different stories about Jerald and
his poor, mismanaged and weak work on behalf of the deaf international
sports and CISS in the last few years.
Jerald made many wrongful and hurtful things for the CISS recently.
Let me show you examples of his many wrongdoings:
he was an advisor for a CISS REVIEW Book in 2001, in which over 200
errors were made on its book pages;
he, as a CISS Legal Commission member, allowed to break over four
hundred ( 400 ) CISS internal rules between 2000 and 2005;
he made over nine hundred ( 900 ) errors in his Deaflympics Database
History research project which is published in www.deaflympics.com;
he, as an advisor, was engaged in poor preparation of the 2005
Deaflympics Games Results Book, in which over six hundred ( 600 )
mistakes were discovered;
I was in Australia for the 2005 Deaflympics and there Jerald lobbied
for the American candidate Ammons and against Russian Rukhledev for
the CISS Presidency position there at the 2005 CISS Congress, in which
Ammons won ( as a Honorary CISS member he was, instead, supposed to
stay in the sidelines and be a neutral person ), and
Jerald also at that 2005 CISS Congress mishandled the elections where
over two hundred seventy ( 270 ) votes were missing for several CISS
Executive Board positions.
Because of these misconducts and improper things committed by him, is
Jerald Jordan an appropriate role model for any deaf sports leader?
Is it morally right and proper for Gallaudet to award its HONORARY
DOCTORATE DEGREE for such a bad deaf leader as Jerald Jordan?
I do now ask you the following:
does your Committee have a rule in its honorary degree criteria
procedure, in which under exceptional circumstances, that is, in the
event its degree recipient does improper and wrongful acts ( like
Jerald Jordan has already done many times ), you and your Committee at
Gallaudet should revoke its honorary doctorate degree from Jerald
Jordan because he received it in an undeserved, dishonest and
unmeritorious manner?
Please advise me of if there is such a rule and what do you think of
my suggestion?
Sincerely,
William Ollen, Toronto, Canada
Fighter for Equal and Just Rights of Deaf People All Over the World
cc: All members of the Board of Directors of Gallaudet University
( attn: Patricia Kunkle, secretary )
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
Deaf teacher incorporates culture into language class
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/living/education/14074623.htm
Partially-deaf woman sues Slippery Rock
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_432145.html
Supports deaf candidate for mayor
http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=20139&format=htm\
l
ACT Test Prep Course for Students with Hearing Loss
http://www.ntid.rit.edu/media/full_text.php?article_id=486
Deaf teacher overcomes obstacles
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=community&id=3973922
GoAmerica - Hands On Merger Terminated
http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20060307/NYTU11407032006-1.html
Crufts Celebrates 75 Years Of Independence For Guide Dog Users
http://www.k9magazine.com/viewarticle.php?sid=15&aid=1144&vid=0&npage=
Phone hearing device 'heaven' for user
http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/local/index.ssf?/base/news-2/114180972722040.x\
ml&coll=8
Deaf Man Shot By Deputy
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7002684542
Technology helps deaf communicate easily
http://www.masslive.com/metroeastplus/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-1/11417238\
3014790.xml&coll=1
Deaf-mute drowns in pool
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=141449652
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES >
Begin your journey toward self-sufficiency by becoming a Discovery
Toys consultant! Discovery Toys focuses on learning through play,
with products specifically designed to maximize learning moments, has
proven to be a success as the company has now witnessed an entire
generation grow up with Discovery Toys. Many parents and their adult
children credit DISCOVERY TOYS® products with helping them to develop
core skills and self-esteem, which contributed to their later life
accomplishments and success as adults. Beth Koenig is your Discovery
Toys consultant. Her Discovery Toys website is at
Http://www.discoverthetoys.net and this is a great business
opportunity for people disabilities. Discovery Toys is one of our
supported activities through our Community Business Enterprise Program.
-------------< LETTERS >
I just want to thank you for the great happy face mug you gave me at
the (OC-Mixer) Expo. I love it and have been using it for the last two
days. Also I will read the to little books. Good luck with the great
organization you are running and all the help you are providing.
I got a lot off stuff and conections but the mug really made my meeting.
Thank you,
Ilja Haverkorn
-------------< 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.
