Ah, it’s good to laugh about the whole thing with this hilarious comic of Gallaudet President Jane K. Fernandes (affectionally known as JKF… OK, so it’s a shortcut not an affection) receiving an Extreme Makeover comic from Dan McClintock’s Cartoon Blogs. More good stuff. Thanks to Alicia Lane for the pointer.
Pro Hockey Team Supports Charities
I was pleased to read about my favorite hockey team, Dallas Stars, donated to Dallas Hearing Foundation and other charities. The team has a foundation known as the Dallas Star Foundation that awards grants to local children’s charities in support of a variety of needs. “The grants focus on a myriad of worthy causes such as heath services for disadvantaged youth, educational and social issues, family suppers, and crisis intervention,” said Dallas Stars Manager of Community Relations Claire Kinzy. The team awards grants twice a year.
The Dallas Hearing Foundation received a $9,200 grant to help the organization continue providing hearing aids to children not eligible for cochlear implants. “The DHF clearly supports and is dedicated to enhancing the lives of the children which it serves through providing medical services. In addition to aiding children, the DHF has a well defined and established plan of action for use of the funds, including directly providing children with hearing aids and other tangible services,” Kinzy added.
Stars are not only champs on the ice, but also in spirit.
University Isn't Accommodating Enough
Yesterday, the kid who wanted to play baseball. Today, the students who want an education. Deaf Students File Lawsuit Against USU. Suddenly, I feel like we’ve jumped back in time.
I graduated college over 10 years ago (yikes!) and even then, American University (AU) had an office for students with disabilities. I spent my freshman year at TCU and got notetakers there. Some good. Some bad. I needed a strong one in economics and got someone who was an economics major, but his notes stunk more than a garbage bin on a hot and humid day.
I just remembered a notetaker that I liked and had for a few classes while at TCU. Tracy. She had the stereotypical girl’s cursive handwriting with big, neat, and round letters. She was thorough and thanks to her, I did well in Ben Proctor’s U.S. history class.
Deaf Ballplayer in Hawaii Fights to Play
This is unbelievable. Deaf Ballplayer on Kauai Fights for Right to Play. I thought we came a long way from such events. For goodness sakes, it’s been over 20 years since I was 11 (And I started playing not long after Title IX in 1972, so you’d think I’d have more resistance then than today.) and there was no question as to whether or not I should play.
But there is one difference between the Kauai boy and me: he used an interpreter (his own dad!). No matter — it doesn’t affect the game to have an interpreter.
Thinking
Courtney started a fascinating conversation with Being Deaf and thinking. The entry brings up an interview I did with a reporter years ago. How the topic came up, I don’t remember. Somehow, our conversation turned to when I talk or think, I can “hear” words in my head. But I had hearing aids to help me “auralize” words. What would I think if I had never heard a sound in my life? Anyone out there who has been in this situation?
For instance, I’m thinking of the words I type and “hearing” them in my head. Do all hearing people do this? I thought of the word “apple.” I hear it. Sometimes I see it, but more often I hear the word than see the object. Perhaps, this is because so many words don’t have a tangible including tangible as well as is, are, our, quick, and so on.
Gallaudet Board of Trustuees Chief Steps Down
Gallaudet Board Chief Steps Down (may need free registration. Here’s a source from the school) stating stress and “numerous aggressive threats.” The article also reports that Fernandes has no plans to step down like the original candidate selected prior to I. King Jordan’ selection. The students protested. The candidate stepped down. Jordan became president.
I’m all for the students speaking out against something they don’t like. However, I’m questioning the validity of this protest as it sounds like they’d protest anyone selected and find a reason to do it. One resource indicated they protested because they were no minority candidates. Well, last I checked, being a woman was considered a minority.
I read Fernandes’ bio and she has a most impressive background in deaf education. Let’s Move on is right on and I think it tells the real story that the rest of us are missing.
Update: Please read the comments. Finally got insight! Even I think Gallaudet’s board made a big mistake now.
Third of Deaf People without Jobs
While working for the federal government, I remember discovering that of all disabilities and differences (other than mental retardation), deaf employees had the lowest average salary. So I’m not surprised to read that Third of deaf people without work.
Like Helen Keller said, “Blindness cuts us off from things, but deafness cuts us off from people.” I believe it to be true even with my ability to talk and lipread. When I attended conference calls, I felt cut off from those on the other side of the line and had to rely on those in the room with me.
Gallaudet Students Continue Protest
Read an article in The Dallas Morning News that the latest reason the students don’t like the president-elect is because she’s not “deaf enough.” She knows the perfect deaf person is one who is born of deaf parents, marries a deaf person, and has deaf children. Wow, lots of pressure on genetics.
The president-elect is married to a Gallaudet professor who is hearing and has hearing children. Obviously, her husband knows sign language, and she can’t help it if her kids aren’t deaf.
The first reports indicated the students didn’t like her demeanor. That has more merit, I think. What are the chances you’re going to find someone qualified for the president position that comes close to the “perfect deaf person?” The president-elect is a current employee with the university, so students are familiar with her.
So far, the administration doesn’t look like it’s going to back down and neither are the students. We watch and we wait.
Wheel Chair for $44
I read about the $44 wheel chair in Reader’s Digest some time ago. The fact the guy made an effort to invent something much needed and make it affordable amazes me. Wish we could do something like that for hearing aids. Maybe it’s possible, but I’m no engineer.
With the popularity of American Inventor, perhaps the company will have a second edition and we’ll see more inventions along these line. There was a guy who had a flosser for those who can’t use the regular flosser. He didn’t make it to the final 12, but I’m betting companies are noticing those who don’t make the finals and calling them up. I hope so.
Speaking of the show, the final four inventions are:
* baby car seat
* bike with site on the handles for a second rider
* football receiver tool
* Word Ace, an educational (shh…) game
I think the bike should’ve never made it this far. I hated that the toilet seat filter people had to go up against the baby car seat. The baby car seat looks amazing and I hope they pull it off. I’m interested in Word Ace as I love games, but for $50?
Seeing people lose their jobs or going bankrupt during the show was terrible. I hope that those who didn’t make it to the final four got noticed and perhaps, saw some benefit come from the show. Haven’t spent much time trying to find out what happened to them, especially Jodie (Headliner).
Gallaudet Students Not Happy with New President Selection
Students are not happy with the new president selected to replace I. King Jordon who is retiring. The committee selected a deaf person and female, but students protest because they believe Provost Jane K. Fernandes didn’t pay attention to their wants and needs.
They also say the selection process was racist because none of the top three candidates was black. No winning with this group. This time the committee picked a deaf person AND female. Before Jordan became president, the students protested the president selection because the first choice wasn’t deaf.
It’s great they’re speaking up and being heard, but this racist thing is a little too much. Who knows how many applied. Maybe none of the black candidates was deaf. I don’t know enough to comment.
More on the story from The Washington Post, but it requires free registration.