Dear Friends,
Not deaf enough? Deafhood? The white deaf yardstick?
The deaf community had plenty of time to prevent Jane Fernandes from
becoming the next Gallaudet President. On Feb 1998, The editor warned
the deaf communities in the Deaf Watch Newsletter about Jordan's focus
was drifting away from the interests of the deaf community.
They listen? No because he wasn't deaf enough to them to be
believable. To them he didnt seem to be deep enough into deafhood, and
he didnt measure up to the white deaf yardstick either. I.K. Jordan
took advantage of this and used the Newswaves newspaper to debunk the
editor. Now look who has been right all along. The deaf community
didnt heed his warnings.
Are they going to heed his warnings on the National Association of the
Deaf(NAD) leadership issue? Is NAD going to end up like the legendry
Los Angeles Club for the Deaf? Is it going to be up to them or is it
going to be up to 'deafhood' and the white deaf yardstick?
We can only wish Jane Fernandes the best because it's really the deaf
communities' fault that Gallaudet ended up being run by someone like
Jane. The deaf community needs to move on focus on their lives and
focus on making the Gallaudet Board of Trustees more deaf friendly so
they can pick someone more favorable to be the 10th president of the
school.
From a deaf blog, "The protests are being done by the "old deaf"
society, the part of the deaf community that is shrinking rapidly, and
this could be their last big stand against the changes and the future
of deaf society". Our translation is the protests are really being
done by the 'deaf elitist' subclass which represents about 600,000
people out of the 28 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the
United States. The protesters doesn't really represent the whole 28
million, just about 2 percent of it. But they can leave a very bad
mark that affects the social status of the entire 28 million!
The most revealing part of this whole protest is we've been able to
determine the true identities of several organizations representing
the deaf and hard of hearing and have been able to pick out which
organizations believe in inclusivity and which do not. This will
enable us to focus our interagancy education campaigns to help
organizations learn the concepts and the values of inclusivity.
Our premiere at the Rossmoor Family Picnic was a huge success, we had
a hybrid education and fundraising booth. Pictures of this event is
in the photo gallery. We already got the invite to next year's event.
Kudos to everyone who helped to make this a success.
Last Thursday we did a presentation of equipment used by people with
hearing disabilities at a senior citizen center in deep south Orange
County. We were given good accolades and pictures of this is in the
photo gallery.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center is having it's first annual
walk-a-thon on May 20th 2006 at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley,
California. To find out more or to sponsor one of our walkers go to
http://ocdac.choose-a-thon.com/ To walk in the event go to
http://ocdac.choose-a-thon.com/site/page/pg3990-aa93314_93826_93313-
or email [email protected] with your full name and email address.
Come on let's get the sponsors in and have a good walk!
Our new ASL classes start next week. Please take a look at our ASL
Class flyer and tell your friends, associates, and relatives about it.
Http://www.deafadvocacy.org/education/flyers/aslclass.pdf
We've sped up the speed of our scrolling marquee at the front of our
website. Some people complained it was moving too slow.
Dont forget the California Work Group has a teleconference on May 16
on the 250% Working Disabled Program and more info on that is in down
the newsletter.
Finally, Happy Mother's Day to all moms!
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.
This weekly newsletter is now 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. This
still beats out the other deaf print news that are chock full of
distracting advertisements. They are now available in other
alternative formats like floppies, braille, and in large print for
people with vision impairments. For more information, please email
[email protected]
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 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.org/community/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 >
Is Deaf University President Not 'Deaf Enough'?
http://www.abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=1947073&page=1
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=gallaudet+univer\
sity
Maryland School for the Deaf Students Support Gallaudet Protest
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0506/326432.html
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=gallaudet+univer\
sity
High Schoolers Join Gallaudet Protest
http://www.nbc4.com/news/9193947/detail.html
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=gallaudet+univer\
sity
Head of Gallaudet Univ. Board Resigns
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/10/AR2006051000399.\
html
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=gallaudet+univer\
sity
Deaf-Mutes Make A Noisy Rucus
http://www.postchronicle.com/commentary/opinion/article_21218127.shtml
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=gallaudet+univer\
sity
Hearing the world through deaf ears
http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Regional/story/3486554p-4027\
647c.html
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf+hearing
Student is first deaf man to earn IU Ed.D
http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.php?id=35896&adid=campus
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=iu+deaf
Miss Deaf Oklahoma at OCCC
http://www.okc.cc.ok.us/pioneer/Archives/May_08_2006/News11.html
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=oklahoma+deaf
Good vibrations: Deaf dancing troupe defies limitations
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=24334
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf+dance
Being Deaf and thinking
http://www.progressiveu.org/102558-being-deaf-and-thinking
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf+think+tank
-------------< 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.