DISCLAIMER: The OCDAC Newsletter is designed to share information of
interest to people with disabilities, their friends, associates, and
relatives and promote advocacy in the disability community.
Information circulated does not necessarily express the views of The
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. The OCDAC Newsletter is
non-partisan. OCDAC Newsletter does not sell advertising space.
To subscribe to this newsletter go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ or send a blank email
to [email protected]
The editor had a relaxing weekend at a very remote location after the
successful OC-Mixer. It was the most stressful week leading up to
this critical networking event. He enjoyed being in an area that was
pelted with heavy rains and pea-sized hail. He comes back with a bold
warning to those who are on the HUD Section 8 waiting list. You need
to make sure your information with the county's HUD Section 8 program
is correct and current. We're picking up complaints and evidences
that people are being knocked off the waiting lists because the
county's HUD program is not getting the periodical information
required to stay on the waiting lists. And interestingly we're
finding thats because the applicants address information at HUD's
county office has been changing or morphing by 'themselves' in the
county HUD offices. The result would be the HUD's county office
sending the maintennance forms to addresses that is not even the
applicants correct addresses. And that would result in the applicants
being knocked off the waiting lists because they're not responding to
the maintennance requests. The best way to deal with this potential
problem is to call them at least once a month to verify the current
mailing address hey have on their hands. This will give you the
opportunity to make corrections and ensure that you remain on the
waiting list. Maybe go on the extreme side by calling them weekly or
even daily if you have the time for it. Its a habit really worth
going home to.
The OC-Mixer was a huge success. We had to overcome some interesting
anomolies in the hours leading up to and in the first hour of the
mixer event. We handed out hundreds of goodie bags to corporate
leaders and networkers and we've gotten some strong support hints from
a few corporate officers. Hopefully they will make good on their
promises to help us with our needs to expand our services and to
provide support to our office operating expenses. Pictures of our
booth are at the ocdacvolunteer list.
Just as we're thrilled about our success at the OC-Mixer, we have
become saddened to see that charity fraud has been making the big news
in the county. At least by the way of the Orange County Register
newspaper, our local newspaper. Some telemarketing con-artists have
been tricking people by as much as $83 million under the color of
charity. This could cast a nasty cloud doubt over the success we've
achieved at the OC-Mixer. It really pays to check on the charity
status of any organization that asks you to send money. There are ways
you can check on the legitimacy of our and as well as other charity
status at a few key websites. Here are 2 links that lead you to our
information used for checking.
Our information at the California Attorney General Charity Registry
Website
http://partners.guidestar.org/cadoj/controller/searchResults.gs?action_gsReport=\
1&npoId=545957&ctn=112567
And our information at the California Secretary of State's California
Business Portal
http://kepler.ss.ca.gov/corpdata/ShowAllList?QueryCorpNumber=C2089125
Guidestar.org has our correct information but requires registration
information to access it. The same thing goes for accessing our
information at the Better Business Bureau.
We are a legitimate charity that deserves community support. It's is
very sad that much of the money intended for good causes like ours has
been falling into the hands of telemarketing con-artists and casts a
nasty dark cloud over our ability to raise money through our cold
calling activities at the office by our volunteers.
Our service animal education and fundraiser booth at the Pet Expo this
year will be at the same location as last year.
We are putting together a fantastic golf tournament at a golf course
near our office and the date would be for this fantastic event is
Friday September 22, 2006 and we will have a fantastic game, food, and
prizes for all players. We are also putting together a walk-a-thon
fundraiser event to take place on May 20, 2006 at the Mile Square Park.
The URL to our famous safety education coloring books for deaf kids
has been discovered incorrect in last week's newsletter and has been
corrected. These are excellent educational supplements to any school
for the deaf. They teach deaf kids safety. For information on our
coloring books please check
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/education/flyers/JustBeSafeInfo.pdf
This weekly newsletter will soon be available in print form to be
mailed out once a month. The price is going to be $50 per year and
the price is highly reasonable due to it's very rich deaf and
disability advocacy content. They will be available in large print
for people with vision impairments.
