The Deaf Project

Just for fun... Shake It Off!

2015-02-10T08:11:00.004-08:00

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10205607679934393&set=vb.1325196765&type=2&theater

Let It Go from Frozen in ASL!

2014-10-17T10:45:00.001-07:00

Do You Wanna Build A Snowman? from Frozen in ASL

2014-10-17T10:43:00.001-07:00

Let It Go -- American Sign Language Interpretation

2014-10-17T10:35:00.001-07:00

Revival!

2014-10-17T10:24:00.002-07:00

HELLO THERE!
I am reviving this blog as I am once again on the path to learning more about ASL and Deaf culture. I am planning to post the best YouTube tutorial videos and Deaf community events to inspire us all to practice more and interact within the community, forging friendships and making life more fun! Join me!

Signing Savvy's First Newsletter! Check it out!

2013-05-20T19:23:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the first Signing Savvy newsletter! We're excited to announce new animated lessons featuring sign language.

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New animated lessons featuring sign language

You're going to love using sign language inside these valuable animated lessons!

Signing Savvy is proud to announce our collaboration with WonderGrove Kids to bring you animated lessons supported by American Sign Language (ASL). Check out these new, fun, and very effective animated lessons featuring sign language.

We are pleased to offer an exclusive discount on a WonderGrove Kids membership for Signing Savvy users only. Sign up before June 1, 2013 and receive 50% off membership!

Go to the WonderGrove Kids offer page and use the Promo Code SAVVY at the checkout page.

Why WonderGrove Kids? The American education system is focused on children achieving excellence in academics. The WonderGrove philosophy is to focus on critical areas of learning, like: Citizenship, Nutrition, Health, Safety, Fitness, and Home Skills that slip through the cracks. WonderGrove uses engaging animated characters to model appropriate behavior for children. Research shows that it works! You will love the outcome of sharing these lessons with your child.

Now with Signing Savvy, the animated lessons are not only closed captioned, but the key concepts presented throughout the animations are reenforced with sign language videos - making them great for children (and adults) who want to pickup and practice sign language vocabulary.

Here is what parents and teachers are saying about WonderGrove animated lessons with sign language:

"After watching Stay Seated in a Restaurant, my son never tried to leave the table. This was a first! Thanks, WonderGrove!"

"Thanks to WonderGrove, we now sing the 'Click It' song together each time we buckle up. It works great!"

Don't miss out, go to wondergrovekids.com/savvy-offer and use the promo code SAVVY at the checkout page - hurry this limited-time offer ends June 1, 2013!

Updated Member App now available on Apple, Android, and Kindle

If you are already using the Signing Savvy Member App, make sure you're using the most up-to-date version!

The Signing Savvy Member App has been updated and is now available on the the Apple App Store for iOS devices, Google Play for Android devices, and Amazon App Store for Kindle Fire devices. The Signing Savvy Member App is for Signing Savvy full members. It allows full members to search and browse signs and word lists, create word lists, and use digital flash cards. If you are not yet a full member, you can still use the app to easily check the Sign of the Day on your mobile device.

In the News

Local to World News on Sign Language and Deaf Culture

Gerry Hughes becomes first deaf person to sail round the world (BBC, International News / United Kingdom / Scotland)
Regal outfits almost 6,000 theaters with Sony closed-captioning glasses (Engadget, National News)
Fish Uses Sign Language With Other Species (National Geographic, National News)
Kids with disabilities reconnect with signing: Visual language helps youngsters with autism, cerebral palsy, other conditions (Florida Today, Florida)
Sign language choir part of Girl Scout Gold Award (Hays Free Press, Texas)

May 2013

Welcome to the Signing Savvy Newsletter!

This is our first edition! Thank you for creating an account and supporting Signing Savvy. Don't worry, we won't email too often and we never share your contact information.

In this Issue:

New Partnership with WonderGrove Kids to bring you Animated Lessons with American Sign Language
Updated Member App now available on Apple, Android, and Kindle
In the News
Special Offer
Sign Language Fact
Deaf Culture Tip

Special Offer:

50% Off!
Membership for WonderGrove Kids new learning animations with Sign Language.

PROMO CODE: SAVVY
Offer expires June 1, 2013

Fact:

Sign Language is the 3rd most studied language in the U.S.

Tip:

Do NOT use the words hearing impaired, disability, or handicapped.

These terms are offensive to the deaf population and viewed as a very negative way of looking at deafness. Say “deaf or hard of hearing” instead.

There is a difference in the way those that are deaf and hard of hearing communicate, but it is not a handicap or disability.