Come to our meetup on Friday May 19, 2006.
The Orange County American Sign Language & Orange County Deaf &
Hearing Impaired Meetup.
When:
Friday, May 19, 7:00 PM
Where:
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
17595 Harvard Ave #B
Irvine, CA
(949) 660-1332
What:
Meet the 2 meetups!
Beginning May a $2.00 donation suggested per person to help us cover
the costs of the meetup membership program. If you give us a $5.00
donation instead, we'll give you an "I Love You" Handsign Stamp
commemorative pin!
We have been considering using our office, especially the classroom,
for our meetups and we have the means to offer snacks for a small
donation to the people that come to the meetups hosted by our office.
The food table will have cold drinks, danish pastry, popcorn, veggies
and dip, chips and dip, flavored coffees, and hot chocolate.
===================================
ASL BINGO!
Come learn ASL while playing bingo!
AT THE OCDAC CLASSROOM
May 27, 2006
4pm to 8pm
$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]
===================================
BINGO! SATURDAY NIGHTS! (POSTPONED)
We got licensed to run bingo every Saturday Nights on the classroom
starting on June 10.
Postponed due to preparation for a giant foodstand fundraiser on June
4 at the Tustin Chili Cookoff and Street Fair.
5pm to 9pm
$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
===================================
Our next SSP training class is on June 10, 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.
===================================
9th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Deaf Floating Picnic!
May 25 to 29
For more information, please check
WWW.PAD.CC
Thursday - Senior Citizen Potluck
Friday - Arrival Day at Usery Mt. Park
Saturday - Caravan in the Arizona Wilderness
Saturday night - Luau Beach party
Sunday - Salt River Tubing
Monday - Departure Day
Average costs for the whole weekend is:
$50 to $100
For more information, please check www.pad.cc or email Allan Bernier,
Chairperson of Memorial Day Weekend at [email protected] or
[email protected]
-------------< 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 >
CEPIN Seeks Participants for Philadelphia Course
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2006
Contact Person: Lisa Bothwell
National Public Relations Specialist
Community Emergency Preparedness Information Network, TDI
Email: [email protected]
TTY: 301-589-3006
V/VP: 512-296-3347
Fax: 512-258-5396
CEPIN SEEKS PARTICIPANTS FOR PHILADELPHIA COURSE
Silver Spring, Md. - The Community Emergency Preparedness Information
Network (CEPIN) will host the "Emergency Responders and the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing Community: Taking the First Steps to Disaster
Preparedness" course from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23 at the
Bucks County Public Safety Training Center in Doylestown, Pa. near
Philadelphia. This course is an awareness-level course on emergency
response that also fosters continued interaction between the two
communities. Emergency responders, managers and planners as well as
deaf and hard of hearing consumer leaders are encouraged to register.
The CEPIN project is also actively seeking emergency responders and
deaf and hard of hearing community leaders to participate in the
Train-The-Trainer course on Wednesday, May 24. The Train-The-Trainer
course is for anyone who wishes to teach the "Emergency Responders and
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community: Taking the First Steps to
Disaster Preparedness" course to emergency responders and deaf and
hard of hearing people in their local area. Registration is also
required for the Train-The-Trainer course.
In 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded
Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. (TDI) $1.5
million to implement the CEPIN project. Since then, CEPIN has created
pilot training sessions and certified qualified instructors. The aim
for the course is to raise awareness about the challenges emergency
responders and deaf and hard of hearing consumers encounter during
emergencies, such as hurricanes and terrorist attacks, and to create
local, state-wide and national networks of communication between the
two groups in order to achieve the best possible outcome in the event
of an emergency situation.
Registration forms and more information can be found on the CEPIN Web
site at www.cepintdi.org. If you have questions concerning the
training, contact Stephanie Clark, the regional specialist for the New
England and Great Lakes area, at [email protected] or at
617-254-4041 (TTY/V).
