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Fall 2007 - Family Network for Deaf Children
Family Network for Deaf Children and our deaf program Deaf Youth Today Fall 2007 Newsletter FNDC’s primary goal is to gather and share information with deaf and hard of hearing youth, their families, as well as the professional and social communities that support them. how to use. We are from a different generation. We didn’t grow up with text messaging, MSN, and friends that write their life story (blogs) and post their entire family photo album on the internet to see! My advice to parents is: JOIN your kids! I’m not saying “spy” on your children and I’m not suggesting that you infringe on your teen’s right to privacy. BUT, I do think it is VITALLY important for parents (particularly of young deaf children) to know where and what their children are doing on the internet. Headlines When we were kids, the phone rang and our parents knew who our friends were. They were able to build relationships with our friends by knowing their names and many of their personality traits. With the internet and text messaging – we may have no idea who our child is communicating with. We may not even have the opportunity to meet their friends. For many deaf children, they may experience isolation and loneliness. They may use their own means of finding friends to communicate with. As parents of young children, we need to be involved in what is going on in our childrens’ lives. Some helpful hints that I wanted to share specific to deaf children and youth (and based on my own personal opinion). Technology… Parents are you involved? Summer is quickly fading, and time for all the back to school shopping. With a new cell phone at our house, a computer upgrade, and a videophone that rings, I am reminded of the role of technology in our lives! The following article is my personal opinion, followed by my “condensed version” on a variety of equipment and social networking websites! Again – its just my opinion! I encourage each parent to evaluate your family values and take time to talk with your children! In the past several years, raising teenagers has forced me to become a much more techno-savvy adult than I ever thought possible. I remember in the early years of raising a deaf child, I thought the closed caption machine and tty were about as complicated as it got! The irony is that within 10 years, both of those pieces of equipment are almost “dinosaurs”, having been replaced with faster and much more accessible technology. In our family, the TTY used to ring all time. Now, with so many people using text messaging and email, the TTY is used approx once every 2 months. (Note: keep your tty, you still need it, and the CC machine is needed for older model TV’s). How many times have you read newspaper articles or attended Internet Safety workshops? Every workshop that I have attended has listed all the dangers and has scared me half to death. The reality is that the internet plays an unprecedented role in our families and we can’t run away from it! For deaf children and teens – technology equals access. Access to family, friends and the general community! They can’t avoid the technology – or they won’t have access. How do we ensure the safety of our youth yet allow them access? We all know the answer: education. We go to workshops, read articles and are told to educate our children. It’s rather odd in that we are supposed to educate our children on technology that most of us don’t know •Learn how to use the videophone! One day your child will grow up to be a deaf adult – and possibly not live at home. Learn how to use the technology now when your kids can help you! If you can’t get your videophone to work – check out some troubleshooting hints on FNDC’s website: www.fndc.ca •Tell your child that it’s lovely that they want to introduce you on the videophone to their ‘deaf friend from camp’ – but MOMS generally come from a generation of not wanting to be seen on videocamera with messy hair and in our pajamas!! •Talk with your childr/youth about manners on the videophone (ie. don’t phone after 10 pm etc, don’t phone 20 times in a row). Talk about time zone changes too! (This is good advice if your child calls a friend in Ontario at 10 pm, B.C. time – which is: 1:00 am Ontario time!) •Add the text messaging option to your cell phone. This is fast, easy communication with your child. Yes, its takes a while for all of us over age 30 to learn to text message. Be patient with yourself! Again – reminder: this is a way you will communicate with your deaf children when they grow up and move out – so start learning it now (before the technology gets even more complicated). Find a teenager to teach you how to text quickly! •Talk about text messaging manners (ie: workshops, dinner time, on the job, classes, funerals, weddings). Share your opinions of when its appropriate to turn off your phone! • Remind your teens of the dangers of texting while driving! •Sign up for a hotmail account. Figure out how to get MSN (which is your hotmail address). Add a couple of your own friends. Add your child/children. Practice having a live chat conversation with your child/youth. Learn how to change the font colour and size. You will love this! •Send your child/youth emails. This is a great way to enhance communication and great for literacy. It also gets you practicing your computer skills! Send some jokes. Send them little reminders of upcoming family events. They generally check their emails every day – so you can even send them emails like: CLEAN YOUR BEDROOM! •Ask your kids what their hotmail address is? If your teenager has an email that says: [email protected] you might want to have a chat that having that email address on their Resume isn’t a good thing for a prospective employer!! Also, remind your older teens that if they are applying for scholarships and jobs, having an email like: @telus.net or @shaw.ca avoids important emails defaulting to junk email boxes that often happens with hotmail and yahoo accounts. •Remind your kids that what you type and the pictures that you post can be saved by others and come back to haunt you! Conversations that are gossipy – can be copied and forwarded. This can cause distress in friendships. •Teach your kids that sharing photos of themselves may be ok, but sharing unflattering photos or inappropriate photos of others may cause friendship problems and lack of trust. •Define what “friend” means”. Often young children think that ‘well, yes, Tessa’s cousins’ next door neighbour in Calgary is my friend even though they have never met. So, yes … talk about what the word “friend” means. •Remember that some fun games on the computer entitles you to send secret computer messages to other players from around the world. Talk with your children about this. Often, this is a time when strangers will send seductive, inappropriate messages. Teach your child to always turn the “messages” off when playing some of these games. Most parents think their kids are having fun playing an innocent game and don’t realize that odd folks may be communicating with your child. •Do an internet search of your child to make sure that stranger’s can’t access My Space or Facebook to gain their personal information via a general internet search. Make sure that your child has changed the settings on these social networking sites to limit their profiles so they are not public. •Talk with your child whether you agree with them posting their cell phone number on their MSN, Facebook, My Space etc. •Remember that deaf children/youth have opportunities to meet other deaf childen/youth in other towns and provinces through sporting events, Deaf Youth Today Camp – this is a great way to network. They always exchange Videphone numbers, email addresses etc. (just remember to monitor friends). Again, define the word “friend”. •Check out the history of your computer. Find a computer manual. Figure out how to do it. If your child is ‘deleting’ their history, you may have a problem and want to follow up. •Mirror your young child: If your child is on MSN. Get MSN yourself. If they are on Nexopia – get Nexopia etc … Figure it out (it’s a FNDC/DYT great way to learn new things). •Remember: you are learning about social networking sites so you know ‘what is normal’ and what conflicts with your family values. Social networking sites like Facebook (when you have invited friends) are not the same as chat rooms. •Chat rooms should NEVER be used by young children. You should also talk with your teens about this and decide what your rules are about chat rooms. •Ask your young child to show you the pictures that they may have posted on Facebook, My Space etc. You might be horrified to find a photo of yourself in a bathing suit reading “People magazine” at the beach on Facebook for all their friends to see! •Don’t spy on your kids. Legitimately create an MSN, Nexopia or Facebook account. Ask them if you can be their “friend”. •Your child/youth has a right to privacy (according to your family values). •Facebook can be lots of fun when used appropriately (and limited settings are used). Its fun to share photos with other friends, and write comments! Only invited friends can be added to