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About Signing Savvy:
Signing Savvy is the most comprehensive online sign language resource for educators, interpreters, students, or anyone interested in American Sign Language. Signing Savvy includes a sign language dictionary containing several thousand high resolution videos of American Sign Language (ASL) signs, fingerspelled words, and other common signs used within the United States and Canada. It includes the ability to view large sign videos, build your own word lists and share them with others, create virtual flash cards and quizzes, print signs, build sign phrases, and more.

Thank you for your support!
Thank you for being part of the Signing Savvy community of users. We hope that you find great value in the services that Signing Savvy provides. If you are not yet a full member, we encourage you to check out the full member features. In addition to accessing the full member features, membership also helps us continue to add more sign videos, content, and features to the site. With the support of our members, we aim for Signing Savvy to be the best sign language learning resource.

Copyright © 2013 Signing Savvy, All rights reserved. Website | Facebook | Twitter
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Sound off: Should Deaf students be forced to mainstream?

2013-03-05T14:45:00.002-08:00

What did you think of the latest episode of Switched at Birth?
Is this a sign of things to come?
See previous post of episode synopsis where
the Carlton students stage an uprising
mirroring Gallaudet's "Deaf President Now" fight...
What is going on in your town, state, or nearest Deaf school?
Do you think this is just a tv show? I THINK NOT!
There are political agendas here, HUGE political agendas!
There are so many valid issues on both sides; as I see it anyway,
because I would love the opportunity to attend and immerse myself
in Deaf culture, at least for a time.
BUT certainly NOT at the expense of their culture
or of their extracurricular programs.
Share your thoughts please...
Thank you:D

Switched At Birth' To Do Entire Episode In American Sign Language

2013-03-03T12:44:00.002-08:00

How cool is this gonna be? It's about time they did one in all ASL; and I hope the ratings SOAR!
Make your ASL voice be heard... write or blog your cable provider, the Switched at Birth website, the ABC Family website, or the series actors/producers/directors... whatever you can do... do it!
We need more ASL on prime time TV as well as at major concerts/speaking events!
Below is a synopsis of the AWESOME episode and poignant comments by Katie Leclerc, Marlee Matlin, et. al. Plus a challenge to Steven Spielberg (ie. all great producers) to use more Deaf actors!

LOS ANGELES -- "Until hearing people walk a day in our shoes, they will never understand," says a guidance counselor at a high school for deaf students in "Switched at Birth."
Such insights are a staple of the ABC Family drama, a TV rarity that puts deaf characters, played by deaf or hard-of-hearing actors, at the center of the action.
But Monday's episode takes it a bold step further: Save for a few spoken words at the beginning and the end, it is silent. The actors' hands do the talking with American Sign Language, even rapping together in one gleeful sequence.
Subtitles, which are typically sprinkled throughout "Switched at Birth" episodes, keep the viewer clued in. But when a deaf character is confused because she can't hear something vital, the audience is too. It's powerfully disconcerting.
The cast, including Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin as the school counselor, are excited about what they see as a grand experiment and eager for viewer reaction.
"This is an opportunity for the hearing person to watch at home and try to experience it," said Katie Leclerc, who stars as deaf teenager Daphne Vasquez. "It's not exactly the same, but maybe you can try to imagine what your everyday life would be like."
"It's a risk," added Leclerc, who has an inner ear disorder, Meniere's disease, that can cause hearing loss and vertigo.
"A big risk," Matlin said through a sign language-interpreter. "But it's going to be an eye-opener. I'm very proud to be part of this risk-taking, history-making episode."
Matlin knows about making history. She was the first – and remains the only – deaf person to receive an Academy Award acting trophy, honored as best actress for 1986's "Children of a Lesser God."
The "Switched at Birth" episode pivots on another key moment for the deaf community: A 1988 student protest at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., that ended the unbroken succession of hearing presidents at the school for the deaf.
For fictional Carlton High School (inspired by real-life LA school, Marlton), more is at stake: The school faces closure because of funding cuts, which means its students will be "mainstreamed" with hearing teens.
(It mirrors a real-life trend caused by budget constraints, Leclerc said. There's also an increasing number of children being given cochlear implants to counter hearing loss, itself a controversial issue, according to series creator and executive producer Lizzy Weiss.)
The prospect is dreaded by the Carlton students, either because they've felt the sting of being an outsider or because they treasure being part of a deaf-oriented school.
"Deaf people feel that moving into the mainstream chips away at their community, which is about language and culture," said Jack Jason, Matlin's longtime interpreter and the series' on-set arbiter for correct sign-language use.
With Daphne as the driving force and invoking Gallaudet, students mobilize to take over the administration building and demand Carlton's survival. The conflict's ending will wait for the March 11 season finale.
The uprising panics parents and puts relationships at risk, including that of Daphne and Bay Kennish (Vanessa Marano), the switched-at-birth characters of the title who have come together as teenagers from two very different households.
"We started in the pilot with just one scene that was pure ASL," involving Daphne and Emmett (Sean Berdy), said Weiss. As the series developed, she and her writing team began pondering the "what-if" of an all-sign language episode for the second season.
Then ABC Family approached her with the same idea, and the challenge was on to find a logical and engaging way to realize the ASL-only goal and a big enough story to make the most of it.
Last year, a "CSI: NY" episode took a stab at a nearly silent episode, using music by Green Day for most of its storytelling before reverting to dialogue in the final act.
The solution for "Switched at Birth" was to make sure every scene included a deaf character: "The truth is, when you're around people who are deaf, it's considered rude not to sign if you know how," Weiss said.
To avoid overloading viewers with subtitles the story was designed to be highly visual, including scenes of the student protest complete with picket signs and a defiant "Take Back Carlton" banner unfurled from the occupied school building.
Although some moments depict the pitfalls of being a deaf person in a hearing world, Weiss said, that's balanced by positive aspects.
"If you have been anything that's in the minority – gay, Jewish, a woman, anything – you have some piece of your identity that brings with it a lot of baggage and hardship, but also a lot of pride," Weiss said. "That's what we're trying to connect with."
The episode also highlights the beauty of ASL and its "coolness," such as being able to sign across a crowded theater and have an essentially private conversation, she said.
As with a silent movie – last year's Oscar-winning "The Artist" the latest case in point – "Switched at Birth" includes music intended to reflect the characters' internal lives. A viewer could add to the silence by muting it, but Weiss said that misses the point.
The episode "is not about silence, or `absence of' sound. It's about language and culture and seeing the world from the point of view of a deaf person, and our perspective is that deaf people's inner lives are not silent," she said.
Matlin, whose counselor is a recurring character on "Switched at Birth," said the episode is an emotional and professional high point for her, one she would like to see exceeded.
"I never thought in my life I would see this happen. But I want to go further in terms of using deaf actors. ... I want (Steven) Spielberg to say, `Hey, we want to use deaf actors.' Why not? And, hey, let's have the same respect for actors who are deaf as for those who are hearing.
"I don't know if we'll ever get there, but never say never," Matlin said.

