Microsoft's Kinect Turns Sign Language Translator

VIDEO [CC] - Microsoft uses Kinect to interpret sign language. Should the team's efforts reach commercialization, it could have a big effect on the world's Deaf population.



PCWorld - Microsoft’s Kinect technology, already adept at reading hand and body movements, is incorporating sign language into its motion-sensing vocabulary as part of a new research project meant to help the Deaf.



Developers at Microsoft Research have been using the Xbox 360 gaming peripheral to read sign language from Deaf users, and translate it into spoken text. On Wednesday, they showed off some of the results. “Thanks Microsoft for turning my dream into a reality,” gestured Yin Dandan, a deaf student, who demonstrated the Kinect translator.



The technology can not only turn sign language into words spoken by a computer, but also do the reverse. A non-Deaf user can speak or type words into the Kinect translator. The system will then motion the words in sign language using a virtual avatar shown on a display.

Microsoft Research demonstrated the technology as it celebrated the 15th year of its Asia division. language translation has been among one of its focuses and already researchers there have developed software that can artificially replicate a person’s voice, and have it speak other languages, including Chinese.



At the same time, the company has been promoting the use of Kinect among software developers in China, said Wu Guobin, a Microsoft Research program manager. The gadget has proven to be an ideal motion-sensing device for the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which has long been researching sign language recognition technology. ... Read more: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2059880/microsoft-uses-kinect-to-interpret-sign-language-from-deaf-people.html

Deaf Girl Brutal Gang Raped In India

Deaf girl brutally gang raped in India. The four then allegedly raped the girl and when the girl became unconscious in Kolkata.

KOLKATA - A 16-year-old Deaf and mute girl was allegedly gangraped and left to die at an auto rickshaw stand at Arbelia in village Tildanga under jurisdiction of Baduria police station area in North 24-Parganas district.



The girl has been hospitalised and is undergoing treatment at Baduria hospital. She was found in an unconscious state at the auto stand.



The police arrested four accused on Wednesday and produced them in court which remanded them to 14 days police custody.



The teenager, who is a resident of Deganga, had come to Tildanga with her mother to attend her maternal uncle’s marriage. From there they went to Borogobra village, where the marriage was supposed to take place. While the marriage ceremony was on, four persons - Ujjal Mondal, Asif Hossain, Iilias Mortaza alias Ibrahim and Azharuddin, teased the girl.



At this the girl’s family intervened and warned the four youths not to disturb the girl anymore. The family then came back to Tildanga from Borogobra after the marriage ceremony was over.



Sources said on Tuesday, while the reception of the marriage was on at Tildanga, the girl’s maternal uncle’s place, the youths who had come to attend the reception somehow managed to take the girl away to some secluded area.



The four then allegedly raped the girl and when the girl became unconscious, they left her at an auto rickshaw stand at a place called Arbelia in Tildanga.



Locals rescued the girl after they spotted the girl and took her to Baduria hospital. ... Read more: http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kolkata/deaf-and-mute-girl-gang-raped-in-kolkata/article1-1145657.aspx

Deaflympics & The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

VIDEO: Deaf sports and the Paralympic Games - Deaf athletes could compete at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, claims IPC President. However, Sir Philip Craven did not say this and had been misquoted.



Insidethegames - Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), has claimed discussions to introduce events for Deaf athletes into the Paralympics are ongoing and could be successful by the time of the 2020 Games in Tokyo.



But the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) claimed that they had been led to believe that no such process was currently underway. "It is an objective to get some events for Deaf athletes into the Paralympics," Sir Philip said. "There has been communication about events being brought back [and] discussions will be ongoing."



Sir Philip highlighted a meeting he had with the new President of the ICSD, Russian Valery Rukhledev, during the International Olympic Committee's annual Session in Buenos Aires last month to illustrate that talks were underway.



"There will be a minimum of seven years of discussions, so it is not something likely for 2016 but it could be in future years," said Sir Philip. But Mark Cooper, chief executive of the ICSD, claimed that they had not been informed of any roadmap that would see them make their debut in the Paralympics at Tokyo 2020.



"ICSD has never been given a minimum amount of time for membership by the IPC," he told insidethegames. "In broad terms we asked before London 2012 about adding events for Deaf athletes and were told then that there was not enough time to do so.