===================================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT
Amy Bonetti
Big Mouth Communications
(415) 384-0900
[email protected]
ROCKLIN, CA (MAY 10, 2006) Hands On Video Relay Services, Inc. (HOVRS)
today issued a statement commending the Federal Communication
Commission's decision requiring interoperability of Video Relay
Service (VRS) equipment distributed to consumers by VRS providers.
HOVRS's president and CEO Ronald E. Obray comments, "the deaf and hard
of hearing community has won a significant battle to ensure that
providers of the service, which allows deaf and hard of hearing
persons to communicate in their primary visual language, are not
creating more barriers for the deaf community than they already face
in dealing with the public telephone system."
Mr. Obray added that The California Coalition of Agencies Serving the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing, which sought the ruling from the FCC, should
also be commended for prompting the FCC to issue its ruling. Obray
also said that "the California Coalition has always stepped up to
escalate valuable issues confronting the deaf and hard of hearing
community, and once again their efforts have proved vital to
communication access for not only Californians, but the entire nation."
The effect of the ruling will require all VRS providers to cease
blocking consumer access to competing VRS providers on equipment
provided to consumers. HOVRS in 2005 began distributing equipment to
consumers which blocked access to competing providers.
Mr. Obray explained that the company reluctantly did so in response to
the long-standing blocking policy of one of its competitors.
VRS is a rapidly growing service that enables deaf, hard of hearing
and speech-disabled persons to communicate over the telephone system
in their preferred visual language. Using Sign language transmitted
over the internet between consumers and video relay interpreters,
HOVRS allows deaf and hard of hearing persons to hold interactive, non
text conversations with hearing people in both English and Spanish
languages.
On one end of the conversation, the HOVRS customer and interpreters
use personal computers equipped with web cameras or video phone
devices to communicate visually by sign language across high speed
internet links. On the other end of the conversation, the hearing
person and a HOVRS interpreter speak orally through the public
telephone system.
The company's interpreters translate American Sign Language (ASL) from
the signing customer into spoken communication, thereby "relaying" the
deaf or hard of hearing person's conversation to a hearing person in
either English or Spanish. Likewise, the interpreter translates oral
communication from the hearing person into ASL and "relays" the
message by webcam or videophone to the deaf or hard of hearing consumer.
Mr. Obray said that HOVRS will immediately cease blocking with respect
to all new customers, and will remove all previously blocked devices
previously installed. In addition, HOVRS will no longer require
customers to sign user agreements.
With the implementation of the FCC's ruling "video relay services will
truly be closer to functional equivalency, because now the consumers
can expect that providers will need to be completely focused on the
quality of the VRS consumer's overall experience, while communicating
through video relay services." Mr. Obray added. "HOVRS has always
prided itself on its core business of interpreter quality and quick
answering speeds; now service quality will be the focal point of VRS
consumers and providers," he said.
Mr. Obray also said that VRS still has many functional equivalency
objectives to be realized and that relay services are still below the
level of communications functionality that hearing people receive.
"These include conference bridging in sign language, 911 services,
standardized phone numbering, mobile accessibility, among other areas
that remain technologically behind that of phone services hearing
people enjoy on a daily basis."
"HOVRS hopes the FCC will continue to stay focused on accessibility
and the right of functional equivalency for the deaf and hard of
hearing. This should be a priority for relay services, and for the
FCC to continue to promote the on-going development of new
technologies that bring down current communication barriers. In
addition, to bring functional equivalency to the many deaf and hard of
hearing persons who lack adequate communications service," he concluded.
About Hands On
Based in , Hands On is a leader in providing Video Relay Services and
community interpreting services. The company has been serving the
needs of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community since 1992. Hands On
is committed to removing communication barriers for the Deaf and
Hard-of-Hearing. For more information visit www.hovrs.com.
==================================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mercy Coogan
Director
Office of Public Relations
Gallaudet University
202.651.5727
Statement by Gallaudet Board of Trustees
The Gallaudet Board of Trustees today announced that Dr. Jane
Fernandes will immediately step down as provost to allow for the
transition to her presidency. Dr. Fernandes will concentrate her work
to carefully review all of the issues brought up during the last few
weeks and to work with the campus community to address them. In
addition, Dr. Fernandes will begin work on a search for a new provost.
"There have been several important issues raised in the past few
weeks," said Brenda Brueggemann, acting-Chair of the Board of
Trustees. "As we begin the search for a new Provost, we want to have
an open process that will address these concerns, and allow students,
faculty, teachers and staff to play an important role in the process,"
said Brueggemann.
