Monday, December 29, 2008
OCDAC's 2009 Resolutions
2009 will be a monumental year for Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center as we have been collaborating with numerous health related organizations to advance our zeal. We have 5 key goals to accomplish in 2009. Most of these goals are similar to our 2008 resolutions. The key goals all fit within our mission and vision statements.
1) Solidifying our leadership direction by adding "more sails to our ship"
a) Increasing the evaluations of irresponsible deaf leadership ( achieved in 2008 )
b) Promoting responsible deaf leadership ( achieved in 2008 )
c) Increasing resources for the Deaf WAI (War Against Indiscipline) program ( exceeded in 2008 )
d) Increasing our resilience to casualty events such as loss of primary youtube outreach account.
2) Focus on deaf evolution
a) Expanding non-confrontational advocacy ( achieved in 2008 )
b) Increasing the support of oral-deaf on staff and board census
c) Increasing the use of technology-based social service concept ( exceeded in 2008 )
d) Expanding our fiscal independence concept ( exceeded in 2008 )
3) Office resources
a) Reduce facilities costs by acquiring additional real estate for the use as office resources ( exceeded in 2008 )
b) Consolidating our expenses to avoid repetition of costs
4) Outreach
a) Participate in deaf events that promote responsible deaf leadeship ( exceeded in 2008 )
b) Focus on events that need exposure to hearing loss outreach ( achieved in 2008 )
c) Develop outreach videos and use the video sharing websites ( achieved in 2008 )
d) Simplify outreach materials for easier transporting, setup, takedown ( exceeded in 2008 )
e) Provide leadership in non-deaf causes (AIDS, Paganism, Medical Innovations, Environmental, etc...) ( achieved in 2008 )
5) Social services
a) Development of web-based social service automation for global access
Find more videos like this on Deaf Paradise
In the past 10 years and continuing beyond 2009, the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center will do what they do better than anything else in the world, ENTERTAIN YOU, with their special brand of deaf advocacy.
We wish everyone a safe, healthy, and productive 2009!
FROM THE BOARD, THE STAFF, AND THE VOLUNTEERS
OCDAC's 2009 Resolutions
Unfortunately wordpress dont do well with embedded videos which is part of our New Year's Resolutions presentation. To see this same post with the video presentations; visit http://www.deafadvocacy.org/blog/blog.html
2009 will be a monumental year for Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center as we have been collaborating with numerous health related organizations to advance our zeal. We have 5 key goals to accomplish in 2009. The key goals all fit within our mission and vision statements.
1) Solidifying our leadership direction by adding "more sails to our ship"
a) Increasing the evaluations of irresponsible deaf leadership ( achieved in 2008 )
b) Promoting responsible deaf leadership ( achieved in 2008 )
c) Increasing resources for the Deaf WAI (War Against Indiscipline) program ( exceeded in 2008 )
d) Increasing our resilience to casualty events such as loss of primary youtube outreach account.
2) Focus on deaf evolution
a) Expanding non-confrontational advocacy ( achieved in 2008 )
b) Increasing the support of oral-deaf on staff and board census
c) Increasing the use of technology-based social service concept ( exceeded in 2008 )
d) Expanding our fiscal independence concept ( exceeded in 2008 )
3) Office resources
a) Reduce facilities costs by acquiring additional real estate for the use as office resources ( exceeded in 2008 )
b) Consolidating our expenses to avoid repetition of costs
4) Outreach
a) Participate in deaf events that promote responsible deaf leadeship ( exceeded in 2008 )
b) Focus on events that need exposure to hearing loss outreach ( achieved in 2008 )
c) Develop outreach videos and use the video sharing websites ( achieved in 2008 )
d) Simplify outreach materials for easier transporting, setup, takedown ( exceeded in 2008 )
e) Provide leadership in non-deaf causes (AIDS, Paganism, Medical Innovations, Environmental, etc...) ( achieved in 2008 )
5) Social services
a) Development of web-based social service automation for global access
In the past 10 years and continuing beyond 2009, the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center will do what they do better than anything else in the world, ENTERTAIN YOU, with their special brand of deaf advocacy.
We wish everyone a safe, healthy, and productive 2009!
FROM THE BOARD, THE STAFF, AND THE VOLUNTEERS
2009 will be a monumental year for Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center as we have been collaborating with numerous health related organizations to advance our zeal. We have 5 key goals to accomplish in 2009. The key goals all fit within our mission and vision statements.
1) Solidifying our leadership direction by adding "more sails to our ship"
a) Increasing the evaluations of irresponsible deaf leadership ( achieved in 2008 )
b) Promoting responsible deaf leadership ( achieved in 2008 )
c) Increasing resources for the Deaf WAI (War Against Indiscipline) program ( exceeded in 2008 )
d) Increasing our resilience to casualty events such as loss of primary youtube outreach account.
2) Focus on deaf evolution
a) Expanding non-confrontational advocacy ( achieved in 2008 )
b) Increasing the support of oral-deaf on staff and board census
c) Increasing the use of technology-based social service concept ( exceeded in 2008 )
d) Expanding our fiscal independence concept ( exceeded in 2008 )
3) Office resources
a) Reduce facilities costs by acquiring additional real estate for the use as office resources ( exceeded in 2008 )
b) Consolidating our expenses to avoid repetition of costs
4) Outreach
a) Participate in deaf events that promote responsible deaf leadeship ( exceeded in 2008 )
b) Focus on events that need exposure to hearing loss outreach ( achieved in 2008 )
c) Develop outreach videos and use the video sharing websites ( achieved in 2008 )
d) Simplify outreach materials for easier transporting, setup, takedown ( exceeded in 2008 )
e) Provide leadership in non-deaf causes (AIDS, Paganism, Medical Innovations, Environmental, etc...) ( achieved in 2008 )
5) Social services
a) Development of web-based social service automation for global access
In the past 10 years and continuing beyond 2009, the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center will do what they do better than anything else in the world, ENTERTAIN YOU, with their special brand of deaf advocacy.
We wish everyone a safe, healthy, and productive 2009!
FROM THE BOARD, THE STAFF, AND THE VOLUNTEERS
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Holiday Gift $35+
Holiday Gift $35+
Here is a small holiday gift to all those who have or had Wachovia credit card and/or banking accounts.
It's at least $35.00! MORE IF YOU QUALIFY!
Download the claim package at http://www.restitutionpayment.com/PDFs/ClaimForm.pdf
Fill the claim form and send it out by March 4, 2009.
Orange County deaf Advocacy Center is a true humanitarian website connecting people, deaf or not, to opportunities for improvement.
Happy Holidays!
Holiday Gift $35+
Holiday Gift $35+
Here is a small holiday gift to all those who have or had Wachovia credit card accounts.
It's at least $35.00!
Download the claim package at Http://www.hear-for-life.org/wclaim.zip
Fill the claim form and send it out by March 4, 2009.
Happy Holidays!
Friday, December 12, 2008
Legacy Of My Youtube Account
The ASL militants managed to get my nesmuth account at youtube suspended.
Shows how far the deaf community will go to defend a very expensive language.
This is the price of evolution of the deaf society. A price that will land on the laps of the ASL militants later on.
Richard Roehm
Shows how far the deaf community will go to defend a very expensive language.
This is the price of evolution of the deaf society. A price that will land on the laps of the ASL militants later on.
Richard Roehm
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Accessibility Anywhere Based Braille Displays Petition to Braille display manufacturers
Accessibility Anywhere Based Braille Displays Petition to Braille display manufacturers
This is a very important petition that would allow a blind person to buy a braille display and be sure that is works with their computer. Or any other windows based computer.
A petition has been started by George McDermith at http://www.petitiononline.com/brldis/petition.html asking Braille display manufacturers to base their drivers on the human interface protocol, found on all Windows computers. Such a design philosophy will ensure that users can be certain of having support for their Braille display on any computer, not just one which has been custom-configured for such access, and will eliminate the need to depend on specific screen reader drivers.
The text of the petition reads as follows:
"To: Braille display manufacturers
We, the undersigned, who are Braille display users, friends and family of Braille display users, and teachers of the blind,
*: Believe that accessibility to information for the blind on a par with their sighted piers is a right. Believe that due to this right, and due to the cost of Braille displays, accessing Braille through the use of Braille displays should not be limited by the type of screen reading solution used by the blind.
*: Strongly request that all manufacturers of Braille displays cease basing the drivers of their Braille displays off of particular screen reader drivers, but rather base all Braille display drivers off of the Human User Interface Protocol, which can be found on all Windows computers.
*: This will allow true portability and equal access to information for the blind, as they will be able to use their display with any computer. This will create greater competition in the market for the best Braille display to stand out, grant greater literacy in Braille through greater access to electronic Braille books and other materials, and support the right of all blind people to have accessibility anywhere."
To add your support to this worthy cause, visit the petition web page at
http://www.petitiononline.com/brldis/petition.html
The Serotek Team
Beth Koenig
[email protected]
Director of Deaf Blind Services
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
2960 Main Street A100
Irvine, CA 92614
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/dbs
This is a very important petition that would allow a blind person to buy a braille display and be sure that is works with their computer. Or any other windows based computer.
A petition has been started by George McDermith at http://www.petitiononline.com/brldis/petition.html asking Braille display manufacturers to base their drivers on the human interface protocol, found on all Windows computers. Such a design philosophy will ensure that users can be certain of having support for their Braille display on any computer, not just one which has been custom-configured for such access, and will eliminate the need to depend on specific screen reader drivers.
The text of the petition reads as follows:
"To: Braille display manufacturers
We, the undersigned, who are Braille display users, friends and family of Braille display users, and teachers of the blind,
*: Believe that accessibility to information for the blind on a par with their sighted piers is a right. Believe that due to this right, and due to the cost of Braille displays, accessing Braille through the use of Braille displays should not be limited by the type of screen reading solution used by the blind.
*: Strongly request that all manufacturers of Braille displays cease basing the drivers of their Braille displays off of particular screen reader drivers, but rather base all Braille display drivers off of the Human User Interface Protocol, which can be found on all Windows computers.
*: This will allow true portability and equal access to information for the blind, as they will be able to use their display with any computer. This will create greater competition in the market for the best Braille display to stand out, grant greater literacy in Braille through greater access to electronic Braille books and other materials, and support the right of all blind people to have accessibility anywhere."
To add your support to this worthy cause, visit the petition web page at
http://www.petitiononline.com/brldis/petition.html
The Serotek Team
Beth Koenig
[email protected]
Director of Deaf Blind Services
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
2960 Main Street A100
Irvine, CA 92614
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/dbs
Accessibility Anywhere Based Braille Displays Petition to Braille display manufacturers
This is a very important petition that would allow a blind person to buy a braille display and be sure that is works with their computer. Or any other windows based computer.
