deafweekly

 

May 18, 2005
Vol. 1 No. 31

Editor: Tom Willard

Deafweekly is an independent news report for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. It is mailed to subscribers every Wednesday morning and available to read at www.deafweekly.com. For information, contact mail@deafweekly.com.

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The contents of Deafweekly are Copyright 2005. Any unauthorized use, including reprinting of news, is prohibited. Readership: approximately 4,500 including subscribers and website readers.

Please support our advertisers; they make it possible for you to receive this newsletter at no charge. For advertising information, see www.deafweekly.com/advertise.htm.


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NATIONAL
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CLOSED-CAPTIONING ERROR AFFECTS VOTING ON 'AMERICAN IDOL'

A closed-captioning error on last week's "American Idol" may have resulted in several hundred thousand votes being cast for the wrong person, the Associated Press reported. The call-in phone number for Carrie Underwood appeared in the closed-captioning for all of the contestants, which may have led to her survival on the popular reality show. Fox issued a statement saying, "The producers and network apologize to our hearing-impaired viewers for any confusion, and the situation was immediately corrected for our tape-delayed West Coast broadcast." Reality TV Magazine contacted the National Association of the Deaf to find out how many votes may have been affected and estimated that the error could have tainted as many as 875,000 votes out of the 30 to 35 million votes that are typically cast.

WOMAN ESCAPES HOUSE FIRE AFTER NEIGHBOR POUNDS ON HER DOOR

A lightning bolt started a fire at the Elkhart, Ind. home of Katherine Wilson last Wednesday, causing an estimated $25,000 in fire, smoke and water damage. Wilson, who is unable to speak or hear, was able to escape the blaze after a neighbor, Dale Snyder, repeatedly pounded on her door until she could feel the vibrations. "I told her the house is on fire," Snyder told a reporter from The Truth. "Once she saw the smoke, she was very appreciative." Fire investigator Dennis Mann said two sisters rent the house and live there with Wilson and four grandchildren. The sisters were at work and the children were in school when the fire started, he said.

BOSTON'S 'SIGNING SANTA' STABBED TO DEATH IN CITY PARK

A Boston neighborhood activist who volunteered as a signing Santa Claus during the holidays was stabbed to death in a city park last week. John Beresford, 40, had been called by some friends who said they were being mugged. He went to help, and when he confronted the two muggers, one of them stabbed him in the chest with a knife. Beresford died a short time later, police said. According to WCVB-TV News, Beresford was active in making improvements to Ronan Park and was scheduled to meet with Boston Mayor Thomas Menino today to discuss park plans. The mayor called Beresford's death "absolutely outrageous," and a grieving friend, Adam Greenfield, remembered Beresford for his signing Santa duties. "He'd get the deaf kids up there and he shocked the hell out of 'em because they didn't expect Santa to be able to talk to them," he said.

ONE YEAR AFTER WOMAN'S FALL, HER DEATH REMAINS A MYSTERY

It has been a year since Maria Hernandez fell to her death from the ninth-floor window of her apartment in Lansing, Mich., but authorities still do not know how or why she fell. "We may never know," Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III told the Lansing State Journal last week. If it was an accident, it's not clear why she fell, and there were no indications of suicide or evidence of homicide. Lansing police interviewed people for months in an attempt to solve the mystery. Hernandez, who was deaf, was 38 when she died and left behind four children. Her six-year-old son sometimes asks his grandmother when he'll see him mother again. "How can you tell him, 'Never'?" said Hernandez's mother, also named Maria Hernandez.

TEEN GETS LIFE IN PRISON FOR KILLING DEAF WOMAN DURING CARJACKING

A Florida teenager who was convicted of killing a deaf woman in 2003 so he could steal her van was sentenced last week to life in prison. According to the News Press of Fort Myers, Fla., Travis Fletcher, 17, shot Suzie Proctor, 33, of Palm Bay, seven times on Oct. 8, 2003, after she got lost and stopped to ask him for directions. He was convicted of second-degree murder in March after a friend told jurors he admitted to killing Proctor so she couldn't testify against him. Proctor and her ex-husband had two children, who are now 13 and 15. Proctor's family members, most of whom are deaf, were on hand for the sentencing. "I still think he should have death," said Bernard Hughes, Proctor's fiance. Sara Ball, a close friend of the victim, added her own thoughts. "He's going to have a living death," she said. "He's got to think about all the stuff he has caused for the rest of his life."

