Deafweekly December 14, 2005

deafweekly

December 14, 2005
Vol. 2 No. 9

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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NATIONAL
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CALIFORNIA COUPLE TESTIFY IN MURDER HEARING

A deaf couple in Lompoc, Calif. testified at a preliminary hearing last Friday about the fatal shooting they witnessed in June, reported the Santa Maria Times. The unmarried couple, identified only as Jane and John Doe for their protection, said they saw reputed gang member Francisco Villa Arellano and Richard Moore having a heated argument in the street before Arellano pulled a gun and shot Moore three times. John Doe said he was 10 feet away. “It was crazy,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like that.” The victim attempted to flee on his bicycle but fell at an intersection. John Doe said he stayed with him, but Moore was already dead when an ambulance arrived. Jane Doe, who said she was eight months pregnant, became upset at one point about the possibility of retaliation. Judge James Iwasko ordered a 20-minute break so she could collect herself. The woman admitted to smoking methamphetamine on the day of the shooting, but afterwards “I just stopped all the drugs after that, because the (killing) was too shocking.”

FIREFIGHTERS SUE SIREN MAKER OVER HEARING LOSS

Nearly 2,500 veteran firefighters across the country are suing Federal Signal Corp., an Illinois siren-maker, for “marketing a defective product that damaged their hearing,” reported the Baltimore Sun. Chicago personal injury attorney Jordan Margolis started with 12 cases in 1999 on behalf of 650 Chicago firefighters and now represents plaintiffs from nearly 200 fire departments in 17 states. “The firefighters are behind the siren, and there’s no design element to reduce the flow of decibels to them,” said Margolis, who says about 75 percent of firefighters have some degree of hearing loss. Jennifer Sherman, attorney for Federal Signal Corp., said the firm has successfully defended against similar cases in the past, and “we anticipate we’ll be successful again.”

FLORIDA SEARCH CREWS SEEK MISSING DEAF MAN

Police in St. Johns County, Fla. were searching for a deaf man who has been missing since December 1, reported WJXX-TV News in Jacksonville last Wednesday. Douglas Valloric, 44, has no family locally, but his brother from out of town has been watching the search, which has focused on a pond near Valloric’s home and its surrounding neighborhood and woods. Divers, helicopters and canine units have been looking for the man since December 2, and though the strongest leads pointed to the pond, neighbors and searchers say there’s a chance Valloric is not there, but somewhere else, alive. He is described as a white male, 6'1", 200 pounds, who wears glasses. The St. Johns Sheriff’s Office has a phone number (904-824-8304) for any tips or leads.

FORMER INTERPRETER PLEADS GUILTY TO SENDING CHILD PORN

A former interpreter for deaf students at Fort Myers, Fla. High School has pleaded guilty to transmitting child pornography over the Internet. William Allen Lane, 34, will be sentenced in February and could face between five and 20 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, reported the News-Press last Friday. Lane will give up his personal computer as part of the plea agreement, and his collection of 4,000 to 5,000 images of children ages 6 to 16 engaging in sexual acts will be destroyed. Lane was arrested earlier this year after a tip from a tattoo artist who received pornographic photos of children via email as payment for a male/male tattoo that Lane wanted on his shoulder. He resigned his school post from jail.

FORMER HOSPICE WORKER GETS 20 YEARS PROBATION

A former Colorado hospice worker who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a blind, deaf and nearly comatose 10-year-old girl with a terminal illness was sentenced to 20 years of supervised probation and two years of work release. According to the Denver Channel, James Ernest Philpott, 55, apologized to the girl’s family before his sentencing last Thursday. Philpott was arrested last year after allegedly telling co-workers at the Hospice of St. John in Lakewood, Colo. that he had sex with the girl and an 89-year-old woman, saying the girl “was fun but the (elderly woman) was funner.” Judge Frank Plaut sentenced Philpott to 16 years to life in prison before suspending the sentence. “One slip on one incident” would result in re-sentencing to the original term, the judge warned.