A petition has been started by George McDermith at http://www.petitiononline.com/brldis/petition.html asking Braille display manufacturers to base their drivers on the human interface protocol, found on all Windows computers. Such a design philosophy will ensure that users can be certain of having support for their Braille display on any computer, not just one which has been custom-configured for such access, and will eliminate the need to depend on specific screen reader drivers.
The text of the petition reads as follows:
"To: Braille display manufacturers
We, the undersigned, who are Braille display users, friends and family of Braille display users, and teachers of the blind,
*: Believe that accessibility to information for the blind on a par with their sighted piers is a right. Believe that due to this right, and due to the cost of Braille displays, accessing Braille through the use of Braille displays should not be limited by the type of screen reading solution used by the blind.
*: Strongly request that all manufacturers of Braille displays cease basing the drivers of their Braille displays off of particular screen reader drivers, but rather base all Braille display drivers off of the Human User Interface Protocol, which can be found on all Windows computers.
*: This will allow true portability and equal access to information for the blind, as they will be able to use their display with any computer. This will create greater competition in the market for the best Braille display to stand out, grant greater literacy in Braille through greater access to electronic Braille books and other materials, and support the right of all blind people to have accessibility anywhere."
To add your support to this worthy cause, visit the petition web page at
http://www.petitiononline.com/brldis/petition.html
The Serotek Team
Beth Koenig
[email protected]
Director of Deaf Blind Services
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
2960 Main Street A100
Irvine, CA 92614
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/dbs
A petition has been started by George McDermith at http://www.petitiononline.com/brldis/petition.html asking Braille display manufacturers to base their drivers on the human interface protocol, found on all Windows computers. Such a design philosophy will ensure that users can be certain of having support for their Braille display on any computer, not just one which has been custom-configured for such access, and will eliminate the need to depend on specific screen reader drivers.
The text of the petition reads as follows:
"To: Braille display manufacturers
We, the undersigned, who are Braille display users, friends and family of Braille display users, and teachers of the blind,
*: Believe that accessibility to information for the blind on a par with their sighted piers is a right. Believe that due to this right, and due to the cost of Braille displays, accessing Braille through the use of Braille displays should not be limited by the type of screen reading solution used by the blind.
*: Strongly request that all manufacturers of Braille displays cease basing the drivers of their Braille displays off of particular screen reader drivers, but rather base all Braille display drivers off of the Human User Interface Protocol, which can be found on all Windows computers.
*: This will allow true portability and equal access to information for the blind, as they will be able to use their display with any computer. This will create greater competition in the market for the best Braille display to stand out, grant greater literacy in Braille through greater access to electronic Braille books and other materials, and support the right of all blind people to have accessibility anywhere."
To add your support to this worthy cause, visit the petition web page at
http://www.petitiononline.com/brldis/petition.html
The Serotek Team
Beth Koenig
[email protected]
Director of Deaf Blind Services
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
2960 Main Street A100
Irvine, CA 92614
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/dbs
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
We Have FREE Access To A Multipurpose Hall In Orange
We Have FREE Access To A Multipurpose Hall In Orange
We have free access to this hall in Orange, California not far from the Edison Field ( Los Angeles Angels Stadium ) for any events, meetings, dances, etc... Plenty of tables and chairs are available at the hall. Excellent for fundraisers.
We are willing to share the use of the hall with other deaf and disability organizations at no cost on the condition that we are announced in printed or electronic form, like website or email, that we (Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center) are sponsoring the event.
Let us know about your plans and we'll work it out and enjoy the pictures of the hall below.
Richard Roehm
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
We have free access to this hall in Orange, California not far from the Edison Field ( Los Angeles Angels Stadium ) for any events, meetings, dances, etc... Plenty of tables and chairs are available at the hall. Excellent for fundraisers.
We are willing to share the use of the hall with other deaf and disability organizations at no cost on the condition that we are announced in printed or electronic form, like website or email, that we (Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center) are sponsoring the event.
Let us know about your plans and we'll work it out and enjoy the pictures of the hall below.
Richard Roehm
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
A Word For Those Looking To Tap The Local Food Banks
Just so you know, a food bank is there to help you in a time of need. You have to provide documentation, ie. pay stubs, rent/mortgage paperwork, utility statements, etc. In addition, you must provide SS cards for everyone in the household that you would like to receive food for (minor children). The food bank is not perfect.
What you can expect:
-A long line of people, mostly who have been laid off recently and cannot buy groceries and basic needs for their families.
-As much stale bread as you can handle
-Rotten produce(ie. blackened bananas, extremely bruised apples, rotten grapes)
-expired canned products, not always, but most of the time!
So, if you are truly in need of food, you will go to a food bank. It is not meant to live off of. Most people would rather work (more than one job, if necessary) in order to make ends meet and buy their own food stuffs.
If you are in a desperate situation, you will do what you have to do, including getting food from a source that is, quite honestly, substandard! You do what you have to do.
Actually, it is much better to take your chances at the local markets with the sales, and quite possibly local farmers' markets if you are able to find them.
Please do not bash people who humble themselves to receive food when they are in dire need. Have you ever been in such a tough spot that old bread actually sounds good?
Probably not.
RichardTuesday, November 11, 2008
A Word For Those Looking To Tap The Local Food Banks
Just so you know, a food bank is there to help you in a time of need. You have to provide documentation, ie. pay stubs, rent/mortgage paperwork, utility statements, etc. In addition, you must provide SS cards for everyone in the household that you would like to receive food for (minor children). The food bank is not perfect.
What you can expect:
-A long line of people, mostly who have been laid off recently and cannot buy groceries and basic needs for their families.
-As much stale bread as you can handle
-Rotten produce(ie. blackened bananas, extremely bruised apples, rotten grapes)
-expired canned products, not always, but most of the time!
So, if you are truly in need of food, you will go to a food bank. It is not meant to live off of. Most people would rather work (more than one job, if necessary) in order to make ends meet and buy their own food stuffs.
If you are in a desperate situation, you will do what you have to do, including getting food from a source that is, quite honestly, substandard! You do what you have to do.
Actually, it is much better to take your chances at the local markets with the sales, and quite possibly local farmers' markets if you are able to find them.
Please do not bash people who humble themselves to receive food when they are in dire need. Have you ever been in such a tough spot that old bread actually sounds good?
Probably not.
Richard
What you can expect:
-A long line of people, mostly who have been laid off recently and cannot buy groceries and basic needs for their families.
-As much stale bread as you can handle
-Rotten produce(ie. blackened bananas, extremely bruised apples, rotten grapes)
-expired canned products, not always, but most of the time!
So, if you are truly in need of food, you will go to a food bank. It is not meant to live off of. Most people would rather work (more than one job, if necessary) in order to make ends meet and buy their own food stuffs.
If you are in a desperate situation, you will do what you have to do, including getting food from a source that is, quite honestly, substandard! You do what you have to do.
Actually, it is much better to take your chances at the local markets with the sales, and quite possibly local farmers' markets if you are able to find them.
Please do not bash people who humble themselves to receive food when they are in dire need. Have you ever been in such a tough spot that old bread actually sounds good?
Probably not.
Richard
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Good Riddance To Yahoo Live Chat
Good riddance to a medium thats been a beacon of advanced deaf cyberbullying.
Good riddance to a medium that advanced the scourge of ASL.
Good riddance to a medium that has borne the hatred of the old deaf guards!
Good bye Yahoo Live Chat and dont come back!
Richard Roehm
Good riddance to a medium that advanced the scourge of ASL.
Good riddance to a medium that has borne the hatred of the old deaf guards!
Good bye Yahoo Live Chat and dont come back!
Richard Roehm
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Good Riddance To Yahoo Live Chat
Good riddance to a medium thats been a beacon of advanced deaf cyberbullying.
Good riddance to a medium that advanced the scourge of ASL.
Good riddance to a medium that has borne the hatred of the old deaf guards!
Good bye Yahoo Live Chat and dont come back!
Richard Roehm
Good riddance to a medium that advanced the scourge of ASL.
Good riddance to a medium that has borne the hatred of the old deaf guards!
Good bye Yahoo Live Chat and dont come back!
Richard Roehm
Monday, November 03, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Jury Awards $400,000 to Deaf Patient for Denial of Interpreter Services
Here is an article I found in Law.com.
Woah! 400 grand! Thats a lot more than what's normally asked for in these types of cases and certainly a lot more than National Association of the Deaf (NAD)'s famous $10 grand settlement. It shows the deaf community wins bigger without NAD's involvement. Maybe it shows something is very wrong with NAD's methodology or leadership.
Richard
-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202425326286
A Hudson County jury's $400,000 verdict for a deaf patient whose doctor refused her an interpreter may be a wake-up call for all professionals -- including lawyers -- that they risk liability for disability discrimination.
Worse, malpractice liability insurance does not usually cover such liability, says plaintiff's attorney Clara Smit.
Smit's client, Irma Gerena, claimed she repeatedly asked Jersey City rheumatologist Robert Fogari to hire an American Sign Language interpreter. Fogari said that as a solo practitioner, he couldn't afford the estimated $150 to $200 per visit an interpreter would cost.
Fogari treated Gerena for lupus for about 20 visits, stretched out over 20 months. He would sometimes exchange written words with her civil union partner, Lourdes Torres, who had better written English skills, and he also communicated with Gerena through the couple's 9-year-old daughter.
But Gerena claimed that for the most part, she was deprived of the opportunity to participate in and understand her medical situation and the treatment Fogari provided, including the attendant risks and alternative approaches. She kept seeing Fogari because her primary care physician had referred her to him; she was not sure of the nature of her illness and fearful about her worsening symptoms; and she could not just pick up the phone and find another doctor.
Gerena allegedly tried to get Fogari to change his mind, giving him an interpreter's business card and having the interpreter call him to explain the law to him, all to no avail. She switched doctors after Fogari told her to go to someone else because of her repeated requests, says Smit, an East Brunswick solo.
The new doctor took her off steroid treatments, which were causing her face to swell. Gerena claimed she had not realized the swelling was a side effect of the medicine rather than a symptom of the illness, says Smit.
Gerena sued Fogari under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act, which applies to recipients of federal funding, including hospitals and doctors whose patients are covered by Medicare and Medicaid. She also sued under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination.