Over the past week, the Board of Trustees has spent many hours meeting
with and listening to the community. They have also received hundreds
of communications from outside the campus community. This morning they
met in a closed executive session to discuss concerns raised during
the meetings and conversations and they came to agreement on several
matters that need to be addressed. The Board of Trustees invited Dr.
Fernandes and Dr. I. King Jordan into the meeting to discuss immediate
next steps.
Dr. Jordan was asked by the Board to set up a process to identify an
interim provost. He will begin by establishing a committee made up of
faculty, staff and students and by sending out a call for nominations.
Dr. Jordan will seek nominations of people who might be willing to
serve until a permanent provost is selected. It was the strong opinion
of the Board that this person should not be someone who might seek to
have the permanent provost position.
Also at the same time, Dr. Fernandes will lead a national search to
identify the permanent provost. She will establish a representative
committee to develop a job description and then do a national search
to find the new provost.
"We must move ahead and bring all sides together. We all gain if we
work together, in a collaborative manner. We have been conducting open
and honest dialogues with many different groups on and off campus. We
are looking forward to moving ahead and continuing to strengthen our
Gallaudet University," Brueggemann concluded.
Submitted by
Darrick Nicholas
[email protected]
-------------< BULLETIN >
Open Letter to the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees,
Administration,
and the Campus and External Community
Editor's Note: Please use this corrected version of the Fourth NAD
Open Letter.
Posted May 11, 2006
To refer others to this page:
http://www.nad.org/GallaudetOpenLetter4; see also
http://www.nad.org/GallaudetPresident
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is deeply saddened at the
turn of events since issuance of its Third Open Letter (see
http://www.nad.org/gallaudetpresident), particularly the "deaf card"
being perpetuated by the Gallaudet University administration, tacitly
supported by the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees.
What exactly does this mean? Similar to the race card we know all too
well, the "deaf card" has been played, to the hilt. To illustrate, a
CNN.com story posted online on May 8, 2006 states:
---
[Dr. I. King] Jordan, who backed [Dr. Jane K.] Fernandes' selection,
said the current protest reflects "identity politics" and a refusal to
accept change. "We are squabbling about what it means to be deaf," he
said.
---
The focus on "not deaf enough" and "deaf identity" has effectively
detracted the media and all with vested interest in Gallaudet
University away from the underlying focus on lack of leadership and
trust which is inexorably tied to faculty, staff, student, and alumni
protest efforts.
The public relations effort expended to date by the University in
playing the "deaf card" has, in effect, set back national and global
advocacy strides made by the deaf community for light years to come,
causing long-lasting damage.
We condemn these tactics, given great harm to the credibility of the
deaf community that these have caused.
The University Board of Trustees and its administrative leadership
need to focus on the real issues at hand -- exactly why loss of
leadership and trust has transpired -- by making the commitment to
working with its campus and external constituents to begin what will
be a protracted and painful healing process. Too much polarization and
discord has happened both on and off campus, and it is clear that
leadership recovery will be extremely difficult.
Despite our earlier call for "corrective action with courage and
wisdom to resolve in a positive manner the growing discord,
divisiveness, and disconnect on and off campus," there has been no
improvement. The NAD intends to continue its efforts to facilitate a
positive resolution to the current state of affairs.
The NAD therefore calls upon the University Board of Trustees to take
serious and decisive action -- today -- for the good of Gallaudet and
its stakeholders as well as the national and global deaf community.
The entire campus and external community needs to be part of the
University's healing process, and we at the NAD stand ready to be of
assistance.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. Lange
President
National Association of the Deaf
Nancy J. Bloch
Chief Executive Officer
National Association of the Deaf
===================================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Nghia Nguyen
Demovic
Monday, May 8, 2006
916-653-6575
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson Announces Large Print Ballot
Pamphlets Available for the First Time
New large print ballot pamphlets designed to help voters who are
visually impaired
SACRAMENTO - Secretary of State Bruce McPherson today announced that
for the first time, large print ballot pamphlets for the upcoming June
6, 2006 Primary Election are available for registered voters who need
them. The ballot pamphlets are available in limited quantities in
English, as well as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Tagalog,
and Korean.
"Over the years, voters have been requesting large print ballot
pamphlets," said Secretary McPherson. "I am pleased to announce that
for the first time, the Secretary of State's Office is making them
available to the voters."
The ballot pamphlets have been increased to 130 percent of its
original size and are printed on 11 x 14 inch paper. The text is
black on a white background for improved contrast.