FORMER SCHOOL INTERPRETER PLEADS GUILTY TO SEXUAL ASSAULT

A former sign language interpreter for the Clinton, Ark. School District pleaded guilty last week to 11 counts of sexual assault in the first degree. Michelle Sikes, 34, had already been fired over allegations she had sex with a 15-year-old male student, who was not deaf. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Sikes was sentenced to 10 years probation and fined $5,000. She was also ordered to undergo counseling and register as a sex offender as a result of the negotiated plea. She could have received six to 20 years in prison on each count. Prosecutor Stephen James said he felt "justice had been met" and thought it was unlikely that Sikes would commit such an offense again.

TEXAS TEENAGER'S HEARING DEVICE STOLEN AT SCHOOL

A deaf Texas teenager's hearing device worth an estimated $10,000 was stolen at school last week. Anthony Rojas, 15, had taken the device off and put it in his backpack during gym class at MacArthur High School in San Antonio. Later, he discovered it was missing. KSAT-TV News reported that Anthony depends on the device to hear and talk since having a cochlear implant two years ago. His mother, Maria Rojas, said she couldn't afford to buy another device and pleaded for its return. "I don't know who would do that," she said. "He's disabled."

MISSOURI CONSIDERS INCREASE OF 5 CENTS TO PHONE SURCHARGE

The 10-cent surcharge on landline telephones doesn't raise enough money anymore to pay for Missouri Relay, KY3 News reported last week, and funds for the service could run out by next April. The problem can be traced to people giving up landline phones and using only cell phones, which translates to less money for relay operations. The Missouri Public Commissioner wants to raise the surcharge to 15 cents a month, a move that would bring in an additional $4 million in one year. George Joslin, a member of the Relay Missouri Advisory Committee, said he doesn't expect much opposition to the idea. "When people realize it lets people who can't hear have the opportunity to use a telephone the same way they do, very few people would have an objection to that," he said.

PREGNANT BICYCLIST INJURED IN OREGON HIT-AND-RUN

An unidentified woman who is pregnant and deaf was hit by a pickup truck Thursday in Portland, Ore. during an early-morning bicycle ride. KOIN reported that the woman, in her late 30s, was riding around 5:30 a.m. when she was struck. The driver left the scene, and police were looking for a full-size, green or gray Ford or Chevrolet pickup. The woman, who was visiting from California, had trouble communicating with police because she doesn't speak. She suffered several broken bones, but her injuries were not considered life threatening.

MARYLAND CLOTHING STORE FALLS VICTIM TO INTERNET RELAY SCAM

A woman's clothing store in Easton, Md. is out $16,000 after being victimized by Nigerian scam artists using the Internet relay service. WBAL-TV reported that M. Randall and Company is used to getting phone orders, but when Marc Del Pino got one for $3,400 of merchandise, he laughed -- until the credit card transaction was approved. He then received three more orders totaling more than $12,000. Only after shipping the merchandise to Nigeria did he learn that the credit cards had been stolen. He thought the fraud protection offered by his credit card company would protect him, but the company said no -- because he had no customer signature or proof that he had talked with the real card holder. "I'm abused by both sides," he said, "and I'm the one who ends up with nothing."

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INTERNATIONAL
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200 DEMONSTRATE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS IN NIGERIA

The Nigerian city of Kano was the site of a demonstration last week by a group of about 200 deaf people who were protesting the government's neglect of the needs. The rally was sponsored by the Deaf Youth Organization, and their signs, written in English, conveyed messages such as "We are also humans: attend to our rights," and "Hunger knows no bounds: we need jobs." Miko Mohammed, secretary general of the association, told Independent Online that the group wanted the government to provide its deaf citizens with equal rights. "A lot of us are educated but very few of us are provided with jobs," he said. Protestors also called for sign-language interpreters on news and other programs on state-run TV. A government official asked for calm and promised that the demands would be looked into.