During a three-week trial before Superior Court Judge Mary Costello, Fogari argued it would have been an undue hardship to pay an interpreter when he was being reimbursed only $49 per visit by Gerena's insurer, but his tax returns showed he earned over $400,000 a year, says Smit.
On Oct. 9, the jury found Fogari violated the law by failing to provide Gerena an interpreter and by retaliating against her for requesting one. Half of the $400,000 verdict was for punitive damages.
Smit says the award is a national record for such a case in the nation. She also says Fogari's malpractice carrier did not defend the case and will not cover the liability because quality of care was not at issue.
Neither Fogari nor his lawyer, Antranig Aslanian of Aslanian & Khorozian in Fort Lee, returned a call for comment.
The leading New Jersey case on the issue is a published Appellate Division decision from 2001, Borngesser v. Jersey Shore Medical Center, 340 N.J. Super. 369, which eschewed a per se rule in favor of a fact-sensitive inquiry. The court differentiated between critical points, when a hospital or doctor must provide "auxiliary aids and services," such as interpreters, video test displays or note takers, to enable "effective communication," and routine care, like a blood-pressure reading, when they might not be needed. Critical points include taking a patient's medical history, explaining a course of treatment and obtaining informed consent. Smit represented the Borngesser plaintiffs.
The defense lawyer in Borngesser, Michael McGann of Ronan Tuzzio & Giannone in Tinton Falls, says "the law does not require a sign language interpreter every time, just reasonable accommodation for the hearing impaired."
How Borngesser translates to lawyer-client interactions is uncertain in the absence of case law.
The Justice Department went after at least one lawyer who failed to provide a deaf client with an interpreter based on a complaint filed by the National Association of the Deaf, on behalf of the client, Carolyn Tanaka.
Joseph David Camacho, of Albuquerque, N.M., was accused of refusing to provide an interpreter to communicate with Tanaka on a lawsuit he was handling for her. Ironically, the suit was against a hospital for failing to provide an interpreter for Tanaka during the admission of her 9-year-old son. Camacho allegedly withdrew from the case, leaving Tanaka without counsel, which led to dismissal of the action for failure to respond to discovery.
Camacho claimed he was able to communicate effectively with Tanaka by written notes, e-mail and telephone relays and through the interpretation provided by her son.
He settled with the department on Aug, 9, 2007, agreeing he would pay Tanaka $1,000 in damages and his office would adopt a policy of providing interpreters.
Woah! 400 grand! Thats a lot more than what's normally asked for in these types of cases and certainly a lot more than National Association of the Deaf (NAD)'s famous $10 grand settlement. It shows the deaf community wins bigger without NAD's involvement. Maybe it shows something is very wrong with NAD's methodology or leadership.
Richard
-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202425326286
A Hudson County jury's $400,000 verdict for a deaf patient whose doctor refused her an interpreter may be a wake-up call for all professionals -- including lawyers -- that they risk liability for disability discrimination.
Worse, malpractice liability insurance does not usually cover such liability, says plaintiff's attorney Clara Smit.
Smit's client, Irma Gerena, claimed she repeatedly asked Jersey City rheumatologist Robert Fogari to hire an American Sign Language interpreter. Fogari said that as a solo practitioner, he couldn't afford the estimated $150 to $200 per visit an interpreter would cost.
Fogari treated Gerena for lupus for about 20 visits, stretched out over 20 months. He would sometimes exchange written words with her civil union partner, Lourdes Torres, who had better written English skills, and he also communicated with Gerena through the couple's 9-year-old daughter.
But Gerena claimed that for the most part, she was deprived of the opportunity to participate in and understand her medical situation and the treatment Fogari provided, including the attendant risks and alternative approaches. She kept seeing Fogari because her primary care physician had referred her to him; she was not sure of the nature of her illness and fearful about her worsening symptoms; and she could not just pick up the phone and find another doctor.
Gerena allegedly tried to get Fogari to change his mind, giving him an interpreter's business card and having the interpreter call him to explain the law to him, all to no avail. She switched doctors after Fogari told her to go to someone else because of her repeated requests, says Smit, an East Brunswick solo.
The new doctor took her off steroid treatments, which were causing her face to swell. Gerena claimed she had not realized the swelling was a side effect of the medicine rather than a symptom of the illness, says Smit.
Gerena sued Fogari under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and Rehabilitation Act, which applies to recipients of federal funding, including hospitals and doctors whose patients are covered by Medicare and Medicaid. She also sued under New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination.
During a three-week trial before Superior Court Judge Mary Costello, Fogari argued it would have been an undue hardship to pay an interpreter when he was being reimbursed only $49 per visit by Gerena's insurer, but his tax returns showed he earned over $400,000 a year, says Smit.
On Oct. 9, the jury found Fogari violated the law by failing to provide Gerena an interpreter and by retaliating against her for requesting one. Half of the $400,000 verdict was for punitive damages.
Smit says the award is a national record for such a case in the nation. She also says Fogari's malpractice carrier did not defend the case and will not cover the liability because quality of care was not at issue.
Neither Fogari nor his lawyer, Antranig Aslanian of Aslanian & Khorozian in Fort Lee, returned a call for comment.
The leading New Jersey case on the issue is a published Appellate Division decision from 2001, Borngesser v. Jersey Shore Medical Center, 340 N.J. Super. 369, which eschewed a per se rule in favor of a fact-sensitive inquiry. The court differentiated between critical points, when a hospital or doctor must provide "auxiliary aids and services," such as interpreters, video test displays or note takers, to enable "effective communication," and routine care, like a blood-pressure reading, when they might not be needed. Critical points include taking a patient's medical history, explaining a course of treatment and obtaining informed consent. Smit represented the Borngesser plaintiffs.
The defense lawyer in Borngesser, Michael McGann of Ronan Tuzzio & Giannone in Tinton Falls, says "the law does not require a sign language interpreter every time, just reasonable accommodation for the hearing impaired."
How Borngesser translates to lawyer-client interactions is uncertain in the absence of case law.
The Justice Department went after at least one lawyer who failed to provide a deaf client with an interpreter based on a complaint filed by the National Association of the Deaf, on behalf of the client, Carolyn Tanaka.
Joseph David Camacho, of Albuquerque, N.M., was accused of refusing to provide an interpreter to communicate with Tanaka on a lawsuit he was handling for her. Ironically, the suit was against a hospital for failing to provide an interpreter for Tanaka during the admission of her 9-year-old son. Camacho allegedly withdrew from the case, leaving Tanaka without counsel, which led to dismissal of the action for failure to respond to discovery.
Camacho claimed he was able to communicate effectively with Tanaka by written notes, e-mail and telephone relays and through the interpretation provided by her son.
He settled with the department on Aug, 9, 2007, agreeing he would pay Tanaka $1,000 in damages and his office would adopt a policy of providing interpreters.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
As We Reflect Upon Ourselves, Lets Stop And Think Of The Less Fortunate Hearing Impaired And Disabled Folks.
At this time of the year, as we reflect upon our own lives, lets stop and think about the other hearing impaired and disabled around us who are less fortunate. Some of our friends like these cannot afford to feed their families. Some of them live in cars, in parks, or in alleys. For a few, its by choice, for most it's by chance.
This shopping list will be a good holiday basket to a family of 4.
- 3 cans meat (6.5 oz, tuna, pork, chicken, or beef)
- 3 cans vegetables (15 oz.)
- 3 cans fruit (16 oz)
- 3 cans soup (11 oz.)
- 3 boxes of macaroni and cheese
- 2 boxes of dry soup
- 2 boxes of hot cereal
- 2 lbs. dry beans
- 2 lbs rice
- 2 boxes powdered milk (2 qt.)
- 2 cans of evaporated milk
- 2 boxes crackers
- 1 jar peanut butter (18 oz.)
Optional items: dish detergent, toothpaste, soap bars.
Also add : Information on local food banks, food assistance programs, and local soup kitchens.
Also if you wish, you can add other food items to spice up the holiday basket with items like spices, ethnic foods, and cultural foods. I get messages each year that my shopping list is either boring, flavorless, and short-sighted.
So please, if you can afford it, grab some extra groceries for a hearing impaired and disabled's family. An ideal holiday gift to a needy family like these would be groceries that lasts a few days. Contact your local hearing loss/disability association for information on connecting to a needy family in your area.
Compassionately Yours,
Richard Roehm & State Senator Lou Correa
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Nothing Wrong With Deaf People Wanting To Hear
This is rather a graphic video of a lady who just faced the ugly wrath, disrespect, and the scourge of the ASL extremists in the deafvideotv website. The only thing she did was get a cochlear implant.
My heart goes to her and my respect goes to her too for wanting to hear and for getting the cochlear implant. The video above is her response to the ugly colors of the ASL extremists who dont want deaf people to hear.
Not long afterwards she made another video of her intent to leave deafvideotv.
I dont blame her for making that video blog too. In fact I encourage her and other people to leave deafvideotv because its a dark coven of ASL extremists. And time and evolution is doing it's best to get rid of them for us.
And for this lady, she has my respect and she's a blue ribbon vlogger at the Hearing For Life Foundation website.
She's one of my heroes!
Richard
My heart goes to her and my respect goes to her too for wanting to hear and for getting the cochlear implant. The video above is her response to the ugly colors of the ASL extremists who dont want deaf people to hear.
Not long afterwards she made another video of her intent to leave deafvideotv.
I dont blame her for making that video blog too. In fact I encourage her and other people to leave deafvideotv because its a dark coven of ASL extremists. And time and evolution is doing it's best to get rid of them for us.
And for this lady, she has my respect and she's a blue ribbon vlogger at the Hearing For Life Foundation website.
She's one of my heroes!
Richard
Friday, October 10, 2008
Nothing Wrong With Deaf People Wanting To Hear
This is rather a graphic video of a lady who just faced the ugly wrath, disrespect, and the scourge of the ASL extremists in the deafvideotv website. The only thing she did was get a cochlear implant.
Since it's not captioned, I can only show the link to it http://seesmic.com/v/J2v7y2WZBp
My heart goes to her and my respect goes to her too for wanting to hear and for getting the cochlear implant. The video above is her response to the ugly colors of the ASL extremists who dont want deaf people to hear.
Not long afterwards she made another video of her intent to leave deafvideotv.
Since it's not captioned too, I can only show the link to it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHy-llGEiS8
I dont blame her for making that video blog too. In fact I encourage her and other people to leave deafvideotv because its a dark coven of ASL extremists. And time and evolution is doing it's best to get rid of them for us.
And for this lady, she has my respect and she's a blue ribbon vlogger at the Hearing For Life Foundation website.
She's one of my heroes!