"We asked what the procedure currently was and were told that no procedure was currently in place and that we should await further clarification from the IPC."



Although originally forming part of what was then know as the International Co-ordination Committee of World Sports Organisations for the Disabled (ICC) Deaf events broke away in 1996 following the formation of the IPC in 1989.



Cooper remained adamant that if Deaf events were returned to the Paralympics then it would still not spell the end for the Deaflympics - which were first held in Paris in 1924 so 36 years before the inaugural Paralympics at Rome in 1960. But he conceded "it has since become clear that the Paralympic Games has garnered a lot of attention and a higher profile".

The Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria this year enjoyed far less media attention than the Paralympic events at the Anniversary Games athletics in London, for example. ... Read more: http://www.insidethegames.biz/paralympics/1016533-exclusive-deaf-athletes-could-compete-at-tokyo-2020-paralympics-claims-ipc-president



IPC Statement regarding Deaf sports and the Paralympic Games.



We note an incorrect report quoting IPC President Sir Philip Craven saying “It is an objective to get some events for Deaf athletes into the Paralympics,” in a story that claims Deaf athletes could compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.



Sir Philip Craven did not say this and had been misquoted.



What Sir Philip Craven in fact was referring to is that it is an objective of the ICSD (International Committee of Sports for the Deaf) to get some events for Deaf athletes into the Paralympics.



The IPC President also did not say that Deaf athletes could compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as the headline suggests. ... Read more: http://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-statement-regarding-deaf-sports-and-paralympic-games

The Totally Biased Deaf Jam

VIDEO: Totally Biased: The Totally Biased Deaf Jam.



Tonight we play a game, The Totally Biased Deaf Jam! Rockstar American Sign Language interpreter Amber Galloway Gallego signs hip hop jams and our contestants name the tune! Starring comedian W. Kamau Bell. On stage, Bell does mostly observational comedy on recent news stories and current events.

Totally Biased: Kamau Chats With Amber Galloway Gallego.

Kamau chats with rockstar interpreter Amber Galloway Gallego! They discuss her recent viral video and what it's like to translate Kendrick Lamar into American Sign Language!

Follow Totally BiasedFX - W. Kamau Bell:

www.fxx.com/totallybiased

facebook.com/TotallyBiased

twitter.com/totallybiased

youtube.com/TotallyBiasedFX

Deaf School Treats Students As Slaves

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: India government school teacher doing massage by Deaf student.



AKOLA - The Deaf community and parents in India outraged when the video leaking into the public of a government school teacher forcing student to doing massage which it was not a part of the education in school.



The teacher, Shital Avchar, working at a government run school for Deaf students, was also found guilty of taking nap in the classroom during school hours and harassing the pupils. Slavery are incompatible and it was part of a slavery re-enactment that discriminate to the students - some parents said crossed the line.

How dare teachers doing that to the students and call it an educational experience? Obviously this school district has taken education to a level it never needed to go to. Teaching children how to slavery and act inappropriately is never the job of a teachers.

Deaf Students Break Language Barriers

VIDEO: Auslan Version - Deaf students break language barriers in Australia.



When Heidi Beasley-Ellich sits her written VCE exams this month - whether in media studies or further maths or textiles - she will read the questions in English and write her answers in English, too.



This would not pose a problem were it not for the fact English is not Heidi's first language, because she is profoundly Deaf.



Heidi attends Forest Hill College in Burwood East, which helps Deaf children enter mainstream education by providing them with in-class resources including real-time captioning and interpreters.



Facility manager Amanda Purcell, winner of a 2013 Victorian Teacher of the Year award, believes passionately in the learning system but not the rigid form of assessment that puts Heidi and others at a major disadvantage.



''Say they've been learning and absorbing VCE biology for two years in Auslan,'' Ms Purcell said. ''It defeats the purpose of allowing them to learn the subject in their first language if you're going to assess them in their second language.''

Ms Purcell returned this month from a research trip to Scotland, where exams for the Deaf work differently. There, an interpreter signs each question to a Deaf student, and the student signs their answer while being filmed.