Facebook. This allows you control over who you want there! Again, make sure you sit you’re your young child and validate that these friends are people that your child legitimately knows. • Keep your computer in an open area. If your kids hide their computer screen with the flick of a button – talk with them about how you feel about that. •Remember we were all young once too! •Remember you are paying the bills and have the ability to literally pull the plug! •Recognize that social networking sites are here to stay! Educate your child to enjoy the access, yet protect their own privacy. •NOTHING ever replaces FACE to FACE communication and relationship building! Here’s a condensed version of some of the technology that most deaf children and youth are using/not using these days … Closed captioning – all new tv’s have captioning built in. Visiting a friend or relative – just use the tv clicker and turn the captioning on! The old “closed captioning” machine is no longer needed for any newer model tvs (within the last 5 years or so). Subtitles – DVD’s have subtitles in English. Amazing. You can pop a dvd into your dvd player or laptop computer, turn the subtitles on and – ACCESS! Fax machines – While these office machines aren’t as popular – they are still great for young deaf children. They can draw pictures, label, write simple stories and send/receive faxes back and forth to family members. TTY’s – Not used as much as it used to be. Text messaging, the videophone, computer messaging, email have all become the quick access that deaf youth are using constantly. -- Fall 2007 Telus Relay Service (TRS) – This is where one person types on the tty to the TRS operator. The TRS operator relays the typed print by voice to the hearing person on the telephone. Then the hearing person speaks and the TRS operator types the message to the deaf person on the TTY. If you have experienced “message relay”, you will agree it can be a slow way to communicate. Text messaging (cellphones) – The most popular method of communication. The only problem is you have to purchase a package that includes voice time. You then add on either a text messaging plan or pay per text message sent (which can add up pretty quickly). In our family, “unlimited” text messaging seems to work. It is very easy to send 10 messages a day (which equals 300 messages a month). The majority of teens (hearing and deaf) are text messaging like crazy these days! Note: a Rogers or Telus cellphone can send text messages to a landline (ie. your home phone). When you pick up the landline – you will be able to hear a computer read the text message to you. This is awesome for deaf kids that have a text message cellphone and need to leave a message with a hearing person that doesn’t have a text messaging cellphone. Note: the problem is you can’t do the reverse – leave a voice message and have it converted to text (hopefully that technology is coming soon!) Videophone – The videophone is amazing. The problem is that the equipment (connected through the Internet) can sometimes be difficult to troubleshoot through the problems. The videophone allows two people to sign to each other directly in front of the videophone camera. Deaf kids can chat with friends on the videophone in their first language. You will often hear lots of laughter when they are chatting! Email – I won’t obviously go through an explanation on this one, but this is a great communication tool. Deaf children and youth usually use a yahoo account or hotmail. With hotmail, they also have the ability to use MSN. MSN – You use the same email address as your hotmail. You then have a list of your friends on your MSN. When you log in – they can see when you are online and chat with you live on the computer. Often kids like to have as many friends as possible (like a popularity contest or something?) They sometimes will add a person that is a friend of a friend of a friend (thereby opening up the list to strangers). MSN is an awesome way to chat “live” with your child if you are out of town or if you child is over at a friend’s house. My Space – This was quite popular last year. My Space is similar to a “webpage” where you post photos and information about yourself, including a blog (like a diary). Note to parents: Personal information is available to anybody who views your profile. This can be dangerous if you place your actual address, telephone number and other contact details. Nexopia – Similar to My space – anyone can access the information and send messages to your child. The creepiness of Nexopia includes being able to search for example: for young girls in a particular town. This site allows you to click any one (without restrictions) – allowing you to read/see everything about each person (a profile and their posted photos). You can then click on each of their friends, and so on and so on. It’s a web! Video Relay Services (VRS) – Not yet available (legally) to Canadians. This service is available in the United States to all deaf persons. It works the same was as TRS except that the deaf person signs to the Interpreter who immediately interpreters the conversation to the hearing person and then vice versa. If you have experienced this service – it will knock your socks off how quickly and “alive” the conversation is. The Canadian Association of the Deaf has been working to have VRS available in Canada. Let’s hope this is coming soon! Facebook – This is super popular right now and lots of fun. It’s a great way to network with your friends. The positive to Facebook is that you can only have a list of people that you “choose” to have as your friends. You can post pictures, write things, and do a variety of fun activities to share with your friends. Note to Parents: many of the deaf kids add each other as friends, but also may add people that are much older. Facebook has just been enhanced and soon through an internet search, you (and many others) may be able to read your child’s entire Facebook, by simply “googling” their name. You need to make sure that your child limits the settings on their facebook whereby only their friends can read their profile and see photos etc. Vlog – Video Log – is a way of a person filming themselves signing their opinion or something that they want to say. They upload the vlog on the computer to share with friends. More to Come – As technology changes – next year children and youth will all be using something else. I challenge all of us to keep up with the technology and keep connected with your kids and teens. Cecelia i Vlog from i711.com You’ve got a whole new way to get your news: Introducing Channel i ™, News for your eyes.™ Channel i is a new, weekly vlog that presents your news in ASL every week, with the same quality content you’ve come to expect from i711.com. Visit www.i711.com/vlogs to check it out. FNDC/DYT -- Fall 2007 Attention DEAF CHILDREN/TEENS: DYT invites you to a WORKSHOP and a FUN DAY! Understanding “Deafhood” Friday, October 19 (Workshop) and Saturday October 20th (Day of FUN!!) (note: Friday Oct 19th is the Province-wide Professional Day) Friday, October 19th: WORKSHOP for DEAF YOUTH Location: Times: Access: Cost: Register: WBP Multi-Purpose Room, #300-4211 Kingsway, Burnaby 10:00 to 4:00 pm This workshop presented in ASL only. No cost - you must register before October 12th email: [email protected] or call 604 684-1860 so your name is on the list! Register before October 12th please. This workshop is for mature d/Deaf youth (approx ages 13 to 19) that want to explore “Deafhood” and understand more about d/Deaf people from around the world and yourself as a Deaf person. This is a great leadership workshop to add to your resume! Please note: motivated deaf youth are welcome! Supervision is not provided. Bring a bagged lunch! During DYT staff training, our DYT staff members were amazed at what they learned about themselves and about Deaf people around the world from participating in Nigel’s workshop. Nigel Howard is an ASL Instructor at Douglas College in the Department of Sign Language Interpretation, and also works as Instructor for the Child, Family and Community Studies. He has his BA in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is in the process of receiving his MSc in Deaf Studies from the University of Bristol in England. Nigel is a member of West Coast Association of Visual Language Interpreters and Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saturday, October 20th: DYT Fun DAY for CHILDREN & YOUTH Location: Times: Who?: Cost: Register: Douglas College (meet there) 9:30 to 4:30 pm (dinner at 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm) children & youth that have a parent attending the Parent Workshop Sat Oct 20th $15.00 for the day (INCLUDES dinner at the Spaghetti Factory) email: [email protected] or call 604 684-1860 so your name is on the list! Register before October 12th please. This is a day of planned fun events with DYT Buddies and some DYT Summer staff supervising! DYT will have a bus waiting for activities and action. Bring a bathing suit and running shoes (just in case) and a bagged lunch! This is a great day for deaf children and youth and hearing siblings (approx ages 6 to 17) to have fun while one or both of your