Richard
Click here if you wish to see the blog post with the videos embedded.
Since it's not captioned, I can only show the link to it http://seesmic.com/v/J2v7y2WZBp
My heart goes to her and my respect goes to her too for wanting to hear and for getting the cochlear implant. The video above is her response to the ugly colors of the ASL extremists who dont want deaf people to hear.
Not long afterwards she made another video of her intent to leave deafvideotv.
Since it's not captioned too, I can only show the link to it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHy-llGEiS8
I dont blame her for making that video blog too. In fact I encourage her and other people to leave deafvideotv because its a dark coven of ASL extremists. And time and evolution is doing it's best to get rid of them for us.
And for this lady, she has my respect and she's a blue ribbon vlogger at the Hearing For Life Foundation website.
She's one of my heroes!
Richard
Click here if you wish to see the blog post with the videos embedded.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Low Vision Sign Tracking Explained
Low Vision Sign Tracking Explained
By Beth Koenig
Director Deaf-Blind Services
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
By Beth Koenig
Director Deaf-Blind Services
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
Sign tracking, which is an off shoot of tactile signing, has the receiver gently holding the signer's wrists to follow general arm and hand movement. In this way, the receiver is able to get the location, position, and movements of a particular sign. This then allows the eyes to focus on the handshape formed for a sign, and switch back and forth between handshapes and facial expressions when "listening". It also allows the person to receive signs in a more relaxed manner as they always know where the signer's wrist and hands are located thus eliminating the need to exert one's visual energy in tracking or searching out such information.
This technique also allows the receiver to send subtle cues when signing goes out of their visual field. Cues can also be transmitted to the signer such as slow down, repeat, agreement ("yes", "yeah"), pause or hold, or move to better lighting (visual field).
It should be noted that in the deaf-blind world, such use of technique means "yes, I am paying attention and focused on what you are saying". Letting go of one wrist but holding the other tighter can signal "hold, I need to do something", losing grip and moving one hand under the signers hand signals that the receiver would like to say something.
All of this seems to be learned and applied naturally by the two people conversing over the course of the conversation. Simple physics and practical studies can further the understanding of this technique.
Low Vision Sign Tracking Explained
Low Vision Sign Tracking Explained
By Beth Koenig
Director Deaf-Blind Services
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
By Beth Koenig
Director Deaf-Blind Services
Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
Sign tracking, which is an off shoot of tactile signing, has the receiver gently holding the signer's wrists to follow general arm and hand movement. In this way, the receiver is able to get the location, position, and movements of a particular sign. This then allows the eyes to focus on the handshape formed for a sign, and switch back and forth between handshapes and facial expressions when "listening". It also allows the person to receive signs in a more relaxed manner as they always know where the signer's wrist and hands are located thus eliminating the need to exert one's visual energy in tracking or searching out such information.
This technique also allows the receiver to send subtle cues when signing goes out of their visual field. Cues can also be transmitted to the signer such as slow down, repeat, agreement ("yes", "yeah"), pause or hold, or move to better lighting (visual field).
It should be noted that in the deaf-blind world, such use of technique means "yes, I am paying attention and focused on what you are saying". Letting go of one wrist but holding the other tighter can signal "hold, I need to do something", losing grip and moving one hand under the signers hand signals that the receiver would like to say something.
All of this seems to be learned and applied naturally by the two people conversing over the course of the conversation. Simple physics and practical studies can further the understanding of this technique.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Community Carnival Food Stands - Fundraiser or Pissing Contest?
To begin this with, I been involved in hundreds of foodstand fundraisers. But there's one event that stands above it all.
The Tustin Tiller Days stands tall above the others.
This one has a reputation system that places organizations having the best type or fanciest looking BBQ systems on top of the others. Basically its become a more of a pissing contest among the organizations than a fundraising event.
Mine is a respectable model noted for it's efficiency , safety, and ease of use. Thanks to a donation last week by one of our long time sponsors to replace the one that got stolen. We got a brand new char-broil.com BBQ. This event marks the first ever 100% fully sponsored foodstand event. We were hit up with hundreds of dollars in purchasing cards from a dozen supermarkets and wholesalers.
So Saturday afternoon comes then 'judgment period' when people walk in the back areas and gawk at the new and fancy BBQs out there. And some are wealthy guys and they're compassionate and sometimes make donations if they like your BBQ arrangement. We were hit up 4 yrs ago with a nice $250 donation cause of it. We were treated with extra hands in teardown. And a guaranteed invite back in the following year.
Keep our fingers crossed at the Tustin Tiller Days event for a good fundraise and we have lots of hearing impaired help here.
Based on the excellent preparation results so far, I feel I'm a winner in the 'pissing contest' not because of our new BBQ, because I was able to get our organization's participation in this event fully funded by corporations.
Richard Roehm
The Tustin Tiller Days stands tall above the others.
This one has a reputation system that places organizations having the best type or fanciest looking BBQ systems on top of the others. Basically its become a more of a pissing contest among the organizations than a fundraising event.
Mine is a respectable model noted for it's efficiency , safety, and ease of use. Thanks to a donation last week by one of our long time sponsors to replace the one that got stolen. We got a brand new char-broil.com BBQ. This event marks the first ever 100% fully sponsored foodstand event. We were hit up with hundreds of dollars in purchasing cards from a dozen supermarkets and wholesalers.
So Saturday afternoon comes then 'judgment period' when people walk in the back areas and gawk at the new and fancy BBQs out there. And some are wealthy guys and they're compassionate and sometimes make donations if they like your BBQ arrangement. We were hit up 4 yrs ago with a nice $250 donation cause of it. We were treated with extra hands in teardown. And a guaranteed invite back in the following year.
Keep our fingers crossed at the Tustin Tiller Days event for a good fundraise and we have lots of hearing impaired help here.
Based on the excellent preparation results so far, I feel I'm a winner in the 'pissing contest' not because of our new BBQ, because I was able to get our organization's participation in this event fully funded by corporations.
Richard Roehm
Community Carnival Food Stands - Fundraiser or Pissing Contest?
To begin, I been involved in hundreds of foodstand fund raisers. But there's one event that stands above it all.
The Tustin Tiller Days Carnival stands tall above the others. It happens in October every year.
This one has a reputation system that places organizations having the best type or fanciest looking BBQ systems on top of the others. Basically its become a more of a pissing contest among the organizations than a fundraising event.
Mine is a respectable model noted for it's efficiency , safety, and ease of use. Thanks to a donation last week by one of our long time sponsors to replace the one that got stolen. We got a brand new char-broil.com BBQ. This event marks the first ever 100% fully sponsored foodstand event. We were hit up with hundreds of dollars in purchasing cards from a dozen supermarkets and wholesalers. Our office manager Rex gets the credit for making it a complete success on the preparation.
So Saturday afternoon comes then 'judgment period' when people walk in the back areas and gawk at the new and fancy BBQs out there. And some are wealthy guys and they're compassionate and sometimes make donations if they like your BBQ arrangement. We were hit up 4 yrs ago with a nice $250 donation cause of it. We were treated with extra hands in teardown. And a guaranteed invite back in the following year.
Keep our fingers crossed at the Tustin Tiller Days event for a good fundraise and we have lots of hearing impaired help here. We've always brought back thousands of dollars each time.
Based on the excellent preparation results so far, I feel I'm a winner in the 'pissing contest' not because of my new BBQ, because I was able to get this event fully funded by corporations this year.
Richard
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Helping Deaf Blind Succeed In Life
Helping Deaf Blind Succeed In Life
We're showing the way to these deaf blind people they can succeed selling their artwork over the internet.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230291816792 .
We are giving them a good shot at success in life.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469909 .
We are offering them hope.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469092 .
We are building their confidence.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271468319 .
We are leveling the playing field for the deaf blind community.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230291816323
We are giving them the opportunities to succeed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469688 .
We are building the foundations of their independence.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= 230291816442
We are leading the deaf blind community toward success.
Richard
We're showing the way to these deaf blind people they can succeed selling their artwork over the internet.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230291816792 .
We are giving them a good shot at success in life.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469909 .
We are offering them hope.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469092 .
We are building their confidence.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271468319 .
We are leveling the playing field for the deaf blind community.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230291816323
We are giving them the opportunities to succeed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469688 .
We are building the foundations of their independence.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= 230291816442
We are leading the deaf blind community toward success.
Richard
Monday, September 15, 2008
Helping Deaf Blind Succeed In Life
Helping Deaf Blind Succeed In Life
We're showing the way to these deaf blind people they can succeed selling their artwork over the internet.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230291816792
We are giving them a good shot at success in life.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469909
We are offering them hope.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469092
We are building their confidence.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271468319
We are leveling the playing field for the deaf blind community.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230291816323
We are giving them the opportunities to succeed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469688
We are building the foundations of their independence.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= 230291816442
We are leading the deaf blind community toward success.
Richard
We're showing the way to these deaf blind people they can succeed selling their artwork over the internet.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230291816792
We are giving them a good shot at success in life.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469909
We are offering them hope.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469092
We are building their confidence.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271468319
We are leveling the playing field for the deaf blind community.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230291816323
We are giving them the opportunities to succeed.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330271469688
We are building the foundations of their independence.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= 230291816442
We are leading the deaf blind community toward success.
Richard
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Daniels Fund grants $100,000 to UNC project for deaf children
Two professors at the University of Northern Colorado were awarded a $100,000 grant from the Daniels Fund to create an on-campus clinic that will provide care and support for children who are deaf and their families, according to a press release from UNC.
The clinic will be overseen by Julie Hanks and Tina Stoody in UNC’s College of Natural and Health Sciences. The clinic will focus on children with cochlear implants, surgically-placed devices that enable sounds to be heard.
Hanks and Stoody co-teach courses in aural rehabilitation and cochlear implants.
According to the release, Stoody worked with children and adults with cochlear implants during her graduate training at Washington University in St. Louis. Hanks has been a certified speech-language pathologist for more than 20 years. Her areas of professional study include cochlear implants, speech production of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and evidence-based practice and clinical methods.
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20080903/NEWS/809039966/1051/MISC05&parentprofile=-1
The clinic will be overseen by Julie Hanks and Tina Stoody in UNC’s College of Natural and Health Sciences. The clinic will focus on children with cochlear implants, surgically-placed devices that enable sounds to be heard.
Hanks and Stoody co-teach courses in aural rehabilitation and cochlear implants.