''The interpreter will then watch the film, and translate everything that the student signed into English,'' she said. ''That's what goes off to be assessed. And that's what I'm really hoping to get here.''



Ms Purcell is compiling an options paper for the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority based on her consultation with researchers and curriculum authorities abroad.



''Over there, Deaf students are getting scores that are indicative of what they know and what they can do, rather than their English level. And they're going on to careers in engineering and chemistry, where here they might not get the score required.'' ... Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/deaf-students-break-language-barriers-20131027-2w9si.html

Federal Bans Housing For Deaf Seniors

Federal government builds housing for Deaf seniors, bans housing for Deaf seniors.



FrontPage Magazine: The United States government has three important functions. Collecting taxpayer money, building housing for Deaf seniors and making housing for Deaf seniors illegal.



his is a true story of how the government fulfilled two of its main functions at the same time by building and banning housing for Deaf seniors.



Arizona is defying a federal order to eliminate apartments for Deaf seniors at a housing complex built specifically for the Deaf.



A 2005 federal study found that the U.S. had virtually no affordable housing for the Deaf. So the federal government helped build Apache ASL Trails, a 75-unit apartment building in Tempe, Arizona., designed specifically for the Deaf. Ninety-percent of the units are currently occupied by Deaf and Deaf-Blind seniors.



But now, the federal The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says Apache ASL Trails violates civil rights law because it shows a preference for the hearing-impaired.



HUD is threatening to pull all federal housing aid to Arizona unless it limits the number of hearing-impaired residents to 18 people.



However, when HUD approved and helped fund the project in 2008, it did so knowing that the property was specifically “designed for seniors who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind.” ... Read more: http://frontpagemag.com/2013/dgreenfield/federal-gov-builds-housing-for-deaf-seniors-bans-housing-for-deaf-seniors/



Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities ... - HUD User

Arizona ethnic studies ban reignites discrimination battle



Related Post: Apache ASL Trails Residents Worry Feds Will Evict Them

Maryland School For The Deaf Abuse Case

EXCLUSIVE Jury selection starts for Maryland School for the Deaf abuse case.



ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) - Jury selection has begun in Ellicott City for the trial of a former Maryland School for the Deaf dormitory aide charged with sexually abusing seven female students in Columbia.



Thirty-eight-year-old Clarence Taylor III of Gwynn Oak pleaded not guilty to all charges Monday before the selection process began.



Howard County Circuit Judge William Tucker says 12 jurors and three alternates will be seated Tuesday before lawyers make opening statements.



Taylor is accused of molesting students from 2008 to 2011. The alleged victims were in the fourth through eighth grades.



Taylor allegedly kissed, hugged and fondled the girls during their overnight stays at the school.



He faces seven counts of sex abuse of a minor and three counts of soliciting a subject for child pornography. ... Read more: http://www.seattlepi.com/news/crime/article/Trial-starting-in-Md-deaf-school-abuse-case-4931592.php



Related Post:

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Deafire: Why Do So Many Hate Jesus ?

ASL Version - Why Do So Many Hate Jesus? by John Graham.



The video producer by John Graham also known as Deafire, who is Pastor of New Life Deaf Church in Ontario, Canada.



This vlog is about why do so many hate Jesus?, why do we call him Jesus if his name is Yeshua? Why is Jesus so important? American Sign Language signed and video edited by deafire.

Follow John Graham:

Subscribe - https://youtube.com/deafbiker2001

Facebook - https://facebook.com/Deaf-Bikers-Ministry/John Graham

Website - http://deafchurch.ca



Related Deafire:

Deafire: Can Christian Smoke Marijuana ?

Deafire: Why Do So Many Hate Jesus ?

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Deaf Trash: Rip Off That Negative Label

Huge Increase in 'Disabled' Scam in Europe

VIDEO: Be sure you know for whom you donating money. There's a new trend here, gypsies asking for money in the streets for disabled people.



BERLIN, Germany - Tourists are targeted by scam and rip-off artists everywhere in Europe. We were actually prepared for gypsies/scammers.



The old adage is a good one to remember when in Berlin and dealing with some of the shadier people that prey on tourists.