parents enjoy the FNDC workshop! Deaf Youth Today is a Family Network for Deaf Children program www.fndc.ca 604 684-1860 voice/text message email: [email protected] FNDC/DYT -- Fall 2007 FOR: PARENTS OF DEAF CHILDREN/YOUTH, EXTENDED FAMILY & OTHER INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS, Friday, October 19th (province-wide professional day). FREE DAY for MOMS! Parents: drop off your deaf youth at Douglas College for the Friday workshop on Deafhood (see DYT flyer for more information). Use the time Friday to attend the CAEDHH conference (Canadian Association of Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing which has EXCELLENT workshops), or connect with other parents of deaf children/youth for a relaxed day of shopping and lunch. Saturday, October 20thLocation: Times: Access: Cost: Register: WORKSHOP for Parents, extended Family and other interested Participants! Douglas College, Room #1231 10:00 to 4:00 pm This workshop presented in ASL. Interpreters will be provided $15.00 (this fee includes dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory (5:00 – 6:30pm) email: [email protected] or call 604 684-1860 so your name is on the list! Register before October 12th please. This workshop is parents and others that want to explore “Deafhood” and understand more about the d/Deaf people in your life. You will see the world through different coloured glasses! This workshop will pave the way for better communication and understanding between yourself and your d/Deaf family member. During DYT staff training, our DYT staff members were amazed at what they learned about themselves and about Deaf people around the world from participating in Nigel’s workshop. Nigel Howard is an ASL Instructor at Douglas College in the Department of Sign Language Interpretation, and also works as Instructor for the Child, Family and Community Studies. He has his BA in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and is in the process of receiving his MSc in Deaf Studies from the University of Bristol in England. Nigel is a member of West Coast Association of Visual Language Interpreters and Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada. ** Interpreters for this workshop are graciously provided by: Services for Family & Community Development (SFCD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Family Network for Deaf Children (FNDC) www.fndc.ca 604 684-1860 voice/text message email: [email protected] FNDC/DYT -- Fall 2007 FAMILY NETWORK FOR DEAF CHILDREN NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting of Members of The FAMILY NETWORK FOR DEAF CHILDREN (the “Society”) will be held on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 7:30 pm, at Victory Hill Offices, 4334 Victory Street, Burnaby, B.C. The purpose of the meeting will be to transact the following business: 1. To receive and consider the Report of the Directors and the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year end March 31, 2007 together with the report of the Auditors thereon; 2. To determine the number of Directors at nine; 3. To elect Directors of the Company to hold office until the close of the next annual general meeting. 4. To appoint Auditors. DATED this 7th day of September, 2007. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FAMILY NETWORK FOR DEAF CHILDREN Per: “COLLEEN PETERSON” President and Director NOTE: FNDC/DYT x Members in good standing are all members who have paid their annual membership for 2007/2008. Voting members are parents or legal guardians that have been a parent or foster parent of a deaf or hard of hearing child, youth or adult. x All members of the Family Network for Deaf Children are encouraged to attend this important meeting. x Interpreters will be provided. -- Fall 2007 ATTENTION: FNDC Newsletter Subscribers: Confidentiality of your information: Be assured, that FNDC NEVER ever gives out email addresses or home mailing addresses/phone numbers to anyone. If an organization has information that would be beneficial to our readers, we will suggest that they provide us with sealed envelopes with postage on. We then, personally, affix your individual mailing label. This guarantees that your information is 100% confidential. You will be receiving a letter in the mail from the Canadian Association of the Deaf sending out some great information on Registered Education Savings for parents of deaf children and Deaf adults with hearing children. If you do not receive a copy of the RESP information, please contact the Canadian Association of the Deaf directly. We hope you take the time to fill out the survey for the Canadian Association of the Deaf. FAMILY NETWORK FOR DEAF CHILDREN You will be receiving the following in the mail: Canadian Association of the Deaf / L’Association des Sourds du Canada This is related to CAD’s new project “Promoting and Encouraging Awareness of Education Savings within the Deaf Community” 1) Letter to Parents 2) RESP Survey for Parents 3) RESP brochure “With government cutbacks in financial and tuition assistance for deaf / hard of hearing students studying in colleges / universities, it is imperative that parents take advantage of RESP. The Government of Canada provides “FREE” money, only if you open an RESP account for your child!” Thank you, Jeremy Wells Project Coordinator / Coordonnateur de Projet Please visit our web site www.cad.ca Visitez notre site Voice | Voix (613) 565-2882 / Fax: (613) 565-1207 TTY:ATS (613) 565-8882 / BRS:SRB (800) 855-0511 FNDC/DYT -- Fall 2007 David McGregor represents Deaf Youth Today in Madrid Spain. Last summer, David McGregor represented DYT in Quebec City at the Canada Deaf Conference. This past summer, DYT partially supported David in his attendance in Madrid, Spain at the World Federation of the Deaf. WFD – Submitted by David McGregor Attending the World Federation of the Deaf in Madrid Spain was without a doubt, one of the most beneficial experiences within the deaf community. Upon arriving in Madrid, being surrounded by so many ambitious people from all over the world really opened my eyes and I saw how large the deaf community can be united in one place. The conferences proved to be interesting to see many different international issues, such as developed countries aiding developing countries. Some of the developing countries actually have sent people to the WFD to learn as much as they can to bring back information for their country to benefit from and grow strong. The most impacting presentation I attended had very powerful statistics and information by an Australian Psychologist regarding crime in comparison of deaf and hearing persons. As a criminology student, I was amazed with this presentation and hope to do some future research on it myself. This has been a great experience interacting with many well known people in their communities and a very inspiring experience to do the best one can do. Transition Services Awareness Night Hosted by Leslee Scott, Western Institute for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing and Sarah Taylor, Provincial Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access to services for your independent living Thurs, Oct 18th, 6 – 9 pm Kelowna Community Resources Boardroom 120 – 1735 Dolphin Ave, Kelowna, BC Join us for an informative night where your transition and future plans will benefit from our presentations and handouts regarding Employment, Education, and Access from different services. There will be different presentations from the Okanagan region: Okanagan University of British Columbia, Medical Interpreting Service, Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities, and more. ASL Interpreting and Captioning services will be provided Refreshment and Pizza will be provided during the forum. ** Please send your RSVP by WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 11th 2007 ** The RSVP will determine how many people are coming and the appropriate number of pizzas to order! Contact Leslee or Sarah below Western Institute for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing 120 – 1735 Dolphin Avenue, Kelowna, British Columbia Phone (250) 763-3562 | E-mail: [email protected] Provincial Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing 4334 Victory Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5J 1R2 Phone (604) 660.1807 (TTY) | (604) 660.1800 (Voice) | E-mail: [email protected] FNDC/DYT -- Fall 2007 A Father’s Experience – Medical Interpreting Submitted by Doug Klassen {Doug is Health Service Manager at Peace Arch Hospital, as well as a dad of three teens - Annie, Mari (Deaf) and Jake}. As a dad, I have spent many hours sitting through doctor’s appointments with my three children. With my hearing children, I have been present at many of their medical appointments. Most of the questions and conversations take place between the physician and my child. I am able to sit back, listen, take in the information, and intervene as necessary. One of the most important things that has taken place over the years for my hearing children is that they have had years of understanding the types of questions to ask health professionals so that they can be empowered to take responsibility for their own health. This started when