A Must Read: Columbine Student's Father 12 Years Later

2013-01-17T21:07:00.002-08:00

COLUMBINE STUDENT'S FATHER 12 YEARS LATER!!

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this. On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.
They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good &evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.
"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.
"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent
I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!

"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.
What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws.
Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him.

To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge.. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!
My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"
- Darrell Scott

ASL in the movies? Rise of the Guardians could have used it with the Sand Man... How cool would that have been?

2012-12-30T16:28:00.002-08:00

Have you ever wondered why there isn't more diversity in the media/movies? We've integrated women, people of color, and of different cultures to a degree; and we have Marlee Matlin, right? But when will we truly have a fully representative field of actors/actresses and TV/movie characters/roles as well? We need to advocate for more use of ASL, perhaps an entire network dedicated to this? More people with disabilities or those who consider themselves differently-abled? More cultural films and documentaries? What are your favorite ones to date? Do you have ideas for TV/movies that would fit the bill? Let's chat about it...

ASL... as close to a universal language as it gets?

2012-11-25T22:05:00.000-08:00

As a child, from my first exposure to ASL, I wondered why we didn't all learn sign language. Why wasn't it offered in public schools as an Elementary English class or even later as an elective? It seemed to cross all language and hearing barriers; as at that time, I was unaware of Spanish SL, Japanese SL, etc. or any other kind of signed language like SEE or Pigeon. It appeared to be the PERFECT language! Everyone could communicate and I thought that would be great! Here below is yet another testimony of why it may still be a valid idea today!

What are your thoughts?

The Many Faces of the Users of Sign Language

Posted by John @ Signing Savvy on Sunday, November 25, 2012 as General Interest

About a year and a half ago, I came across a young man having problems in one of my schools. He was about five years old and like any other five year old boy, he was a bit stubborn. But, unfortunately, he was also known to be a bit of a “flight risk” from the classroom. We will call him Alex.
Alex isn’t deaf. I don’t even think he is hard of hearing. Alex is a very bright young man….a bright young man with Downs Syndrome. Because of the Down’s, Alex has a lot of trouble with his expressive communication skills. He can hear everything anyone is saying to him, and he really enjoys interacting with others he comes across. He is a very affectionate boy. But up until a year and a half ago, Alex had no real way to communicate back to others what he wanted to say. He made noises here and there but other than gestures, his full thoughts were not being conveyed well and his frustration with communication was evident.