The gypsies people approached with petitions, claiming it was for the handicapped. At first it seemed nothing of interest, but now there are many of them, some even caught multiple times or there are multiple arrests during one day.



Here's how they work. They printed a blank on which people can sign and donate money for disabled people.



The funny thing is, text is translated with Google Translate from one language to lithuanian with errors, text above would read this:

Certificate region network - Deaf and physically inferior - For poor and children - We want international center make (make construction equipment)



But people still donate money. Also, they written some signs and how much someone "donated"

So people would give relatively as much as in the blank. They would run away from cameras and are not from this country. So, when luck will ran out here, I guarantee they will head north to Scandinavia and to the west.



So, how to recognize one? Gibberish Google Translated text, fear of cameras and not knowing native language. They could not explain this "donation" thing in more detail. So, from good will don't be robbed in the middle of the day. ... Read more: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=62b_1379069998



Tourist Scam Alert Info: http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/graffiti11.html



Related LiveLeak:

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One-Eyed Deaf Man Fights With The Syrian Army

Deaf Advocates Sues U of M Over Stadium Design

VIDEO: National Association of the Deaf sues University of Maryland for failing to provide closed captioning at sports games.



WASHINGTON - Aberdeen Patch: A lawsuit filed in September by the National Association of the Deaf against the University of Maryland for its lack of amenities for Deaf fans at sporting events is just one of many such efforts to ensure hearing-impaired sports enthusiasts can enjoy themselves at stadiums.



Association CEO Howard A. Rosenblum said his organization has successfully sued other athletic organizations over the same issue, including the Washington Redskins, Ohio State University and the University of Kentucky.



The association successfully sued the Washington Redskins in 2011. According to lawsuit documents, the Redskins were required to “provide Deaf and Hard of Hearing fans equal access to the aural information broadcast over the stadium bowl public address system at FedEx Field.”

The University of Maryland lawsuit details complaints brought to the association by Sean Markel and Joseph Innes, two Deaf sports patrons who regularly attend Terrapin sporting events at Comcast Center and Byrd Stadium. Markel and Innes filed another complaint against the university on Oct. 16.



“This is an action to enforce the rights of individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and to ensure full and equal access to the defendant University of Maryland, College Park’s football and basketball games and other programs, services and activities taking place at defendants’ venues and on the University of Maryland athletic department website,” reads the official complaint filed by the association on behalf of Markel and Innes.



Maryland Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications Brian Ullman released a statement in response to the first complaint saying the university is committed to making sure Terrapin fans with disabilities can enjoy the school’s sporting events. He said the team already offers closed captioning through a special website that can be displayed on smart phones and tablets. ... Read more: http://aberdeen.patch.com/groups/sports/p/deaf-advocates-suing-university-of-maryland-have-had-success-with-other-institutions_56a6b094

Human Rights Watch: Deaf Children Education in Sign Language

VIDEO [CC] - Human Rights Watch: Offer Deaf Children Education in Sign Language. Sign language is critical for Deaf people to be able to communicate, express themselves, and learn.



SYDNEY, AU – Deaf children have a right to a quality education, like all other children, in a language and environment that maximizes their potential. In a video released on October 18, 2013, in conjunction with a global conference in Sydney on equality for Deaf people, Human Rights Watch shows some of the challenges faced by Deaf children and young people, and the opportunities sign language education offers them.



Worldwide, Deaf children and young people are often denied an education, including in sign language. There is a lack of teachers well-trained in sign language, and in many cases parents do not know that their children have a right to go to school and that they can learn if only given the opportunity.



“Sign language is critical for Deaf people to be able to communicate, express themselves, and learn,” said Shantha Rau Barriga, disability rights director at Human Rights Watch. “Depriving Deaf people of the opportunity to learn sign language can condemn them to devastating isolation.”



Hundreds of Deaf people, their families, government officials, and disability experts have gathered in Sydney for a major conference on October 16-18 organized by the World Federation of the Deaf.

Human Rights Watch documented cases of Deaf children and young people in Nepal, China, and northern Uganda who were denied their right to education in sign language. Some Deaf children and young people interviewed did not attend school at all. Teachers and parents often have the misconception that Deaf children lack the intellectual capacity to learn.