they were toddlers and continued into their teen years, when they attend appointments by themselves. With my deaf child (Mari) it was a different story. I was acting as the “interpreter” which was a situation that didn’t give Mari the best information and certainly didn’t model to Mari the types of questions to ask and how to advocate for herself. A typical doctor’s visit was stressful. I was concerned about her condition, emotionally involved, and trying my best to interpret through my intermediate level of signing. Not only did this take me out of being involved with Mari, I could not really focus on the conversation and the questions I had for the physician. I often signed “I’ll tell you later”. I felt terrible for Mari, who probably understood from my signing that she was going to have to have surgery or an “amputation” from a simple fractured wrist. I probably scared the heck out her until I could clarify in depth – which usually happened after the appointment as we shared an ice cream together! As a health care professional myself, I recognized that Mari’s right to understand her health care needs and have the correct information should not be taking place at Dairy Queen. I also realized that I was teaching my daughter to nod her head and become a passive medical patient and accept what the doctor (and her parents) said. This was creating her to become dependent on her parents and not lead to the ability to one day walk into the doctor’s office and be an informed and responsible adult in charge of her own health care. The time had come that I realized: my daughter needed an interpreter at every medical appointment. Medical Interpreters saved the relationship between my daughter and myself! Having the interpreter Mari and Doug present, relieved the pressure and I could totally focus on what was being said, take in the information and ask appropriate questions, just as I do with my hearing kids. Mari was able to model from me – the kinds of questions that I asked and gain the information she needed. I found the interpreters very professional and flexible. Mari loved the independence and I was struck at after several visits regarding a fractured ankle - she retained the information, asked great questions and joked with the Doctor. This is the independence that we want for all our children! Through years of having an interpreter present, my daughter is at an age where she now knows the information that she has a right to, the questions to ask and how to be responsible for her own health care needs. This happened because (just like hearing children) she has spent several years having this modeled to her. Medical Interpreting allows me to do my job as a dad and just enjoy our time at Dairy Queen together! Thank you to Medical Interpreting and the Government of B.C. for providing this great access. 7th Annual: Canadian - Chinese Association of the Deaf The Chinese Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival Party Grand Buffet 6401 Kingsway (at Colborne near Gilley), Burnaby, BC Lunch Starts at 12:00AM TIME: 11:00AM ~ 3:00PM Saturday, October, 13 , 2007 // Door Prizes, Raffles, 50/50 Adults {11 years and older} Ticket Child {4 years to 10 years old} Ticket $15.00 $ 7.50 Seniors {60 years and older} Ticket Child under 3 years old $12.00 Free Buy tickets before deadline on Sunday, October, 7, 2007 Please contact Chairperson: Deonilde Chan [[email protected]] (Vancouver, Richmond) OR chairperson assistant May Jue [[email protected]] (Burnaby, New Westminster) OR Sandra Fennings [[email protected]] (Surrey, Langley) FNDC/DYT -- Fall 2007 How to access Medical Interpreting Services: Information from WIDHH’s website: www.widhh.com Medical Interpreting Services What Is "MIS"? The decision of the Supreme Court of Canada on October 9, 1997 has had significant impact on the delivery of health care services. Medical Interpreting Service has been implemented to provide sign language interpreters, oral interpreters, and intervenors where necessary for effective communication in the delivery of health care services. MIS will organize professional interpretation for non-urgent and emergent situations such as admission assessment, consultation visits, and patient/family conferences. Will MIS Provide An Interpreter For Every Medical Situation? We cannot provide interpretation for dental, physiotherapy, or chiropractor appointments. If you have any questions pertaining to these restrictions please call the Medical Interpreting Service. Who Can Make A Request For An Interpreter / Intervenor? Requests can be made by Deaf, Deaf-Blind or Hard of Hearing individuals, their families, friends and support workers. Requests may also come directly from the hospital or agency where the appointment will take place. Once a request comes in the Dispatcher takes the necessary steps to ensure an interpreter will be at the appointment. Whoever made the initial request will receive a call back stating whether or not we were able to fill the request and who the interpreter will be. Please try to make your request at least two weeks in advance. What Is The Medical Interpreter's Role? A Medical Interpreter is one who facilitates communication between persons who do not share the same language in a health care setting. EMERGENCIES call the Medical Interpreting Service Emergency only line (24 hours / 7 days a week) and we will send an interpreter to the hospital as fast as possible. EMERGENCY CALLS 736-7039 - Voice (Vancouver) 1-877-736-7039 - Voice (Long Distance) 736-7078 TTY - (Vancouver) 1-877-736-7078 - TTY (Long Distance) NON-EMERGENCY CALLS 736-7012 - Voice (Vancouver) 1-877-736-7012 - Voice (Long Distance) 736-7099 - TTY (Vancouver) 1-877-736-7099 - TTY (Long Distance) 736-7786 - FAX Vancouver Island General & Emergencies 592 8147 - TTY (Victoria) 592 8144 - Voice (Victoria) 1 877 667 5488 - TTY Toll Free 1 877 667 5448 - Voice Toll Free FNDC/DYT - 10 - Fall 2007 Jamaal Anderson knows every day is Father’s Day By Tom Friend ESPN The Magazine Received Via Email Sports ESPN Website: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft07/news/story?id=2830679&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2 His son is a possible Top-10 NFL draft pick, but he doesn’t listen to the gossip, the rumor or the innuendo. Because he cannot hear. On draft day, he will not jump up at the exact moment his son’s name is called. Because he cannot hear. The team that picks his son will have found a special player. All because Glenn Anderson cannot hear. In this era of Pacman and T.O., the National Football League needs more people like Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson, whose deaf father has shown him anything is possible. Jamaal may be a 6-foot-5, 288-pound former basketball player who reminds scouts of Julius Peppers, but his best attribute could very well be the man who raised him in silence. When Jamaal wanted to quit football in eighth grade, he thought of his father Glenn, who never quit his cruel, mainstream high school. When Jamaal was hesitant to switch from receiver to defensive end in college, he thought of his father Glenn, who worked day and night to obtain a Ph.D. And now when Jamaal hears some NFL teams still aren’t sold on him, he thinks of his father Glenn and says, “If they only knew.” Life Lessons Last month in an LA mall, Jamaal and his sister, Danielle, witnessed a teenage boy get nabbed for shoplifting. A cop arrived and told the kid he had two choices: call his dad or go to jail. “I’ll call my dad,” the kid answered. “Wow,” Danielle said to Jamaal, “you and I would’ve chosen jail.” That’s because the man they never wanted to disappoint is the same man who has never heard one word they’ve ever said: their father. He yells with his hands and commands respect with his e-mails. And when you ask Jamaal Anderson if he’d be an NFL prospect today without Glenn, he tells you, “Impossible.” So Glenn was on his own, at the playground and at school. There were no interpreters available and no televisions with closed captioning. Right from a young age, he was in survival mode. While his friends attended a vocational high school, Glenn was sent to Parker High School -- a mainstream and academic high school that has since been torn down -- and he spent much of his free time in the library, reading about Bill Russell and Hank Aaron. He was a top-notch basketball player, the only deaf player in the city’s public schools, but his teammates gawked at him, kept their distance. They would cut up in class, while he just wanted to study, and he was ostracized. He simply wanted to blend in, and because he was so smart and self-sufficient, there were teachers who didn’t even know he was deaf. He went an entire semester of an American history class with an A, until the teacher decided the final test would be an oral exam. “So I raised my hand and said, ‘I’m deaf,’” Glenn, 61, recalled through an interpreter. “And he said, ‘Not you.’” The teacher still forced him to take the test orally. “Four years of high Chris Livingston/Icon SMI school, my only F,” Glenn said. Jamaal Anderson had 13½ His trick, mostly, was to find class- sacks last year at Arkansas mates -- mostly girls -- who took and may be the first D-lineman