GROUP IN INDIA SETS UP A CATERING SERVICE

A group of 20 hearing-impaired people have set up a catering service in Hyderabad, India. The group was trained in catering and housekeeping services at Deaf Reach, a center for education, research and empowerment of the hearing impaired, the New Indian Express reported earlier this month. The training was provided by Greensfield College of Catering and Hotel Management. This is the first group that has undergone training at the institute, and a second group is ready to take up another program. Participants no longer have to depend on their parents or guardians for support. "We can do everything normal people can do," said one worker, named Jyothi. "To prove this, we need to get a chance."

U.K. DOCTOR FAKES DEAFNESS TO RECEIVE DISABILITY PAY

The Evening Standard in London reported Monday on a doctor who pretended to be deaf so that he could go on sick leave, while at the same time performing up to 16 private examinations each day. Michael Hodges, 48, worked at a clinic in Ilford until he said mild deafness and tinnitus left him barely able to communicate with patients. He received more than 100,000 pounds in disability pay while continuing to work privately, providing services to a range of firms that included British Aerospace and the Ministry of Defense. The government provided substitute doctors to cover for Hodges and keep his 5,000-patient practice open. Hodges was convicted of 12 counts of false accounting and sent to jail last July for 12 months. Over the weekend, he told a disciplinary panel that he was "deeply, deeply ashamed" of himself and urged the panel not to strike him off. But the panel said it was in the public interest to remove his name from the register of doctors due to the "serious abuse" of his position of trust.

ABDUCTED 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL RECOVERED SAFELY IN IRELAND

A partially deaf 6-year-old girl was found in Dublin, Ireland Thursday, more than two weeks after she was abducted from outside a store in Leicester, the BBC reported Friday. Roseanne Mangan was with her twin brother and a caretaker April 25 when, police say, her older brother and his girlfriend grabbed her. Michael Mangan and Bridgette McDonagh, both 24 and from Bristol, had previously been banned from contacting the twins, police said. The couple traveled extensively to several cities with the girl until a member of the public recognized her. A BBC report Saturday said two people, both 24, were arrested in the case, but the news report did not provide their names.

FULL-SCALE SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR MONK MISSING IN SCOTLAND

More than 50 police officers and 30 mountain rescue team personnel are working with an underwater search unit to hunt for a 93-year-old deaf monk who has been missing in northern Scotland for two days, Scotland Today reported Saturday. Father Maurus was last seen leaving to go for a walk in the countryside. Besides being deaf, he is also partially sighted and can easily become disoriented. He is a founding member of the Plooscarden Abbey, Britain's last functioning medieval monastery.


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LIFE & LEISURE
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HAWAII FIRM INTRODUCES SPEECH RECOGNITION HEARING AID

MedBio Research Center of Ewa Beach, Hawaii has developed and is marketing what it calls "the world's first and only speech recognition hearing aid." MedBio's "Speak 'n Read" technology is designed to assist hearing-impaired people who do not benefit from traditional hearing aids, a population totaling about 6 million in the United States, or about one in every four persons with hearing loss. According to a MedBio press release, the concept is simple: a person speaks in a normal voice, the system translates the words and displays the text, and the hearing-impaired person reads what has been said. "The process is highly complex using a powerful handheld computer and improved voice recognition and artificial intelligence proprietary software," the company explained. For more information, contact Lee Lewellen at 808-685-0980.

