Showing posts with label ASL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ASL. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Deaf Wrestler Sues Over Interpreter Rules

VIDEO [CC] - Deaf News: A high school wrestler who is Deaf is suing MHSAA to have an interpreter with him on the mat.



DETROIT -- WXYZ - A Royal Oak High School wrestler who is Deaf has filed a lawsuit against the Michigan High School Athletic Association.



The senior at Royal Oak High School says he is Deaf, and that shouldn’t be a problem. It has become one during meets because the MHSAA is restricting his use of sign language interpreters.



“It is not fair,” said Ellis Kempf, of the rule.



Kemp says at meets sponsored by his school his sign language interpreter is allowed to move around the outside of the wrestling mat. At MHSAA sponsored meets that is not allowed. The MHSAA says the interpreter must be in Kempf’s coach’s designated corner. “That’s not going to work. I can’t see,” said Kempf.



To activate this feature, press the "CC" button.


“They are saying Ellis can have an interpreter he can’t see. He can have an interpreter if the interpreter stands behind his back. That does Ellis no good,” said Attorney Jason Turkish.



So why does the MHSAA have this rule?



The MHSAA says it is for the safety of interpreters. At tournaments there are often several wrestling mats lined up next to each other. While it is rare for wrestlers to go outside the boundaries and collide with each other as an official can stop the action, the MHSAA says an interpreter circling the mat likely would not see competitors from another mat coming toward her or him.



"The MHSAA allows and always has allowed interpreters for the Deaf in wrestling,” said Geoff Kimmerly, an MHSAA spokesperson. "This student has been competing in high school wrestling with the aid of an interpreter for three seasons. There are some limitations on where interpreters can move during competition, especially at large tournaments with multiple mats in close proximity, so the interpreter does not get in the way of coaches, officials and competitors. This is a safety concern. These accommodations have been used for other Deaf wrestlers without problems in the past."



Ellis says the only person getting hurt is him. He points to the fact his record shows he is more likely to win wrestling tournaments that allow sign language interpreters.



“There have been times I lost first place because I didn’t know what was going on,” said Ellis. Source

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Being Deaf Person Is Weirder Than You Thought

Deaf News: Society has traditionally treated Deaf people like garbage, 1 of the top 5 reasons life as a Deaf person is weirder than you thought.





CRACKED -- There are over 500,000 Deaf people in the United States, but the only time we hear about Deaf Culture is when someone is making up sign language at presidential funerals, rioting, or teaching kids on Sesame Street.



As a result, the average person has no idea what being Deaf involves, and therefore life can get downright weird for anyone who can't hear like the rest of you. Well, I'm a sign language interpreter and an American Sign Language (ASL) graduate, and I'll try to give you a glimpse of how strange things can get...



#1. Society Has Traditionally Treated Deaf People Like Garbage.





For much of our history, society just didn't know what to do with Deaf people. In the B.C. era, the law of the Talmud denied Deaf people the right to own land, while St. Augustine in the early A.D.s made deafness a straight-up sin. It wasn't until the 1960s that interpreting for Deaf people was even a profession.



Before then, Deaf people relied on the help of family, teachers of Deaf people (like Helen Keller's Deaf-Blind teacher Anne Sullivan), and the occasional clergyman that learned some signs. If you didn't live in an area with a thriving Deaf community, you might as well be cut off from the world entirely.



Educators didn't have a problem with Deaf people until the 1880 Conference of Milan. A bunch of hearing people and one token Deaf guy got together in Italy to figure out just how Deaf people ought to be educated. You can sum up their conclusion as "Fuck sign language, just try real hard to speak." Even today, many Deaf people remember having their hands tied and wrists slapped to stop them from trying to sign.





This, as you can imagine, made life a lot more difficult for Deaf people and their families. From many (god-awful) parents' standpoint, it was easier to ship them off to a different country or just put them in an institution. To make matters worse, around the same time, Alexander Graham Bell was running amok.



The same guy who invented the telephone was actually an inventor/douchebag on par with Thomas Edison. And, like the douchiest bags of his day, Bell was really into the eugenics movement (Hitler found his work inspirational).



He spent his life pushing legislation that would force Deaf people to undergo surgery to make sure they couldn't have children together and make a "Deaf Race." Fearing this day, Bell pushed for the abolition of sign language because it brought Deaf people together. (Oddly enough, Bell's own mother and wife were Deaf. So yeah, probably some awkward holidays for that family.)