copious lecture notes and were selected in the NFL draft. willing to share them with him. He was also an exquisite writer, and after graduation he ended up at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., the university for the deaf and hard of hearing. You have to go back to Chicago to understand, back to the early 1950s. Glenn Anderson was a perfectly healthy 6-year-old when he contracted pneumonia and was given the experimental drug streptomycin. Doctors warned his father, a middle school custodian, and his mother, a short-order cook, of the drug’s potential side effects, including complete hearing loss. But it was either that or lose their son. He played basketball there, scoring over 1,000 points in two seasons, and also competed in the long jump and triple jump for the track team (later participating in the 1969 deaf Olympics in Belgrade). He became the first person in his family to earn a college degree, but didn’t stop there. He earned his master’s from the University of Arizona and his Ph.D. from NYU, where he met his wife, Karen. He later became a professor at the University of Arkansas, where he started a family and began coaching his youngest of two children, a gangly kid named Jamaal. He became deaf, and his family didn’t even try to learn sign language. They’d be at the playground, every night, shooting baskets, using FNDC/DYT - 11 - Fall 2007 sign language to communicate. Jamaal learned how to sign before he learned to speak, and the bond between them became rock solid. “He was pretty hard on me,” Jamaal said. “I guess I was out of shape once, so right after a basketball game, he took me to the track and made me run five miles. I was so mad at him for that. But I guess it paid off.” There were other life lessons taught along the way. “I remember Jamaal playing their archrivals in a game, and there’d been a lot of trash-talking on the court. And Jamaal was a little upset,” Danielle said. “He told Daddy, ‘They’re saying things that are mean and nasty,’ and I can remember Daddy stopping the car, turning to Jamaal and saying, ‘We don’t do that. It’s not necessary to do that.’ So Jamaal never did.” the field and off. He was so much more mature than the other players, had so much more perspective. And it all had to do with Glenn, who, by now, had been appointed by George Bush to the National Council on Disability and had served as chair of the Gallaudet Board of Trustees. He had mingled with President Clinton and been a keynote speaker nationally. And Jamaal had watched it all happen. He’d seen everything his father had been through. He’d remembered the night the family had gotten their first closed-captioned television, and how Glenn could now watch Knots Landing with the whole group. He remembered how much joy his dad felt. He decided that if his father could overcome being deaf, he could sack an NFL quarterback. How many other top players had lived this way? How many had that going for them? How many? By eighth grade, Jamaal had decided to take up football, but he was upset when the coach made him the center. Snapping the ball to the quarterback and blocking? It was boring, and he told Glenn he was bailing out, quitting. But no one in that family quit anything, and Jamaal knew it. He stayed and was soon rewarded when the coach switched him to tight end. “Caught a touchdown on his first play,” Karen said. “If I hadn’t stuck it out, I’d have never played football again,” Jamaal said. Like Father, Like Son Most Top-10 draft picks roll with a posse. Jamaal Anderson rolls with his sister. When Anderson traveled to LA this winter to train for the NFL combine and his pro day workout, he arrived with his sister Danielle. She cooked for him and hung out with him, another indication that he could be the most mature player, at 21, in this entire draft. He was still playing basketball, too, at Parkview While he was out West, he bulked up from 282 High School in Little Rock, Ark. But before his courtesy Karen Anderson to 288 pounds and trimmed his body fat from senior year, he quit -- this time without telling his Jamaal Anderson, center, and his 13.7 percent to 11 percent. Then, at his pro dad -- and Glenn was livid. Jamaal wanted to parents Karen and Glenn celebrate his day workout, he mostly out-performed his chief concentrate on his football training, to enhance high school graduation and his future competitor at defensive end, Clemson’s Gaines his chances of playing big-time college football. at Arkansas. Jamaal chose the Hogs Adams. Adams, who is the 30 pounds lighter, Glenn thought it was a mistake, that he’d have after coaches used sign language to ran a 4.66 40 yard dash compared to Anderson’s too much time on his hands and could fall in with communicate with Glenn. 4.75, but Jamaal ran faster in the 10-yard dash the wrong crowd. But every ensuing day, without (more pertinent to linemen), in the 20-yard shuttle fail, Jamaal would be working out or drinking a protein shake or eating and in the three-cone drill. healthy food. Glenn learned he could trust him, learned that Jamaal was another him because he never slacked off. Jamaal then went Still, in a lot of mock drafts, Adams was projected to go higher than out his senior season and broke the high school touchdown record of Anderson, not that Glenn -- still teaching in Arkansas -- knew anything former all-world tight end Keith Jackson. about it. His son had previously text-messaged him from the combine and told him he’d met with 28 teams. It floored Glenn that 28 teams Soon, the University of Arkansas was all over the kid, and Razor- had actually taken the time to visit his son. backs coach Houston Nutt Jr. came in for a home visit along with his brother, Danny Nutt. Their father, Houston Nutt Sr., had been Glenn had simply taught his son not to be boastful, not to brag about hearing-impaired himself, so the Nutt brothers were able to sign to who his father was or what his background had been. If teams knew Glenn throughout the home visit. Jamaal loved it and committed to what Jamaal had been exposed to, they likely would have lauded him the school. for his character and probably moved him up the draft charts. But he kept silent about it. “It’s just something I really never talk about,” he Right away, they put him with a deaf roommate, Antoine Dinka. That’s said. “I’m just humble about it, because that’s how I’ve been raised.” how much the Nutts thought of Jamaal. They knew he’d help Dinka cope, knew he’d be his interpreter in football meetings. On the prac- Jamaal kept hearing the Washington Redskins were interested, tice field, Houston Nutt began using sign language to talk to Jamaal and, because there’d been a recent protest in DC when Glenn got when no one else was looking -- their secret communication method snubbed as a Gallaudet president candidate, Jamaal knew his dad -- and when Nutt asked him to switch from receiver to defensive end, was popular there. “Yeah, if I go to Washington, there’ll be a deaf he trusted that the coach knew what he was doing, just the way he community section at Fed Ex Field,” Jamaal said. “A Glenn Anderson trusted Glenn. section.” But then, suddenly, the Redskins talked openly about trading the No. 6 overall pick. Were they not enamored of him? Did they By his junior season, he was glad he’d gone along with it. He accumu- know Jamaal’s history? lated 13½ sacks, using speed moves and power moves, and decided it was time to turn pro. And Houston Nutt knew Jamaal was ready, on Finally, at the combine, word got out. And the first to leak it was TenFNDC/DYT - 12 - Fall 2007 nessee Titans assistant coach Jim Washburn, who had formerly been a D-line coach at Arkansas. Washburn had bumped into Jamaal right before his individual meeting with the Titans brass and asked Jamaal to answer the first few questions using only sign language. The idea was to shock Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt and head coach Jeff Fisher, shock them into never, ever forgetting Jamaal. It worked. Reinfeldt’s jaw dropped at the sight of a 288-pound man using sign language, and the Titans were blown away. Now everyone knew there was a talented kid out there who had class, who would never be a Pacman, not in a million years. His father had rubbed off on him far too much. Teams needed to know that. They needed to know that, in a lot of ways, he was a Glenn Anderson who could hear. They needed to know that when Jamaal Anderson checked into a hotel recently, for a team visit, he flipped on the TV ... and turned on the closed-captioning. Out of habit. Out of pure habit. