Bad news: Miss Deaf Texas Struck and Killed By Train in Austin. Apparently she was walking alongside of the tracks where she was close enough to get hit. Hearts and prayers go out to her family.
More articles on Miss Deaf Texas and one from CNN.
Updated on March 15, 2006
“DPHH Austin wants to make announcement that DeafCities.com just launched Tara Mcavoy Memorial Website where you can find information, news, photos, guestbook and other such. You can see it live at:
http://www.taramcavoy.com
“Tara Mcavoy Memorial Trust Fund information is available on the web site.
“Any photos you want to add, please send to deafcities@deafcities.com and they will add it for you. If you have poems or anything, please go to the guestbook and write them. Within 60-90 days, we will hand over the website to Tara’s family for their memorial.
“As you know, our special event on April 8, 2006, we were suppose to have a surprise guestspeaker, this was for Tara Mcavoy that we are to donate money to support for Miss Deaf America, but with this tragic death, we feel deep hurt and sad, please give prayers for Tara and we will never forget her. We will contiune to donate the money to Miss Deaf Texas to compete for Miss Deaf America and to Tara Mcavoy Memorial Trust Fund.
“Please give them your support, they will be fully appericated.”
Thank you.
Regards,
DPHH Austin
Updated on March 14, 2006
From Deafnetwork: IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE!
“We are saddened to announce the death of our Miss Deaf Texas 2005-2007, Tara Rose McAvoy. She was killed on Monday, March 13th in Austin, Texas. Her friends and family will sorely miss Tara. Tara will always leave behind a legacy that will always be remembered. She represented Texas with dignity and pride and that will never be forgotten. Tara will always hold a special place in our hearts. Tara will be honored at the Miss Deaf America Pageant this summer in Palm Desert, California during the final night of the pageant. We want to express our deepest sympathy to Tara? family during this time of loss.
Miss Deaf Texas Killed by Train
Deaf History Month 2006
Deaf History Month runs from March 13 through April 15. The March issue of Captioned Media’s ezine has a wealth of information on deaf history.
From National Association of the Deaf release:
“A program highlight will be the introduction of a kit designed to provide information and resources for the nation’s libraries across the country for celebrating Deaf History Month. The kit includes: Program Planning Suggestions; Resources (deaf professional services, library membership organizations; 2006 annual deaf-related events, notable deaf pioneers; Library References; and Glossary of Terms Related to the Deaf Identity; and the National Deaf History Resolution approved by the American Library Association in 2005. The website of the Friends of Libraries for Deaf Action makes the kit available online at: http://www.folda.net (click on “Library.”) Celebrate Deaf Legacy Kit
Doctors Learn Sign Language
Doctors training in sign language isn’t an ordinary sign language course, but one that focuses on medical terms. This could be something we’ll see more of in the future… sign language tailored to specific professions — at least the critical ones like medicine. The article explains that more than one-third of hard of hearing patients didn’t understand their conditions because of communication barriers.
I never leave the doctor’s office without being clear on what came of the visit. When it was more important, I usually bring Paul or Mom with me. Sounds childish, but health is important and we don’t want to misunderstand when it comes to that.
Captioned Movies in Theaters
Fomdi lists Captioned Movies playing around the US. Just enter your zip code, how far you’re willing to travel, and when you want to see a movie. Very nice resource. Typically, I go to AMC Theaters and look under Dallas. It’s the only chain that cares enough to provide captioned movies.
I’ve written to another chain with a theater that’s walking distance from my house and the reply not too friendly. The gist is that the chain doesn’t do it and won’t do it in the near future.
Deaf Skydivers
I admire the Deaf Skydivers folks simply because I’m afraid to do such a thing! Paul would like to try it, but I’ll stay firmly grounded, thankyouverymuch. Guess you wouldn’t call me a daredevil. Scariest thing I did was rappel down a mountain and it was not that steep.
I love indoor rock climbing, though. That I do. No bungee, parachuting, or anything along those lines for me. That’s why I’d never try out for Amazing Race. I’d freak out on too many of the events. Besides, those long car trips would not work out well.
Deaf Resource Library
The Deaf Resource Library has information about deaf education, culture, and other related topics. Very nice and detailed library.
Read Captions Across America
From Deafnetwork:
“On March 2, the Captioned Media Program (CMP) is launching a nationwide Read Captions Across America (RCAA) event as a part of the National Education Association’s (NEA) ‘Read Across America.’ RCAA is the first national reading event that puts emphasis on the importance of captioned media as a reading tool for children with or without a hearing loss. Federal law mandates the captioning of television programming, but no law requires the captioning of educational media (DVD, video, CD-ROM, etc.). The goal of the CMP is to encourage teachers and librarians to think about the benefits of captioning for everyone!
“By participating in or passing the word on about Read Captions Across America, you are helping to break new ground in improving literacy and generating interest in reading in your state or region. Furthermore, you are doing so with the support of both the CMP and the NEA. With your participation, the CMP hopes that Read Captions Across America will make the NEA’s ‘Read Across America’ event an even greater success than ever before! To learn more about this event and the CMP, click on the following links:”
Visit our Read Captions Across America edition of the CMP Client E-Zine
More Read Captions Across America (RCAA) Links:
RCAA press release
“Read Across America” (NEA)
Captioned Media Program (CMP):
Article: “Read Captions Across America!” [pdf file]
Article: “Reading Captions Wakes Up the Brain Cells!” [pdf file]
Texting for Students
I remember in high school that I went to a school dance, but I took someone home afterwards and couldn’t call my parents. I didn’t think much of it; a big mistake. It was the first and only time my parents worried about me while I was out. This wouldn’t have happened if I had a Sidekick then. But of course, cell phones weren’t as common then — certainly not for teens. I imagine texting makes a world of a difference in deaf teens’ lives.