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GALLAUDET ALUMNI, CLERC FUND NAME AWARD WINNERS

The Gallaudet University Alumni Association (GUAA) and the Laurent Clerc Cultural Fund (LCCF) committee have announced their 2006 award winners. The GUAA will give the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award to Kelby Brick, ‘94, of Maryland, and the Pauline “Polly” Peikoff “Service to Others” Award to Kenneth Norton, ‘50, and Audree Bennett Norton, ‘52, both of California. The LCCF committee will give the Alice Cogswell Award to Marcella M. Meyer of California; the Laurent Clerc Award to Dr. Gertrude Galloway, ‘51, of Texas; the Edward Miner Gallaudet Award to Dr. I. King Jordan, ‘70, of Washington, D.C.; and the Amos Kendall Award to Ann Marie “Jade” Bryan of New York. The award winners will be honored at the 37th Annual Charter Day Brunch and Awards Program on April 8, 2006 at Gallaudet.

MARLEE MATLIN NAMED GODMOTHER OF NEW CRUISE SHIP

Holland America Line announced this week that Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin will be godmother to its new Vista-class ship, the ms Noordam. Matlin was chosen because she “is an accomplished actress, a generous woman in support of those in need, and a driven advocate for causes that benefit our society,” said Holland America Line CEO Stein Kruse. The ms Noordam is the fourth in a series of 81,769-ton Vista-class ships. A dedication ceremony will take place at its home port of New York City on February 22. The ship will sail on its maiden cruising season from New York to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean, with fares starting at $1,199 per person, double occupancy. Information: www.hollandamerica.com.

‘COPULATING DEAF COUPLE’ SAID TO BE NOISE SOURCE

“Copulating Deaf Couple Unaware of Own Volume” was the headline in a recent edition of The Muir Quarterly, a student publication at the University of California, San Diego. According to the article, campus police received a record number of noise complaints and found the source of the noise to be a deaf couple having sex. “It was like ‘MOO ... BANG ... MOOO!” Frank Zipelli, the first officer on the scene, supposedly said. The students, “John Miller and girlfriend Katherine Chavez, transfer students from the Sacramento Academy for the Deaf,” were shown in an accompanying photograph “sharing a moment right before being asked to pipe down from a deafening roar to muffled racket.” The Muir Quarterly, commonly known as the MQ, describes itself as “a satirical newspaper intended to be read solely for entertainment purposes.”

OLATHE OFFERING CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

The Olathe, Kan. Fire Department has purchased 150 carbon monoxide detectors for the deaf and hard of hearing and is offering them to qualified local residents, reported the Kansas City Star. The detector, which plugs into a standard outlet, uses a strobe light and an audible alarm to alert a person when the deadly gas is detected. Regular carbon monoxide detectors cost around $20, said fire department officials, but special devices for the deaf can cost 10 times that. The department purchased the detectors with $21,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For more information, call 913-971-6333 (-7903 TTY).

STOP THE PRESSES: WORKERS LEARN ‘TTY LANGUAGE’

Four city employees of Lauderhill, Fla. learned how to use a TTY recently, reported the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Lauderhill is the first Broward County city to teach its employees “how to speak in TTY language,” said the newspaper. “We need to update our methods so we can serve everyone in the community,” said Daphne Brown, who receives three or four TTY calls a month while running the parks and leisure department. She plans to enroll more employees in the free classes, she said, because a direct TTY call is much quicker than a relay call. The class was taught at the Center for Independent Living of Broward in Tamarac by center employee Leonard Kurtz, who warned participants in advance that a TTY “is not like anything you’ve ever seen.”

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CSDVRS Launches Sign Language to Spanish Service

Spanish CSDVRS Announcement [English & Espanol]: www.c-s-d.org/default.aspx?tabid=277

Deaf and hard of hearing Hispanic Video Relay users can now communicate with family members, friends or anyone who speaks Spanish!

CSDVRS recently launched Spanish CSDVRS where Video Interpreters translate conversations between American Sign Language users and Spanish-speaking people.