According to the release, Stoody worked with children and adults with cochlear implants during her graduate training at Washington University in St. Louis. Hanks has been a certified speech-language pathologist for more than 20 years. Her areas of professional study include cochlear implants, speech production of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and evidence-based practice and clinical methods.
http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20080903/NEWS/809039966/1051/MISC05&parentprofile=-1
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Social Worker Burnout
Yesterday I travelled with one of our social workers to Los Angeles, California to handle a very tough client. The apartment management had complained the client was non-cooperative in signing the additional apartment agreements. Upon arriving we tried to get the situation resolved. The client was a middle aged CI oral deaf lady who refused to agree to the apartment terms. After 3 hrs the apartment manager took me out to dinner. When we returned, we found the social worker crying on the sofa in the meet room.
Burnout. I took over and administered some 'shock therapy' to get her to sign the agreements. She became combative. We decided to be more firm, 'no agreement, you move out next week, period, and no more help from us', and remained that way for the next 2 hrs. The client finally caved in and signed the papers.
I saw all this beforehand when the client first came into our office. She was being kicked out of her old apt because of similar issues. I could say, I knew that she'd be an un-cooperative client and told the social worker to phase her out immediately. The social worker is soft and she decided to take her in and help her under my objections. She found her a new place under our low income housing partner line-up and moved her into there last week. This went on until yesterday when we had to deal with her combativeness with the property management over the rental agreement.
I know social workers have a high burnout rate and there are rules to follow to prevent future burnouts and preserve their ability to help more people later on.
I have no problems with social workers phasing out their clients the moment they become either non-cooperative or verbally combative. This happens to approximately 15% of the clientile.
It's a rule I normally follow and suggest other social workers follow as well.
We give them free help and they need to respect that, else, we show them the door.
Most clients are cooperative to our help in getting their issues resolved.
We don't need to let our clients mess up our sanity, our stamina, our personal health, and our ability to help others in the future.
Richard
Burnout. I took over and administered some 'shock therapy' to get her to sign the agreements. She became combative. We decided to be more firm, 'no agreement, you move out next week, period, and no more help from us', and remained that way for the next 2 hrs. The client finally caved in and signed the papers.
I saw all this beforehand when the client first came into our office. She was being kicked out of her old apt because of similar issues. I could say, I knew that she'd be an un-cooperative client and told the social worker to phase her out immediately. The social worker is soft and she decided to take her in and help her under my objections. She found her a new place under our low income housing partner line-up and moved her into there last week. This went on until yesterday when we had to deal with her combativeness with the property management over the rental agreement.
I know social workers have a high burnout rate and there are rules to follow to prevent future burnouts and preserve their ability to help more people later on.
I have no problems with social workers phasing out their clients the moment they become either non-cooperative or verbally combative. This happens to approximately 15% of the clientile.
It's a rule I normally follow and suggest other social workers follow as well.
We give them free help and they need to respect that, else, we show them the door.
Most clients are cooperative to our help in getting their issues resolved.
We don't need to let our clients mess up our sanity, our stamina, our personal health, and our ability to help others in the future.
Richard
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
My Presentations At An Oral Deaf School
A little while ago, Mohammed and I taught safety awareness at the San Marino School Hard of Hearing program. Its a school that places strong emphasis on oral deaf education. Through these small presentations, the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center has made life safer for these young deaf children.
[gallery]
[gallery]
TDD In Santa Ana Transportation Center
I managed to get a TDD at a major transportation depot in Santa Ana, California. This hub handles rail, buses, and shuttles.
They had 18 pay phones many in booths of 4's.
It took me 3 months to get this accomplished whereas a sign language based organization had been trying for 2 years to accomplish the same thing.
They had 18 pay phones many in booths of 4's.
It took me 3 months to get this accomplished whereas a sign language based organization had been trying for 2 years to accomplish the same thing.
Saturday, August 09, 2008
DEAF DOOMSDAY CLOCK
DEAF DOOMSDAY CLOCK
Most of us already know what the doomsday clock means. For those who havent heard of it should consult http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Clock for more information.
How about one for the deaf world? Deafness wipe out begins at midnight. The handle position on the clock shows how close we are to effecting a wipe out of the deafness condition globally.
As of today, the deaf doomsday clock is set at 4 minutes. What factors are used in determining the position of the handle on the clock?
MEDICAL OCCURRENCE - This factor relates to babies developing into deaf people. With the high incidence of Rubella outbreaks and the high occurrence of birth defects in the past, creating a higher population of deaf people back then, had pushed the clock back. Now with medical and ototoxic knowledge, vaccinations against rubella, genetic counseling, and preventive prenatal activities, is pushing the handle closer to midnight.
TECHNOLOGY - With the advent of technology that mitigates deafness such as cochlear implants, it pushes the handle toward midnight. When the Food Drug Administration opened investigation into one of the makers of the cochlear implants, it pushed the handle back a little bit just as bacterial meningitis would do. Stem cells entering the clinical trials phase could push the handle far closer to midnight. Ipods and the growing hearing loss epidemic from noise related causes are pushing the handle backwards.
ATTITUDES TO THOSE WITHIN THE DEAF COMMUNITY - Deaf community's attitudes toward to those within their community is a critical factor. Things that'll push the handle closer to midnight are actions like getting Jane K. Fernandes ousted from Gallaudet University. Deafhood cult hijacking many aspects of deaf community and their organizations would push the handle closer to midnight because deafhood has so far been a constant source of internal instability and scourge since the past decades. Only open armed leadership from people like Fred Schreiber would do a lot to push the handle back. Another brilliant example that pushes the handle closer to midnight would be deaf websites, particularly Deafread.com and Deafvideo.tv, end up banning deaf leaders for various, yet stupid, reasons.
ATTITUDES TO THOSE OUTSIDE THE DEAF COMMUNITY - Coexistence is a critical factor in determining the handle position on the clock. The deaf community's relationship with the hearing counterparts plays a strong role. If there is peaceful non-confrontational coexistence between deaf and hearing people, the handle will be pushed back. Things such as excluding hearing people from participating in social events like in the case whereas sign language students are being ignored by the deaf community like at The Block At Orange would push the handle closer to midnight. If we show the good side of being deaf to the world, then people will want to keep us in existence. However if the media continues to report the deaf community in some sort of a war with the hearing community through various forms of litigations and actions, the hearing people will be pushed to mitigating the deafness occurrence and the handle will be pushed closer to midnight.
So it's all up to you, the deaf community, to determine your fate, your future, and the handle position on the deaf doomsday clock.
Richard Roehm
Friday, August 08, 2008
DEAF DOOMSDAY CLOCK
DEAF DOOMSDAY CLOCK
Most of us already know what the doomsday clock means. For those who havent heard of it should consult http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Clock for more information.
How about one for the deaf world? Deafness wipe out begins at midnight. The handle position on the clock shows how close we are to effecting a wipe out of the deafness condition globally.
As of today, the deaf doomsday clock is set at 4 minutes. What factors are used in determining the position of the handle on the clock?
MEDICAL OCCURRENCE - This factor relates to babies developing into deaf people. With the high incidence of Rubella outbreaks and the high occurrence of birth defects in the past, creating a higher population of deaf people back then, had pushed the clock back. Now with medical and ototoxic knowledge, vaccinations against rubella, genetic counseling, and preventive prenatal activities, is pushing the handle closer to midnight.
TECHNOLOGY - With the advent of technology that mitigates deafness such as cochlear implants, it pushes the handle toward midnight. When the Food Drug Administration opened investigation into one of the makers of the cochlear implants, it pushed the handle back a little bit just as bacterial meningitis would do. Stem cells entering the clinical trials phase could push the handle far closer to midnight. Ipods and the growing hearing loss epidemic from noise related causes are pushing the handle backwards.
ATTITUDES TO THOSE WITHIN THE DEAF COMMUNITY - Deaf community's attitudes toward to those within their community is a critical factor. Things that'll push the handle closer to midnight are actions like getting Jane K. Fernandes ousted from Gallaudet University. Deafhood cult hijacking many aspects of deaf community and their organizations would push the handle closer to midnight because deafhood has so far been a constant source of internal instability and scourge since the past decades. Only open armed leadership from people like Fred Schreiber would do a lot to push the handle back. Another brilliant example that pushes the handle closer to midnight would be deaf websites, particularly Deafread.com and Deafvideo.tv, end up banning deaf leaders for various, yet stupid, reasons.
ATTITUDES TO THOSE OUTSIDE THE DEAF COMMUNITY - Coexistence is a critical factor in determining the handle position on the clock. The deaf community's relationship with the hearing counterparts plays a strong role. If there is peaceful non-confrontational coexistence between deaf and hearing people, the handle will be pushed back. Things such as excluding hearing people from participating in social events like in the case whereas sign language students are being ignored by the deaf community like at The Block At Orange would push the handle closer to midnight. If we show the good side of being deaf to the world, then people will want to keep us in existence. However if the media continues to report the deaf community in some sort of a war with the hearing community through various forms of litigations and actions, the hearing people will be pushed to mitigating the deafness occurrence and the handle will be pushed closer to midnight.
So it's all up to you, the deaf community, to determine your fate, your future, and the handle position on the deaf doomsday clock.
Richard Roehm
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Gold Tidbits Here And There
Alas! The OC Fair is finally over. It was a grueling 3 week long outreach program. The results are just grand!
We've been able to forge supply agreements with the makers of these 2 items below at the fair.
Yes we had a good handful of hearing impaired people working and selling stuff there.
Our safety coloring books were a hit there! We passed out 40,000 copies of our safety booklet that includes these 2 images below.
And we got ourselves a 3rd house for our housing program. We got invited to dozens of presentations. We got a handful of vendors for our AT Expo next year.
Finally, I gathered up a lot of elements to put a story together and thats the story behind the bleeding logo you see below. You will find it soon!
We really had a great time in the island of sanity.
Richard
We've been able to forge supply agreements with the makers of these 2 items below at the fair.
Yes we had a good handful of hearing impaired people working and selling stuff there.
Our safety coloring books were a hit there! We passed out 40,000 copies of our safety booklet that includes these 2 images below.
And we got ourselves a 3rd house for our housing program. We got invited to dozens of presentations. We got a handful of vendors for our AT Expo next year.
Finally, I gathered up a lot of elements to put a story together and thats the story behind the bleeding logo you see below. You will find it soon!
We really had a great time in the island of sanity.
Richard
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Jack Barr And His Followers Are Making A Lot Of Smoke Now
They're smoking up the air to cover up the fact that Jack made a hate video blog. He removed it too late, I've been able to archive the video and I'll be presenting the vlog in presentations and places where no one can smoke up the air.