A Deaf teacher featured in the video told Human Rights Watch: “Our disability only affects our hearing, not our minds. A Deaf child’s mind is as good as a hearing child’s mind.” ... Read more: http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/10/17/offer-deaf-children-education-sign-language

Deaf Girl Brutal Raped By Trafficker

Deaf girl brutally raped by trafficker. A couple who trafficked a 10-year-old girl to the UK who was repeatedly raped and kept as a domestic servant for nearly a decade have been convicted.



MANCHESTER, UK - BBC News: Ilyas and Tallat Ashar brought the girl, who is deaf, from Pakistan and kept her at their home in Eccles, Salford, where she slept in the cellar.



Ilyas Ashar, 84, was also found guilty of 13 counts of raping the girl, now in her 20s, who was found in 2009. The couple will be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on 23 October.



Tallat Ashar, 68, was found guilty of trafficking and benefit fraud at an earlier trial, as was her husband. This can now be reported after the lifting of reporting restrictions, following Ilyas Ashar's conviction for rape at a retrial.



The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was only found after trading standards officials visited their Cromwell Road home investigating allegations of illegal activity.



Deaf girl was found in the cellar, which was described as "sparse, cold and damp". Police said the girl cleaned and cooked at the house, and was taken to other houses belonging to the family to carry out domestic chores.



Details of the victim's ordeal only emerged after she was taught sign language, enabling her to be interviewed by police.



Thousands of pounds in benefits were claimed in the victim's name and a number of bank accounts were set up using her details, police said.



The couple's daughter, Faaiza Ashar, 46, was also found guilty of benefit fraud at an earlier trial.



Judge Peter Lakin warned Ilyas Ashar to expect a "substantial prison sentence". Ch Supt May Doyle, from Greater Manchester Police, described Ilyas Ashar as "pure evil". ... Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-24549955

Deaf Culture - Deaf Knock

VIDEO: Short Film: Deaf Culture - Deaf Knock.



Check out the funniest, hottest, cutest Deaf actress, it will be worth to watch comedy video clip. Mitch Bergsma's new humor video on YouTube, he is also deaf, to educating and awareness about the life as a Deaf. Please watch & share!



Deaf Actresses: Teather (knocking on door) , Roxy (came out of the house)

Actor: Chase (playing video game)

Film / Edit by Mitch Bergsma

Canon 7d; Tokina 11-16 2.8 lens; B+W polarized filter on Glidecam HD4000

Edited on Final Cut Pro 7.0 on Mac. Having fun filming with GoPro® Accessories!

Follow Mitch Bergsma:

Official website

www.micbergsma.com

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CODA Kambri Crews and Burn Down The Ground

VIDEO: CODA - Kambri Crews and Burn Down The Ground: A Memoir:



NEW YORK CITY - Kambri Crews is an American comedic storyteller based in New York City and author of Burn Down The Ground: A Memoir, a book about her chaotic childhood with Deaf parents.



For fans of Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle, an unflinching, emotional memoir by the hearing daughter-CODA of two Deaf parents, about the rampant dysfunction of her rural Texas childhood and the searing violence that left her father serving a twenty-year prison sentence.



Successful New York producer and publicist Kambri Crews always knew that her childhood was unusual - she spent much of it in a tin shack deep with her family in the woods of Texas. But when, in her early 30s, her charismatic and adored father is sentenced to twenty years in prison for stabbing and nearly killing his girlfriend, she must confront for the first time his violent, destructive behavior.

In her brutally honest, completely captivating memoir, Crews struggles to forge a relationship with her incarcerated father and revisits her unconventional family and the long road she took to her current life. ... Read more reviews of BURN DOWN THE GROUND



Here’s what folks are saying about Kambri Crews and Burn Down the Ground: A Memoir:

“Poignant and unsettling.” - Kirkus Reviews.



“…a compelling testament to the strength of the human spirit.” - Booklist.



“Harrowing . . . A remarkable odyssey of scorched earth, collateral damage, and survival.” - Publishers Weekly.



“Kambri Crews has proven that absurdity, chaos and full blown dysfunction make for a fascinating memoir.” - Janeane Garofalo.