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INTERNATIONAL
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LEADERS OF CHINESE GANG SENTENCED TO PRISON

The three leaders of a snatch-and-grab theft ring were sentenced to prison terms for their roles in 11 thefts in Shanghai, China, reported the Shanghai Daily yesterday. Police would not reveal details of the prison terms given to the three men, identified as Zhou, He and Zhang, but said all 17 members of their gang are deaf and mute. Gang members would ride motorcycles around the city, looking for women walking alone and stealing their purses, police said. One victim managed to get three numbers from a license plate, which led police to the motorcycle’s owner, Zhou. After monitoring his residence and watching many deaf people come and go on motorcycles, police arrested the gang in March after learning that He, a ringleader, had turned up in Hangzhou.

JOB WOES OVERSHADOW MEDAL-WINNING EFFORT

Students from the Tata Steel Training Centre in India “bagged a hefty booty of medals” in the 14th National Athletics Championship for the Deaf, reported the Calcutta Telegraph, but for the parents, nothing short of employment is acceptable. “I am planning to ask my son to quit the training center as his effort is being wasted,” said one parent. “He is yet to land up with a job. Will winning laurels help him earn two square meals a day?” Satnam Singh, who coached the team to 26 medals, agreed. “The wards can do much better if the government provides them with employment and other incentives,” he said.

U.K. GROUPS TESTING VOICE-MAIL-TO-TEXT SERVICE

A pilot project underway in the U.K. will allow deaf people to read messages on their phones that were originally left as voice mails. The Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People is working with mobile services company SpinVox on the project, reported Silicon. The service initially is available to only 15 people, but will eventually be open to the nine million people with hearing loss in the U.K. One in seven people in Leeds are either deaf or hard of hearing, said Leeds Society chairman John Hamilton, but, “There is simply not enough being done by organizations to embrace simple ideas like voice-to-text to improve the lives of hearing-impaired people.”

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SWAZILAND GROUP COMPLAINS ABOUT ‘INTERPRETER’

The Swaziland National Association of the Deaf (SNAD) has complained to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police after a policewoman volunteered to interpret for a deaf suspect in court. According to the Swazi Observer, Funekile Gamedze, a constable and sign language student, interpreted for Jabula Mkhonta when he faced charges of malicious damage to property. After Mkhonta indicated he did not understand Gamedze’s interpretation, his case was postponed to a later date. Makhosini Makhubu, SNAD’s executive director, said Gamedze doesn’t have enough knowledge or experience to interpret professionally. He called her behavior shameful and asked that she face disciplinary action and be barred from interpreting in court.

ROBBERS STRIKE DEAF U.K. CLUB FOR THIRD TIME

BBC News reported that a community center for deaf people has been burglarized for the third time this year. This time it happened on the day of the Christmas party at the Walsall Deaf People’s Centre. Despite unspecified “extra security measures,” robbers struck last Saturday and fled with 12,000 pounds worth of equipment. Two robberies in May resulted in thousands of pounds in loss and damage, with pick axes used both times to gain entry. Project director Ken Whittingham said “everyone was sad it had happened again.”

AMERICAN LIVING IN AUSTRALIA CHOSEN ‘AMBASSADOR’

A former Detroit resident now living in Australia was chosen to be an ambassador for the International Day of People with a Disability, which took place December 3. It was the second straight year that Alex Jones was chosen for the honor. Deaf and gay, Jones knows all about overcoming adversity, reported the Sydney Star Observer. He started off in hearing schools with teachers who wore microphones that transmitted to an FM system he wore. He then transferred to MSSD, the high school at Gallaudet University, where he joined the theater program and traveled the world. He went on to study theater at New York University before being recruited by the Australian Theatre of the Deaf. Jones arrived in Australia in 1997 and toured with ATD for about two years before being cast on the TV show, “All Saints.” Jones says disabled is just a word, and he supports the motto, Don’t DIS my ABILITY, “because it’s not about what we can’t do, it’s about what we can do.”

