Deaf News Today

Crime in Texas

2009-11-14T17:25:00.001-06:00

The story of a Texas man fighting for his life after a home invasion left him injured. KTVT has this video report (no captions).

Gally Prez Honored

2009-11-14T16:16:00.004-06:00

The staff of a San Diego-area school have decided to name the facility after Gallaudet's president, Nearly 50 children, mainly Hispanic, are served by the school. Next year the program will expand from pre-school and elementary school to the middle school. All of the school's staff members are fluent signers, even those who teach the oral/aural classes. Davilla is the first Hispanic person to graduate from Gallaudet and first deaf Hispanic person to earn a doctoral degree.

Deaf Veterinarians

2009-11-13T07:07:00.000-06:00

The number of deaf veterinarians in the US range from 40 to more than 100. There are more than a dozen veterinary schools and colleges that have graduated deaf students, according to the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses.

911 Calls

2009-11-13T07:00:00.001-06:00

Can you make emergency calls through IP Relay or Video Relay Service? In this ASL video, the FCC offers an answer.

Outpouring of Support

2009-11-12T17:39:00.003-06:00

Someone broke into the Durham Deaf Services, stealing equipment and causing thousands in damages over the Halloween Weekend. But the Oshawa, Ontario facility has had a happy ending to the crime. It has received an outpouring of community support including $1000 from the Ontario Electrical League and $500 each from Honest Movers and Ontario Power Generation. ADT Security Systems is donating a security system which includes strobe lighting for deaf clients. The head of Durham Deaf Services says,

"We're so appreciative to have people coming forward to help out. It certainly restores our faith in humanity to see so many individuals and businesses reaching out to us right now."

The organization helps more than 500 clients.

Dial Arounds

2009-11-12T11:43:00.000-06:00

Can "dial around" providers still be used with VRS and IP calls, dispite the changes made by the FCC? The agency offers an answer in this ASL video.

Why the Video # Change

2009-11-12T11:18:00.000-06:00

Here is a ASL video explaining why the FCC is requiring a 10-digit number in order to make non-emergency IP Relay or Video Relay Service (VRS) calls.

Registering for a Video #

2009-11-12T10:10:00.001-06:00

In this ASL video, the FCC explains how the registration process to get a 10-digit number in order to make non-emergency IP Relay or Video Relay Service (VRS) calls.

Best Candidates for Cochlear Implant Surgery

2009-11-12T09:00:00.001-06:00

· People with severe sensorineural hearing loss* in both ears but with a still
functioning auditory nerve

· Those who have lived only a short time with hearing loss

· Those with good speech and English language skills

· People living with family willing to work hard in support of the candidate
toward acquiring speech and language skills

· Those physically able to handle anesthesia and surgery

· And those who have a desire to live in a hearing world and have realistic
expectations about the procedure

*note: Sensorineural hearing loss is a destruction of the hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear that transmit sound signals to the auditory nerve

Why Video # Requirement

2009-11-12T08:56:00.001-06:00

In this ASL video, the FCC explains why the agency is requiring a local 10-digit number in order to make non-emergency IP Relay or Video Relay Service (VRS) calls. These new rules goes into effect today.

How to Get a Video #

2009-11-12T07:59:00.000-06:00

In this ASL video, the FCC explains how to get a 10-digit number in order to make non-emergency IP Relay or Video Relay Service (VRS) calls.

New Videophone Rules

2009-11-12T07:46:00.004-06:00

Here's an FCC-produced video in ASL about new rules requiring a local 10-digit number in order to make non-emergency IP Relay or Video Relay Service (VRS) calls. These new rules goes into effect today.

Awareness Expo

2009-11-11T16:36:00.002-06:00

Northern Arizona's Yavapai College will host a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Expo tomorrow 10am to 1:30pm in the college's library community room. Disability Advocate Dr. Nanette Bowles will speak about the impact of hearing loss on people's lives. There will also be a free hearing test.

Cincinnati Benefit

2009-11-11T14:53:00.000-06:00

A Climb-A-Thon will benefit the Cincinnati Deaf and hard of hearing community on November 21st. It’s the 2nd time Community Services for the Deaf has held the event. Climbers raising the most money will be given prizes. The cost is $10 per climber.