NEW HEARING DEVICE USES SKULL TO TRANSMIT SOUNDS

More than 60,000 Americans lose the hearing in one ear each year, but until recently there was little that could be done to treat single-sided deafness. But the FDA has approved a new device called the Baha, and WKYC-TV in Cleveland reported on the development last week. Ethan Weeter was implanted with the device recently, and now "you can't keep this fourteen year old out of a music store," WKYC said. The Baha is a hearing aid the size of a quarter that is partially implanted in a person's skull. Doctors implant a small titanium tube into the skull behind the ear, then the patient attaches a device that picks up sound waves and processes them, sending them to the good ear. "It completely bypasses the middle ear," said Dr. Iain Grant, "so if you've got a very diseased outer ear, or middle ear, it can still work extremely well." More information may be found at www.entific.com/aboutBAHAMore.asp.

STUDY: EXPOSURE TO NOISE, CARBON MONOXIDE INCREASES HEARING LOSS

A research study out of Montreal, Canada has shown that long-term exposure to noise plus carbon monoxide increases hearing loss. The University of Montreal studied 8,600 workers between 1983 and 1996 and found that those who were exposed to carbon monoxide and noise levels above 90 decibels had trouble hearing high frequencies, reported the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation on Monday. As a result, said study supervisor Tony Leroux, these workers would not be able to hear birds singing or telephones ringing. "They are not deaf," he said, "but they have a larger hearing loss than we would expect if they were just exposed to noise." It is believed that the hearing loss results from lower levels of oxygen in the blood stream after exposure to carbon monoxide. Wearing ear plugs is not enough to stem the damage; powerful ventilation systems are also needed.

PENNSYLVANIA DANCE BOUTIQUE RAISES FUNDS FOR DEAF ORPHANS IN PERU

Dancin' Wear, a dance boutique in Springfield, Pa., held a benefit recently to buy hearing aids for deaf children at an orphanage in Cusco, Peru. Manager Marissa Giunta organized the fundraiser and plans to visit Cusco this summer to personally deliver the hearing aids. The orphanage, called Hogar del San Francisco de Assisi, gets by on a small government subsidy and private donations. It was featured in a documentary called, "Journeys of the Heart -- Peru," produced by Concrete Pictures of Bryn Mawr, Pa. Filmmakers visited the orphanage last fall with eight volunteers and built wheelchair ramps, taught computer skills and constructed a playground. "Deaf children are considered cursed by God in Latin American countries," documentary producer Patrick Michael told the Delaware County Daily Times. "Hearing aids would give the kids a fighting chance in life." To help, call 610-544-3131.

OHIO WOMAN COMPLETES COLLEGE DEGREE 23 YEARS AFTER STARTING

Joan Fagan-Hoffman of Wadsworth, Ohio received her bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Akron at a graduation ceremony Saturday, 23 years after she started working on the degree. "My little brain kept saying, 'You've got to finish this,'" Fagan-Hoffman, 42, told the Akron Beacon Journal. She started at UA in 1982 but had to leave after less than a year when her father lost his job. In 1987, she tried again, but stopped after two semesters. In 1992, she enrolled a third time, encouraged by her husband, Phil, and friends who were working on master's degrees. She majored in art, specializing in watercolor painting and photography. She did a series of photos about her life as a stay-at-home mom, and one of her works -- showing her in a 1950s dress with her younger daughter in modern clothing -- has been selected for a Cleveland Museum of Art exhibit that opens this summer. She now aims to have an exhibit in every city where she has family, and plans to return to school for a master's degree and become an art teacher. "It doesn't matter how old you are," she said. "I did it, and other people can, too."


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WORKING WORLD
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AFTER FIVE YEARS OF OUTSOURCING, SILENT CALL BRINGS MANUFACTURING HOME

Silent Call, a Michigan company that makes and sells alerting systems for the hearing impaired, has brought its manufacturing operations back to the United States after outsourcing to Taiwan for the past five years. According to Crain's Detroit Business, outsourcing helped Silent Call cut its costs 30 percent, but there was a trade-off. "I thought I could cut my costs in half by taking it overseas, but what I didn't understand is the time it takes to get your order," said company president George Elwell. But a new federal tax-relief program has allowed the company to invest more than $100,000 in new equipment that will enable it to do the manufacturing at its plant in Waterford Township, Mich. The move will boost sales from $1.5 million last year to $2 million in 2005, said Elwell, while reducing product costs by up to 15 percent. As a result, Silent Call was able to add four new manufacturing employees to its staff.