OCDAC Communications
[email protected]
-------------< INSIDE NEWS >
With our subscribership from the international communities increasing
at a steady pace, we wish to make this newsletter accessible to them
and the easiest way to accomplish this is by directing them to
http://www.babelfish.altavista.com/ and entering
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ in the website
translation box and the babelfish will help our international
subscribers become strong advocates for the deaf and disability
communities.
Macy's Community Shopping Day 2006, an in-store shopping event and
fundraiser for charities in the Orange County community, will be held
on May 12, 2006 at Macy's South Coast Plaza. We have 200 tickets to
sell. We need to sell at least 100 of the tickets at $10 each. And
we'll need at least 5 or more volunteers on hand as well. Besides a
good operation at Macy's Community Shopping Day would be as good as a
decent birthday gift to the editor from our communities. The money
will be used for operating expenses and the fee for our Orange County
fair fundraiser stand which is expected to be around $900 plus the
cost of insurance.
We have began on our giant Orange County Fair educational booth
planning for this upcoming summer. This year's theme is 'Flower
Power' and its a retro theme. We have submitted the application for
our fundraiser booth. Your prayers are needed to help the fair
management be considerate and allow us conduct fundraising as they
know that the good results will be put into good use to advance
positive relationships between the deaf and the hearing communities.
We have started a Campbell's product label collection campaign to help
us raise the means to get supplies for our office Start saving your
campbells product labels today and mail them to us on the first week
of each month. We have aproximately 1050 subscribers and if each one
of them accumulates and sends us 900-1000 labels a month, we'd be able
to get lots of new equipment for our office and internal and external
education programs! Lets get those labels coming, the program ends in
June. Our big thanks to those who sent in their labels.
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 >
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 >
Deaf beauty queen was text-messaging when hit by train
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/15/miss.deaf.texas/
Deaf Children Victims Of Bureaucratic Turf Wars
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00120.htm
Telecommunications device stolen from deaf person
http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=16289
RIT Unveils Deaf Studies Archive During Heritage Month
http://www.ntid.rit.edu/media/full_text.php?article_id=487
Health Tip: Cochlear Implant May Help Profoundly Deaf
http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2006/03/14/hscout531436.html
Next-generation cochlear implants aim to assist hearing-impaired
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=8bf0c1b7-e891-4e7e-8e00-f\
637e0e519e7&k=74421
ND School for the Deaf names superintendent
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/14092590.htm
-------------< CALIFORNIA DEAFIE HAPPENINGS >
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37/ - and the he Orange County Deaf & Hearing
Impaired Meetup Group http://deaf.meetup.com/38/ meets each 3rd
Fridays of the month.
===================================
ASL BINGO!
Come learn ASL while playing bingo!
AT THE OCDAC CLASSROOM
March 25, 2006
4pm to 7pm
$1 per card per game – 7 cards for $5
Great Prizes!
PROCEEDS BENEFIT ORANGE COUNTY DEAF ADVOCACY CENTER
For more info contact [email protected]
===================================
The Orange County American Sign Language & Orange County Deaf &
Hearing Impaired December Green Meetup
When:
Friday, March 17, 7:00 PM
Where:
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
17595 Harvard Ave #B
Irvine, CA
(949) 660-1332
What:
Meet the 2 meetups!
===================================
DEAF SEMINAR SATURDAYS
We are having two 2 hour FREE educational seminars to our community
members.
Protecting yourself from deaf-run scams
March 25, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Disaster preparedness
May 27, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Getting the most from your Sidekick
June 24, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Healthy Hands and Eyes workshop
August 26, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Dealing with creditors
September 30, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Deaf motorist safety
October 28, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Deaf employment rights
November 25, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Safety at home
December 30, 2006, 10 am – 12 Noon and 1pm – 3pm
Classes take place at the OCDAC classroom. RSVP is required and 8
students maximum per class. Reply back with reservation choices. And
the seminars are always FREE.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Even though most of us working on computers only work on one, the
average American depends on more than 264 computers per day—from the
tiniest microprocessor to the largest mainframe! That is a lot of
people depending on a lot of computers! Think of how much money could
go to the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center if 264 supporters bought
one computer each at www.iGive.com/ocdac, where up to 26% of every
purchase is donated to the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center! At
www.iGive.com/ocdac, membership is free! So hurry up and visit the
Mall at www.iGive.com/ocdac, where you can shop at 600+ stores for all
your favorite electronics and computers from Dell, HP Shopping, Buy,
Computers4SURE, The Apple Store, SONY, and Gateway!