To be wailing about oral school abuse is a classic cop out. Oral schools of the past, of course were pioneering schools, they had to correct the mistakes that happened and thats in the past. Today's oral deaf schools are nothing close to what the so called 'oral survivors' are wailing about.
This even also goes a very long to say the ASL community would rather stick to the past than move on forward into the future. That's a message from the deaf community that'll stick in the working ears like wax.
Richard
To be wailing about oral school abuse is a classic cop out. Oral schools of the past, of course were pioneering schools, they had to correct the mistakes that happened and thats in the past. Today's oral deaf schools are nothing close to what the so called 'oral survivors' are wailing about.
This even also goes a very long to say the ASL community would rather stick to the past than move on forward into the future. That's a message from the deaf community that'll stick in the working ears like wax.
Richard
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Jack Barr's Latest Videoblog Brings DBC Down To The Levels Of Hate Groups
There has been a lot of bloggng and videoblogging over Jack Barr's recent videoblog.
My take on this is Jack Barr has opened the door and the process of getting DBC identified as a hate group. His video blog clearly shows the ASL community’s never ending yearning to pick, using the most brutal methods available to them, on people who’ve made themselves free and independent from the claws of ASL.
The hearing folks are going to get this very understanding of DBC’s quest for using violence as a message. And they’re going to be pushing to get DBC identified as a hate and maybe as a terrorist group later on.
Richard Roehm
My take on this is Jack Barr has opened the door and the process of getting DBC identified as a hate group. His video blog clearly shows the ASL community’s never ending yearning to pick, using the most brutal methods available to them, on people who’ve made themselves free and independent from the claws of ASL.
The hearing folks are going to get this very understanding of DBC’s quest for using violence as a message. And they’re going to be pushing to get DBC identified as a hate and maybe as a terrorist group later on.
Richard Roehm
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The ASL-Illiteracy Aftershock!
We Southlanders been rattled big time this morning with the subterranean rumbler below Chino Hills.
But, by the afternoon has passed, I get a lot of communications from deaf people. This wasn't about the quake, it was about the coffee settlement, big enough to picture an interesting aftershock.
Last February I published on my other blog about an opportunity to participate in the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf settlement.
You can see that at http://www.deafadvocacy.org/blog/2008/02/for-those-who-attended-our-deaf-asl.html
A good number of people got the forms from us.
Today we got checks in the mail almost $2,000 each.
I contacted people we gave the forms out to see if they got their checks.
The thing I find interesting that most people who grew up in American Sign Language (ASL) didn't get the checks, instead they got a letter 3 months ago from the consultant stating their form was incomplete. Did they understand that? NO. They're still waiting for their checks. They're not getting them because they didn't fix their forms because they didn't understand the letter they got. The deadline to fix their forms has passed and they never got to understand that too. This clearly synonymizes ASL with illiteracy. The forms were in simple 2nd-3rd grade level.
The others who didn't grow up in an ASL only environment got their checks today. They're happy and thankful for my assistance.
From this I can tell theres a big difference between those who got the checks and those who didn't and that difference is ASL itself.
This is one of the biggest frustrations faced by people who grew up in an ASL only environment, and one of the heartbreaking disappointments faced by people trying to help them, like myself.
The solution is to become literate and I honestly believe that ASL clearly stands in the way.
Richard Roehm
But, by the afternoon has passed, I get a lot of communications from deaf people. This wasn't about the quake, it was about the coffee settlement, big enough to picture an interesting aftershock.
Last February I published on my other blog about an opportunity to participate in the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf settlement.
You can see that at http://www.deafadvocacy.org/blog/2008/02/for-those-who-attended-our-deaf-asl.html
A good number of people got the forms from us.
Today we got checks in the mail almost $2,000 each.
I contacted people we gave the forms out to see if they got their checks.
The thing I find interesting that most people who grew up in American Sign Language (ASL) didn't get the checks, instead they got a letter 3 months ago from the consultant stating their form was incomplete. Did they understand that? NO. They're still waiting for their checks. They're not getting them because they didn't fix their forms because they didn't understand the letter they got. The deadline to fix their forms has passed and they never got to understand that too. This clearly synonymizes ASL with illiteracy. The forms were in simple 2nd-3rd grade level.
The others who didn't grow up in an ASL only environment got their checks today. They're happy and thankful for my assistance.
From this I can tell theres a big difference between those who got the checks and those who didn't and that difference is ASL itself.
This is one of the biggest frustrations faced by people who grew up in an ASL only environment, and one of the heartbreaking disappointments faced by people trying to help them, like myself.
The solution is to become literate and I honestly believe that ASL clearly stands in the way.
Richard Roehm
Friday, July 25, 2008
Deafread Guideline Changes A 'Lil Bandiaid
Deafread's guideline changes amounts to a tiny bandiad trying to cover a huge wound.
Deafread needs to set up a system that prevents them from being misled, or tricked, by deaf bullies ganging up on someone to get banned and deafread istself from being tricked into functioning as a harrassment tool against a blogger.
We have seen deafread being tricked by bullies in to banning people and we have seen deafread be used as a harassment tool against bloggers.
These require a real big bandaid and the bandaid deafread is proudly showing of is too tiny to cover a big wound.
Richard
Deafread needs to set up a system that prevents them from being misled, or tricked, by deaf bullies ganging up on someone to get banned and deafread istself from being tricked into functioning as a harrassment tool against a blogger.
We have seen deafread being tricked by bullies in to banning people and we have seen deafread be used as a harassment tool against bloggers.
These require a real big bandaid and the bandaid deafread is proudly showing of is too tiny to cover a big wound.
Richard
Monday, July 21, 2008
Island Of Sanity In a Deaf Sea Of Chaos
Yeah I hate to break my silence, in fact I've been video blogging our booth at the county fair for a while.
Whats been spinning around deafhood is noted. The confusion, the white flags popping up from notable deafhood bloggers lends credence to the theory that the ASL minority prefers to chew down their leaders and messengers than develop constructive discussion of the issues they present. With me being banned from deafread for a while, they cant point the finger at me any more. Instead they point it at others and this started the domino effect. Soon almost all deaf blogging leaders were under attack.
This has caused notable bloggers and video blogers, most notably the deafhoodists, to leave the deafread site.
You cant find inclusion at deafread, you cant find constructive dialogue and teamwork there either. The deafread leadership clearly makes the definition the word dysfunctional. Deafread represents a big crack on the surface of the ASL planet and its getting bigger and bigger every day.
Given all this, I'm happy to be vacationing on an island of sanity in the middle of a deaf sea of chaos.
Whats been spinning around deafhood is noted. The confusion, the white flags popping up from notable deafhood bloggers lends credence to the theory that the ASL minority prefers to chew down their leaders and messengers than develop constructive discussion of the issues they present. With me being banned from deafread for a while, they cant point the finger at me any more. Instead they point it at others and this started the domino effect. Soon almost all deaf blogging leaders were under attack.
This has caused notable bloggers and video blogers, most notably the deafhoodists, to leave the deafread site.
You cant find inclusion at deafread, you cant find constructive dialogue and teamwork there either. The deafread leadership clearly makes the definition the word dysfunctional. Deafread represents a big crack on the surface of the ASL planet and its getting bigger and bigger every day.
Given all this, I'm happy to be vacationing on an island of sanity in the middle of a deaf sea of chaos.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Cruising Over The High Peaks Of Life
I will be taking a hiatus, a break, from blogging and video blogging until the end of August.
The Orange County Fair starts today and lasts for 3 weeks. We'll be focusing on promoting our agency, the Hearing For Life Foundation, and positive communication options for hearing impaired people especially the babies.
The community response to our 2nd group home in the past week has been overwhelming. Supermarkets donated hundreds of dollars, people donated new refrigerators, people donated sofas, paint, and carpeting. Even a major pet store chain donated supplies for the service animals.
One can accomplish a lot more deaf advocacy not with blogs and video blogs, but with good old fashioned word-of-mouth over TTYs.
This will be my signoff message.
Marvin Miller, I have a better capability of starting a 'city' of hearing impaired residents than you do. The first impressions the authorities are making of my group homes so far has been more than just positive. I can replicate this on a large scale using existing apartment structures, and the HM Foundation will be helping me do it in the fall. I don't have to do it from scratch and at least not in a tornado alley like you wanted to do in the first place.
See you all in September!
Richard
The Orange County Fair starts today and lasts for 3 weeks. We'll be focusing on promoting our agency, the Hearing For Life Foundation, and positive communication options for hearing impaired people especially the babies.
The community response to our 2nd group home in the past week has been overwhelming. Supermarkets donated hundreds of dollars, people donated new refrigerators, people donated sofas, paint, and carpeting. Even a major pet store chain donated supplies for the service animals.
One can accomplish a lot more deaf advocacy not with blogs and video blogs, but with good old fashioned word-of-mouth over TTYs.
This will be my signoff message.
Marvin Miller, I have a better capability of starting a 'city' of hearing impaired residents than you do. The first impressions the authorities are making of my group homes so far has been more than just positive. I can replicate this on a large scale using existing apartment structures, and the HM Foundation will be helping me do it in the fall. I don't have to do it from scratch and at least not in a tornado alley like you wanted to do in the first place.
See you all in September!
Richard
Monday, July 07, 2008
The Chrysalis Of The OCDAC Agency
As times change, we change too. We, over the decade, have recognized several key issues of deaf advocacy in the course of our agency's mission. The top 3 key issues faced by the deaf communities are communication/access equipment, education, and housing. Nothing else seems to matter in the deaf community nowadays. Gone are the many traditional elements of deaf advocacy. This reality is being echoed in other states like Florida, Colorado, and Wisconsin to name a few.
In the past 2 years, we've been addressing communication/access equipment needs through our TOP-RATE ( T-each O-ur P-eople to R-euse A-daptive T-echnology E-veryday ) program. This is a very successful program and we've served thousands of people worldwide already. We are having our first accessible technology expo next year. Http://www.deafadvocacy.org/events/expo2009/expo2009.html and this is where we'll show everyone the key elements of our TOP-RATE program.
Last Friday we took the big step in addressing the key housing issues the deaf community faces. We opened our 2nd group home and the response was overwhelming. We have people in our group home hailing from as far as Indiana and Kentucky. Instead of fighting for accessible housing, we PROVIDE it. So its now at the point whenever we have a client with a housing complaint, we send them to our group home. While it may appear that we're taking advantage of the foreclosure crisis, were using this opportunity to help the deaf people who are oftentimes left out or relegated to second class citizenship when it comes to equal housing opportunities. The government agencies, particularly HUD, have done poorly insofar ensuring equal housing access for deaf people and that's a void we're filling right now.