This should help explain why Deaf people are wary of anyone who claims to be able to "fix" them. Big-D Deaf people often oppose cochlear implants, and it isn't because they're anti-technology.



It's because they have a distinct culture that people have tried to wipe out. It's not easy feeling like you're doing a pretty damned good job of getting by in life, only to hear a whole group of people look at you and scream, "We have to stop any more unspeakable horrors like this from existing!" ...Read More: 5 Reasons Life as a Deaf Person Is Weirder Than You Thought - Cracked.com.



Visit CRACKED official site - http://www.cracked.com



Related - #Weird News

Monday, November 2, 2015

Deaf Girl Uses ASL To Communicate With Pet Dog

VIDEO: Deaf News - Deaf Albuquerque girl uses American Sign Language to communicate with pet dog.





KRQE ALBUQUERQUE -- A Deaf New Mexico girl is using sign language to communicate with her pet dog. “She does everything with him,” said Neeva’s mom Chelsea Goff. While Neeva, 4, eats, her dog Baxter cleans up her crumbs. When it’s time to go outside and play, he is by her side.



“He is just always with her. If she’s asleep in bed, we can guarantee that he is in her room with her,” said Goff. Neeva and Baxter aren’t your average pair.





“We found out right away after she was born that she didn’t have hearing,” said Goff. Neeva goes to the New Mexico School for the Deaf in Santa Fe. She communicates using sign language. “So really that is our primary language with her, therefore it’s her primary language with our animals,” said Goff.



Goff went to Animal Humane of New Mexico in August to find a dog that could fit in with her family, particularly one that had enough patience to care for Neeva.



“They had some animals that they thought would fit with our family and sure enough Baxter was one of them,” she said. “It was kind of that love at first sight kind of thing, so we brought him home and things have been great.”



Neeva has taught Baxter how to sit, stay and even go using sign language. Goff said Baxter listens most of the time especially if there is a treat involved.



“To watch them interact and really have active communication is really spectacular to watch,” said Goff. She also said the constant communication between the two has helped Neeva with her signing.



“In the Deaf community you get a sign name and it is usually assigned to you by another Deaf community member, so Neeva gave Baxter his sign name,” she said. Goff said the pair’s relationship is a silent one, yet powerful. Neeva’s family got Baxter for free from Animal Humane after another family who fell in love with him at the shelter, but couldn’t have him paid for his adoption fee. Source



Related Post - Tag #Deaf Dogs

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Cochlear Controversy Dramatized In ‘Sound’

Deaf News: The world-premiere play “Sound” explores the controversy over cochlear implants for the Deaf.





SEATTLE TIMES - To hear? To speak? To sign? Those are the questions.



Deaf children in America are eligible for a procedure that can significantly expand their ability to hear. It is a cochlear implant, and rather than amplify sounds like hearing aids do, it works by directly stimulating the auditory nerve in the brain.



By 2012, about 96,000 adults and children in the U.S. alone had undergone the procedure.



Yet while many have hailed it as a breakthrough that not only can turn up the volume but also help Deaf children develop speech, not everyone is cheering.



“There are a lot of emotional feelings about CIs (cochlear implants) in the Deaf community,” explained Howie Seago, a Deaf Tacoma-bred theater artist and co-director of the new play “Sound,” which debuts this week at ACT Theatre.



“Many Deaf people feel that the doctors and other ‘professionals’ in the field of deafness consider us ‘defective’ and need to be fixed,” Seago commented by email.



“They stress this ad nauseam to the parents and do not fully educate them as to the range of communications options available. They almost always leave out the benefits of using sign language with their Deaf child.”



The conflict over whether children in particular need the device intrigued Seago’s co-director, Desdemona Chiang, when she read an early draft of hearing playwright Don Nguyen’s drama, “Sound.” It portrays the heated dispute between a Deaf father and his non-Deaf ex-wife over whether to try to restore their daughter’s hearing with CIs... Read more: http://seattletimes.com/entertainment/theater/cochlear-controversy-dramatized-in-sound/

Monday, October 28, 2013

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 ?

Deafire: The Rider On The White Horse

Deaf Trash: Rip Off That Negative Label

Friday, October 18, 2013

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

My facebook fan page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MicBerg

Follow me on Twitter

http://twitter.com/micbergsma

Subscribe me

www.youtube.com/micbergsma

Monday, October 14, 2013

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.