-------------< DEAF GRAPEVINE >
TDI Appoints Neil McDevitt as National Coordinator for CEPIN Project
Press Release - March 10, 2006
Contact: Claude L. Stout, Executive Director
Email: [email protected]
TDI Appoints Neil McDevitt as National Coordinator for CEPIN Project
Silver Spring, MD [March 10, 2006] – Telecommunications for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing, Inc (TDI) announced today that Neil McDevitt has
been selected as the new National Coordinator for the Community
Emergency Preparedness Information Network (CEPIN) Project.
As a volunteer firefighter in suburban Philadelphia, PA, Mr. McDevitt
is one of a handful of emergency responders in the country who are
also profoundly deaf. In addition to hands-on fire and rescue
experience with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, he has
provided fire safety presentations to deaf children and adults and
given non-verbal communication classes to firefighters, police
officers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
Claude L. Stout, TDI Executive Director, said, "TDI extends a big
welcome to Neil as the newest member of its CEPIN team. We look
forward to having his support and expertise as we fulfill the
objectives of the project in the remainder of the grant, which ends in
September 2006. We are fortunate to have his leadership as we go down
the home stretch. TDI's ongoing collaboration with the four
partnering community service centers is vital toward the eventual
success of the project."
Mr. McDevitt has been involved with CEPIN for the past several months
as one of its leading subject matter experts in developing a course,
which aims to foster interaction between emergency responders and
people who are deaf or hard of hearing. In addition, Neil brings 10
years of project management experience as a Senior Information
Security Specialist with Prudential Financial. He is a graduate of
Gallaudet University and lives in Montgomery Township, PA with his
wife and two children.
Mr. McDevitt replaces Mr. James D. House who has returned to his
previous position as Public Relations and Resource Development Officer
with TDI. Mr. House will continue to assist the CEPIN Project as a
subject matter expert, and represent TDI as needed on other emergency
preparedness activities.
-------------< BULLETIN >
California Family and Disabled Daughter Head for US Supreme Court
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Adult disabled child removed from parents' care, confined illegally
and subsequently injured while in state care. Parents denied right to
represent her in suit against her state conservators.
Washington, DC (PRWEB). February 28, 2006 -- The parents of an 35-year
old adult autistic woman have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to
intervene in a Ninth circuit civil rights lawsuit that denied them the
right to represent their daughter.
Their attorney, Gerard Wallace, stated, "The courts are saying that
challenges to the legality of Nancy's removal and confinement can only
be pursued by those who are confining her. This is the same as saying
that only the jailors of criminal defendants can challenge the
legality of their arrests and prosecutions. Barring the natural
guardians of disabled persons from representing them in suits against
their jailors means that the disabled have no where to turn for help."
The Golin case raises issues similar to Anna Nicole Smith's case,
Marshall v. Marshall (04-1544). Both involve the scope of the "probate
exception" that would arguably prevent federal jurisdictional matters
related to state probate matters from being heard by federal courts.
Like the Smith case, the Ninth Circuit raised in part similar issues
to deny the Golins a hearing in federal court on their civil rights
issues.
The Golins raised and cared for their only child Nancy at home since
birth until late 2001, when she was taken from her family by local
police in Palo Alto, California. She had wandered away from her family
one evening, returning happy and unharmed the next morning. Police put
her in the psychiatric ward of Stanford hospital, rebuffing her
parents. The Golins contend this constituted a wholesale denial of her
4th and 14th Amendment right to freedom from unreasonable seizure, as
there was no warrant or emergency. Two weeks later, a local court told
the state they had no authority to hold her because she was merely
autistic. Despite this they defied the laws, hiding her away. Nancy
has never been allowed to go home again. To keep her, parents showed
the state sought the help of the local DA to charge the parents with
some kind of criminal offense. After the parents protested to local
media, police briefly locked them up, then later dismissed charges.
When the state was finally appointed conservator over her parents'
objections, the procedures misapplied four statutory frameworks
protecting developmentally disabled citizens. This, despite the
parents' showing that Nancy has been raped, drugged, received
fractures, denied emergency medical care and subjected to life
threatening conditions in State custody. The Golins are still only
permitted to visit their daughter under approved supervision, even
though the State admits their relationship is close and loving.