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LIFE & LEISURE
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DEAFCENSUS.BIZ ASSEMBLING DATABASE OF ORGANIZATIONS

A San Diego, Calif. man is assembling what he hopes will be “a huge database of deaf-related organizations.” Bob Plubell, founder of deafCensus, Inc., already has compiled data on more than 5,500 organizations. He said the mission of deafCensus is threefold: to provide demographic data on the deaf and hardof-hearing population to organizations, researchers and public agencies; to maintain a national database of organizations; and to empower the deaf community by providing statistical facts. Plubell is inviting organizations to fill out a questionnaire to “get more visibility and marketability while promoting greater networking.” It may be found at www.deafCensus.biz/survey/org.htm.

INTERNET OFFERS MEETING PLACE FOR YOGA FANS

Deaf webmaster Heather Smith has announced the launch of a new website related to deaf yoga, reiki and other matters of spiritual interest. The website contains information about the physical and spiritual benefits of taking a yoga class and receiving a full reiki treatment. It also contains deaf and non-deaf spiritual links and a section, “What’s Up,” that will contain event information. For example, in Rochester, N.Y., deaf certified yoga instructor Dorothy Wilkins is teaching Gentle Hatha Yoga every Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Handson Chiropractic and Wellness Center. Smith said the website has contact information to arrange for her come to your hometown and do a yoga workshop or provide reiki treatments. For more information, visit www.deafrootsandwings.com.

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WORKING WORLD
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‘47' SCHOOL IN NEW YORK DEDICATES TWO LIBRARIES

Two libraries were dedicated at a ceremony Monday at the JHS 47 School for the Deaf in New York City. The new elementary school library on the first floor was dedicated in memory of Edith Allerup Kleberg, a 1934 graduate who went on to become a full-time librarian for the National Association of the Deaf from 1972 to 1981. The secondary school library on the fourth floor was dedicated to Carrie Kearns, the school’s principal from 1910 to 1936. Kearns is remembered for convincing the city to provide a new school building in 1925 and for helping to found the “47" Alumni Association. According to alumna Dorothy Cohler, the number “47" represents the 47 students who first attended the school in 1908.

NEW TELEPHONE TECHNOLOGY UNVEILED BY CLARITY

Clarity, a division of Plantronics Inc. in Chattanooga, Tenn., recently introduced a new digital signal processing technology for telephones. Dubbed “Digital Clarity Power” or DCP for short, the new technology “is life-changing for people who are hard of hearing and unable to communicate effectively by telephone,” said a company news release. Clarity compared the development of its new technology to the introduction of digital signal processing (DSP) technology in hearing aids in 1987. It took a decade to revolutionize the hearing aid industry, said the company, and today DSP technology is considered essential for hearing aid users. “It is time for the next generation of telephones,” said Carsten Trads, president of Clarity. “This is more than just a new phone. It is a technological advancement that will improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.”

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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QUESTFEST OFFERS COMPLETELY ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES

An international roster of exceptional deaf and hearing artists will take the stage early next year in Baltimore for the 2006 QuestFest. A presentation of Quest Productions, the January 9-22 event features non-verbal performances that are completely accessible to deaf audiences with no need for an interpreter. Quest, which produced Gallaudet University’s Deaf Way II International Arts Festival and Opening Ceremonies, has joined forces with several organizations to bring this festival to the Baltimore/Washington area. One highlight will be the world premiere of “Lost and Clown’d,” with Willy Conley, chair of Gallaudet’s department of theatre arts, collaborating with fellow visual artists Eric Beatty and Mark Jaster. For more information, go to www.questfest.org.

FOXY BROWN FIRES LAWYER WHO CONFIRMED DEAFNESS

Foxy Brown continues to make headlines as she deals with deafness. Last Monday, her attorney, Joseph Tacopina, confirmed that the rap star is almost totally deaf. “She can’t hear me,” he said. “We have to write things back and forth.” Two days later Brown fired Tacopina, saying he was not authorized to talk about her medical condition, reported the New York Post. Tacopina confirmed that the had been fired but said it was over a difference of opinion on how to handle Brown’s case, which involves allegations that she assaulted a pair of manicurists. The Philadelphia Inquirer, meanwhile, reported Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, “flipped out” at a New York bank, screaming and cursing after running into trouble collecting $2,000 in cash.