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels of American Sign Language (ASL) are offered to Children’s and Women’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre employees, parents with a special needs child, volunteers and students. Please register and pay online through the PHSA Education Online Calendar at: http://edreg.cw.bc.ca/phsaedcalendar or http://www.cw.bc.ca All levels are offered for 12 weeks (Tuesdays or For more information, please contact: Thursdays) at Sunny Hill Health Centre. The Bev Charlton, Sign Language Dept. Supervisor, DCS objective of these courses is to develop sign language conversational skills to communicate Email: [email protected] with children who require visual support for or call Karen Hill, Office Manager: 604-525-6056 language development. Course Fee: Provided by: C&W & SHH Employees: $60.00 Parents of a child with special needs: $80.00 General Public: $80.00 Beginners Intermediate Advanced Tuesdays Thursdays Tuesdays Sept. 18 - Dec. 4 Sept. 20 - Dec. 6 Sept. 18 - Dec. 4 4:45pm - 6:15pm 4:45pm - 6:15pm 4:45pm - 6:15pm Cafeteria Conference Room Cafeteria Conference Room Board Room FNDC/DYT - 13 - Fall 2007 Being deaf no handicap for Laurier House tour guide Katie Daubs, The Ottawa Citizen Published: Friday, July 27, 2007 Victoria LeBlanc’s fingers dance likes fireflies as she talks about Wilfrid Laurier rushing to Montreal by train to propose to Zo? Lafontaine. It’s her favourite story. A couple looking at a portrait of the former prime minister and his wife listen, totally entranced. Their tour guide hasn’t uttered a word. The voice telling the story is that of an interpreter. Ms. LeBlanc hasn’t been able to hear since she was four years old. No one knows why. Genetics, the doctors guessed. This year, the 21-year-old is one of two deaf tour guides at Laurier House whose job is to give tours in sign language. It’s a pilot project for the historic site, done through the Young Canada Works program. Anne-Marie Johnson, the manager of Laurier House, Pioneers in their fields: Victoria says it’s been a real “eyeLeBlanc interprets history for opener.” “We’ve learned so visitors to Sir Wilfrid Laurier’s old much. They make us aware of home without saying a word. She things because we don’t live in uses sign language which she learned after becoming deaf. that culture.” Sometimes, when Photograph by : Wayne Cuddington, visitors come to the historic Laurier Avenue home, they’re the Ottawa Citizen confused by having a tour guide communicate through sign language and an interpreter. They tell Ms. LeBlanc they don’t need sign language. She laughs. “I say, ‘It’s for me. I’m deaf’.” She says when student groups come through, those who have had her tour brag to their friends that they had the “deaf tour guide.” It’s cool. But it’s frustrating, she admits. Many people won’t make eye contact with her. Many only ask the interpreter questions. Yesterday, when Ms. LeBlanc began her tour, a couple from Saskatchewan did a double take. They didn’t know where to look or who to ask questions of. FNDC/DYT But by the end, they were excitedly talking to Ms. LeBlanc about Expo ‘67. That’s all she really wants. “So many people don’t know anything about deaf people,” she said. “I feel better they’ve met me.” Ms. LeBlanc doesn’t remember what it was like to hear. She learned to speak before she lost her hearing, and had to learn sign language as a young child. When she signs, her lips move, and sometimes you can hear her voice. She says her voice makes her self-conscious. She once did an entire job interview without an interpreter, and the employer didn’t even realize she was deaf. He was impressed with the American Sign Language skills she had listed on her r?sum?. Ms. LeBlanc can also read lips. The only problems she has are overgrown mustaches and fast-talkers. Her own father, mediocre at sign language, has to keep his mustache well-trimmed. She hails from Vancouver and studies at Gallaudet University in Washington. Before she arrived in Ottawa this summer, she scoured the Internet to find an apartment. She found one near the University of Ottawa, set everything up by e-mail and hopped on a plane. But when she thinks back, she can’t remember if she told her new roommates she was deaf. She just tacked a manual alphabet (for sign language) up on the freezer with a magnet when she got there. “I love interacting with hearing people, she said. “A lot of people are afraid a deaf person won’t like being asked a question.” She’s not afraid. She’ll answer any question. Her chin piercing didn’t really hurt -- and water doesn’t spurt out of the hole when the earring isn’t there. And the only difference between the hearing and the non-hearing -- is hearing. It’s as simple as that. © The Ottawa Citizen 2007 FNDC Editor’s Note: Victoria LeBlanc is a past Deaf Youth Today Summer Staff member. Victoria has had another summer of great experience! - 14 - Fall 2007 19 YEAR OLD GITXSAN ATHLETE IS SELECTED TO CANADA’S DEAF NATIONAL TEAM FOR THE 2007 PAN-AM GAMES Article from the Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Association Newsletter Distributed on behalf of the Rodger’s family... 19 YEAR OLD GITXSAN ATHLETE IS SELECTED TO CANADA’S NATIONAL TEAM FOR THE 2007 PAN-AM GAMES GITXSAN TERRITORY – Young Derek Rodgers will not only represent Canada, he will also represent his First Nation’s heritage, as he joins Team Canada in August 2007 at the Pan-Am Games for the Deaf, in Venezuela. A week before ‘Father’s Day, Derek received the news and made the phone call to his dad, Dan, and said, “Dad, I made the team!” what a great father’s day gift! Getting selected to a National Team is every young athlete’s dream – and one that has come true for Derek Rodgers, 19 years old who now joins the Men’s National Soccer Team for the games. Derek, currently attending school in Burnaby, is Lax Gibbuu (wolf clan), Wilp Haisimsque (house of Chief Haisimsque) and grew up in Gitsegukla, near Hazelton, BC. For Derek, with the official letter in hand, the reality is now setting in “I’m so excited to play and wear the Team Canada jersey!” says Derek. “It’s all very surreal” says Dan, proud father who traveled with Derek to Toronto in May to try-out for the National soccer team. Dan also commented on how impressed he was with the coach who worked well with the players to bring their skills together as a team. “Derek is a very determined individual” said Lori, Derek’s sister, “we are really happy for him and very proud!”. Derek is not one to let his hearing impairment limit his life goals. As a great example, he is graduating with his dogwood diploma in June 2007, in Burnaby, BC. His desire to play competitively extends beyond soccer, Derek also enjoys hockey, and snowboarding - he enjoys being fit, active and being involved in the community. “All the efforts have paid off” said Derek’s mom, Geri, who shared how Dan and Derek dedicated their time to prepare for the try-outs and how the aunties, uncles and family members rallied their support for Derek to help fundraise for his trip to Toronto in May. The 4th Pan Am Deaf Games will be held in Valencia on August 11- 18, 2007, where Team Canada will compete against teams from 15 Countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and USA to name a few. The team’s goal is to also participate in the 21st Deaflympics in Taipei, 2009. “Derek will travel to Toronto, for team practices” says Dan. With only 8 weeks before his travel to Venezuela, Derek may find it challenging to focus on exams and graduation – Congratulations Derek! GVDBC Bowling League is just a few weeks away! Come out and have some fun with the GVDBC Deaf Bowling League. We accept teams of 3 persons (or more) or you can join as an individual. Anyone interested is welcome. We only bowl 24 weeks, which is shorter than most leagues in the area. We have a split-season format, so your team will have more than one chance to make it into the final playoffs. Join us for an informal get-together (“FIRST DAY”) at the Revs Bowling Centre (formerly the Brentwood Recreational Centre, just next to the Holdom Skytrain Station on Lougheed Highway) on Saturday, September 8th at 10:00 am. Three FREE nonleague games will be played for that day only. Please be sure to call and reserve your spot now, even if you can’t attend the September 8th session. League play begins Saturday, September 15th at 9:45 am. Contact: Christel Devos [[email protected]] (Secretary) | Olav Naas [[email protected]] (President) | TTY: (604) 523-1704 FNDC/DYT - 15 - Fall 2007 First Deaf boy in Little League in BC Submitted by: Boyd McWilliam. Boyd (Deaf) is the proud father of 12 year old Archie (Deaf). Thank you for sending us this information! Archie McWilliam played with the Coquitlam Little League Association. Archie’s team became BC. Champions and placed third in Canada last year. Archie and his team will try that again for this year. Archie and his team went to a tournament two week ago and they won. They are the champions which you can see in the pictures below. It appears that this is the first time a Deaf boy has played rep ball in the Major Little League. Two weeks ago there was an announcement that said for the first time in history, they had a Deaf boy in their tournament (since 1954). Archie McWilliam holding the big award Checking if the gold is REAL Okanagan Deaf Community Church Kelowna Head Office and Church Service Okanagan Deaf Community Church (Kelowna) c/o Rutland Gospel Tabernacle, 410 Leathead Rd, Kelowna BC Vernon Church Service Okanagan Deaf Community Church (Vernon) c/o Cornerstone Bible Church, 4611 - 23rd Street, Vernon, BC For More Information, contact: http://okanagandeafcommunitychurch.blogspot.com/ FNDC/DYT - 16 - Fall 2007 GALLAUDET NATIONAL ESSAY, ART, AND ASL CONTEST Win Scholarship Money or Cash Awards Theme—Yes, I Can! http://contest.gallaudet.edu/ Gallaudet University