Monday, October 7, 2013

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 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

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

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

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



Follow si5s:

si5s/Subscribe

facebook/si5s

twitter/si5s

youtube/si5s

Friday, September 27, 2013

Signing Jack Sparrow: Exclusive Interview

VIDEO: Exclusive Interview Signing Captain Jack Sparrow with Ken Davis.



Signing Jack Sparrow also known as Captain Jack Sparrow is a fictional character in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. The character was portrayed by Johnny Depp.



Signing Captain Jack Sparrow is the ultimate impersonator and entertainment for Deaf event - speciality with the MATA Expo. ... Savvy ! ... Signing Jack Sparrow that he made his debut appearance in a video clip on MATA-SLM Expo event in Chicago, May 18, 2013. He is a constantly increasing body of cultured, Deaf people are beginning to regard the sign language buffoon, Signing Jack Sparrow, as an extraordinary artist, as well as a comic genius.



Signing Jack Sparrow is your DEAF Pirate Savvy ! ... To connect with Signing Jack Sparrow, www.SigningJackSparrow.com. To give them the finest Pirate in entertainment and fun for community.



DeafNewspaper Ken Davis opportunity an interview with Signing Captain Jack Sparrow at Mata Expo in Denver, Colorado, on September 14, 2013.







Watch Videos - Signing Jack Sparrow:

COSPLAY at MATA-SLM Expo in Chicago!

Signing Jack Sparrow Meets Silent Warrior

Interview With Silent Warrior

Signing Captain Jack Sparrow with Ken Davis



Follow Signing Jack Sparrow:

www.SigningJackSparrow.com

facebook/SigningJackSparrow/MATAExpo

Thursday, August 29, 2013

SODAs: Sibling of a Deaf Adult

VIDEO [ASL/CC] - Documentary Film: SODAs Sibling of a Deaf Adult.



SODA story to share by Krista Coggins and her sister, Amy Elton. A SODA is a Sibling of a Deaf Adult.



Hearing children who grow up with Deaf siblings have unique experiences. Some SODAs may wish to reach out to other SODAs to share their experiences.





SODAs: Sibling of a Deaf Adult Part 2



ASLized 'Through the Hands'

VIDEO: [ASL/CC] - ASLized 'Through the Hands'



ASLized fosters the integration of American Sign Language (ASL) educational research into visual media and literacy. The main objective is to produce teaching and learning materials in ASL with two focuses ASL literature, preserving culture and history and ASL Linguistics, promoting a better understanding of the complex structure and use of sign languages.



ASLized - 'Through the Hands'

Signed by Erica Tara Lily Parker

Camera by Andre Otalara

Directed and edited by Sonia Pivac.





Visit for more videos at http://aslized.org/

Direct to aslized/hand video http://aslized.org/hands/.



Related Post:

Deaf Schools 'Home' (VIDEO)

Educate For Hearing Parents With Deaf Children/Toddlers

ASLized: Through the Hands

Creating Deaf Counternarratives With Commentary

No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie Trailer

TRAILER: (English Subtitles) - No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie Trailer (2013)



Base in the internationally known Superdeafy character, no ordinary hero, featuring Marlee Matlin, stars John Maucere as Tony Kane who plays a superhero on tv, but in real life he's just another guy who happens to be Deaf. 8-years-old Jacob Lang, also Deaf, is having a hard time. When Tony and Jacob's paths cross, they inspire belief in each other and in themselves.



No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie Trailer (2013)


Dierct to Vimeo/SuperDeafy http://vimeo.com/70195866



 Storyline: Tony Kane plays a superhero on TV, but in real life he's just another guy who happens to be deaf, with hopes and dreams that always seem to elude him. Eight-year-old Jacob Lang, also deaf, is having a hard time in school, where he is torn between what his father thinks is "normal" and an education using sign language promoted by his mother.



When Tony and Jacob's paths cross, they inspire belief in each other and in themselves. And when Tony meets Jacob's teacher, Jenny, a romance blossoms that suddenly makes Tony feel like he can do anything... even things he never dreamed was possible. In this first installment of SuperDeafy the Movie, we meet the man behind the superhero the man for whom everything has always felt just a little bit out of reach. But that's all about to change. Written by Taly Ravid.



Follow No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy.