Thankfully Alex’s teacher had previously worked as a speech therapist in a Deaf and Hard of Hearing classroom and she suggested Alex be placed in a DH/H classroom setting where he would be submersed in sign language and he would have continual access to those who used it. Alex picked up on the concept of signing almost immediately. His signs, much like baby signs are often approximations of the true ASL sign, but they are definitely understandable. His command of language shows remarkable purpose and thought.

Today it is AMAZING to see Alex sign with his teachers, interpreters and his peers. He has a schedule and knows exactly how to use it and the purpose behind it, even making suggestions of ways to add to his schedule so that it is more complex and inclusive to his needs. He is reading everyday words that are a part of his schedule. His mother and the staff that work with him are so happy with Alex’s progress. “He has become a MUCH happier boy now that he can effectively communicate his wants and needs.” Adds one member of his educational team. His mother’s comment, “Our home life is night and day different and the frustrations, although still there at times, are so much less than what they were before Alex had a voice through sign language.” This comment brought a tear to my eye and a lump in my throat.

These are the people we created Signing Savvy for, the people who need a voice and those who work with them. We know there are others out there like Alex who may not be Deaf or Hard of Hearing but are still walking the earth “without a voice”. If you know anyone who fits into this category, please don’t hesitate to suggest the introduction of sign language to them. You may dramatically change their life forever!

Alex’s face is distinctly different than your typical Deaf or Hard of Hearing child, yet one thing is very much the same…..the smile when he is communicating.

Did you see this one??? Deaf Kid Kills Friend With Cochlear Implant: Cold Case Episode from 2008 just re-aired this week.

2012-11-13T00:02:00.000-08:00

You can read a synopsis of the episode and a deaf person's review here; but, what do you think about these issues? CI's later in life vs. as an infant/toddler?; CI wearers as part of Deaf culture?; Deaf and Hearing as couples? Share your views please, and share this blog with your friends too~ Thank you.

When the science lab confirms Andy Rierdan's blood traces on a piano at his former high school, Lt. Stillman reopens the case of the 17-year-old deaf boy, who had disappeared in December 2006 from his high school campus. While the police search the campus for Andy's body, the team questions Andy's family and friends. The inquiries reveal that Andy was a popular boy at school: a party boy and a straight-A's student. His parents tell the police that he was a cheerful and outgoing guy and was proud of his people, the deaf community.

One day, Andy met Emma Walker, a young hearing girl who was to teach piano in the school, as part of a court order for driving under the influence of alcohol. After a first rough meeting, the two became friends and had a liking for each other. However, Leah O'Rafferty, a schoolmate of Andy's, became jealous because she considered him her boyfriend. When Andy said that she was misunderstanding things, that the two of them couldn't be more than friends, she took it badly.

Leah admits she was hurt by Andy's refusal but also Carlos, Andy's best friend, did not approve of Andy and Emma's friendship. According to Carlos, Emma convinced Andy to get an artificial ear implant, a cochlear. He once saw them together at the piano since Andy was very good in playing piano. They were interrupted by Emma's father who was furious that Andy was close friends with his daughter. Despite his fiery temperament, Mr. Walker denies ever having hurt the boy, also providing a strong alibi for himself.

Mr. Walker directs the police to the headmistress of Andy's school for deaf children, Dean Vivien Harden, who from the very beginning had shown full cooperation with the police offering to be their interpreter. The detectives ask for an explanation of a secret email she had sent Andy. She reveals that she had mediated a meeting between Andy and his parents who had come to know that he wished for a cochlear in order to hear again. His parents did not approve of the ear operation as, for them, this was like betraying his people. As a consequence, Andy had promised to break up with Emma and to never mention a cochlear operation again.

Meanwhile, the cops find Andy's body buried in the campus' playgrounds. Next to his remains, they also find a cochlear and understand that Andy had gone ahead anyway. When questioning Emma, the team discovers that she had spoken again to Andy and convinced him to go for it, leaving him the key to the piano room.

From the clinical reports, the detectives discover that the operation had been authorized by his father so they get back to his parents. Andy's father wanted his son to be happy even if that meant losing him, so he signed the papers. While about to leave the Rierdans, detective Vera, who had been studying sign language, sees that the two were talking about Carlos. To his questions, Mr. Rierdan answers that Carlos actually talked Andy in to it.

The detectives call Carlos to their police station to question him. Rush pushes him to the breaking point and he confesses in tears that he had killed his best friend with a sudden blow from behind while he was playing piano, because he was scared to be left alone.