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SPORTS
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HAWAIIAN BOY FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST PONY BASEBALL

Justin “Pono” Tokioka, the 10-year-old deaf boy in Hawaii who was told by PONY baseball officials that he could not have an interpreter with him in the dugout, has a new ally in the National Association of the Deaf. The NAD announced this week that it has filed a disability discrimination complaint on Justin’s behalf with the U.S. Department of Justice. At issue is PONY Baseball/Softball, Inc.’s policy that counts an interpreter as one of three coaches allowed in the dugout. “An interpreter is not a coach, and a coach is not an interpreter,” said Kelby Brick, NAD’s director of law and advocacy. “We demand that PONY change its policy immediately!” Local PONY League official Gwen Earl told KITV News that she has already submitted a proposal to the national office asking that interpreters be allowed in dugouts in the future.

CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS COMING TO SAN FRANCISCO

The streets of San Francisco will come alive in June when the 2006 World Deaf Cycling Championships (WDCC) takes place at various venues throughout the Bay Area. This is the first time the event will be held in North America, said WDCC director Robin Horwitz, and 10 teams from as far away as Australia and South Africa have already signed up to compete. A media agreement with DeafNation, Inc. will provide daily video coverage and up-to-date results via the Internet. “The WDCC is a global event and we are delighted to make it possible for the international community to root for their champions,” said Horwitz. The June 18-24 event is sanctioned by the International Committee of Deaf Sports and hosted by the USA Deaf Sports Federation. Information: www.usdeafsports.org/2006cycling.

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EMPLOYMENT
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Non-Profit mental health agency in Edgewater, MD has positions available in Deaf Program. BA/BS in Human Services or related field preferred, and/or related work experience. Applicants must be fluent in American Sign Language. Must have valid driver’s license

Interpreter/Mental Health Specialist-Full Time, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Mon-Thurs as Interpreter, other hours as needed for Mental Health Specialist (will include weekends). Interpreter must be able to interpret a variety of situations. Specialist duties include; coordination of doctor appts., transport clients to appts., medication monitoring, provide daily living skills & job support, and apply crisis intervention.

Rehabilitation Specialists-Full Time 3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., Monday-Friday; Full Time 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri; Part Time hours available on weekends, evenings, days. Duties include transporting mentally ill adults to appointments, medication monitoring, applying crisis intervention, and providing daily living skills support in a residential or day program setting.

Send resume and cover letter to ALI, Human Resources, 2600 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD 21037; fax to (410) 841-6045; or email Lmurphy@arundellodge.org.

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Birnbaum Interpreting Services of Silver Spring, MD, seeks a Professional Development Coordinator

Responsible for all facets of the interview process for interpreters. Administrative support as needed.
Assist with interpreter training/workshops including Deaf Culture, ADA and related.
Manage and oversee the Certification Achievement Program (CAP)
Assists in evaluation of the Entry Level Interpreting Program Participants. Provide support as needed.
Responsible for teaching ASL classes as needed; research and develop proposal bids for ASL classes.
Assist in the Outreach program as needed.

B.A. in Communications or Deaf Education Studies or four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Bona fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ) adopted for the position connected to the performance of the job and in honesty and good faith it is necessary to the fulfillment of the work-related responsibilities. Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI’s) are encouraged to apply.
Superior interpersonal skills as well as excellent organizational and time management skills

Submit resume, cover letter highlighting your skills for the position & salary no later than 12/28/2005:

Larry Rocha, Director of Human Resources
Birnbaum Interpreting Services
8555 16th Street, Suite 400
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-608-2382 Fax
Larry@bisworld.com
www.bisworld.com

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Hamilton Relay Services, a division of Hamilton Telecommunications based in Aurora, NE, is opening a new facility in Albany, Georgia! This new facility will provide the Georgia Relay Service for the state of Georgia. Contact our HR Dept now to apply for the following positions!