Large print ballot pamphlets for the upcoming June 6, 2006 Primary
Election can be requested by contacting the Secretary of State's
Elections Division at 916-657-2166 or online at
www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections_lgprint.htm. They will also be
distributed to select libraries, as well as community centers that
serve senior citizens and independent living centers throughout the state.
For more information, or to request a large print ballot pamphlet,
visit the Secretary of State's website at www.ss.ca.gov or call the
Elections Division at 916-657-2166.
-------------< ANNOUNCEMENT >
Please visit our bookstore that has related books and different kinds
of assistive living devices at http://store.deafadvocacy.org
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 2/3 >
Deaf Club gets aid from Red Cross
http://worcester.standardtoday.co.uk/news.tvt?_ticket=XBGTKKLAFS48ODQFIR0BCWSEAO\
WO96RGUU4HIOTAFOXECOUFKGSGX2DPUNNAD0TE9LLCPIVFURTSKOMAAP6IAKLAEU6NTRRHVWV9ANWP43\
Y9CHVTZQRFLZHXWMTEDYKACNTFURYIHONHDMTEGQKACOWFURUQ0F52P&_scope=Flow/Websites/Wor\
cester/News&id=2812
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf+red+cross
Students from Local Schools Participate in "Deaf for the Day"
http://www.cedarcityreview.com/articles.php?id=2461&art_title=Students_from_Loca\
l_Schools_Participate_in_%E2%80%9CDeaf_for_the_Day%E2%80%9D
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=silent+weekend
Fidel Castro Praises Cuban Med Development
http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=%7B15AFC58D-9840-436E-AE88-7CA7D3F94311%\
7D)&language=EN
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=cuba+deaf
Protests Continue at University for Deaf
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/13/us/13gallaudet.html
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=gallaudet+univer\
sity+protests
California deaf students join protest
http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_3819098
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf+california
Deputy Chief Minister Yedirurappa Adopts Deaf Girl
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=21318&n_tit=Mysore%3A+Deputy+C\
hief+Minister+Yedirurappa+Adopts+Deaf+Girl
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf+adoption
Deaf Students in Baghdad Face Compounded Dangers
http://www.newhousenews.com/archive/palmer051206.html
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=iraq+deaf
SA not deaf-friendly
http://www.pretorianews.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3241540
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=south+africa+dea\
f
Deaf get their own film festival in Toronto
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=20\
06-05-11T205519Z_01_N11259492_RTRUKOC_0_US-LEISURE-CANADA-DEAF.xml&archived=Fals\
e
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=canadian+deaf
Emergency Notification to Hearing Impaired
http://community.emeraldcoast.com/article.showarticle.db.php?a=4052
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf+cepin+emerg\
ency
-------------< ADVOCACY NEWS >
CALIFORNIA WORK GROUP
On Work Incentives and Health Care the CWG
May 10, 2006
Dear CWG Members-
We had a well-attended and productive teleconference for the Gaps Task
Force working on gaps and problems in the 250% Working Disabled
Program on April 25th.
Our next teleconference is scheduled for:
Date and Time:
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
1:30pm - 3pm Pacific Time
Call 1-800-977-8002
Participant Code 801456 #
Agenda:
Discussion on:
1.Outreach, Marketing, and Education on the Medi-Cal Working Disabled
Program
2.Service Delivery and Program Interaction and the Medi-Cal Working
Disabled Program
You will find the minutes for the last meeting below. Please submit
any corrections to us at [email protected]
Thank you for your participation!