Visit Kambri Crews's official website: http://www.kambricrews.com | http://www.lovedaddy.org

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Kambri Crews/Wikipedia.org



Related Post: Kambri Crews: Songs in American Sign Language

Deaf Pig Roast - 10th Annual

VIDEO [ASL] - 10th Annual Deaf Pig Roast - Saturday, October 12, 2013, in Williamsburg, Virginia.



This special edition on Deaf Pig Roast is an event and gathering which involves the barbecuing of a whole hog which was held in The Williamsburg Campark, Virginia.



Close to a thousand Deaf and Hard of Hearing people attended this years 10th annual Deaf Pig Roast on October 12, 2013. The family and friends turned out for the celebration, complete with a roasted pig, plenty of side dishes and live entertainment throughout the day, a large silent auction, raffles, door prizes, children's games and activities.



Deaf Pig Roast is ever increasingly popular for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, especially as a buffet to feed the guests a banquet of delicious foods. You would expect there to be plenty of hog roast party and event.

Visit official Deaf Pig Roast website: http://www.deafpigroast.com for more information.



Google Map: Williamsburg Pottery Campground Shelter 901 Lightfoot Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188.

Israel’s First Deaf Flight Attendant

Israel News - Drama teacher seeking to become Israel’s first Deaf flight attendant. The 51-year-old has been trying to persuade El Al to hire him for two years, but the airline has balked due to safety concerns.



TEL AVIV, Israel - A 51-year-old man's quest to be Israel's first hard-of-hearing flight attendant fell on deaf hears this week after the Civil Aviation Authority refused to intervene.



Deaf drama teacher Shuki Assouline has been engaged in active talks with El Al for the past two years to convince the airline to hire him as flight attendant. However, the airline determined that it could not employ him as an attendant due to safety concerns.



The CAA declined a request to weigh in on the matter this week, saying that according to regulations a deaf person could not serve as a pilot, but that it does not maintain any medical guidelines for flight attendants. Instead, the CAA said commercial airlines were free to set their own standards and that Assouline should contact the airlines directly.



"I want to make history and become Israel's first Deaf flight attendant," Assouline said in an interview conducted by email. "For 51 years I have known that I am meant to be an El Al flight attendant." ... Read more http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.551478

Annapolis Man Rides 10K Miles, Raises $150K For The Deaf

VIDEO: Annapolis man rides 10K miles, raises $150K for the Deaf.



ANNAPOLIS, Md. - ABC News - Jacob Landis is home and healing after a nearly 10,000-bike ride that raised more than $150,000 in donations toward cochlear implants.



Landis was 180 miles shy of his goal after a passing truck clipped his shoulder. Landis was thrown from his bike and suffered a severe concussion, broken nose two small cheek bone fractures and a chipped tooth. He literally poured sweat and blood into his mission of raising awareness for the Deaf community. He’s home now with a sprain wrist and bruised shoulder.



His efforts will yield cochlear implants for 15 people.

Eileen Jones, founder of the Gift of Hearing Foundation, said Landis’ ride “far exceeds what we’ve been able to do in nine years.”



Landis was welcomed home yesterday by former co-workers, family and friends at an event in Annapolis. ... Read more http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/anne_arundel_county_/annapolis-man-rides-10k-miles-raises-150k-for-the-deaf



For those interested in finding out more about Landis's mission, go to www.JacobsRide.com

Deaf Relay Service Parody

VIDEO [CC] - Deaf relay at your service parody



An inside look at the high-tech critical communication service provided to Deaf citizens so they can access any service in an uncensored environment. Directors: Jeanette Castillo, Diane Wilkins.

Founded in 1977, Frameline is the nation's only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the funding, exhibition, distribution and promotion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender media arts.



Frameline Voices is a new digital initiative that showcases diverse LGBT stories and expands access to films by and about people of color, transgender people, youth, and elders. More information: http://frameline.org

Source

Deaf Couple Killed In Hit-and-Run By Semi Truck

Deaf News: Deaf couple killed in hit-and-run by semi truck in florida. Camera image of a truck believed to be identified in a fatal hit and run crash.

WPTV FORT PIERCE, FL - The Florida Highway Patrol has identified a person of interest in the fatal hit-and-run crash that left two young people dead Monday evening on Florida’s Turnpike near mile marker 166 in Fort Pierce.