Center Manager: Responsibilities include overseeing the daily operations of the Georgia Relay Services. Two to three years management related work experience in a relay center or comparable work experience. Experience and knowledge of American Sign Language or deaf culture is desirable.

Outreach Coordinator: Individual will be required to travel throughout the state of Georgia to provide and gather information regarding the quality of the relay service and the number of customers we serve. Public relations experience and fluency in American Sign Language is preferred.

Computer System Technician: Responsibilities include upgrades, maintenance, and troubleshooting of various computer based systems. Candidates are required to have a strong working knowledge of windows operation systems and computer communication concepts.

Account Manager: Responsibilities include managing Hamilton contracts ensuring contracts compliance. Candidate will have public relations experience and fluency in American Sign Language is preferred.

Relay Operations Manager:
Hamilton Relay Services is seeking a dedicated professional to direct all relay operations and related operations activities for all of Hamilton’s relay centers and business lines. The applicant will manage all
operational personnel and other staff within our Relay Centers to insure that services, and quality standards meet the expectations of customers and company leadership. This new position will become an integral part of the Relay management team. The applicant will have a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work
experience and multiple years management experience in a call center, relay or telecommunications
environment. Experience and knowledge of American Sign Language or deaf culture is desirable.

Relay Technical Manager:
Hamilton Relay Services is seeking a dedicated professional to direct & coordinate activities of the Relay Information Technology Department & be responsible for providing effective computer service to all Relay employees. This position will be responsible for communicating & enforcing corporate IT policies, standards & communication of changes & issues to corporate IT management. The applicant will manage all operational personnel & other staff within our Relay Centers to insure that services & quality standards meet the expectations of customers & company leadership. This new position will become an integral part of the Relay management team. The applicant will have a Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Computer Science or Management Information Systems or closely related field & two years supervisory or management experience in information technology area.

All positions include
Paid training
Competitive wages
Great benefit package including paid Health & Life Insurance, Cafeteria, Long Term Disability, Profit Sharing, and 401(K), Paid time off includes: vacation, sick leave, holidays, floating holidays, and funeral leave.
To apply, contact our Home office between 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM at: 800.618.4781 or hr@hamiltontel.com
1001 12th Street, Aurora, NE 68818

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT GLAD

GLAD is an Affirmative Action Employer with equal opportunity for men, women and people with disabilities. For more information on the following positions, go to: www.gladinc.org. The status of all positions is: Regular, Full-time, Non-Exempt, Full Fringe Benefits unless otherwise noted. All positions are open until filled.

JOB DEVELOPER/INTERPRETER in Anaheim and Crenshaw
COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATOR – Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program in Los Angeles
COMMUNITY INTERPRETER – Los Angeles
COMMUNITY HEALTH EDUCATOR-HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM – Los Angeles
HIV PROGRAM INTERPRETER – Los Angeles
HARD OF HEARING SPECIALIST – Riverside
HIV HEALTH EDUCATOR (WSR) – Los Angeles
HIV HEALTH EDUCATOR (MSM) – Los Angeles
LIFESIGNS DISPATCHER – Los Angeles

If interested for any of these positions then please submit resume and application to:
Jeff Fetterman
Human Resources Specialist
Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Inc.
2222 Laverna Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90041
V/TDD: (323) 550-4207
Fax #: (323)550-4204
E-mail: jfetterman@gladinc.org

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Artist in Residence

Part-time 10-month renewable position beginning September 1, 2006

Responsibilities: Teach one scenic-technology class per quarter. Serve as primary scenic designer for three theater productions. Serve as scenic artist and prop master and supervise student workers for 12 15 hours per week. Work with resident artistic director, production manager/technical director and scene shop foreman.

Required: Bachelors degree or equivalent professional experience as a theater artist.
Preferred: MFA degree, fluency in American Sign Language and knowledge of Deaf culture strongly preferred.

AA/EOE. For detailed description and to apply on line please go to:
http://finweb.rit.edu/HumanResources/CareerZone

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