Sincerely,
Eli Gelardin & Alana Theriault
Co-Chairs - CWG Gaps Task Force
Eli Gelardin
Marin Center for Independent Living
415-459-6245 ext. 19
E-mail: [email protected]
Alana Theriault
Express Independence
510-388-2277
E-mail: [email protected]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CWG On Work Incentives and Health Care
Gaps Task Force Teleconference Minutes
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Submitted by E. Gelardin & A. Theriault
1. Welcome & Introductions – Present:
Abby Medina, Statewide Social Security Coordinator, DR;
Alana Theriault (co-chair), Express Independence;
Bryon MacDonald, World Institute on Disability;
Burns Vick, Policy/Disability Rights Consultant;
Charlie Kaplan, Governor's Committee Advisor;
D'Andre Bracey, BPAO, ILC/Long Beach;
Debra Stevenson, BPAO, ILC/Oakland;
Eli Gelardin (co-chair), Program Director/ BPAO, Marin CIL;
Ellen Young, Higher Education in CA and Services for Students with
Disabilities;
Francois Frigola, Advocate/Enrolled in 250;
Glynda Dixon, East Bay benefits expert;
John Longoria, Director of Outreach & Programs, Disability Rights
Legal Center/LA;
Katherine Revis, BPAO, ILC/Fresno;
Lauri Shay, Program Manager, Options Dynamic/SF;
Linda Wren, Mental Health/ Bakersfield;
Maeve Gannon, Program Director, CIL Berkeley;
Michael Van Essen, BPAO, AIDS Service Center/Pasedena;
Rachael Stewart, CHIIP/Sacramento;
Sandra Beckley, SF Region IX Ticket Coordinator, SSA/Richmond;
Sandy Barnett, Santa Monica Community College;
Sandy Collins, ADA Access; Teddie Joy Remhild, IHSS Public
Authority/LA County;
Theresa Martinez, BPAO; TJ Hader, DHS Medi-Cal Eligibility Branch;
Tommy Yang, Independent Living Resources/Sacramento
2. Purpose of the California Work Group on Work Incentives and Health
Care & Announcements (Bryon MacDonald)
Started 6 years ago to apply Ticket to Work at the state level, so
developed recommendations to AB925 Workforce Inclusion Act and helped
develop California Health Incentives Improvement Act.
BPAO: RFP in early May - "Work Incentives Planning & Assistance Grant
Ticket regulations revised re: payment systems for providers effective
this fall.
AB925 - Comprehensive Strategy to increase employment of people with
disabilities was presented before HHS and Labor Workforce
Development. See: www.chiip.org or www.EDD.CA.gov
3. Brief Overview of 250% Working Disabled Program (250% WDP)
Described history, benefits and eligibility criteria of program.
Current enrollment for March 2006 is 2060 people
4. CHIIP and its Role in Promoting the 250% Working Disabled
Program (Rachael Stewart)
Funded to create access to healthcare for people with disabilities,
and to promote 250% WDP and personal assistance services for youth.
Distributed over 175,000 brochures to organizations and individuals
Organizes local steering committees to do training on benefits.
Current Outreach: Mailing 250% WDP brochures to IHSS share-of-cost
recipients; Media Campaign on 250% WDP/Personal Assistance at work.
5. Purpose of this CWG Task Force
6. Discussion of 4 major Gaps in the 250% Working Disabled Program
Service Delivery and Program Interaction
Problems with implementation of 250% WDP at the County/State levels:
State has no authority over the counties about program implementation.
Many Medi-cal eligibility are workers unfamiliar with program and/or
rules.
Enrollment procedure unclear. Program Coordinators not known
Some county systems do not have correct aid codes in their databases.
High level personnel at the State and Counties don't understand program.
The contract for HMO services in HMO-only counties (Orange, Santa
Cruz) have no provisions for 250% WDP.
How long does enrollment take? Estimated at 90 days.
Populations
The cash benefits of people who receive retirement product payments
are non-exempt when applying for 250% WDP. People need or want to work.
150,000 employed disabled Californians are Medi-Cal eligible but have
no health coverage.
Lack of knowledge of the 250% in the following populations:
Development Disabilities; Cognitive Disabilities; Emotional Disabilities
Fear of employment - People are not aware that under 250% WDP
employment means something different than under SSA's rules.
Self-employed: Calculating income is complex; assets are obstacles.
Deemed income is a problem for married
Policy/Program Protections when Changing Jobs
Need to extend the capacity to switch jobs and stay in program
Outreach, Marketing and Education
Currently only 2060 enrolled statewide
Strategy Cocktail of Training followed up by monthly meetings and one
on one counseling session found to be effective.
Pervasive problem in disability community about the perception of work
7. Development of Timelines and Next Steps
Next Teleconference - May 16th 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Agenda:
Discussion on:
1.Outreach, Marketing, and Education on the Working Disabled Program
2.Service Delivery and Program Interaction and the Working Disabled
Program
-------------< DEAF QUOTES >
"The white deaf yardstick has to go. We cannot measure who is deafer
than others. We are deaf in many different ways. No one is deafer than
others." Jane Norman, Ph.D., Professor Gallaudet University
-------------< 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 >
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Steve Forde
(202) 225-4527
May 11, 2006
U.S. House Education Leaders Announce Series of Hearings on
Implementation, Impact of No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. House Education & the Workforce Committee
Chairman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA), the Committee's Senior
Democrat George Miller (D-CA), and Education Reform Subcommittee
Chairman Mike Castle (R-DE) today announced their plans to continue to
examine the implementation and impact of the landmark 2002 No Child
Left Behind Act through a new series of hearings to be held by the
House Education & the Workforce Committee over the next several months.