Worth seeing over and over again

By DominicanSin3, Mar 25, 2010

I absolutely loved this episode.

But as a deaf person some of the reviews are alittle far fetched. I think there is too much expectation on the show being medically accurate and forgetting it's only an hour long show. I think that people also forget that every deaf person's experience is different so how can anyone say that deaf people aren't like that or deaf people aren't like this?

I often encounter daily hearing people who think I should automatically know how to read lips so that was pretty much on point. I also encounter the same attitude that was displayed in the episode. I wear hearing aids and am not a native signer b/c I grew up oral and sometimes the attitude I get from the congenital deaf community or those who have been signing for a long time (or even sometimes from hearing students at my school who sign fluently) is that they don't want to be bothered by people like me. Now that is not to say that this is the attitude of all or even most. I have found most are very patient with me and accept me but unfortunately that elitist attitude is present and the producers did a good job of showing this. It is also a reality that some hearing people do want deaf people to conform to them. I think people forget way back when that people would actually take their children to a priest for holy water hoping that deafness was a curse. And cochlears are a big issue in the deaf community. Someone also mentioned about the cochlear process. I think you have to keep in mind once again this is only an hour show they can't possibly be 100% accurate when it comes to such an extended process. It was also mentioned that ASL can't be learned from a book--not 100% true. Yes it is best to have deaf interaction but I grew up oral and I first started teaching my self ASL from the very same book Vera had (Signing for Dummies). And anyone who doubts that the deaf can play the piano is mistaken. Many great composers were deaf. Like I.King Jordan said, "Deaf can do anything, except hear!" If you all can't get over litte inaccuracies that don't really break the story then you will never see the true beauty of this episode.

Overall this episode was as accurate as possible within the time frame and gave an accurate portryal of various perspectives on the deaf community.

Extreme Sports and Charity Walks Include Deaf Participation???

2012-09-18T13:52:00.002-07:00

OK, so I went skydiving last week in Molalla, Oregon at Skydive Oregon and took my daughter... wow, what a great experience! It was the most amazing feeling to free fall then to have control of the parachute and do 90 and 360 turns with the pull of the strap! Have you done it? Have you done any other extreme sports? Has being Deaf or H of H been a factor at all? It shouldn't be. My instructor was able to talk right into my ear, but could have easily given simple hand signs if needed. They were all so very accommodating and wanted to make it the best experience for us. What were your experiences?

Also, I walked the 60 miles in the Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure event in Seattle this weekend to fund research and awareness and hopefully bring an end to breast cancer! Everywhere I went across 6 cities everyone I signed to was able to sign back! How awesome! We had an interpreter at all times, speeches, games, dance night, and ceremonies. Even the police all dressed up and helping us cross streets and stay safe were able to give directions and encouragement with sign. It was great! Have you ever participated in such an event? Were you made to feel part of the bigger event/team? What was your experience like?

Interview for Preschool Interpreter Position Thursday... your advice?

2012-09-08T23:28:00.000-07:00

I'm excited and nervous. I am interviewing Thursday for 2 Preschool Interpreter positions... last interview I was on, my first for such a position... I kinda blew it on the Pokey Little Puppy on the spot interpretation. Totally forgot the sign for running... been practicing since. What advice can you offer regarding interviewing in general? Interviewing for an Interpreter position specifically? Interpreting a preschool story book on the spot? Do we fingerspell the author/illustrator's names to a 3 year old? I wouldn't read the names out loud to a Hearing child... so why would I fingerspell the names to a Deaf child? Your thoughts are requested... thank you so much.

What are you looking for?

2012-09-05T16:47:00.001-07:00

This your chance to have me do the research and reporting for you... what are your interests regarding the Deaf culture/community? Are you interested in Deaf events and the newest technological advances? Are you on the fence about Cochlear Implants and other medical advances? Are you in need of ASL support or encouragement whether Deaf or Hearing? Do you want to see more on Deaf athletes or role models in other arenas? Do you want to find interpreter services for church, concerts, appointments? My blog needs people to comment and share so it has to provide what you, my readers want to read! Let me know how to make this the best blog ever! Thank you.:D

Found: The Best ASL Handshape Dictionary

2012-09-04T22:47:00.001-07:00

Finally, I found the kind of ASL dictionary that fits my learning style! This one is organized by handshape just like the one I was trying to create myself! I am so happy to have such a great reference. If you are learning ASL, you must give this book a look because it may improve your signing! Available on Amazon.com it is called simply The American Sign Language Handshape Dictionary by Richard A Tennant, Marianne Glusak Brown. It features more than 1,900 sign illustrations including 327 new signs and a complete index of English vocabulary for all signs. Awesome! Check it out!