and the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center invite deaf and hard of hearing students 9-19 years old to participate in the annual Gallaudet National Essay, Art, and ASL Contest. The theme of the contest is “Yes, I Can!” Contest entrants will interpret the theme and enter the contest in any of the three categories: Essay, Art, or American Sign Language. Students 15-19 years old will compete for scholarships to postsecondary programs of their choice, and the amount of the scholarship will be doubled for those who choose to attend, and are accepted by, Gallaudet University. These prizes include $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, $300 for third place, and $100 each for two honorable mentions. In addition, first place winners in each category will earn free tuition, room, and board for select summer programs offered by Gallaudet University and the Clerc Center, including the Honors Program, Camp Gallaudet, and the Young Scholars Program. Place winners in the category for 15- to 19-year-olds will also receive a beautiful coffee table book, Douglas Tilden: The Man and His Legacy by Mildred Albronda, generously donated by the Mildred Albronda Trust. “For the first time, the contest has a category for younger students,” said Tim Worthylake, co-coordinator of the contest. “In the past, only students 15-19 years old could enter the essay contest, and students of all ages had their work considered together in the art and ASL categories. Now younger deaf and hard of hearing students—those 9-14 years old—will have a chance to have their work considered separately.” Prizes in the category for students 9-14 years old include $100 cash for first place, $75 for second place, $50 for third place, and $25 each for two honorable mentions. All participants will receive certificates of meritorious entry. Art entrants will have their work considered for display in the art gallery on the campus of Gallaudet University, and all artwork will be displayed on the Clerc Center website. Winning student work will also be recognized in Celebrate!, an annual showcase of student work published by the Clerc Center and posted on the web. The deadline for entry is February 7, 2008. Rules for all entriee for students 9-14 years old • Entrants must be deaf or hard of hearing; hearing loss must be bilateral; hearing loss must be verifiable. • Entries must be postmarked or in our office by February 7, 2008. • Entries must be delivered personally or sent through the U.S. mail. • Entries must be accompanied by an entry form. • One copy of entrant’s photograph is requested. • Entrants may submit multiple entries, but they may only earn one award. • Late entries and entries in which the rules are not followed will be RETURNED. We hate doing this, but we feel it is only fair to the other contestants. • All entries become the property of Gallaudet University; they may be published in any format. • The judges’ decision is final. Rules for essay entries: Entries must be at least one page and no more than 1,500 words. Entries must be typed and doubled spaced. Rules for art entries: Entries may be acrylic, pastel, watercolor, oil, cut and paste, crayon, and/or pen and ink. Entries must be no bigger than 8½ x 11 in size. Rules for ASL entries:Essays may be submitted on Mini-DV videotape. Essays must be at least 2 minutes and not exceed 3 minutes. For entrants under 18 years old, parental permission is required to display the video on the web. For winners 15-19 years old The following awards are scholarships that will be sent directly to the winners’ university or postsecondary programs. Amounts will be doubled for winners who chose to attend, and are accepted to, Gallaudet University. First Place - $1,000 AND tuition, room, and board for a select summer program experience at Gallaudet University or the Clerc Center Second Place - $500 Third Place - $300 • Honorable Mention (2)- $100 In addition, all place winners will receive a beautiful coffee table book, Douglas Tilden: The Man and His Legacy by Mildred Albronda, generously donated by the Mildred Albronda Trust. The following are cash awards. First Place - $100 :: Second Place - $75 :: Third Place - $50 :: Honorable Mention (2) - $25 FNDC/DYT - 17 - Fall 2007 Law Enforcement Has A New Way To Identify Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing Drivers The goal of the identifying placard is to bridge the communication gap. Story by Gil McClanahan Reprinted with permission from: Gil McClanahan, Charleston, West Virginia 25302 CHARLESTON -- For many, sign language is their only form of communication. Recently, a 17-year-old deaf teenager tried to get paper and a pen out of his glove box to communicate with the officer who stopped him. “The police pulled him out of the car, assumed he had a gun in there, lead to a communication misunderstanding and frightening experience,” said John Burdette, Vice-President of the West Virginia Association of the Deaf. The incident sent Burdette into action, trying to remove a communication gap instead of complaining about it. An identifying placard is the result. “The deaf driver has to pull it down from their sun visor and show the police, point to the card and point I’m deaf or hard of hearing,” said Burdette. The back of the card goes on to show the best option for the officer and driver to communicate. “That’s important to us because as we approach a vehicle. For our safety, we stand back behind the driver so the driver has to turn their heads towards us. If a person reads lips I need to know that so I can stand in a position where they can see me clearly,” says Sgt. Mike Lynch of the State Police. The placards were given to deaf drivers at the association’s convention in Charleston, with the hope that if they happen to be stopped by a law enforcement officer, communication will no longer be an issue. Learning about and Supporting Suicide Prevention CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FAIR 2007 Saturday, November 24th & Sunday, November 25th 10:00 am to 4:00 pm both days At Burnaby South Secondary School IN THE CAFETERIA 5455 Rumble Street, Burnaby, BC ¾ Hope ¾ Understanding & Caring ¾ Safety ADMISSION FREE Co-presented by: Teresa Kollias & Mandy Huberman Partial proceeds from sales of crafts will go to support essential programs and services for individuals who are Deafblind. (Provincial Services Deaf & Hard of Hearing) - (VCH S.A.F.E.R. Counselling) When: Thursday September 20, 2007 To book a Table: 1 day for $ 25.00 OR 2 days for $ 40.00. To book a table, or for any questions, contact Sue Anderson, Christmas Craft Fair Chairperson at: email [email protected] or tty / voice phone # 604 -626- 0077. Time: 6:30 – 9:00pm. Where: Well-Being Program Multi-Purpose Room** Office #300 – 4211 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC Registration & Interpreters: Please contact Lisa Anderson [email protected], or TTY 604.456.0901 FNDC/DYT - 18 - Fall 2007 Registration includes: “Perspectives in Education: Supporting our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students” CAEDHH - BC Conference 2007 Friday, October 19, 2007 8:00 AM. to 3:00 PM. Quilchena Golf & Country Club 3551 Granville Ave. Richmond, BC Phone: 604 – 277-1101 ______________________________________ Name (Please print) ______________________________________ Address ______________________________________ City Province Postal Code _______________________________ SD#___ School District or Organization (name) ______________________________________ Position ______________________________________ Phone Voice or TTY FAX ______________________________________ E-mail address Check which presentations you will attend… (see next page) AM PM Session A Session B If interpreters are required please notify by September 20th. CAEDHH-BC Member: Yes ____ or No ____ (If you want to become a member, please contact, CAEDHH-BC Membership Coordinator at 6200 McKay Ave. Suite 141- #1125, Burnaby, BC V5H 4M9 or contact Nancy Norman at ([email protected]) x x x x x x Conference Registration Fees: (please circle) Combo: Early Members Non-members Students Parents EAs/ Interpreters $115.00 $140.00 $75.00 $75.00 Late After October 5 Postmarked $145.00 $180.00 $95.00 $95.00 $75.00 $95.00 NOTE: A charge $20.00 will be applied to all NSF (nonsufficient fund) cheques. Please make cheque or money order payable to: CAEDHH-BC Conference and mail registration with payment by Oct. 5th to: CAEDHH-BC Conference 2007 6200 McKay Ave. Suite 141- #1125 Burnaby, BC V5H 4M9 Conference Hotel: Ramada Vancouver Airport Double: $77.40 plus 16% tax Single: $73.00 plus 16% tax This includes complimentary: Shuttle to and from the airport, deluxe continental breakfast, and access to wireless, high-speed Internet. Reservations: Address: 7188 Westminster Hwy. Richmond, BC. Phone # 604-207-9000 or 1-888383-8393. Ask for the CAEDHH-BC Group when booking your reservation. A major credit card is required to guarantee your reservation. Note: There are a limited number of rooms at this rate so book early. For office use: Please do not write below: Postmarked Date: _____________ Registration Fee Paid: $____________ Receipt # ________ CAEDHH-BCregform07.doc FNDC/DYT Admittance to all