During the past several years, the panel has held ten hearings on
topics ranging from the law's overall implementation and its
"persistently dangerous schools" provision to school choice provisions
under No Child Left Behind and the impact of the law on children with
disabilities. The education reform law is scheduled to be renewed next
year, and the upcoming series of hearings is expected to lay the
groundwork for the congressional reauthorization effort.
"We have come a long way since the original law was written in 2002,
and we are learning more every day how this law is working in certain
areas, how the achievement gap is closing, and what changes may need
to be made," said Castle. "I was proud to help craft No Child Left
Behind, and as we examine this law and prepare for its
reauthorization, nothing is more important than hearing from the
teachers, administrators, principals, students, and parents who are
affected by it. I look forward to this comprehensive series of
hearings and learning how we can strengthen No Child Left Behind in
the years to come."
The first in the series of hearings will be held next Thursday, May
18. This hearing will examine the impact of No Child Left Behind's
focus on reading and math instruction, as well as what creative
educators are doing to incorporate a wide variety of subjects into
their classroom instruction.
"After decades of failed reform efforts, coupled with hundreds of
billions of taxpayer dollars spent with little or no success in
closing the achievement gap, the impact of No Child Left Behind has
been dramatic and a positive step forward for students, teachers,
parents, and taxpayers," noted McKeon. "As we approach next year's
renewal of the law, which may prove to be the most critical
reauthorization No Child Left Behind will ever see, our Committee is
dedicated to a deliberate, responsible examination of the facts."
In the upcoming months, the Education & the Workforce Committee will
continue the series of hearings, which will focus on many critical
aspects of No Child Left Behind. Topics may include:
* Adequate Yearly Progress, the law's method of examining how well
schools and districts improve academic outcomes for students;
* The impact of allowing states to determine varying minimum subgroup
sizes for purposes of disaggregating student outcomes in order to
determine a school's adequate yearly progress;
* A look at how growth models are currently being used by states and
an examination of how they might be incorporated into accountability
systems under No Child Left Behind;
* A review of how graduation rates are being measured under No Child
Left Behind;
* An overview of the role of academic assessments used to determine
student proficiency in math and reading under No Child Left Behind;
* The effect of No Child Left Behind on students with disabilities and
limited English proficiency students;
* Parental involvement during the No Child Left Behind era;
* The role of school choice and supplemental educational services in
the implementation and reauthorization of No Child Left Behind; and
* The impact of teacher quality standards under No Child Left Behind.
"I thank Chairman McKeon for convening these hearings on the No Child
Left Behind law, and for doing so in an open and bipartisan way,"
concluded Miller. "As we get closer to the reauthorization of No Child
Left Behind, we must closely examine what works with the law and what
needs to be improved. These hearings are an important first step in
learning how we can best ensure that we meet the goals of No Child
Left Behind: closing the achievement gap; getting all children
proficient in reading, math, and science; and ensuring that all
children are taught by highly qualified teachers."
The No Child Left Behind Act, signed into law on January 8, 2002,
represents the first ever bipartisan effort to bring true
accountability and flexibility to federal education programs. The law
reflects four essential pillars of education reform: accountability,
flexibility and local control, funding for what works, and expanded
parental options. The law is a comprehensive overhaul of the federal
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which was enacted in
1965 and is the principal federal law affecting K-12 education.