FOLKLORE AUTHOR SEEKS ORIGIN OF TEDDY ROOSEVELT LEGEND

For several years, Simon Carmel of West Palm Beach, Fla. has been trying to track down the origin of a story concerning the son of U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt. As the story goes, Archie Roosevelt learned sign language from a White House guard or police officer when he was a young boy. He told his father he wanted to become an interpreter and work with deaf people, but Teddy was cool to the idea. Carmel has tried a number of approaches to learn more, but so far has turned up empty. He even managed to contact Tweed Roosevelt, Archie's grandson, who said he had never heard of his grandfather using sign language. Carmel, who is working on a book about deaf folklore, hopes a Deafweekly reader can shed some light on this story, perhaps an elderly deaf resident of the Washington, D.C. area. He can be contacted at simoncarmel13@aol.com.

OHIO MAN VOLUNTEERS WITH LOCAL FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT

Robert Hulley, 81, has been working with Miami Township Fire/EMS for the past eight years, the Loveland (Ohio) Herald reported last week. Hulley, who attended the Oral School for the Deaf at the Hoffman School, was influenced to join by two relatives -- a nephew who is a fire captain in Minnesota and a brother who worked with Cincinnati's life squad for many years. Hulley is a member of the non-emergency response volunteer program, and usually puts in 11-hour days doing a variety of jobs around the fire house. "I clean up everything," he said. He also washes cars, takes out the trash and sorts the mail every day. "It keeps him young," said Capt. Robert Burns. "It gives him something to do, something to look forward to."

CLEMSON RESEARCHER CONDUCTING STUDY ON RECREATION NEEDS

Lisa Hunter, a research associate at Clemson University, is conducting a survey in the deaf community on recreation participation and Internet use. According to Hunter, people in the recreation field want to provide equal services, access and activities to all people, but may have little or no idea of the type of activities that interest deaf people. The online survey, which takes 20-30 minutes to complete, is designed to collect information that will help to better understand these needs. To fill out a survey, visit http://johnryan.clemson.edu/Leisure_Time/servlet/Page1?k=2939.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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ART TEACHER AT WISCONSIN SCHOOL HONORED BY WAL-MART

Patricia Werner, an art teacher for 32 years at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, received the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award at a school assembly last week. According to the Janesville Gazette, Werner, 55, had no idea she would receive the award and felt honored by the recognition. She received a plaque, an honorary Wal-Mart greeter's vest, a $50 shopping card and a $1,000 check for the school. The local Wal-Mart placed a box in its store several months ago and invited customers to nominate local teachers for the award. Werner was chosen because of a letter written by Kay Sargent, a former colleague who is now retired. "She does not say an unkind thing about anyone, be it student or staff," wrote Sargent. "Unable to walk on her own, we see her traveling around with a walker. She does not want sympathy. She does not use her illness as an excuse."

GALLAUDET GRAD MAKES HISTORY AT GEORGIA GUITAR RECITAL

Ernest McDaniel, a 1983 graduate of Gallaudet University, is planning to make an encore appearance later this year at the annual Guitar Recital at the Macon, Ga. Museum of Arts and Sciences. McDaniel made history last November when he became the first hearing-impaired guitarist to perform at the recital, a feat he accomplished after studying seven months with renowned musician Foster McMullen. For his performance, he played an acoustic cover of Bob Seger's song, "You'll Accomp'ny Me." It was his first public performance and "the realization of a lifelong dream," he said. Other deaf or hard-of-hearing people who are interested in guitars or music in general are invited to contact McDaniel at Talldeafman@msn.com.