The Golins sued the state and county in 2003 in United States Federal
District Court on a Section 1983 and 1985 civil rights lawsuit (Golin
v. Allenby et al, NDCal 03-04752). The suit, on their own and their
daughter's behalf, was for injuries, conspiracy, malicious prosecution
and wrongful confinement, among other claims. This escalated to the
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit where in June of
this year the Golins were again denied standing (Golin v. Allenby et
al, 04-15900). The parents also appealed directly to Gov.
Schwarzenegger and their State Senator, Jeff Denham, to no avail.
The District Court ruled that the federal courts lacked jurisdiction,
since now only the State had standing to seek redress on Nancy's
behalf, because the state appointed itself her conservator, despite
the fact that the state would then be both plaintiff and defendant.
More information and photos can be found at http://www.freenancy.com,
Contact Jeffrey Golin, (650) 814-6284, or e-mail at [email protected]
-------------< 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 >
Drinks charge shepherd: I was just looking for my deaf dog
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16810490&method=full&siteid=66633&\
headline=hear--shep--name_page.html
Cochlear implants aim for age-related loss
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health/1500AP_HealthBeat_Better_Hearing.html
This lab promises hope for the hearing impaired
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=173650
Doctors training in sign language
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4799464.stm
MetroWest beat: Framingham home to Deaf Assoc. crown
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sportsColumnists/view.bg?articleid=124346
Swaziland Government grants US$33 000 to deaf, visually impaired
http://www.observer.org.sz/main.asp?id=19099&Section=Business
UNA students with disabilities focus on what they can do
http://www.timesdaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060311/APN/603110746&cach\
etime=5
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
National ADA Symposium & Expo - April 10-12, 2206 in St. Louis, MO
Don't miss the opportunity to attend the most comprehensive event
available on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related
disability laws.
There are only six days left until the March 17th "Early Bird"
registration fee deadline! After the 17th, the registration fee will
increase from $350 per person to $425. Visit www.adasymposium.org and
register today.
Note: The National ADA Symposium keynote speaker, Lex Frieden, was
named Person of the Year in the January 2006 issue of New Mobility
magazine. Frieden was recognized, in large part, to his leadership on
the behalf of people with disabilities after hurricane Katrina. The
full story can be read at
www.ncd.gov/newsroom/inthenews/frieden_01-07-06.htm
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"I learned that you had to respect other people because there were a
lot of people who weren't as fortunate as I was," Ray Houser
-------------< 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 [email protected] or you can download and print our
Albertsons / Sav-on Community Partners signup forms at
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/community/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 >
This letter was found in our mailbox and is worthy of this being
included in the community bullhorn because it is part of the ongoing
CISS-Ammons drama.
============================================
March 10, 2006
Dear Dr. Jane Fernandes,
I decided to write to you and send this copy to all members of the
Gallaudet Board of Directors because I learned that you are in charge
of accepting applications for those persons who are considered as
candidates for the honorary doctorate degree at Gallaudet every year.
In these days, I have read plenty about the ongoing selection
procedure of a new Gallaudet President as Irving King Jordan will soon
retire from this position.
Now I want to talk about another Jordan - Jerald Jordan. I believe he
is also from Gallaudet.
What bothers me the most is that Jerald received a honorary doctorate
degree from Gallaudet some time ago.
For what reason?
He was the past President of the CISS and now he acts as a CISS advisor.
Many people all over the world in the first place thought that Jerald
was a good CISS President and role model for everyone.
How wrong many people and I are about Jerald Jordan and his past and
present skills in sports leadership!
Many people and I have lately read different stories about Jerald and
his poor, mismanaged and weak work on behalf of the deaf international
sports and CISS in the last few years.
Jerald made many wrongful and hurtful things for the CISS recently.