-------------< OUTSIDE NEWS PART 3/3 >
Hearing-impaired boy sings for pope
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1103AP_People_Vatican_Singer.html
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf+vatican
Few Ohio preschools focus on helping hearing-impaired kids
http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/14556374.htm
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf+pre+school
Connecticut's First Housing Project For The Hearing Impaired
http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=4875765
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf+house
Most disabled people in L. America don't get appropriate help: OPS
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-05/13/content_4541167.htm
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=disabled+latin+a\
merica
Disabled family's home gets high-tech revamp
http://159.54.227.3/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060513/LIVING/60513013/1004
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=disabled+makeove\
r
Census: Most disabled have jobs
http://www.abqtrib.com/albq/nw_national/article/0,2564,ALBQ_19860_4693632,00.htm\
l
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=disability+emplo\
yment
Almancil receives horse-riding for disabled
http://regiao-sul.pt/en/news/news.php?id=1237
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=disabled+horse+r\
iding
Program helps seniors, disabled with repairs
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20060513-9999-m1m13tfoside.html
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=fux+homes+disabl\
ed
Shroud of silence lifted after decades of deafness
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleyindependent/news/s_453776.html
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=hearing+after+de\
afness
Deaf Talkabout: Why sign language isn't a joke
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/features/story.jsp?story=690631
Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=sign+language
-------------< 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.
-------------< LINKS >
Deaf Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=deaf
Disabled Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=disabled
Hearing Impaired Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=hearing+impaired
Sign Language Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=sign+language
ADA Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=americans+disabi\
lity+act
Disability Advocacy Related Links
http://www.goodsearch.com/Search.aspx?CharityID=807571&Keywords=disability+advoc\
acy
-------------< LETTERS >
Dear Sport Deaf Men & Women,
Mr. Sule Kalai of the Nigeria Deaf Sports Federation Must Go!!!!!!!!!!!
The Brotherhood Society of the deaf in Lagos state and Niger Delta
mourns the evil and corrupt practices of some official of the deaf
sports federation. the organisation has been experiencing great pain
and is almost in a state of stagnacy in developing talents of sports
and physical strength of it's members.
the organisation receive financial allocations to help develop the
potential of deaf sports men and women in the country, unfortunately
however, corrupt and unscropulous officials like Mr. Sule Kalai of
NDSF and his other deceitful allies have diverted these fund into
their private use.Although, he claim that the funds are being used
rescourcefully for the benefit and development of deaf sports men &
women in the country, there is nothing genuine that is done to enhance
the performance of sports men and women. we understand that Mr. Sule
Kalai is trying to gain the support of Govt only to squander and
embazzle the monies meant for the welfare of the deaf men & women of
sporting capalities fraudent crooks and we want him out of the NDSF.
As a matter of the fact that (Brotherhod Society of the Deaf) has been
trying to fight corruption and theft as well as criticize dishonest
politicans whose actions are detrimental to the Nigeria people and so,
we are bent on disposing these heartless cheats out of the NDSF.
On one occassion, his so called administrative secretary and
interpreter Miss Fatima duped the organisation and embezzle the
federation's money. Mr Sule Kalai have amassed the money of the
organisation that proceeded from the appeal we made to the public
through the VANGUARD NEWSPAPER in 2003. he have failed to be
accountable to the organisation on the financial aid, we were granted
by both governmental & non-governmental dones like the Federal Govt.
And besides, Mr Sule Kalai,,,,this man,, do not know anything about
developing deaf sports and so cannot manage NDSF. Mr Sule Kalai have
confiscated a lot of valuable equipments and other facilities of the
federation and has constantly ragged the elections in Abuja. he has
failed to sponsor ant of the members of NDSF to both national &
international sporting FISCO for which he had collected money from the
Federal Govt and other well-meaning organisations. Mr Sule Kalai is
not a real sportsman and so cannot manage the federation.
Hence, He must go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Hence, He must
go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the other hand, Mr John Yusuf Stephen who has been imprisoned in
Lagos State,Nigeria for embezzling the sum of 7 million allocated to
both deaf & hearing people, they had claimed to arrange VISA and other
sporting programmes for deaf sportmen and women so his co-corrupt
friends have fled from him which have failed to defend him in court.
this is because as the EFCC says" no one is above the Law" Mr John
Yusuf is a demolish thief and 419ner but God has punished him.
The World Deaf Sports Organisations must not think that Mr Sule Kalai
is our messiah as he claims but must know he is no better than an
armed robber. his corrupt activities has been revealed to every
members of the federation because his evil deeds has almost paralysed
the federation and left several deaf sports to idle, jobless, lazy and
neglected.
We therefore appealing to well meaning World Deaf Sports Organisations
to be very careful and watchful with Mr. Sule Kalai and Mr John Yusuf.
Thank you so much and we look forward to getting a favourable response
from you soon.
Yours Faithfully
MEMBERS OF BSD
BROTHERHOOD SOCIETY OF THE DEAF
NIGERIA
-------------< 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]
No comments:
Post a Comment