AUDITION ANNOUNCED IN SAN FRANCISCO FOR SIGNED '12TH NIGHT'

The University of San Francisco is planning a production of Shakespeare's "12th Night" that will be presented in both spoken English and American Sign Language. An audition will take place June 6 for the signing roles. Actors are asked to come prepared with a 30-second story to be performed in ASL. For more information, contact Ellen Maloney at egmaloney@usfca.edu.

FORMER MISS AMERICA TO BE INTERVIEWED ON 'LIFE TODAY'

Heather Whitestone McCallum is scheduled to appear on "Life Today" on Thursday, May 26. The former Miss America, who is deaf, will be interviewed about her new company, Esther, and her most recent book, "Heavenly Crowns." Life Today addresses issues such as spiritual growth, personal tragedy, finances, parenting and relationships. It airs on several networks, including TBN, PAX, Day Star, INSP, Family Net and WGN. Check your local listings for more information.


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SIGN LANGUAGE FOR THE FAMILY VIDEO SERIES and COMPANION BOOK
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SPORTS
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ALL-TERRAIN-VEHICLE RACER COMPETES ON A NATIONAL LEVEL

Todd Macke was born deaf and suffering from cerebral palsy and spinal scoliosis and he wasn't expected to be able to walk, talk or feed himself, the Pantagraph of Bloomington, Ill. reported Thursday. Yet today, Macke, 32, is racing, and beating, able-bodied competitors in all-terrain-vehicle competitions on a national level. Macke, who lives in Decatur, Ill. and works for State Farm Insurance, was encouraged growing up by his two brothers who rode two-wheelers. His legs weren't strong enough to do that, but his father found a three-wheel ATV that he could operate. He recently placed fifth in a race in Texas and ninth in race in Georgia, before stunning himself and supporters with a first-place finish in Florida. He is riding a new 2005 ATV that was donated by ALBA Action Sports of California, and he has secured sponsors to help defray some of his race costs. "This has been a dream come true," he said, "to finally have friends and sponsors recognize my passion for racing ATVs and to have this awesome new ATV."

STANDOUT SWIMMER INDUCTED INTO COLORADO COLLEGE HALL OF FAME

The Los Alamos Monitor reported last week on Sue Wolfe Smith of Clearwater, Kan., who was inducted last year into the Hall of Fame at Colorado College, a small, private college in Colorado Springs. Wolfe Smith graduated from Los Alamos High School and was a standout on the swim team. She went on to swim four years for Colorado College before graduating in 1983, and helped the team win the state championship all four years. Wolfe Smith started to lose her hearing when she was 7, though no one knows exactly why it happened. Having a physical disability made her induction into the Hall of Fame an even more challenging feat, she told the Monitor. "Being enshrined in the Hall of Fame certainly gave me a feeling that I had accomplished something important in my life, even 20 years after the fact," she said.

NEARLY ALL-DEAF BASEBALL TEAM MAKES HEADLINES IN INDIANAPOLIS

When baseball coach Dan Reed arrived for a game recently, he didn't learn until minutes before the first pitch that all but one of the players on the opposing team were deaf. The Astros are a team of deaf players, mostly 7- and 8-year-olds, in the Hamilton Southwestern Youth Baseball League. According to the Indianapolis Star, families of the players emphasize the importance of having an all-deaf team available for their kids. "It's a good opportunity for deaf kids to understand how competition is and to use ASL communication directly with coaches," said Janet Schwall, mother of 6-year-old Jake. Micaela Paulone, 16, a three-sport athlete at the Indiana School for the Deaf, was at a recent game to cheer on her 7-year-old brother, Dante. She recalled playing for a team years ago that had only three deaf players and a coach who couldn't sign. "It's boring," she said. "We can't really talk to anybody else." As for her younger brother and his friends, "They can have a better future."