The next step is to put our education model into action. Established deaf education models that have been infiltrated with ASL zealots who don't believe in inclusivity are being phased out. Our model is total inclusivity. We will continue to push for inclusivity in deaf education and that may include bullying the ASL zealots out of the deaf education system if we have to.
Richard
In the past 2 years, we've been addressing communication/access equipment needs through our TOP-RATE ( T-each O-ur P-eople to R-euse A-daptive T-echnology E-veryday ) program. This is a very successful program and we've served thousands of people worldwide already. We are having our first accessible technology expo next year. Http://www.deafadvocacy.org/events/expo2009/expo2009.html and this is where we'll show everyone the key elements of our TOP-RATE program.
Last Friday we took the big step in addressing the key housing issues the deaf community faces. We opened our 2nd group home and the response was overwhelming. We have people in our group home hailing from as far as Indiana and Kentucky. Instead of fighting for accessible housing, we PROVIDE it. So its now at the point whenever we have a client with a housing complaint, we send them to our group home. While it may appear that we're taking advantage of the foreclosure crisis, were using this opportunity to help the deaf people who are oftentimes left out or relegated to second class citizenship when it comes to equal housing opportunities. The government agencies, particularly HUD, have done poorly insofar ensuring equal housing access for deaf people and that's a void we're filling right now.
The next step is to put our education model into action. Established deaf education models that have been infiltrated with ASL zealots who don't believe in inclusivity are being phased out. Our model is total inclusivity. We will continue to push for inclusivity in deaf education and that may include bullying the ASL zealots out of the deaf education system if we have to.
Richard
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Good Riddance To The Deaf Starbucks Scourge
With many deaf people lamenting on the closure of 600 Starbucks cafes. Some blogs and vlogs carried out their messages. Here is my 2 words, my 2 cents, to the lively discussion over Starbuck's impending demise.
Over the years at Starbucks Coffee center at the Block At Orange, the monthly Starbucks Coffee social events has gone from a healthy meeting place for deaf people to a beacon of scourge from the ASL extremists.
In the late 90's every month particularly on the 2nd Fridays, hundreds and even thousands of deaf people would converge to Starbucks at the Block at Orange. At one point it even reached 5,000 people.
Over the years, it's evolved into a place where deaf people can easily start malicious rumors by handing out fliers, pick on those "not deaf enough" by ganging up on them, throwing firecrackers to terrorize deaf people in order to embarrass the host organizations.
Yes we played host to it via the "Wild Deaf Club" for about a year. We're even responsible for making it past the 5,000 mark in attendance.
The craziness was not limited to outside the Starbucks coffee shops.
The Starbucks "Make Your Mark" program is dysfunctional. After promising us 15 hands, they never sent anyone to help us with our fireworks stand in 2003. They haven't sent people to help us with our education booth at Orange County Fair either. They tell me of a 'revolving door' at the management levels while they explain their reasons why they didn't send people to us.
The deaf community has responded to the deaf Starbucks scourge by setting up smaller social events in Tustin, Chino, Riverside, and National City to draw people away from Starbucks at the Block at Orange.
So good riddence to Starbucks as it's evolved into a pillar of the deaf scourge.
GOOD RIDDANCE!
Over the years at Starbucks Coffee center at the Block At Orange, the monthly Starbucks Coffee social events has gone from a healthy meeting place for deaf people to a beacon of scourge from the ASL extremists.
In the late 90's every month particularly on the 2nd Fridays, hundreds and even thousands of deaf people would converge to Starbucks at the Block at Orange. At one point it even reached 5,000 people.
Over the years, it's evolved into a place where deaf people can easily start malicious rumors by handing out fliers, pick on those "not deaf enough" by ganging up on them, throwing firecrackers to terrorize deaf people in order to embarrass the host organizations.
Yes we played host to it via the "Wild Deaf Club" for about a year. We're even responsible for making it past the 5,000 mark in attendance.
The craziness was not limited to outside the Starbucks coffee shops.
The Starbucks "Make Your Mark" program is dysfunctional. After promising us 15 hands, they never sent anyone to help us with our fireworks stand in 2003. They haven't sent people to help us with our education booth at Orange County Fair either. They tell me of a 'revolving door' at the management levels while they explain their reasons why they didn't send people to us.
The deaf community has responded to the deaf Starbucks scourge by setting up smaller social events in Tustin, Chino, Riverside, and National City to draw people away from Starbucks at the Block at Orange.
So good riddence to Starbucks as it's evolved into a pillar of the deaf scourge.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Who Won In Milwaukee Last Weekend? AG Bell or the deaf coalition?
AG Bell won by having a smooth, seamless, rich, and wholesome conference that brought hope to the future generations of the deaf community. They did it without any static from the deaf coalition. This was capped by the newly elected president of the organization having a well televised interview on national TV http://www.agbell.org/uploads/2008Convention/JayTVMilwaukee.wmv .
The deaf coalition who were steadfast in their hatred toward AG Bell and toward people who are "not deaf enough" were successfully locked out of the venue. Brian Riley in his "Gearing Up" editorial at the deaf coalition website emphasized confrontation and shows everyone that the coalition is of, for, and by deaf bullies. Furthermore the conference by the deaf coalition was riddled with contradicting, conflicting, and confusing messages. It even caused a popular deaf blogger who goes by the name of 'Mishka Zena' to state "I would like to make a recommendation that the DBC leaders work together on making the goals of DBC more consistent to the public and the media" in her blog. The deaf coalition's hostility continues as they remain utterly unyielding at getting the AG Bell's name off one of NTID's dormitory buildings.
The deaf coalition who were steadfast in their hatred toward AG Bell and toward people who are "not deaf enough" were successfully locked out of the venue. Brian Riley in his "Gearing Up" editorial at the deaf coalition website emphasized confrontation and shows everyone that the coalition is of, for, and by deaf bullies. Furthermore the conference by the deaf coalition was riddled with contradicting, conflicting, and confusing messages. It even caused a popular deaf blogger who goes by the name of 'Mishka Zena' to state "I would like to make a recommendation that the DBC leaders work together on making the goals of DBC more consistent to the public and the media" in her blog. The deaf coalition's hostility continues as they remain utterly unyielding at getting the AG Bell's name off one of NTID's dormitory buildings.
Convincing Video Blogs!
I'm so proud of these video blogs!
They actually convince Milwaukee folks to do things!
Richard
They actually convince Milwaukee folks to do things!
Richard
Who Won In Milwaukee Last Weekend? AG Bell or the deaf coalition?
AG Bell won by having a smooth, seamless, rich, and wholesome conference that brought hope to the future generations of the deaf community. They did it without any static from the deaf coalition. This was capped by the newly elected president of the organization having a well televised interview on national TV http://www.agbell.org/uploads/2008Convention/JayTVMilwaukee.wmv .
The deaf coalition who were steadfast in their hatred toward AG Bell and toward people who are "not deaf enough" were successfully locked out of the venue. Brian Riley in his "Gearing Up" editorial at the deaf coalition website emphasized confrontation and shows everyone that the coalition is of, for, and by deaf bullies. Furthermore the conference by the deaf coalition was riddled with contradicting, conflicting, and confusing messages. It even caused a popular deaf blogger who goes by the name of 'Mishka Zena' to state "I would like to make a recommendation that the DBC leaders work together on making the goals of DBC more consistent to the public and the media" in her blog. The deaf coalition's hostility continues as they remain utterly unyielding at getting the AG Bell's name off one of NTID's dormitory buildings.
The deaf coalition who were steadfast in their hatred toward AG Bell and toward people who are "not deaf enough" were successfully locked out of the venue. Brian Riley in his "Gearing Up" editorial at the deaf coalition website emphasized confrontation and shows everyone that the coalition is of, for, and by deaf bullies. Furthermore the conference by the deaf coalition was riddled with contradicting, conflicting, and confusing messages. It even caused a popular deaf blogger who goes by the name of 'Mishka Zena' to state "I would like to make a recommendation that the DBC leaders work together on making the goals of DBC more consistent to the public and the media" in her blog. The deaf coalition's hostility continues as they remain utterly unyielding at getting the AG Bell's name off one of NTID's dormitory buildings.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Skywalk Closure An Accessibility Issue?
Recent messages in the deaf blogsphere relating to the AG Bell and DBC's conferences has intensified by 20 fold!
Now The Hyatt hotel there has been convinced to close the skywalk that connects the Hyatt hotel to the Midwest Airlines Center where the AG Bell conference is held at and DBC has their conference at the Hyatt.
Among the comments published include a line that closing the skywalk is an accessibility infraction.
I don't see the walkway closure an accessibility issue at all and it shouldn't be an access issue since DBC don't really include deafs with other disabilities.
I base this on the actions of the likes of DBC such as the former CSDR Superintendent Dr. Rachel Stone. She believed the safest haven for ASL is the purity of the students. She simply wanted to purge out programs that supported deaf people with other disabilities.
That alone probably cost Rachel her job. Good riddance!
We work with and even house deaf people with other disabilities and they are deserving the equal opportunities that's been met with contempt by the Old Deaf Guards in the past decade.
Richard
Another note :
Rileys post "Gearing UP" today shows a new light at DBC. It shows that the DBC has a soft underbelly waiting to be punched.
Now The Hyatt hotel there has been convinced to close the skywalk that connects the Hyatt hotel to the Midwest Airlines Center where the AG Bell conference is held at and DBC has their conference at the Hyatt.
Among the comments published include a line that closing the skywalk is an accessibility infraction.
I don't see the walkway closure an accessibility issue at all and it shouldn't be an access issue since DBC don't really include deafs with other disabilities.
I base this on the actions of the likes of DBC such as the former CSDR Superintendent Dr. Rachel Stone. She believed the safest haven for ASL is the purity of the students. She simply wanted to purge out programs that supported deaf people with other disabilities.
That alone probably cost Rachel her job. Good riddance!
We work with and even house deaf people with other disabilities and they are deserving the equal opportunities that's been met with contempt by the Old Deaf Guards in the past decade.
Richard
Another note :
Rileys post "Gearing UP" today shows a new light at DBC. It shows that the DBC has a soft underbelly waiting to be punched.
Skywalk Closure An Accessibility Issue?
Recent messages in the deaf blogsphere relating to the AG Bell and DBC's conferences has intensified by 20 fold!
Now The Hyatt hotel there has been convinced to close the skywalk that connects the Hyatt hotel to the Midwest Airlines Center where the AG Bell conference is held at and DBC has their conference at the Hyatt.
Among the comments published include a line that closing the skywalk is an accessibility infraction.