Official website: http://www.noordinaryheromovie.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nohthesuperdeafymovie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuperDeafy

Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2907898/



Related Post:

John Maucere Got Hand Insurance

TMZ: Exclusive Interview With John Maucere

No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie Trailer

Deaf Actor John Maucere Scandal

Monday, August 26, 2013

Deaf Actor John Maucere Scandal

VIDEO [ASL] - All About Deaf Actor John Maucere Scandal.



This vlog covers on the star of "No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie" also known as John Maucere and his shady past, such as a drugs user, theft and fraudster. Has John Maucere's public image finally recovered after his scandal a few years back?



Maucere shocked Deaf community when he publicly admitted to drugs abused in young adult. Eventually, less a dozen Deaf and Hard of Hearing people came forward about theft and fraudster with a professional Deaf actor, incriminating messages that Maucere had sent to back up their accusations.





Related Post

John Maucere Got Hand Insurance

TMZ: Exclusive Interview With John Maucere

No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie Trailer

Deaf Actor John Maucere Scandal

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Deaf USA Team Handball Scandal

VIDEO [ASL] - All About Deaf USA Team Handball Scandal.



This vlog covers the scandal of US Deaf Team Handball which was coachec by TSD AD Chris Hamilton to Sofia, Bulgaria.



SOFIA, Bulgaria - The U.S. Team Handball squad’s last game of the 2013 Deaflympics on Saturday came down to the final seconds.



After a last-minute Russian scoring run, the Americans were down 30-29 with six seconds left. Top U.S. scorer Stefan Bergan moved fast and scored a seven-meter penalty shot in the final three seconds to force a tie between the U.S. and Russia, 30-all.





However, because overtime only occurs in games in which medals are at stake, the Americans had to be satisfied with the 30-30 tie and sixth place in the standings. Full story at http://www.usdeafsports.org/news/2013/aug/3/handball-ends-deaflympics-tie-game/



The results of the Deaflympics handball game in Sofia: http://sofia2013.com/games/sports/Handball

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What is Handball?



Although its popularity spans the globe, the Olympic sport of team handball is just emerging in the United States and often suffers an identity crisis. Most of the world calls the game "handball," but in the U.S. there is already another game with that name. Most Americans who hear of team handball envision participants on something like a racquetball court smacking a little black ball with their hands. Visit official website: http://usadth.tripod.com/home.html

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Ontario Deaf Schools: Stands Up and Speaks Out

VIDEO [ASL/CC] - Ontario Deaf Schools: Stand ups and speaks out. Students protest outfront Deaf school. Almost two dozen students protest outfront the E.C. Drury School for the Deaf, staff cuts,that they say will impact their education.



TORONTO - Students from the E.C. Drury School for The Deaf are in their second day of protesting the layoffs of 56 full-time support and residential staff, including nine locally at their Ontario Street campus of Ontario’s Provincial Schools.



The Deaf Ontario Association, which represents the Deaf in Ontario, posted on its website - the cuts will hurt the province's most vulnerable students with disabilities and severely impact their families rights to accessible education. Source: http://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/3846050-students-protest-out-front-deaf-school/.



The layoff of 56 full-time staff from Ontario’s Provincial Schools will hurt the province’s most vulnerable students with disabilities and severely impact the families’ rights to accessible education.



Deaf Canadians: Stand Up and Speak Up.




Ellen Support ECD Protest.


This is regarding ECD Deaf school protest in response to Ontario Government's recent decision to lay off staff at Deaf schools in Ontario.



Deaf Children Value Deaf School and Staff.


Vaylena Sauve 6 years old and Owen Sauve 9 years attend Sir James Whitney for the Deaf School. Value all Deaf school.



Related Post:

Ontario Deaf Schools Staff Layoffs

AG Bell Destroys Deaf Culture ?

VIDEO [ASL] - AG Bell destroys Deaf Culture ? Apparently, its a fact.



MannyASL's new video on YouTube to educating about the knowledge of AG Bell for Deaf and Hard of Hearing and hearing people. This video is about "My Queen." AG Bad also known as AG Bell.



Reminder: Oralism is not the problem, The notion of AG Bad promotes American Sign Language is wrong, dishonesty. AG Bad is misleading parents as seen on #LiesAGBellToldMyParents. Although it is history but today the practice, the principle and the philosophy still discriminate against sign language in which a part the form of Audism.