Check out Yahoo news re: Deaf preschooler asked to change his name sign because some say it resembles a weapon...REALLY?

2012-08-29T16:57:00.001-07:00

I've watched this video and it is a shame it has gone this far! SEE is this boys language and his modified "Hunter" symbol is far from threatening...
Click here for the full story and video, then tell us your thoughts...

Any Deaf Events Left This Summer?

2012-08-28T14:00:00.002-07:00

Hey guys and gals,
What's going on yet this summer? Deaf Events or other events with interpretation? Anything at the Puyallup Fair or??? Fill me in and share your plans right here!
Thanks!

Needed: ASL ITP books or DVD's

2012-08-23T19:35:00.002-07:00

I am in search of ASL ITP course books or DVD's either for free or at a reasonable price. The ITP program at Seattle Central Community College is no longer available and I am trying to figure out how to further my interpretive skills while waiting on a new program to begin locally. Please help~ thank you.

Girl Scouts deny Deaf girl's needs... What do you think?

2012-08-20T20:18:00.001-07:00

Read the article posted on this link to the NAD site and give us your view please.

This blog seeks to bring awareness to discrimination and other controversial issues affecting the Deaf community, as well as to inform of great events and other relevant issues. Your feedback/comments will make this an even better blog... become a follower today and share this blog with your friends!

Breast Cancer Sucks! You Can Help Find A Cure!

2012-08-16T09:55:00.002-07:00

Hello there! I have less than 30 days left to reach my personal fundraising goal for the Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure! You can help more than you know by supporting my efforts, and in exchange... I will do the walking for you! 60 miles over 3 days... whew! Training is gearing up... 18 miles this Saturday. We will be the one's in pink! When you see us out walking... Honk your horn, wave, and show us your encouraging smiles! See donation links at bottom of this letter to donate on line or by mail~thanks!

One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes in the U.S., and somewhere in the world every 19 seconds. And every 74 seconds ~ someone dies from breast cancer. That is why I am walking and fundraising for the 3-Day. I will join thousands of walkers and crew members in the Susan G. Komen Seattle 3-Day. I am walking 60 miles over three days to demonstrate my determination in finding a cure for breast cancer. Because everyone deserves a lifetime. Chances are that you know someone who has been affected by breast cancer in their lifetime. Consider your donation as a powerful tribute to them. Every mother, every aunt, every sister, every daughter deserves a life without breast cancer.

I served as a crew member on the (Judy Kent) 3-Day kitchen crew, giving my all in service to the walkers for three days. The work I did supported thousands of dedicated walkers and required that I rose before dawn, and worked late into the evenings – I actually loved the two nights in a pink tent! It was an amazing experience each year getting to know the survivors and meeting many wonderful women and men whose lives were all touched in some way by breast cancer. I too have family and friends who have battled breast cancer and other cancers.

I had been on training walks with the Olympia/Lacey team of Hello Cupcakes each season, but remained a kitchen crew member ~ and loved every minute! Everyone on the Hello Cupcake team has a “Cake” name; and last year while training with them, I was asked why I continued to train if I was going to be a crew member? When I explained that I loved to just soak in all the inspiration from their encouraging stories of struggle and survival and determination... I was named “Sponge Cake” and decided right then that the next year I wanted to do more! Well, it's next year! Although my summer was filled with much busyness with a total of 3 family graduations and my son's wedding... I recently managed to get my 2012 training and fundraising underway.

I am raising a minimum of $2300 in donations. I had a huge yard sale and raised $175 in sales/donations and have another planned for Sept.1st. This cause is very important to me, and with my determination and your support too, I know that I can do this!

Susan G. Komen™ works hard to build a future without breast cancer, and my goal is to help bring us closer to that goal. Net proceeds support ground breaking research and scientific programs as well as grants fro education, screening and treatment programs at both the national and local level. No breast cancer organization provides more support than Komen. Millions of women rely on Komen everyday. Please consider matching my $60 donation today, or out give me! You can donate at The3Day.org ~ under my name, or by using my personalized enclosed donation form ~ in any amount that works for you. No donation is too big – or too small.

See how your donation could be used:

$35 (Could be used to provide the cost of patient transportation to a treatment session.)

$60 (Could be used to support a 3-Day® walker for her/his 60-mile journey.)

$120 (Could be used to provide the cost of a life-saving mammogram.)

$250 (There are 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in America.)

$585 (The average 3-Day walker will walk 585 miles while training.)

$1150 (Get your 3-Day walker halfway to their fundraising goal.)