Robert Bates, a 68-year-old resident of Sanford, Florida, was identified as a person of interest in the accident that killed 19-year-old Mariah A. King and 24-year-old Vincent T. Mathews as they attempted to change a tire on their PT Cruiser around 8 p.m., according to Sgt. Mark Wysocky, spokesman for FHP.



The victims were pronounced dead at the scene.



Earlier Tuesday morning FHP investigators traveled to Orlando to question a suspect in the fatal hit-and-run wreck. They told WPTV that they had spoken with the suspect and had recovered the rig.



However, Tuesday evening FHP said in a media release that investigators did not find the person of interest at home and had not recovered the 2006 Peterbuilt tractor-trailer believed to have been involved in the fatal accident. Investigators did speak with representatives of Mercer Transport of Louisville, Ky,, the registered owner of the semi, regarding the investigation and said company officials were cooperating.



WPTV reached out to family members of both victims but they declined to comment. However, they said they were devastated. One family member did confirm the two were visiting friends further south and were on their way back home to Lakeland. FHP investigators called the site tragic.



"Anytime you're attempting to change your tire and a car veered off the road and hit the people…it's going to be a tragic site," said Sgt. Wysocky. Both victims are former students of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. ... Read more Robert Bates: Person of interest identified in fatal crash that killed a Central Florida couple.



UPDATE: Recovered in the Orlando-Sanford area - FHP finds tractor trailer suspected of deadly hit and run crash in Fort Pierce.



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Recognize American Sign Language as a Foreign Language

American Sign Language as a foreign language: US recognizing ASL as a foreign language - Presently, approximately 20 states support this argument and recognize ASL as a foreign language. In addition, numerous colleges and universities offer credits for ASL as a foreign language.



UVM: Vermont Legislative Research Shop - American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, complex language that employs signs made with the hands and other movements, including facial expressions and postures of the body. No one form of sign language is universal (NIDCD, 2000). However, International Sign Language has been developed so that people may communicate between nations. International sign language is composed of vocabulary signs from different sign languages that Deaf people agreed to use at international events and meetings (Lapiak, 2001). In general, sign language can be used to break down the barriers between the hearing and Deaf communities.



Here in the United States, American Sign Language is the primary language of an estimated 100,000 to 500,000 Americans, including Deaf native signers, hearing children of Deaf parents, and fluent Deaf signers who have learned ASL from other Deaf individuals (Wilcox, 1989). ASL is said to be the fourth most commonly used language in the United States (NIDCD, 2000). Because of this, students are increasingly learning sign language in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary classrooms around the country. Most of the time it is offered in speech, education, or communication disorder departments rather than in foreign language department. One reason for this is the fact that there is a limited amount of licensed sign language teachers. Qualifications for these teachers include a formal background in second language pedagogy, experience teaching ASL, and verifiable proficiency in ASL (Kanda & Fleischer, 1988).... Read more http://www.uvm.edu/~vlrs/doc/sign_language.htm

You might also like:

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Washington Food Market Becomes Hub For Deaf Community

VIDEO [CC] - Washington Food Market Becomes Hub for Deaf Community. VOA's Michael Lipin reports on the key elements that help to draw many hard of hearing customers to Union Market.



WASHINGTON - A year-old food market in a Washington, D.C., neighborhood has become a unique hub of shopping and dining for the city's Deaf community.



One feature that draws many hard of hearing customers to Union Market is the ability to communicate with staff members like Thadeus Suggs. The 23-year-old lunchtime food vendor from Seattle interacts with them easily because he is fluent in American Sign Language.



Suggs, who also is Deaf, began working at the historic market weeks after it opened in September 2012, following a major renovation.

Since then, Suggs has been on leave from his undergraduate studies across the street at Gallaudet University - the only university in the world specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students.



With the help of Gallaudet interpreter Carolyn Ressler, Suggs explained what he likes about his job.



"One nice thing is it is so close to Gallaudet, which by the way is the 'Deaf Mecca'," he said. "And with that, we are providing services to the Gallaudet community as well as the community at large. I think they benefit from it, as do I." Read more http://www.voanews.com/content/washington-food-market-becomes-hub-for-deaf-community/1762302.html

Sign Language Of The Deaf World

VIDEO: Sign Language of the Deaf world. Signed in countries.