conference sessions Continental Breakfast and Nutrition Break Buffet lunch Vendor exhibits/organizations displays Conference package Door prizes - 19 - Fall 2007 FNDC/DYT - 20 - Fall 2007 Lunch Buffet and IDEA Award Presentation Session A (PM) Dr. Marc Marschark Learning in the Mainstream Classroom: Lies my mother told me Session B (PM) Ellen Rhoades When the Home Language is not Spoken English Marc Marschark, PhD: Marc is a Professor at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Cornell University, his Master’s degree in Cognitive Psychology and his Ph.D. in Psycholinguistics from the University of Western Ontario, in Ontario. He also has a joint appointment as Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, in recognition of his contributions to teaching and research. Marc is the founder and editor of the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. He has published more than 100 articles and chapters, and has written and edited eleven books about learning, education, and deaf children's development. Marc has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work. In 2002, the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf awarded Marc the ‘Edward Allen Fay Award’, "in recognition of significant literary contributions to the field of deafness," named for a long-time Gallaudet University professor who was editor of the American Annals of the Deaf for 50 years. This year, he was awarded both the ‘Superintendent's Award’ from the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and the ‘Lyon Founder's Award’ from the Rochester School for the Deaf for his contributions to deaf education. Ellen A. Rhoades, Ed.S., CED, Cert. AVT: Ellen is an international consultant & mentor who's been recognized with many awards including 'Outstanding AV Clinician of the Year' from AVI, 'Outstanding Professional of the Year' and 'Outstanding Program of the Year' both from AG Bell, and the 'Nitchie Award in Human Communications' from the League for the Hard of Hearing. She established and directed 4 non-profit auditoryverbal programs as well as wrote/directed a federally-funded model pilot auditory-verbal program. While serving as executive and clinical director of each auditory-verbal center she established, Ellen served on the board of directors of the A G Bell Association for the Deaf and was Founding Director/Charter Life member of Auditory Verbal International. Subsequent to her Master’s in Deaf Education from Emory University, she completed her doctoral coursework in Early Childhood Special Education, specializing in infancy and family therapy at Georgia State University. Prior to becoming an Auditory-Verbal Master Clinician, she was a preschool teacher for normally hearing children, an auditory-oral classroom teacher, a parent-infant program coordinator, an adult rehabilitation coordinator, and a university instructor. In spite of her congenital bilateral 85 dB deafness, she was a successful hearing aid user. Due to sudden loss of her residual hearing, she became a bilateral cochlear implant user in 1996. 12:00-1:30 1:30-3:00 Neurological Readiness and Body Based Auditory Learning Dr. Marc Marschark Deaf Children’s Literacy and Academic Achievement: What we know, what we don’t, and what we think we know but really don’t. Coffee Break 10:15-10:30 10:30-12:00 Session B (AM) Ellen Rhoades Introductory Speaker Karen Taylor Provincial Outreach Update (Continental Breakfast) 9:30-10:15 CAEDHH-BC Conference 2007 Session A (AM) Registration CAEDHH-BC AGM (Deluxe Continental Breakfast) 7:30-8:00 & 9:00-9:30 8:00-9:15 Perspectives in Education: Supporting Our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students Friday, October 19, 2007 @ Quilchena Golf and Country Club, Richmond FALL 2007 INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP ADVENTURE For youth and caring adults from many different backgrounds. Travel to a world based on respect for all living beings, universal human rights, non-violence, fairness and peace. Explore the Earth Charter declaration for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century. Discover viewpoints showing the magnificence of diversity in society and in nature. Develop inclusive leadership skills for connecting with differences; communicating with compassion; and applying Anti-discrimination First Aid. Learn through cooperative games, creative activities, heart-to-heart talks and adventurous challenges. Create Action Plans for making a world of difference – starting in our own homes, schools, neighbourhoods and communities. “The choice is ours: form a global partnership to care for Earth and one another or risk the destruction of ourselves and the diversity of life.. . . Our environmental, economic, political, social, and spiritual challenges are interconnected, and together we can forge inclusive solutions.” (www.earthcharter.org) Cowichan Lake Education Centre $225 covers all expenses for 4 days and 3 nights. Thursday, October 18, Adults who bring 2 or more youth come free. Sunday, October 21 Fall 2007 to CLEC is wheelchair accessible For more information and to register contact: We encourage schools, youth groups and families to send intergenerational teams of 2-3 youth and 1-2 adults. Linda McDaniels, Youth Projects Support Cowichan Intercultural Society 101-255 Ingram Street, Duncan, BC, V9L 1P3, Linda’s email: [email protected] Phone: 250-748-3112, Fax: 250-748-1335 Let us know if you face financial barriers or any other access barriers and we will search for solutions together. We are very thankful to schools, youth groups, service clubs, businesses, foundations, government, families and individuals for sponsorships, donations, grants and volunteering. Special thanks to our major funders: FNDC/DYT on the shores of Lake Cowichan, Vancouver Island, BC Facilitated by Dr, Linda Hill and am intergenerational team of trained and experienced Inclusive Travel Guides. - 21 - Fall 2007 FNDC is a non-profit society (S-33351) that was founded in March, 1995 to bring together families of deaf children in British Columbia who share common concerns. Federal Registered Charity Number: 88622 5655 RR0001. DYT is program administered by FNDC. What is FNDC all about? FNDC believes that families are vital in ensuring that deaf children reach their full potential through a supportive home environment. FNDC believes that families have the right to make informed choices based on the needs of the deaf child and the family. FNDC believes that deaf children have the right to a quality education in a language that is visually accessible. FNDC believes that each child is unique and has individual abilities and needs that must be recognized. FNDC believes that the rich and varied experiences and language of the Deaf community are an important and valuable resource for deaf children and their families. What is DYT all about? Deaf Youth today is committed to providing recreational experience and leadership opportunities for signing deaf and hard of hearing youth in British Columbia. FNDC Board of Directors Colleen Peterson........................................................... President Janice Feanny........................................................Vice President Kathy Caldicott............................................................. Secretary Tracy Epp......................................................................Treasurer Blair Flink.......................................................................Director Nicki Horton...................................................................Director Teresa Parent...................................................................Director Eileen Marshall...............................................................Director Angie Keats.....................................................................Director Anna Lesko...................................................... Member at Large Hester Hussey................................................... Mentor, Advisor The Board of Directors are parents of deaf children. FNDC and DYT Staff Cecelia Klassen.........................................Executive Director Membership Membership is open to those who support the goals of our organization. All FNDC members receive: * A one year subscription to our newsletter (which is published four times a year) * Bulletins and information notices regarding upcoming workshops and courses, videos, children & youth programs. * Our membership is open to individuals, schools, and organizations. Parents/guardians of deaf and hard of hearing children are eligible to vote. Contact us below to be added to our membership list and receive our newsletter. ([email protected]) Bella Poato.............................................. Executive Assistant ([email protected]) Forrest Smith.........................Deaf Youth Today Coordinator Family Network for Deaf Children P.O. Box 50075 South Slope RPO Burnaby, BC V5J 5G3 ([email protected]) Susi Bolender....Contact Interpreting, Closer to Home Program ([email protected]) Jason Berube.............................Website Designer/Developer ([email protected]) 604-684-1860 (voice/text message) 604-538-2866 (fax) http://www.fndc.ca/ (website) [email protected] (e-mail)