Thank you for your support,
Sincerely,

Kelly Lynne Murray

Participant ID: 2931836

Seattle; Hello Cupcake

***My Personal Page:Highlight the link below and open in a new tab to donate online:

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2012/SeattleEvent2012?px=2931836&pg=personal&fr_id=1769

P.S. Don't wait – please donate today!

Susan G. Komen 3-Day™. BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES A LIFETIME^®.

To mail in a donation; please print the document from the following link. Thank you.

http://www.the3day.org/site/TRGiftForm?fr_id=1769&px=2931836

Ryan Schlecht's One Man Show: The Vivacity of ASL, Voice Interpretation

2012-08-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

THIS LOOKS TO BE A GREAT SHOW!
Tickets are only $20
If you have seen this before; give us your review here...
If there are other shows coming soon you want to tell us about... do that too!
Thanks!

http://www.strangertickets.com/events/5621636/the-vivacity-of-asl

Guest Post by John Peter Walsh; My 2 Weeks at Gallaudet

2012-08-10T12:58:00.002-07:00

Attending Gallaudet University is not like enrolling in any

college. It's like entering the world of the Deaf.

There are three separate two week summer sessions of

intensive ASL instruction. Six hours of classes daily, plus after

school video preparations, dining in the cafeteria and living in

dorms. Speech will make you as popular as someone answering

a cell phone during a symphony performance.

I stayed at Gallaudet from 7/15-7/27/12. The first day is a little

hectic and confusing as you learn your way around campus and hook up on Gallaudet's private e-mail and video system. However, 24 hours in,

I felt right at home. Gallaudet is the only liberal arts college for the Deaf in the world. I have a Deaf brother and I did not learn to sign with him until in my 30s. No one else in the family ever learned. My brother passed away in 2003 and this trip was not just for language growth;it was about personal, family healing.

The curriculum and teacher were both excellent...more about

that later. The primary reason I would recommend a session at

Gallaudet is the opportunity to sign, day and night, in school, computer lab, library, cafeteria, and dorms. Also, there are frequent signing opportunities in stores and restaurants on or close to campus.

Some students stayed and ate off campus. However, I would

encourage buying a dorm and meal package. The tuition was $660

and a package of twelve days in the dorms plus breakfast and lunch

in the cafeteria cost $720 for a total of $1380. You can purchase

a breakfast, lunch and dinner package but I thought it would be interesting to go out at night and try restaurants that were frequented by Gallaudet students. Dining out did not provide the social and signing opportunities I hoped for, but there were some memorable moments. Not all pleasant.

After my first stressful day, I walked into a restaurant and ordered

a rum and coke. $12. As Dorothy said, "Well Toto, I guess we're

not in Kansas anymore." Most restaurants were reasonable but some

exorbitant.

Stunningly, the food in the cafeteria was excellent. Breakfast

included eggs, bacon, pancakes, waffles, toast, bagels, fruit plates,

an assortment of healthy cereals and juices. Lunch featured burger and

fries type meals if you were in the mood, but also a great salad bar,

a sandwich bar and one daily special like stir fry chicken and rice.

The last time I ate dorm food was in the 1960s and it was

abysmal, so the Gallaudet cafeteria was a very pleasant surprise.

There were 20 in our class. 19 women and me. Ever wondered

why the interpreter field is dominated by women? I learned at home.

My father was born in 1921. A gentle, loving man but raised

to be the "strong, silent" type. I never saw him cry in my entire life.

My older brother is very stoic, just like my father. If you can't show

emotion with your face, how can you possibly learn to sign well?

Women are much more comfortable than men displaying their emotions and that's why they make better signers.

Fortunately, I cry at the movies or even during sappy commercials,

so that's why I always end up the only male in the class.

Our teacher's name was Edna Johnston. She didn't possess

the hilarious acting skills of Nat Wilson, our teacher at SCCC.

However, she presented an effective curriculum with enthusiasm

and a very positive, supporting attitude. She delivered criticism

always in an encouraging manner and, like Nat, she stayed cheerful

in class at all times and displayed a wonderful sense of humor.

Edna is a Deaf lesbian. She and her partner adopted three

deaf children from Ethiopia. A girl, 7 years, and two boys, 5 years and 15 months. I really honor her for rescuing these children.

One morning the girl and oldest boy came to class for about

an hour to visit in the care of Edna's mother-in-law. The girl

signed at warp speed and obviously enjoys a happy, loving home

life and a positive self image. The boy was more shy, not quite

as effervescent, but also seemed pleasant and well adjusted.

