Mr. McGann shares his life experiences, his work to improve the lives of Deaf and Blind people, new technologies available for the Deaf and Blind, and his thoughts about the positive impacts of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Mr. Richard McGann, who is Deaf-Blind, He shared his story with the students and demonstrated some of the accommodations and technology that help him every day. The students were captivated! We are #wpsdproud.
VIDEO [CC] - Exclusive: Chris Wagner, president of National Association of the Deaf's board of directors, to resign from his position immediately!
This petition is to demand for Chris Wagner, president of the board of directors with National Association of the Deaf (NAD), to resign from his position since his views & special interests doesn’t align with the NAD’s mission statement along with the Deaf Civil Rights. Sign up petition HERE.
If Chris Wagner refuses to resign, with your support by signing this petition, we as the Deaf community of United States of America will demand for the NAD’s board of directors to take action against Chris Wagner and impeach him from his position. We need a leader who will support Deaf Civil Rights and take a stand against Deaf Schools, being dominated by audists who refused to respect Deaf children’s rights to education with American Sign Language.
Ever since the Hunger Strike started against Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD) for oppressing against Deaf people and taking away ASL from the rights of Deaf children, Chris Wagner has made it clear that he’s supporting Donald E. Rhoten, the superintendent of WPSD, over the Deaf community, which is a conflict of interest with NAD’s mission statement.
We have suffered oppression for over 200 years. We have had enough! Now is the time to stand up and make sure our voices are heard with support from NAD to empower the Deaf community and enable Deaf people with greater access to employment, to preserve ASL as a primary language for the Deaf children. The NAD needs to work with the Deaf community, not against itself, like Lincoln said, “A divided house cannot stand!” Sign up petition HERE.
NAD President Asks Community to Become Unified - National Association of the Deaf (NAD) President Chris Wagner asks the community to stop attacking each other and to work together.
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Chris Wagner's description and transcript: This is probably one of the most difficult messages that I have ever had to give. It is evident that the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community is not unified, with all the different individuals and groups making strong comments against each other. There have been bullying incidents on social media as well. This breaks my heart. This kind of hostility is what gives hearing parents concerns about sending their children to a Deaf School.
We all know that these schools are the heart of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Though I didn’t go to a Deaf school myself, I discovered my Deaf identity and American Sign Language through my journey as I became an adult. I know that Deaf schools are important. It is true, I envy people who grew up attending a Deaf school. And I am convinced that we must focus our energy on supporting these Deaf schools... Read More: https://youtu.be/oLBUT0xMVmY
If some of you not agreed with Chris Wagner's statement, then sign up petition HERE.
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.
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.
INDIANAPOLIS - At Super Bowl XLVI, The NAD Miss Deaf America, Rachel Mazique performed the anthem America the Beautiful in American sign language, so very disappointed that Rachel Mazique wasn't on TV the national broadcast, which is not the first time the NBC has done it at major event. "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson rendition of the national anthem unsurprisingly finished her version clocked in at one minute, 34 second less time than Rachel Mazique's lengthy one minute, 54 second version of the song.
The National Association for the Deaf announced that the NAD Miss Deaf America, Rachel Mazique, will perform the national anthem and America the Beautiful in American sign language (ASL) at the upcoming Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis on February 5, 2012. The NAD in partnership with PepsiCo worked closely with the National Football League to ensure that America's songs would be delivered in ASL at the Super Bowl. The NAD hopes that the national broadcast will include the signed performance. Actually ironic video showed Rachel Mazique wasn't on TV! very typical examples.
Rachel Mazique unseen on television at Super Bowl.
Numerous Deaf people of the community in the United States very disappointed with the NBC didn't show Rachel Mazique signing the National Anthem on the Super Bowl as seen on the video. Must be a more reason to hate it. what a shame! no camera was focused on her. NBC didn't even try to get Rachel Mazique on TV. Is NBC anti-deaf? Is AG Bell, and HB 1367 in Indiana has been agreement with the NBC to avoids the signed performance on the national broadcast? The NAD and PepsiCo typically meaning of failing cooperation with the NBC/NFL as well? The Deaf community wondering what the NAD are working with? or an epic fail? Deaf people hopefully the NAD give an explanation why does Rachel Mazique isn't on TV after all...
Update: Statements from Ms. Rachel Mazique's Facebook Page. She was posted at FB:
"To my family, friends, fans, supporters: Thank you for rooting for me. I'm as disappointed as you are that American Sign Language gained no exposure. ASL was also not shown on the JumboTron inside the stadium as far as I know. I have poor quality videos of me signing...blurry...signs and face cut off at some points.. shaky film because my mom was being pushed around on the sidelines...not sure if they are worth posting.."
"I am so sorry you didn't get the chance to see me on TV and I thank you all for your support and excitement. I'm re-posting this from someone's comment on my status: "Post your videos! And I got this off someone else's status: Found this email address in case you are interested in writing NBC regarding Rachel Mazique not being shown in the pre-game: nbcsportshelp@nbcuni.com." Some are also tweeting to NBC. If enough people in the general public express their disappointment, next year's performer should get air time." As seen at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Deaf-America-Ambassador-Program/133244086696521
VIDEO [CC] - Deaf Progressivism: An Open Letter To AG Bell Association in American Sign Language.
In a response to Alexander Graham Bell Association's recent letter to teachers of the Deaf who sign with Deaf children. AG Bell are soliciting temporary memberships that offended many of us due to the exclusion of American Sign Language and labeling us teachers "hearing specialists".
PITTSBURGH - This new edition of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD) Newsmaker Program! We were pleased to have the opportunity to visit with Mr. Richard McGann.