Let me show you examples of his many wrongdoings:
he was an advisor for a CISS REVIEW Book in 2001, in which over 200
errors were made on its book pages;
he, as a CISS Legal Commission member, allowed to break over four
hundred ( 400 ) CISS internal rules between 2000 and 2005;
he made over nine hundred ( 900 ) errors in his Deaflympics Database
History research project which is published in www.deaflympics.com;
he, as an advisor, was engaged in poor preparation of the 2005
Deaflympics Games Results Book, in which over six hundred ( 600 )
mistakes were discovered;
I was in Australia for the 2005 Deaflympics and there Jerald lobbied
for the American candidate Ammons and against Russian Rukhledev for
the CISS Presidency position there at the 2005 CISS Congress, in which
Ammons won ( as a Honorary CISS member he was, instead, supposed to
stay in the sidelines and be a neutral person ), and
Jerald also at that 2005 CISS Congress mishandled the elections where
over two hundred seventy ( 270 ) votes were missing for several CISS
Executive Board positions.
Because of these misconducts and improper things committed by him, is
Jerald Jordan an appropriate role model for any deaf sports leader?
Is it morally right and proper for Gallaudet to award its HONORARY
DOCTORATE DEGREE for such a bad deaf leader as Jerald Jordan?
I do now ask you the following:
does your Committee have a rule in its honorary degree criteria
procedure, in which under exceptional circumstances, that is, in the
event its degree recipient does improper and wrongful acts ( like
Jerald Jordan has already done many times ), you and your Committee at
Gallaudet should revoke its honorary doctorate degree from Jerald
Jordan because he received it in an undeserved, dishonest and
unmeritorious manner?
Please advise me of if there is such a rule and what do you think of
my suggestion?
Sincerely,
William Ollen, Toronto, Canada
Fighter for Equal and Just Rights of Deaf People All Over the World
cc: All members of the Board of Directors of Gallaudet University
( attn: Patricia Kunkle, secretary )
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
Deaf teacher incorporates culture into language class
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/living/education/14074623.htm
Partially-deaf woman sues Slippery Rock
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_432145.html
Supports deaf candidate for mayor
http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=20139&format=htm\
l
ACT Test Prep Course for Students with Hearing Loss
http://www.ntid.rit.edu/media/full_text.php?article_id=486
Deaf teacher overcomes obstacles
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=community&id=3973922
GoAmerica - Hands On Merger Terminated
http://sev.prnewswire.com/computer-electronics/20060307/NYTU11407032006-1.html
Crufts Celebrates 75 Years Of Independence For Guide Dog Users
http://www.k9magazine.com/viewarticle.php?sid=15&aid=1144&vid=0&npage=
Phone hearing device 'heaven' for user
http://www.nj.com/news/gloucester/local/index.ssf?/base/news-2/114180972722040.x\
ml&coll=8
Deaf Man Shot By Deputy
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7002684542
Technology helps deaf communicate easily
http://www.masslive.com/metroeastplus/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-1/11417238\
3014790.xml&coll=1
Deaf-mute drowns in pool
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=141449652
-------------< DEAF FRIENDLY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES >
Begin your journey toward self-sufficiency by becoming a Discovery
Toys consultant! Discovery Toys focuses on learning through play,
with products specifically designed to maximize learning moments, has
proven to be a success as the company has now witnessed an entire
generation grow up with Discovery Toys. Many parents and their adult
children credit DISCOVERY TOYS® products with helping them to develop
core skills and self-esteem, which contributed to their later life
accomplishments and success as adults. Beth Koenig is your Discovery
Toys consultant. Her Discovery Toys website is at
Http://www.discoverthetoys.net and this is a great business
opportunity for people disabilities. Discovery Toys is one of our
supported activities through our Community Business Enterprise Program.
-------------< LETTERS >
I just want to thank you for the great happy face mug you gave me at
the (OC-Mixer) Expo. I love it and have been using it for the last two
days. Also I will read the to little books. Good luck with the great
organization you are running and all the help you are providing.
I got a lot off stuff and conections but the mug really made my meeting.
Thank you,
Ilja Haverkorn
-------------< 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.
DISCLAIMER: The OCDAC Newsletter is designed to share information of
interest to people with disabilities, their friends, associates, and
relatives and promote advocacy in the disability community.
Information circulated does not necessarily express the views of The
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. The OCDAC Newsletter is
non-partisan. OCDAC Newsletter does not sell advertising space.
To subscribe to this newsletter go to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ocdacnewsletter/ or send a blank email
to [email protected]
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