I don't see the walkway closure an accessibility issue at all and it shouldn't be an access issue since DBC don't include deafs with other disabilities.
I base this on the actions of the likes of DBC such as the former CSDR Superintendent Dr. Rachel Stone. She believed the safest haven for ASL is the purity of the students. She simply wanted to purge out programs that supported deaf people with other disabilities.
That alone probably cost Rachel her job. Good riddance!
We work with and even house deaf people with other disabilities and they are deserving the equal opportunities that's been met with contempt by Old Deaf Guards.
Richard
Another note : Rileys post "Gearing UP" shows a new light at DBC. It shows that the DBC has a soft underbelly waiting to be punched.
Now The Hyatt hotel there has been convinced to close the skywalk that connects the Hyatt hotel to the Midwest Airlines Center where the AG Bell conference is held at and DBC has their conference at the Hyatt.
Among the comments published include a line that closing the skywalk is an accessibility infraction.
I don't see the walkway closure an accessibility issue at all and it shouldn't be an access issue since DBC don't include deafs with other disabilities.
I base this on the actions of the likes of DBC such as the former CSDR Superintendent Dr. Rachel Stone. She believed the safest haven for ASL is the purity of the students. She simply wanted to purge out programs that supported deaf people with other disabilities.
That alone probably cost Rachel her job. Good riddance!
We work with and even house deaf people with other disabilities and they are deserving the equal opportunities that's been met with contempt by Old Deaf Guards.
Richard
Another note : Rileys post "Gearing UP" shows a new light at DBC. It shows that the DBC has a soft underbelly waiting to be punched.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
DBC Trying To Put A Pretty Face On Deaf Bullies?
What I see is DBC known as Deaf Bilingual Coalition doing so far is trying to paint a pretty face to an organized group of deaf bullies. They're working very hard by staging peaceful rallies at places like at A.G. Bell's state conferences and so forth showing off their pretty yet deceptive mask.
What I see them doing is like showing ASL (American Sign Language) to people like a pretty bouquet of flowers and asking the parents to let deaf babies smell it. And at the same time holding baseball bats with the other hand behind their backs to beat down on deaf people who either made themselves independent from the deaf community, got the CI implant, dont use ASL 100%, or distanced themselves from the values cherished by deaf culturists.
And they don't have to be exactly baseball bats. They can be blogs, video blogs, email groups, chatroom activities, rumormongering, and many different forms of harassment and scourge cast upon deaf and hard of hearing people.
What were seeing everywhere is the DBC's hand that is showing everyone the flowers. We need to get the word out and tell people what is in the other hand DBC is hiding behind their backs. Don't be mislead and don't be fooled by the pretty face and pretty flowers they're showing everyone these days.
We need to get the truth out and tell the public that DBC is of, by, and for the deaf bullies!
Richard Roehm
What I see them doing is like showing ASL (American Sign Language) to people like a pretty bouquet of flowers and asking the parents to let deaf babies smell it. And at the same time holding baseball bats with the other hand behind their backs to beat down on deaf people who either made themselves independent from the deaf community, got the CI implant, dont use ASL 100%, or distanced themselves from the values cherished by deaf culturists.
And they don't have to be exactly baseball bats. They can be blogs, video blogs, email groups, chatroom activities, rumormongering, and many different forms of harassment and scourge cast upon deaf and hard of hearing people.
What were seeing everywhere is the DBC's hand that is showing everyone the flowers. We need to get the word out and tell people what is in the other hand DBC is hiding behind their backs. Don't be mislead and don't be fooled by the pretty face and pretty flowers they're showing everyone these days.
We need to get the truth out and tell the public that DBC is of, by, and for the deaf bullies!
Richard Roehm
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Beyond The Cochlear Implants
As society advances, the deaf society advances with it.
Cochlear implants, widely used at this time, is a device with a few dozen electrodes that tries to do the work of thousands of damaged or missing hair cells inside the human cochlea. Children who are implanted with the cochlear implants oftentimes quit using them usually in their teen years due to many reasons not excluding the following possibilities;
1) Maintenance costs and issues
2) Variability in outcomes
3) Limitations on activities, travel, and diagnosis
4) Social or peer pressures
This comes to looking for solutions beyond cochlear implants. One such solution is the use of stem cells.
Ear Hair Cells
The stem cell solution for hearing loss/disabilities is replacing the missing or damaged hair cells inside the human cochlea to restore hearing and improve balance. And doing it early in the child's years would eliminate the 4 main possibilities and let the child develop naturally. Stem cells has the potential to beat even the best technology available to treat humans.
The risks of stem cell transplantation include the possibility of developing into incorrect cells, stem cells turning into cancer cells, and other risks associated with invasive procedures.
I currently serve on the Patient Advocate Council at the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center situated in the University of California Irvine.
Richard Roehm
Cochlear implants, widely used at this time, is a device with a few dozen electrodes that tries to do the work of thousands of damaged or missing hair cells inside the human cochlea. Children who are implanted with the cochlear implants oftentimes quit using them usually in their teen years due to many reasons not excluding the following possibilities;
1) Maintenance costs and issues
2) Variability in outcomes
3) Limitations on activities, travel, and diagnosis
4) Social or peer pressures
This comes to looking for solutions beyond cochlear implants. One such solution is the use of stem cells.
Ear Hair CellsThe stem cell solution for hearing loss/disabilities is replacing the missing or damaged hair cells inside the human cochlea to restore hearing and improve balance. And doing it early in the child's years would eliminate the 4 main possibilities and let the child develop naturally. Stem cells has the potential to beat even the best technology available to treat humans.
The risks of stem cell transplantation include the possibility of developing into incorrect cells, stem cells turning into cancer cells, and other risks associated with invasive procedures.
I currently serve on the Patient Advocate Council at the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center situated in the University of California Irvine.
Richard Roehm
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wait! Vlogs Aren’t Fully Accessible, Either!
Remember ASL use only comprises of only 2% of the 20-28 million member hearing impaired class. This comes from researchers in San Diego State University. There's many vlogs out there that aren't accessible to the oral deaf, late deafened, hard of hearing, and the hearing people.
The technology is there and very easy to use to make the vlogs accessible to people who have not made ASL their communication command. The 2 percent would be able to reach out to much of the 98% of the people in their class that don't sign if they decide to use captions.
What transpired in deafvideo.tv yesterday will be used as a classic example to show how the ASL deaf community reacts to making their messages accessible to people who don't understand ASL.
There are several textbook examples on deafvideo.tv that emphasizes hatred to people who don't understand or use ASL.
Gosh, nobody can think of a faster way to eliminate the use of ASL than the examples found in deafvideo.tv site.
Richard
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Worlds Most Inclusive Hearing Impaired Blog-Vlog Aggregator
Worlds Most Inclusive Hearing Impaired Blog-Vlog Aggregator
With Subtitles
Without Subtitles
With Subtitles
Without Subtitles
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Johnny Scott The Deaf Humanitarian
Johnny Scott was a very popular gentleman in the 80's. Not only was he popular, he was a true humanitarian. He's cared for the welfare of scores of deaf people in Orange County. He was a great feller to work with at our agency in the last years of his life.
His biggest impact was getting about a dozen hotels along Beach Blvd and the Knotts Berry Farm area to rent to deaf people at $150 a month.
YES $150 A MONTH!
Can you imagine how big of a help Johnny was? He had a big heart for the deaf community and he was a true humanitarian. He did that by keeping a lot of deaf people off the streets.
Our agency offers our lasting gratitude and eternal respect to him for his impact on the lives of hundreds of deaf people on Orange County, California. We do that by hosting a chess tournament under his name. He's loved chess.
4th Annual Johnny Scott Memorial Chess Match
September 6 & 7, 2008 at our classroom.
Prizes
1st Place $100
2nd Place $75
3rd Place $50
4th Place $25
We hope you attend this event because this is what a good name is all about and that name is Johnny Scott!
September 6 & 7, 2008 at our classroom.
Prizes
1st Place $100
2nd Place $75
3rd Place $50
4th Place $25
We hope you attend this event because this is what a good name is all about and that name is Johnny Scott!
Project Enableworks
Project “Enableworks”
A one stop center for people with disabilities offering the following;
1) Social service assistance
2) Education
3) Manufacturing and employment
4) Housing and assisted living
5) Healthcare and physical therapy meeting place
6) Recreational activities
7) Social activities
8) Outreach activities
9) Rescue and shelter
The one stop center would be a large apartment building several floors high and each floor will house a particular age group with a few multipurpose rooms in each floor for certain activities.
The building itself will be made accessible to U.S. ADAAG guidelines such as ramps, elevators, signal notification systems, adaptive technology, and other modifications needed to sustain the independence of people with disabilities.
The one stop center is needed because people with disabilities oftentimes face barriers and difficulties in transportation. If we can have everything in one place, we can eliminate one of the biggest worries faced by people with disabilities and their families.
Possible outcomes from the project;
1) Increase in morale
2) Improvements in individual safety, health, and productivity
3) Improvements in independent living skills and knowledge
4) Improvements in relations with local governments and general public
5) International prestige for compassion toward people with disabilities
Monday, May 12, 2008
UCI Gets $27.2 Million Today For Stem Cell Research
(VIDEO ABOVE WAS PART OF THE GRANT PROPOSAL)
This the letter that I just got in my emailbox,
Stem Cell Patient Advocate Committee,
We are very pleased to announce that UC Irvine was awarded $27.2 million today from the state to build a new stem cell research facility that will unify and strengthen the campus’s fast-growing stem cell biology program and serve as a hub for research in Southern California.
When completed, the three-story, 61,600-square-foot building will house the UCI Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, as many as 26 laboratory-based and clinical researchers, a stem cell techniques course for young scientists, a master’s program in biotechnology with an emphasis on stem cell research, and an array of programs and activities that involve and educate patients and the general public. It will include the core stem cell laboratory and state-of-the-art equipment for human embryonic stem cell line derivation, cell culture, differentiation and purification, and cell and tissue imaging. It also will include clinical space with resources to see patients.
Pending final University of California Board of Regents approval, construction is scheduled to begin in September and finish in July 2010. The facility will be modeled after the existing Hewitt Hall and located within the heart of UCI’s Biomedical Research Center in the Health Sciences complex.
We are extremely thankful of the institutional support that has enabled this award, and the growth of UCI's stem cell activities. We look forward to many years of continued success, and welcome your involvement.
Hans and Peter
I am very happy to be part of the UCI Stem Cell Patient Advocate Committee as a representative from the deaf community since November 2006.
Richard
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