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MILESTONES
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DELOIS HOLLIS, 74, RAISED 3 CHILDREN, WORKED IN CAFETERIA 23 YEARS

The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. reported last week on the death April 25 of Delois Hollis, 74, "who was always breaking people up with her jokes and gestures, but never heard their laughter." Mrs. Hollis attended the Virginia School for Colored Deaf and Blind Children in Hampton, where she met her future husband, Earl Hollis. Together they raised three children, while Mrs. Hollis worked for 23 years at Piccadilly Cafeteria as a dishwasher. Her favorite place was the Deaf Missionary Church, which she would visit every Sunday wearing one of her show-stopping hats. "She enjoyed life," said her daughter. "If she had been born later, she could have done so much more."


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EMPLOYMENT
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Non-Profit mental health agency has several positions available in our Deaf Program.
BA/BS in Human Services or related field preferred, and/or related work experience. Applicants must be fluent in American Sign Language.

Interpreter/Care Specialist: Part Time, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday as Interpreter. Other hours as needed up to 24 hours per week for Care Specialist. Interpreter must be hearing or hard of hearing, and be able to interpret one on one conversations, telephone conversations with unfamiliar voices, and large group platform interpreting. Care Specialist duties include coordination of doctor appointments and follow up, medication delivery, follow up on prescriptions, coordination of medical and psych needs, and client support.

Relief Rehabilitation Specialist: Part Time position, 24 hours per month. Duties include; provide daily living skills support, medication monitoring, and applying crisis intervention for mentally ill adults in a residential setting.

Weekend Overnight Rehabilitation Specialist: Full Time, will provide same duties as listed above.

Send resume and cover letter to: ALI, 2012 Renard Court, Suite I, Annapolis, MD 21401, fax (410) 841-6045, or email Lmurphy@arundellodge.org.

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Title: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf #00829
Location: Lynchburg/Roanoke
Hiring Range: $28,143 - $57,759
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services is seeking a qualified VR Counselor for the Deaf to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services in the Lynchburg, Roanoke areas.

Qualifications: Fluency in American Sign Language required. Must have considerable knowledge of and understanding of the communication, cultural and psychosocial needs of persons who are deaf and hard of hearing. Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or current CRC required. Must have a valid driver’s license and access to transportation for daily travel. This is a sensitive position, and the successful candidate will be subject to fingerprinting/ background investigation.

Contact Information: Visit our web site at www.vadrs.org, or to obtain an Application for Employment form visit www.dhrm.state.va.us or call 804-662-7138. Mail applications to Department of Rehabilitative Services, Attention: Employment Section, Human Resource Services Office, 8004 Franklin Farms Drive, P.O. Box K-300, Richmond, VA 23288-0300.

Applications may be e-mailed to applications@drs.state.va.us or faxed to 804-662-7662 but must be followed immediately with the signed original. Postmarks are not accepted. Resumes may accompany but cannot substitute for fully completed state applications.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT CSD

The following job openings are available at CSD headquarters in Sioux Falls, S.D.:

- Marketing Communications Manager
- Public Relations Associate

Both positions are part of Corporate Marketing team devoted to supporting marketing and promotion of CSD's programs and services. For further information both job descriptions are listed under 'Public Affairs' at http://www.c-s-d.org/Default.aspx?tabid=33

Deadline: May 23, 2005

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Job Announcement

Positions are currently available at the Rocky Mountain Deaf School (RMDS), a bilingual charter school in Metro Denver, Colorado. RMDS has a philosophy that acquisition of American Sign Language provides a foundation for success in English, literacy, and learning in general.

Positions:
School Director
Curriculum and Instruction Specialist (part-time with potential for full-time in the future)
Primary Teachers
Elementary Teacher

Salary: Commensurate with training and experience

Application: Application packets will be accepted until positions are filled.

Please submit
Cover letter with a short written statement of your educational philosophy
Resume
The names of three individuals able to evaluate your knowledge, relevant skills, and interpersonal skills
A videotape illustrating your sign proficiency

Submit application packets to:
Julie Moers
Rocky Mountain Deaf School
430 S. Kipling Street
Lakewood, CO 80226

For more information such as detailed job description and qualifications, contact Julie Moers at (720) 922-9742 (TTY) or julie@rmdeafschool.net.

RMDS is an equal opportunity employer.

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