Hearing-Impairment.. by the Numbers

2009-11-11T09:00:00.001-06:00

One in every 800 children is born with a hearing impairment.
60% of people over the age of 70 suffer some hearing loss.
Hearing loss is the leading injury among soldiers returning from Iraq, according to the Deaf Independent Living Association of Salisbury, Maryland

Commercial Casting

2009-11-10T17:37:00.003-06:00

If you know ASL and Spanish or Tagalog, you could be shooting a commercial next week. Casting is underway for a non-union shoot in Los Angeles next week. The pay is $2500. The commercial makers are looking for men and women in their 30's. If you are interested, send your name, phone number and a photo to this address: typecasting@gmail.com or call for an audition at (310) 775-6616.

Texas Man Robbed, Beaten

2009-11-10T17:04:00.000-06:00

Fort Worth Police have arrested three teens in connection with an attack on an 85-year-old deaf man that left him seriously injured this morning. The man's niece tells the Star-Telegram that the suspects kicked in the door leading from the garage into the home. The deaf man told them, “Take whatever you want, just don’t hurt me” but that's exactly what they did. They beat him until he was down on the floor as he begging them to stop. They stole money from his house and took his pickup truck. Police found it wrecked later. The teenagers are likely to be charged with three other robberies that took place in the same area. The deaf man remains in intensive care.

Deaf Studies Digital Journal

2009-11-10T15:58:00.002-06:00

Gallaudet is launching a peer-reviewed academic and creative arts journal in ASL and English. It's believed to be a first for the signing community. The Department of ASL and Deaf Studies will oversee the Deaf Studies Digital Journal. Sponsored by the University and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation, the multimedia publication publish twice yearly and include academic articles, commentary, literature, film, video, visual arts, historical footage of signed languages, interviews, reviews and news about community events.

Matlin on Family Guy

2009-11-10T11:39:00.002-06:00

Actress Marlee Matlin took part Sunday night in special put together from the people who produce the Fox comedy Family Guy (video below). She took part in a sketch that made fun of her speaking voice. Here’s what she told Entertainment Weekly about the appearance:

"I was just part of the joke. I learned a long time ago from when I did Seinfeld never to take anything seriously and to be part of the joke is the best way to show what a good sport I was.. I know a lot of deaf people might have been offended when they made fun of my voice but remember, it was MY voice they were making fun of. I was more than happy to show up and show them that I could dish it as well as I could take it and that being offensive works both ways.. Humor comes in all forms and everyone has their cup of tea about what makes them laugh. But the day we censor humor is a sad one for sure. All I gotta say is, lighten up, people.”

Matlin is developing a program for Showtime.

Hungary Accepts Sign

2009-11-10T10:08:00.000-06:00

The country of Hungary has decided to acknowledge sign language as an official language of the Eastern European nation. Hungary's Parliament unanimously adopted a bill seeking to recognize sign language as an "independent and natural" language yesterday. This allows the hearing-impaired the opportunity to use sign language in official communication and the right to an interpreter in legal situations.

Hearing Aids Dispensers

2009-11-10T09:00:00.000-06:00

State-licensed hearing-aid specialists need only a high-school education but have to pass tests proving their competence to administer hearing exams, fit devices and recognize underlying physical problems. Audiologists must have at least a master's degree, though they generally aren't medical doctors. Many states require that consumers be allowed to return hearing aids within 30 days.

Implant Maker Sold

2009-11-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

A Swiss company is buying American cochlear-implant maker Advanced Bionics for $489 million. Sonova Holding is a hearing-aid maker and predicts annual growth of up to 15%. Advanced Bionics is the second biggest cochlear implantsmaker with 18% of the market from annual sales of around $115 million. Cochlear out of Australia is #1 with $700 million in sales each year. Advanced Bionics will operate as an independent unit from Sonova. The deal still needs regulatory approval but is expected by the end of January.

India's Driving Law

2009-11-09T15:56:00.003-06:00

India may soon allow the deaf to drive. It's one of the few countries in the world where the hearing impaired are not allowed to drive themselves. There are only 26 such nations, according to the NAD. India's high court has given the government three months to make a decision. There are around 50 million hearing impaired in India.

Deaf Folklore

2009-11-09T12:28:00.004-06:00

A presentation is planned at Michigan's Kalamazoo Valley Community College entitled Deaf Folklore: Deaf People, Culture and Identity. Simon Carmel will speak and offer Wednesday night at the Student Commons Theater located on the university's Texas Township Campus. Carmel was born deaf and has been collecting anecdotes and material reflecting the deaf and hearing impaired communities for years.

Battle Over Game Show Winnings

2009-11-09T10:30:00.002-06:00

Here's an ABC video report on the dispute over funds won on the game show Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader. The money was intended for Deaf schools in Georgia. Click here for the written story.