The homework was a series of video presentations that could

be made on any computer in the lab or library. Gallaudet has a program called "Mythread" that allows a student to videotape his assignment and immediately submit it to the teacher. In all honesty, there were some annoying glitches with this program. I always ended up sending in my videos two different ways, because several students sent videos that were lost in cyberspace and had to redo the assignment.

Everyone attended two Deaf related activities in the community

or on campus and delivered a video regarding their impressions. Everyone had to film their textbook work and there were various projects involving room or building descriptions and family life. Almost every evening a project had to be practiced and then filmed.

The temperature frequently hit triple digits...walk outside for

five minutes and wilt. However, every 15 minutes there is an air-conditioned shuttle bus leaving Gallaudet and headed for Union Station.

Once at Union Station, you can take the metro and travel cheaply

to almost anywhere in D.C...Smithsonian, Library of Congress, Capitol Building...in 10-20 minutes. Fortuitously on our weekend off, the temperatures plummeted into the 70s and I spent a wonderful Saturday

walking from the Smithsonian to Chinatown and back to Gallaudet.

Studying at Gallaudet has been a lifelong dream of mine.

On the last day, we all had to give a family related signed presentation.

I spoke of my Deaf brother and his communication separation from

the family and broke down. My teacher and classmates were all

very sweet and supportive.

After the final project, the whole class went out to Chinatown

for lunch and celebrated.

If ASL is one of your passions, I would heartily endorse

at least a summer session at Gallaudet. I'd love to study there for

a year if I dwelled in a higher income bracket.

Guest Post by John O'Connor; Help Reduce the Risk of Hearing Loss With Healthy Lifestyle Changes

2012-08-09T12:53:00.000-07:00

Help Reduce the Risk of Hearing Loss With Healthy Lifestyle Changes
People who are at risk of hearing loss or those who are already hard of hearing can still reduce their risk of incurring further damage by taking some simple steps. The ears, like the rest of the body, are affected by what we eat, drink, and most importantly, listen to. Exposure to loud noises is one of the most common cause of non-age-related hearing loss.
Several types of hearing loss exist, and not all of them respond the same way to treatments and preventative measures. Noise-related hearing loss occurs because of damage to the cells inside the ears. This type of hearing loss is permanent and cannot be cured. If you feel you are losing your hearing, are currently hard of hearing of even experience a degree of deafness, hearing aids may be a good idea in order to help increase your hearing.
The best and most important way to protect hearing is to avoid loud noises. Extremely loud noises such as gunshots and jet planes taking off can cause damage even with short exposure. Noises at the level of a gasoline-powered lawn mower can cause damage after prolonged exposure.
Earplugs are a good investment in your hearing. Choose a type that is rated to reduce decibels across the entire noise spectrum. Noise-canceling headphones can be useful in some circumstances, but are most effective on lower-frequency sounds and may not protect hearing from higher-pitched noises.
In addition to avoiding noise, there is some evidence that eating well can protect your ears. In a study on animals, research noted that a formula of vitamins and minerals protected the hearing of animals exposed to loud noises for long periods of time. The formula contained vitamins A, C, E and the mineral magnesium. The mixture was more effective than the vitamins alone, magnesium alone, or a placebo (UMHS, 2007).
Age-related hearing loss comes from a number of sources, including noise exposure during earlier life. However, it is also affected by genetics and health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease (URMC, 2012). Eating well and exercising regularly can help prevent these conditions, which should then reduce the risk of age-related hearing loss.
Hearing loss may not be wholly preventable, but there is a lot you can do to reduce the risk. Noise exposure is the most important source of hearing loss in people under 65, and it can be entirely prevented. Age-related hearing loss can be affected by a healthy lifestyle, although it cannot be entirely prevented because of genetic factors. There are a lot of reasons to live healthy, and maintaining your hearing appears to have been added to the list.

Deaf Athletes in the Olympics?

2012-08-06T19:49:00.002-07:00

I was wondering if we had any Deaf athletes in the Olympics, so I did what any curious blogger would do... I googled it! I only came up with a few good links; but two things disturbed me. Firstly, what I found most disturbing is that the Deflympics was just in July and I had no idea! I have to find out how to be better informed on such events for the Deaf community! I missed out and am not happy about that. Secondly, I read that they actually had to debate the use of hand signals and lights to signal a Deaf swimmer Marcus Titus. Read all about Titus and other Deaf athlete issues from the links below. Enjoy! and comment, share, share:D Thanks

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/usa-swimming-will-allow-hand-signals-to-accommodate-deaf-athletes-at-olympic-trials/2012/04/19/gIQAkcbEUT_story.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaf_people_in_the_Olympics

http://www.deaffootball2012.com/

http://www.2012wdac.org/Public/Home.aspx

https://www.facebook.com/Deaflympics