There are two hundred sign languages in use around the world today. Deaf sign languages, which are the preferred languages of Deaf communities around the world; these include village sign languages, shared with the Deaf-community sign languages.



Check this out at Sign Language Countries. List of sign languages: wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sign_languages



Interest to add your sign language countries in the list, Watch video for more details...

Visit official website: http://deafworldsign.com



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Gill Sheats Is Proud To Be Deaf Storytelling

VIDEO [ASL/CC] - Gill Sheats is proud to be Deaf storytelling.



"I am Proud to be Deaf" is a story from Gill Sheats.



This an excellent model of Deaf personal narratives that teachers can use to assist students in building background/world knowledge.



Personal narratives also provide opportunities for developing comprehension skills (retelling, questioning, making inference, summarizing, creating evaluative responses...)

Deaf Newcomers Signed O' Canada in ASL

VIDEO [CC] - Deaf Newcomers Signed O' Canada in American Sign Language. New program helps Deaf newcomers to Canada.



LONDON, Ontario - CTV News - Many newcomers to Canada and to London have challenges communicating in our city. But imagine the the challenge for those who don't understand English and who are also Deaf.



It's a huge barrier, that was closed with a celebration on Wednesday. The first participants in the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program were on hand for the official launch of the program supporting them.



Operated by the Canadian Hearing Society, with the support of government agencies and a local church, it was created due to a growing need in London.



While the number of Deaf and sign language-challenged immigrants in our city remains small - those here - often feel greatly isolated.

The Canadian Hearing Society launched new LINC program in London, Ontario to assist newcomers who are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing . As part of the program launch and in celebration of International Week of the Deaf, students in the inaugural LINC program signed "O Canada" in American Sign Language (ASL).



While the number of Deaf and sign language-challenged immigrants in our city remains small - those here - often feel greatly isolated.



One participant in the new program spoke to us through an interpreters about his intial experience in the Forest City. Unable to speak English or French, or understand North American Sign Language, he admits it was frightening. ... Read more story

Manitoba Deaf Athletes To Get More Sign Language Help

Deaf News: Manitoba Deaf athletes to get more sign language help. Province to spend up to $40K a year for interpreters following human rights complaint.



CBC WINNIPEG - The father of a Deaf athlete from Winnipeg says he is pleased to hear Manitoba will now be providing interpreters to help other deaf players communicate.



The Manitoba government will set aside up to $40,000 a year to help Deaf children participating in amateur sport communicate with their teammates, coaches and game officials, following a human rights complaint.



Two parents of Deaf children initially approached the Manitoba Human Rights Commission complaining that lack of money for sign language services made it harder for some Deaf children to participate in sports.



The parents said the lack of interpretive services meant their children couldn't participate fully in sports, develop leadership skills and have the same advantages as their peers.



One of the complainants, Rick Zimmer, says his son, Cody, wanted to play soccer but couldn't because there was no interpreter available for him and other Deaf players. ... Read more story.



Related Articles:

VIDEO: Manitoba increasing funding for deaf athletes after human rights complaint-ctvnews.

VIDEO: Young, Deaf athletes get a sporting chance-winnipegfreepress.com

Deaf athletes to get more sign language help-globalnews



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Manitoba Deaf Athletes To Get More Sign Language Help

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si5s: ASL Literacy and Establish ASL Corpus

VIDEO [ASL/CC] - si5s org is a non-profit organization to spread ASL literacy and establish ASL corpus across the ASL community.



si5s is a writing system used for American Sign Language (ASL) that resembles a handwritten form of SignWriting. It was invented in 2003 in New York City by Robert Arnold.



si5s is the English spelling of the name for American Sign Language in writing. We provide workshops, presentations and training on ASL writing for K-12 education, ASL classes, and the Deaf/ASL community. See more details at wikipedia.org/wiki/Si5s.



Introduction to American Sign Language Writing by Robert Arnold.

Video by si5s Produced and Directed by Jules Dameron of Damname Productions. http://www.damname.com



Official si5s website, http://www.si5s.org



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