MannyASL, who is a Deaf, which is issuing a call to action, inviting community to be part of the solution to explain why he is doing a good cause, to educating and awareness about the AG Bad. Please watch & share! Thank you! Let his know of your thoughts... Click here!





Rise of The AG Bell:

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, also known as AG Bell, is a resource, support network and advocate for listening, learning, talking and living independently with hearing loss. Through publications, advocacy, training, scholarships and financial aid, AG Bell promotes the use of spoken language as well as hearing technology for children with hearing loss. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with chapters located throughout the United States and a network of international affiliates. Read more at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.



Biography - Alexander Graham Bell:

Everyone knows about Alexander Graham Bell and his invention of the telephone. What is not as well known, is his ties to the deaf community. AG Bell work with the Deaf. Bell's father was invited by Sarah Fuller, principal of the Boston School for Deaf Mutes (which continues today as the public Horace Mann School for the Deaf), in Boston, Massachusetts, to introduce the Visible Speech System by providing training for Fuller's instructors, but he declined the post, in favor of his son. Traveling to Boston in April 1871, Bell proved successful in training the school's instructors. He was subsequently asked to repeat the program at the American Asylum for Deaf-mutes in Hartford, Connecticut, and the Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, Massachusetts. Read more at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.



Related Post:

Deaf Student Bullied At Alexander Graham Bell School

Reframing The Deaf Community For The 21st Century

Deaf Progressivism - An Open Letter To AG Bell Association

Cochlear Implant Failures Lawsuits & AG Bell

AG Bell & CI Companies

AFA Rally & Blue Tapes

Audism Free America, AGB, and NAD

Disability, Ability, and Greatness

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Ontario Deaf Schools Staff Layoffs

VIDEO [ASL/CC] - The layoff of 56 full-time staff from Ontario’s Provincial Schools will hurt the province’s most vulnerable students with disabilities and severely impact the families’ rights to accessible education.



TORONTO - Vulnerable students in Provincial Schools to suffer from layoffs. The Ministry is moving this work to contingent part-time workers, and away from support workers who have over 20 years’ experience and who have made significant impacts in the lives of parents and students with disabilities, Warren (Smokey) Thomas, OPSEU President.



The layoff of 56 full-time staff from Ontario’s Provincial Schools will hurt the province’s most vulnerable students with disabilities and severely impact the families’ rights to accessible education. Ontario government reduces full-time workers who teach students with disabilities.



Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) said that the these students, who are Blind, Deaf, Deaf-Blind and learning disabled deserve far better from the Ministry of Education.



“The Ministry is moving this work to contingent part-time workers, and away from support workers who have over 20 years’ experience and who have made significant impacts in the lives of parents and students with disabilities,” Thomas said. “The move to part-time work will cheapen important programs that accommodate students in Ontario. Meanwhile, full-time social workers, residence counsellors, maintenance workers and support staff will be forced out the door.” ...READ MORE: http://www.nupge.ca/content/5866/vulnerable-students-provincial-schools-suffer-layoffs



A Hearing Mother Speaks out in Support of Deaf Children in Ontario.
Video by Wayne Nicholson



Hi! My name is Jeanette and I am a mother. I have a deaf son-he is 10 years old and he attends the school for the Deaf. I am not deaf as you can tell because I am speaking but I am choosing to send out this message-MY message in a video format to plea to other parents like myself that have chosen to send their child to a Provincial School. I think it is time that WE as a collective start a dialogue and have a discussion about important changes that will be coming down and have an impact on our children.

First of all, I just want to commend you on sending your child to a deaf school because I am sure it wasn't an easy decision for you. I know first hand how difficult it must be to be hearing and send a child to a deaf school and have them learn a different language probably different than the one you are speaking at home. So, you are very brave and as I I said I know how it feels because I do have a deaf child attending the school for the deaf and actually living in residence... Read more: http://youtu.be/K1Bbf8vB7n0



Something Fishy with the Ontario Deaf Education Today ?




Find more at http://www.deafontario.ca/

Monday, June 17, 2013

Death of American Sign Language ?

VIDEO [ASL] - James Dee: Death of American Sign Language ?



James Dee's new video on YouTube to educate about the knowledge of American Sign Language. Good News for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing people about ASL death.







James Dee, who is a Deaf, which is issuing a call to action, inviting community to be part of the solution to explain why he is doing a good cause, to educating and awareness about the American Sign Language